Paris By Night…Experience The Magic
Paris, even the name suggests romance, glamour and adventure. The French Capital is a dazzling city at any time of day but something magical happens as the sun goes down. Just think; moonlight bouncing off the River Seine as you and your lover stroll hand in hand and head into the Paris night, embracing the evening ahead. But, where will you go and what can you see? Let’s look at how to spend night-time in Paris and make the most of your time before sunrise.
Paris, feels slightly more exciting after dark and the city’s heart beats a little faster underneath the stars when everything really comes to life and night owls seek to cram in as much entertainment as possible into their evening.
Paris literally glitters by night as the famous landmarks of the city are illuminated in the dark and a great way to see all the tick list sights is by taking an organised tour. Whether you want to walk, sail or drive, it really is a nice, easy and atmospheric way of taking in all the city has to offer. Churches, bridges, fountains and all the iconic buildings like the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre look beautiful when they’re all lit up for the night, showing off to all who come to admire them.
So, why not let someone else show you around so that you don’t miss a thing. Along with an expert local guide’s commentary you can learn all about the sights and history and you’ll enjoy some great photo opportunities as the city’s jewels twinkle in the night sky, drawing you into the sultry and seductive atmosphere. There are some good value tours available from Viator that you can book in advance letting you plan your time in Paris.
If you’d prefer to take in the night air on foot, then why not join one of the walking tours available such as this one, again with Viator…
Now that you’ve toured the city’s best loved sights and landmarks, you might be wondering how to spend the rest of the evening and in the glitzy French capital, there’s plenty to keep night birds and pleasure seekers out of their beds!
For culture vultures, there are lots of options to take in a live performance at one of the city’s arts venues or a tour of one of the museums. Some galleries open for special visits at night-time and you might find this is less crowded than during the day. On a pre-booked evening tour, visitors can skip the queues and spend some time with a knowledgeable art expert, exploring famous masterpieces.
There is a great evening tour available for the Louvre, where you can see the Mona Lisa and Venus di Milo among thousands of other artworks in the museum. Now, that sounds like a wonderful night but it doesn’t end there. Visitors on this trip can conclude the evening with a lovely wine tasting session at a nearby wine bar. You can book this right here.
Sticking with cultural pastimes, why not spend a night at the opera? The famous Palais Garnier opera house has an exciting programme lined up for this year. Or you could simply book a tour of this magnificent theatre which was the setting for the famous novel The Phantom of The Opera by Gaston Leroux. Opera isn’t to everyone’s tastes but you should give it a whirl during your trip to Paris, especially if it’s your first time. Seeing a production in exciting foreign surrounds really adds to the experience. You never know, you might come back a convert!
If this sounds just too high-brow for you, here’s a more light-hearted alternative. Please do stop by Bel Canto, a quirky restaurant that combines opera with gastronomy and you won’t have to sing for your supper! Diners can tuck into tasty Parisian dishes as they are serenaded by young, classical singers performing some of the greatest arias ever written. There are two venues in the city and you can find them here…
Bel Canto Paris Hotel De Ville – open 7 days a week, from 7.30 pm to Midnight.
72 Quai de l’Hôtel de Ville /Paris Iv
Metro : Hôtel de Ville (line 1), Pont Marie (line 7) – Parking : Vinci Hôtel de Ville, Vinci Pont Marie – Valet parking
Bel Canto Neuilly Porte Maillot– Tuesday to Saturday, from 7.30 pm to Midnight.
6 Rue du Commandant Pilot /Neuilly-sur-Seine
Metro : Les sablons (line 1) – Parking : Vinci Place du Marché – Valet parking
Sight-seeing can be thirsty work and you’ll be spoilt for choice in the French capital, with bars to suit just about every mood and occasion. Visitors can choose from elegant and sophisticated Champagne bars to uber trendy watering holes and everything in between.
For something really unusual, head to Ice Kube – the first and only ice bar in Paris, reservations are required so be sure to book ahead.
Whichever venue you decide on, you’ll be sure to find a super choice of wines and cocktails to slake your thirst and get you in the mood for some nightlife and no trip to Paris would be complete without an evening in one of the famous cabarets.
The Moulin Rouge was founded in 1889 and is still the epitome of Parisian nightlife and entertainment. Take in a show as well as enjoying a fabulous dinner in the lavish décor and sumptuous surroundings.
Le Moulin Rouge
82 Boulevard de Clichy
Paris 18th
Metro: Blanche
The Lido de Paris is another world famous, top class cabaret featuring breath-taking, flamboyant performances from some of the finest internationally acclaimed artists who will dazzle you from start to finish.
Le Lido de Paris
116 bis avenue des Champs-Elysées
Paris 8th
Metro: George V
Booking is required and these should not be missed on your trip. If you only do one thing in the evening, make it the Moulin Rouge or the Lido de Paris but try and visit both and just lose yourself in the glamour and sparkle for a few hours.
Paris really is another world by night, so go on and indulge yourself for an unforgettable evening; reality can wait until morning…or at least until you get back on the plane!
Bonsoir!
Travel first, everything else after. I am a full-time traveller, addicted to taking pictures of my travels, from food to fashion. You’ll find me posing somewhere in front of the Eiffel Tower eating macaroons or by the Burj Khalifa with my sunnies on… the world is my oyster!