Known as the City of Light, Paris is striking at night as it is during the day. The megalopolis is home to numerous landmarks adjacent to tiny streets, exposing the diverse, rich French culture that has stood the test of time.
Arguably the most marvelous city after dark, Paris adopted electric street lighting as early as 1878, making it one of the earliest to do so. Fast-forward to today, the Parisian streets exhibit exquisiteness and flair after dark, manifesting magical nights for visitors. Travelers visit the city to enjoy the variety of activities the night offers.
Top Places To Visit In Paris At Night
Multiple features sprawl across the French capital. These landmarks lie primarily along the Seine River, the second longest in the country. The water body flows through the city, offering travelers striking night views.
Seine Riverbanks
The riverbanks of the fabled Seine River provide idyllic grounds for strolls after dark. The pavement stretching along the riverbank grants visitors spectacular views of the numerous Parisian monuments illuminated by lights. For instance, there’s the Les Berges de Seine, a pedestrianized stretch lying along the left bank of the river between the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.
The Les Berges de Seine stretches up to the Solférino Bridge that connects the left bank with the prominent Tuileries Gardens. During the night, this fascinating waterfront offers striking vistas of the gleaming Eiffel Tower, the famous Louvre, Orsay Museums, and the Grand Palais, an Art Nouveau building.
Another famous waterfront is the Quai Saint-Benard, which starts behind the world-famous Notre Dame Cathedral in an area renowned for picnics. During the night, the stretch fills up with young people enjoying the striking view of Saint Louis, Paris' oldest part. Additionally, the area hosts various dance festivals at different times.
Bassin de la Collette is another unique sight lying along the banks of the river. This water canal with a port lies in the northern part of Paris, with both its waterfronts being popular meeting points for young revelers drawn to art.
The Seine River also offers night river cruises. The two main tour lines are Bateaux Mouches and Les Vedettes du point Neuf. Both cruises offer tours around the main Parisian monuments, with Les Vedettes du point Neuf incorporating champagne tasting to provide tourists with a unique experience.
Top Paris Sights To Visit
Paris is home to several global monuments, including the world-famous Eiffel Tower. The city also has observatories offering stunning panoramic views of Paris.
The ideal sight of embarking on when exploring the city is the Eiffel Tower, a magnificent steel structure on the west side of Paris. The monument was designed and constructed by Gustav Eiffel.
The Eiffel Tower has three floors and is about 300 meters tall. It houses several restaurants, a macaroon pastry shop, and an observatory point on the top.
Another magnificent Parisian observatory is the Montparnasse Tower, a 210 meters tall structure constructed in 1973. The monument houses a fancy restaurant on the top that offers stunning views of the ever-gleaming Eiffel Tower in its splendor.
Apart from the observatories, Paris also accommodates several night museum tours in some top museums in the city. One of these institutions is the prominent Louvre Museum, considered among the largest in the world. The museum stores important artifacts and pieces of art, including some from world-famous artists such as Leonardo Da Vinci, the Renaissance master.
Musée d'Orsay is another significant institution that exposes tourists to the major works of French Fine Art history through its numerous night museum tours. The museum lies slightly close to the banks of the Seine River.
Where To Party In Paris
The Parisian party scene has been evolving. A new generation of partygoers has brought with it a breath of fresh air sweeping through Île-de-France, exposing the French capital's districts to the festivity that abounds various areas, from clubs to public parks and gardens.
Oberkampf
Popular with a young and trendy set of partygoers, Oberkampf has, with time, asserted itself as one of the city's most incredible hangout spots. The district is famous for partygoers, with revelers thronging the area every night.
Oberkampf accommodates some top hangout spots in the city, including Café Charbon, an old-style French spacious cafe with patio dining. Another unique spot in the district is Au Chat Noir, a cozy but edgy café that lights up after dark.
For concert enthusiasts, Nouveau Casino and Bataclan are perfect places to visit in the district. Others offering a buzzing night include Les Pirates, Panic Room, Pop In, Au P'tit Garage, and L'Alimentation Generale.
Bastille
Bastille is ideal for travelers looking for a more lively Parisian experience. The nightlife in this area is a mix of traditional cafes, dive bars, music venues, and classy nightclubs.
Top spots to explore in the area include Le Balajo, which offers tourists lively salsa nights. For live music enthusiasts, Le Motel provides that. The site also caters to rock lovers, with Les Furiex and La Mécanique Ondulatoire being the ideal spots to check out.
Other party spots to explore in Parisian districts include Saint Sauveur, Le Lou Pascalou, and L'International. Tourists need to consider the following when exploring these Parisian spots and sights.
- Visiting during off-peak season as the streets are often less crowded
- Travelers should wear comfortable shoes as the cobblestone streets might prove challenging to walk on
- Apart from walking, tourists can use public transport as it's accessible and affordable
- Travelers should utilize the multiple Paris Passes on offer
Paris guarantees tourists an unmatched vacation as it's home to several of the world's top monuments. These landmarks are visible at night as they're at day, with several offering night tours to tourists. Therefore, visitors should include this French capital as a potential travel destination when exploring Europe.