Top 15 Things To Do in Paris At Night

As films from "An American in Paris" to "Midnight in Paris" suggest, there's something indisputably otherworldly and enchanted about strolling through the Parisian streets, la nuit tombée (at nightfall). 

The banks of the Seine are ideal in the warmer months: particularly spots include the Pont Neuf area (pictured); the Pont des Arts, and the Ile de la Cité. We especially recommend strolls along those riverbanks offering vantages of the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Illuminated at night, its dramatic facades and spires will likely leave you gobsmacked. 

Other places in the capital that are local favorites for late-night ambling include the Marais—wander around the narrow, medieval-era streets and passageways and take in the ambience before ducking into a bar or restaurant for dinner and drinks—and the Rue Montorgueil district, perfect for a stroll before or after a show at an old theatre in the nearby "Grands Boulevards". 

Whether you're itching for a long night of salsa or Latin dancing, are wondering where the city's most talented DJs get the crowds moving until dawn, or are hoping to find a gritty rock bar where indie tunes rule the night, the French capital has it all. So get on your dancing shoes, hydrate well, and go find out how Parisian nightowls make every hour count. 

If you're hoping to spend the wee hours of the morning at a good club, peruse our complete guide to the best nightclubs in Paris. From the classic clubbing at the Rex to the chic Le Baron and the arty, indie scene at La Bellevilloise, there's something perfect out there for all varieties of late-night revelers. 

Particularly for those who find the traditional restaurant scene in Paris a mite intimidating/pretentious/starchy/all of the above, wine bars offer a fantastic, laid-back antidote to that brand of formality. Stake out a table early on in the evening—any bars don't allow reservations—and settle on a good bottle of red or white paired with cheese, charcuterie, or other nibbles. Some of the edgier wine bars on our list, including Au Verre Volé and Frenchie Bar à Vins, offer a relatively relaxed vibe, but serve gourmet small plates featuring gorgeously arranged vegetables, delicate cuts of meat or fish, and desserts to go with a bit of sweet wine (hydromel or Riesling, maybe) at the end of the meal. 

While we're aware that it's a rather cliche thing to recommend, a night cruise on the Seine River is both romantic and picturesque, and one of the best ways to take in the city's most iconic monuments after dusk. From dry land, you simply don't get the same vantage points of Paris in all its nocturnal glory. Sights that are especially worth seeing after nightfall include the Louvre, the Pont des Arts, the Assemblée Nationale, Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower, all bathed in carefully curated light to achieve magical effects. The shimmering play of that light on the water tends to seduce even the most cynical visitors. What's more? As as long as you have a camera with a good low-light setting, the evening photo ops are unbeatable.

If you'd rather not have to worry about fitting dinner in before or after your cruise, there are plenty of dinner and cruise packages on offer. Some are more formal than others, so we'd recommend shopping around to find the package...MORE that best suits the occasion and your budget. 

The obvious thing that springs to mind when imagining a typical show in Paris is, of course, the kitschy fun of a traditional Parisian cabaret-- but for those with more demanding tastes, there's plenty in store for you, too.

For theatre aficionados, a number of English-language plays and musical run in the capital in any given month. See this page at the Paris Tourist Office for the latest listings in English.  If you know some French and would like to take your Gallic skills for a test run, L'official des Spectacles is a great general site for show listings in Paris, from plays to one-woman and one-man shows and musicals. 

Looking for a night out that involves stretching your gastronomic muscles? Few places in the world offer more variety and excitement in the arena of cuisine than Paris. But as we've noted elsewhere, finding a good restaurant in the capital isn't as effortless as you may assume. 

Gambling on dinner at any old corner place near your hotel might mean you stumble on Michelin-level gold—or it may have you end up wishing you'd just ordered a crepe from that stand across the street, and saved 100 Euros. Consult our complete guide to food and dining in Paris to avoid that scenario, and home in on the better places to eat out. 

If your budget is tight and you're hoping to find the most delicious bang for your (Euro) bucks, our guide to scrumptious street food is essential. In the warmer months, sitting outside with a good falafel or crepe rather than eating indoors can be ideal. Also make sure to check out our list of the city's best budget gourmet French eateries. 

After dinner, an exceptional cocktail may be in order. Whether it's a trendy bitters or botanicals-infused artisanal gin you're after, or an artful concoction like the fruity, citrusy one pictured here, read on for our picks of some of the city's more stylish places to lounge. 

Also make sure to check out our guide to Paris' best new "speakeasy"-style bars and hidden places for drinks in the capital. While many of these are admittedly no longer secret, they offer sophisticated and intriguing settings for a night out on the town—not to mention some of the most expertly shaken cocktails and creative drinks available. 

