The 5 Best Things To Do In Paris At Night

The Paris Olympics 2024 are in full swing so the city feels livelier right now. There are plenty of daytime things to do in the French capital but it’s after dark when the city’s bewitching ambience utterly captures your heart. You can watch the Eiffel Tower light up, visit The Louvre at night, dine at a bouillon restaurant and savour cocktails from a rooftop bar, among plenty of other experiences.

We recommend checking out the following five best things to do in “The City of Lights” at night.

Watch A Cabaret Performance

The iconic Moulin Rouge is best known as the birthplace of the modern form of the can-can dance. Originally introduced as a seductive dance by the courtesans who operated from the site, the can-can dance revue evolved into a form of entertainment of its own and led to the introduction of cabarets across Europe. Today, the Moulin Rouge offers a musical dance entertainment and dinner experience for visitors from around the world. Dinner begins at 7PM with a delectable selection of French cuisine and the “Féerie” show starts two hours later.

Dine On The Seine

Floating down the Seine River at night as the landmarks of Paris cast their glow on the water is a sight for the ages. The heady romantic atmosphere, a magical setting and world-class gastronomy on your plate—what more can you ask for? Choose a night cruise from Bateaux Mouches, Bateaux Parisiens, Paris Seine and Croisiere Gourmande, among other tour operators.

Join A Ghost Tour

Walking around Paris at twilight is a wondrous experience but how about delving into a spooky journey to get the most out of your nighttime stroll? There are plenty of tours across Paris that investigate its cultural and historical heritage but we recommend joining one offering a spectral and dark look at the city’s underbelly. “The Darkest Secrets of Paris” by Irreplaceable Tours uncovers supernatural lore and macabre events at places like Pont-Neuf, the Hôtel de Ville and the Latin Quarter. Meanwhile, City Wonders’ “Ghosts, Legends and Mysteries” tour takes you to places like the Place de la Vert Gallant, where the last Knights Templar was burned at the stake, and the Church of Saint Germain L’Auxerrois, home of the St Bartholomew’s Day massacre.

See The City From An Observation Deck

The Tour Montparnasse is a 210-metre skyscraper which had the distinction of being the tallest building in France till 2011. It has one of the most enviable views of Paris, including that of the Eiffel Tower as it twinkles with flashing lights every hour. The observatory is located on the 56^th floor and is a comfortable space that is surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows. Educational displays help visitors better understand Paris’ history and its culture. You can see up to 40km in every direction, making this experience one for the ages.

Go Clubbing

Get a taste of Paris’s nightlife by stepping into its nightclubs. With great cocktails, good music and majestic views, these parties carry on well into the early morning hours. Try the La Station – Gare des mines, La Bellevilloise, Supersonic, Wanderlust, Boum Boum, Petit Bain, Le Carmen and Cabaret Sauvage to dance the night away.