What to do in Paris at night | Paris streets at night | Things to do

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Paris is perhaps most famous for its monuments, magnificent landscapes, food and unbeatable cultural scene, but the city has so much more to offer, especially after sunset. It’s no wonder that Paris is called the City of Light, it’s meant to be explored after dark. If you want to blend into the Parisian crowd at night, look no further! Read on for our INSIDR tips on the things to do in Paris at night,  best shows in Paris at night, Paris streets at night, attractions and practical information like Paris metro hours to make the most of your Parisian nights!

TOP THINGS TO DO IN PARIS AT NIGHT

Paris at Night #1 Best Shows in Paris

Attending a performance at the Opera Garnier is a truly unique Paris must-do. The beautiful venue hosts ballets, concerts and of course the opera. The Palais Garnier is arguably one of the most famous opera houses in the world. Even if you’re not an opera fan, we definitely recommend seeing a show or to enter the amazing building. The opulent house was completed in 1875 and features red velvet seats, marble staircases, and a Chagall-painted ceiling. Check the Opera Garnier website to see what shows are available during your trip. You can also check out our favorite places to catch a live show in Paris.

Paris at Night #2 Best Cabaret in Paris

The cabarets of Paris are internationally famous for their glamour and iconic dancers. The French capital has over ten cabarets, but our favorite remains the iconic Moulin Rouge. The Moulin Rouge’s history dates back almost 130 years and it helped contribute to French cultural and artistic growth. The iconic venue and famous windmill has the world’s best Cancan dancers and has inspired countless writers, poets, and painters. Capturing the energetic, romantic and unique atmosphere is simply impossible. Catch a show to see the beautiful and talented dancers, elaborate costumes and the unforgettable Féerie show. You can book your tickets here!

Photo from Moulin Rouge

Paris at Night #3 Best Jazz Bar in Paris

Paris has been swinging to the rhythms of jazz for over a century. Legends including Bud Powell, Chet Baker and Miles Davis have left their marks on the Parisian jazz scene. It’s no secret that the city has a number of jazz bars but there’s really only one place that comes to mind when a great night of jazz music is planned. Duc des Lombards in the center of Paris is the go-to place for jazz musicians and jazz-lovers.

Photo from Duc des Lombards

Duc des Lombards hosts some of the world’s best jazz players who fly in from different parts of the world. The club puts on 2 shows every night at 7:30pm and 9:45pm from Mondays to Saturdays. They even have after-hours jam sessions from 11:30pm that you can just walk right into. But that’s not even our favorite part about Duc des Lombards. We love that the venue is intimate and you can sit right in front of the jazz musicians playing live music while enjoying a drink and delicious appetizers.

Photo from Duc des Lombards

Duc des Lombards is no doubt a great place to spend a memorable night in Paris. Don’t forget that you must book your tickets online in advance to make sure you get seats! Visit their website to check out their upcoming line up of shows and to reserve your tickets!

Paris at Night #4 Best Clubs in Paris

Like with fashion, Paris at night has an avant-garde,world-renowned reputation for its amazing nightlife scene. Outdoor and rooftop clubs are definitely the hottest new trend. Our personal favorite outdoor clubs include Debonair, Wanderlust, Concrete and La Clairière. They all have great music, delicious cocktails and outstanding views of the city. Read our dedicated guide to the best clubs in Paris at night for more of our favorites. Paris also has numerous bars with dance floors, if you’re looking for a good balance between bar and club. At INSIDR, we recommend checking out the Comptoir Général, Rosa Bonheur and of course Le Carmen.

Paris at Night #5 Best Live Music Venues in Paris

As one of the culture capitals of the world, Paris has a lively music scene. The city itself is home to three huge arenas – Paris Bercy, the newly constructed U Arena and the iconic Stade de France. Some of the most famous, slightly smaller, music venues include the Olympia, the Elysées Montmartre, the Zenith and Le Trianon. Make sure to book ahead as tickets tend to sell out fast, especially at some of the smaller places. For classical music lovers, Paris also has numerous concert halls including the Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre Church and the Sainte Chapelle.

PARIS AT NIGHT ATTRACTIONS

Paris at Night #6 Paris Museums – Late Opening

Enjoy a cultural evening out and avoid the weekend crowds at one of Paris’ best last-night museums and galleries. Most museums have late-night openings  in Paris at night at least one night a week making it super convenient to squeeze everything into your Paris travels. The Louvre is open until 9:45PM on Wednesdays and Fridays (you can book your timed-entrance ticket here!). The Centre Pompidou and Palais de Tokyo have late-nights on Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday. On Thursday nights head to the Musée du Quai Branly, Musée des Arts Décoratifs or the Musée d’Orsay.

Paris at Night #7 Eiffel Tower At Night

It goes without saying that seeing the Eiffel Tower is an absolute must during your time in Paris at night. The magnificent light show takes place on the hour, every hour after sunset. To fully enjoy the dazzling views of the Iron Lady we recommend heading to the Passerelle Debilly. You’ll also have an amazing view directly from the Vedettes de Paris Night cruise. There’s nothing quite like sailing by the sparkling show after sunset. We’ve also put together a list our favorite spots to make sure you get the absolutely perfect, Instagram-worthy shot of the Eiffel Tower.

