In a nutshell
- Visiting Paris and want to make the most of your evenings? Great idea — there are seriously so many things to do in Paris at night.
- Top picks include the glowing Eiffel Tower, the panorama from the Arc de Triomphe, guided night tours, and a boat cruise along the Seine.
- We’ll also point you to the best neighborhoods for a night out and our favorite bars and clubs for a memorable evening in Paris.
Visit the Eiffel Tower in Paris at Night
The Eiffel Tower is open daily until 11:45 PM. In July and August, it’s even open until 12:45 AM. So you can climb the tower after dark — all the way up to the second and third floors, just like during the day.
From the top, you’ll have a stunning view of sparkling Paris at night. And don’t miss the light show, which runs every day from sunset until 1 AM, on the hour, every hour.
It’s best to book your Eiffel Tower tickets in advance online through the official Eiffel Tower website. Demand is enormous, so we recommend booking early.
Our tip: Alternatively, you can also admire the illuminated Eiffel Tower from the Tour Montparnasse. The view is spectacular.
Find all the details on Eiffel Tower tickets right here:
Visit the Arc de Triomphe in Paris at Night
It’s not just the Eiffel Tower that offers a great aerial view of Paris at night — the Arc de Triomphe does too.
The 200-foot arch stands at the end of the famous shopping boulevard Champs-Élysées and is open daily until 11 PM. In the off-season, it closes at 10:30 PM.
The advantage here is that ticket demand isn’t nearly as high as at the Eiffel Tower. Still, to skip the wait, we recommend buying a ticket online in advance.
Book Arc de Triomphe ticket online
Take a Tour of Paris at Night
One of the best things to do in Paris at night is join a guided night tour — and there are two really cool options to choose from.
Either a ghost tour, where you discover the creepiest spots in Paris and their dark histories, or a guided bike tour past the city’s beautifully illuminated landmarks.
Two totally different ways to explore Paris after dark — but both are absolutely worth it.
Book Paris night bike tour online
Take a Boat Trip in Paris at Night
If you’d rather see illuminated Paris from the water, the best way to do it is on a nighttime boat cruise along the Seine.
For one hour, you’ll glide leisurely along the river while taking in Notre-Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and all the other highlights of Paris bathed in gorgeous light.
As a bonus, you’ll also get a delicious waffle that you can pick up before or after the cruise at Les Terrasses du Trocadéro near the Eiffel Tower.
Book nighttime Seine boat cruise online
Take a City Sightseeing Tour of Paris at Night
A city sightseeing tour is another fantastic night activity in Paris. Just like with the walking tours, there are some really cool options to choose from here too.
For example, you can be chauffeured through Paris in a vintage 2CV, take a nighttime sightseeing bus tour, or join a bus tour with a 5-course dinner and champagne on board.
Book vintage 2CV tour of Paris at night online
Book nighttime sightseeing bus tour online
Book nighttime bus tour with dinner & champagne online
Catch a Cabaret Show in Paris
Cabaret shows in Paris happen virtually every evening. Cabaret is an art form that combines dance, comedy, and music in a fun and often very glamorous way.
During the shows, dinner or drinks are often included. You can either add them when booking in advance or order on the spot.
The most famous cabaret in Paris is the Moulin Rouge. Two more top-notch shows can be found at Paradis Latin and Crazy Horse.
These shows are seriously popular, so we strongly recommend booking your ticket online in advance. Getting tickets on the door is difficult — or sometimes just not possible.
Book Moulin Rouge show ticket + champagne online
Book Paradis Latin show ticket + champagne online
Book Crazy Horse show ticket online
Visit Paris Museums in the Evening
Some of the museums in Paris stay open late into the evening. At that hour, they’re much quieter than during the day, and you can really take your time with the exhibits.
Our recommendations for an evening museum visit in Paris are:
- Paris Catacombs: open daily until 8:30 PM
- Louvre: open until 9 PM on Wednesdays
- Musée des Arts et Métiers: open until 9 PM on Fridays
- Atelier des Lumières: open until 9 PM on Fridays & Saturdays
- Museum of Modern Art (free admission): open until 9:30 PM on Thursdays
Learn more about three of these museums here:
Stroll Through Montmartre
The artists’ quarter of Montmartre is a genuine highlight in its own right even during the day. Narrow alleyways, authentic bistros, charming squares with cafés, and the Sacré-Cœur Basilica.
But in the evening, the neighborhood really kicks things up a notch. Not just because this is where you’ll find the Moulin Rouge cabaret, but simply because Montmartre is a blast to explore.
You can wander aimlessly, hop between bars, and enjoy an unforgettable — and totally free — panorama of illuminated Paris at night from the steps in front of Sacré-Cœur.
By the way: Montmartre is also one of the most beautiful neighborhoods to stay in when visiting Paris.
Check Out Cool Bars and Clubs in Paris
Paris nightlife obviously means bars and clubs too — and there are plenty of them. Before you just head out, here’s what you should know:
- Going out in Paris is expensive. A beer can cost up to €10. A cocktail can run as high as €16.
- Cover charges at Parisian nightclubs average around €10.
- Bouncers at Paris clubs pick and choose arbitrarily. Not everyone gets in — and those who do tend to be the ones who look the part. That’s just how it is.
- Bars with a dance floor are a better alternative to nightclubs.
The best neighborhoods in Paris for a night out are Belleville, Oberkampf, Canal St. Martin, Montmartre, and Bastille.
We recommend these bars and clubs:
- Bellevilloise: for alternative events
- YOYO Paris: for live music and DJ sets
- Le Balajo: for themed nights
- Comptoir Général: vintage tiki-style bar on Canal St. Martin
- Le Bouillon Belge: best beer bar in Paris, known for delicious mussels
- La Fourmi: wine bar near Montmartre
Frequently Asked Questions About Paris at Night
Is Paris dangerous at night?
No. Paris is just as safe at night as any other major city. Simply stick to areas where there are plenty of other people around.
You can find more information about safety in Paris here:
What can you do in Paris in the evening?
There’s no shortage of options. You could spend the evening visiting a bar, catching a cabaret show, or taking a city tour through illuminated Paris — just to name a few.
Where does Paris come alive at night?
The best Paris nightlife can be found in the neighborhoods of Belleville, Oberkampf, Canal St. Martin, Montmartre, and Bastille.
When do Parisians eat dinner?
Parisians typically eat dinner between 7:00 PM and 11:00 PM.
What can you do in Paris at night with kids?
Unfortunately, most kids’ attractions in Paris close daily between 6 and 7 PM. A great alternative, though, is the Oya board game café.
Here you can sit together as a family and play board games while enjoying something delicious to drink.
Oya is open Tuesday through Saturday until midnight.
We’ve been to Paris with our kids multiple times and have put together all our tips: The best kids’ attractions in Paris.