Photo from Unsplash

Paris at Night #8 Paris Sunset View Point

You absolutely must set aside one evening to enjoy the sunset in Paris. The sunset is always beautiful, however, in Paris, it’s simply nothing short of extraordinary. It would be a shame to be stuck in the metro or inside during the magical hour. The Arc de Triomphe or the Galeries Lafayette rooftop provide a spectacular view of the city’s sunset.

PARIS STREETS AT NIGHT

Paris at Night #9 Open Tour Night Bus Tour

Paris streets at night truly do come alive as a special kind of magic takes over the city. After all, it is called the City of Light for a reason. However, after a long day of exploring and walking around the city, you might need a break. The Open Tour night bus is the perfect option to admire the beautiful monuments and bridges at night. Take a seat in the comfortable double-decker bus and enjoy spectacular views of the Louvre, Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower and much more.

Paris at Night #10 Paris River Cruise Dinner

If you’re looking for a romantic night out or a meal with an unforgettable view, you can’t spare a Paris dinner cruise. Most cruises depart from the Eiffel Tower or Musée d’Orsay and sail past the Notre Dame Cathedral, Place de la Concorde and Louvre museum. Vedettes de Paris has a great selection of cruises, at all price points. What’s even better is that you can get a free Champagne cruise upgrade when you download your INSIDR voucher!

Book your tickets to Vedettes de Paris online using our special discount code which you can only find inside the INSIDR voucher! Download it here.

LATE NIGHT DRINKS & FOOD IN PARIS AT NIGHT

Paris at Night #11 Hidden Cocktail Bars & Rooftop Bar in Paris

Looking to add some mystique to your time in Paris at night?  Know that there is Paris and then there is hidden Paris. The French capital is home to an array of secret cocktail bars. Some of our favorites include Candaleria, Moonshiner and Lavomatic. Perched on top of the beautifully designed Haussmann buildings, you’ll also come across a number of awesome rooftop bars. Enjoy unique views of Paris at night while sipping on a delicious drink. There’s really no better way to end the day. We particularly recommend Kong or Communion. For the best view of the city, head up to the Ice Bar on the roof of the Galeries Lafayette.

However, our favorite secret rooftop hang is definitely the Bar à Bulles. This hidden gem is on top of the famous Moulin Rouge, what could be more iconic? The entrance was recently moved to the Cité Véron, a historic street in Montmartre where Boris Vian and Jacques Prévert once lived. They also recently revamped their menu to include tapas and a to-die-for brunch. Cocktail-wise Bar à Bulles has a wide selection of original creations. We’re personally fans of the “Mojito Moulin Rouge” and “Le Harry”.

Paris at Night #12 Late Night Food

By now you’re probably starting to understand how much Paris has to offer after dark. Whether you’ve just landed after a long flight or have been out on the town, Paris also has a great selection of late-night bites to keep you energized all night long. Au Pied de Chochon was the first restaurant in the city to stay open all night and has since become an icon. Located in the 1st arrondissement, Serge Gainsbourg and President François Mitterand have both eaten there.

We recommend the French onion soup. It’s so good that the recipe hasn’t changed for over 65 years. Chez Denise, also located in the city center, is open until  5AM, six days a week. This typical French eatery has particularly delicious steak tartare. For the more adventurous, we recommend the Tripes, a French classic. If you find your stomach grumbling and you’re near Montmartre, head to Bouillon Pigalle. This trendy restaurant has delicious roasted chicken, salmon tartare and homemade desserts. The service is also excellent in the recently renovated bistro.

PRACTICAL TIPS FOR PARIS AT NIGHT

Paris at Night #13 Safety in Paris at Night

If you’re planning on exploring the City of Lights at night but worried about safety, you can relax! Paris streets at night are safe. As with anywhere else in the world, we recommend taking basic safety precautions when out at night and keeping an eye on your belongings. The city center and other popular neighborhoods including Le Marais, Latin Quarter and Bastille are vibrant both day and night. If you need some more tips on Parisian nightlife, check out our favorite bars and guide to the red light district.

Paris at Night #14 Transportation in Paris at Night

Lucky for you, Paris at night has an excellent public transportation system as well as other options for getting home late at night including bike shares and Uber. If you’re out past midnight, you’ll need to check public transportation hours (more on that in a second!). Taxis are available 24/7 and are generally easy to find in most neighborhoods. Uber is also hugely popular in Paris at night and a convenient way to get home. If you’re feeling sporty, grab one of the Velib’ bikes and pedal your way home while enjoying the lovely Parisian monuments at night. Don’t worry, Paris streets at night are not only beautiful, they’re safe, too!

Paris at Night #15 Paris Metro Operating Hours

Though not yet available 24/7, the Parisian public train system has gradually extended opening hours over the past few years. The metro and RER run from approximately 5:30 AM – 12:40 AM on Sundays to Thursdays. On Fridays, Saturdays and days before public holidays, trains run from 5:30AM – 1:40AM. You can check specific timetables on the RATP website depending on the line you’ll be taking. You can also use the city’s night bus system, Noctilien, to get around at night. The network branches out from five major points in the city: Châtelet, Montparnasse, Gare de l’Est, Gare Saint-Lazare and Gare de Lyon.

Photo from Unsplash

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