If you're in the mood for music, check out our complete guide to where to head for concerts, operas and music festivals in the capital. For opera fans, the vibrant scene in Paris means there's almost always something worthwhile to see; the modern Opera Bastille offers a program that includes both classic performances (La Boheme, The Magic Flute) and more contemporary, experimental operatic shows. 

If it's a rock concert you're after, hip venues such as the Bataclan and the Fleche d'Or are local favorites, while the Cite de la Musique in the sprawling cultural complex known as La Villette puts on all variety of concerts and musical performances, from classical music to rock shows

Finally, don't miss fantastic jazz performances at events such as Banlieue Bleues, an annual favorite that brings together some of the world's most talented jazz acts. 

To find out what's on during your stay, visit this page. 

Hankering for a pre or after-dinner dip? Even if you're visiting in the autumn or winter, consider packing your suit and bathing cap: there's a lavish old art-deco style pool in the historic Latin Quarter that's heated and sheltered from the elements. Enjoy the shimmering lights on the water and admire the stately architectural details that have made this pool one of the most popular places to come for relief from the heat and city bustle. 

This might be one of the most relaxing, and picturesque, ways to get some exercise in to justify that champagne, duck pate and creme brûlée at dinner. 

Address: 19 rue de Pontoise, 5th arrondissement

Tel: +33 1 55 42 77 88

Visit the official website 

The nightlife scene in Paris is neither frenetic and wild nor subdued and sleepy: it's somewhere in the middle, with most locals preferring a laid-back, but stylish and aesthetically pleasing, vibe. This "goldilocks" vibe extends to the rooftop bar scene. These have been gaining a loyal following in recent years, and are a great bet for a night out, as long as you're not intimidated by fashion-conscious crowds. Le Perchoir (pictured, 14 Rue Crespin du Gast, 11th arrondissement; Metro Menilmontant), is among the most coveted— so much so that the owners recently opened another location in the Marais district, just next to the BHV Department Store  (33 Rue de la Verrerie, 4th arrondissement; Metro Hotel de Ville).

We also recommend the large, cozy-cool rooftop bar at Mama Shelter, a bar, restaurant and hotel complex in the ultra-hip northeast designed by the architect Philip Starck (109 rue de Bagnolet, 20th arrondissement; Metro Gambetta or Porte de Bagnolet). 

For more...MORE picks of the city's best places for a drink up on the roof, see this list. 

Some travelers may be surprised to note that there's still a remarkable lack of sprawling multiplex movie theatres in Paris, and wonder why locals seem to prefer either old arthouse places or new stables, such as the Mk2 theatre chain, that remain mostly dedicated to independent films. So how to account for this local particularity? Parisians take the art of cinema—and the art of going out to the cinema—far too seriously to favor the soulless, shamelessly corporate multiplex. That doesn't mean they don't indulge, like the rest of us, in a good global blockbuster from time to time. They just tend to see film as a true art form, rather than as mere entertainment. Their moviegoing rituals often reflect that attitude. 

For a proper night out at the cinema in the capital, you'd generally enjoy a drink on or near the premises of your chosen theatre, before or after the show, and spend lots of time discussing and critiquing the film you've just seen with your friends or...MORE partner. And as we've mentioned elsewhere, popcorn is really not regarded well by fellow spectators—unless you're off to see the latest Star Wars film or another noisy blockbuster, rendering your crunching and munching inoffensive. Don't say we didn't warn you.

While wine and cocktails have long been staples of Parisian nights out, the advent of the craft brewery and brewpub in the capital is more recent. True, traditional brasseries and cafes around the city have long offered familiar French and European beers on tap, from Amstel to Hoegaarden— but it's only in the past few years that microbreweries and craft beer pubs have started to spring up around the city. 

Many of these are concentrated in northeastern Paris, home to a younger and hipper after-dark scene. 

If creative, unusual and locally made beers are your thing, there are a gaggle of new nightlife spots to try out in Paris. See this useful list over at Culture Trip, as well as this one at Beer Adventures. 

Every June 21st, a beloved musical festival known as the Fete de la Musique turns the streets of Paris over to hundreds of live performances. The best part? It's entirely free! 

From amateur jazz or blues groups performing outside local bars to major concerts from well-known performers at larger venues, the Fete de la Musique is a fantastic opportunity to bring in the summer solstice. The longest day of the year can be spent outdoors, wandering from concert to concert and taking in all variety of musical genres. You can also choose "a  la carte" from the huge list of free performances scheduled for the evening. See here for updates on this year's festivities. 

For something a little offbeat, private dinner clubs have been gaining popularity among visitors to the French capital. What better way to meet a Parisian host, strike up a good conversation or two with fellow diners, and see a private residence? This is a great way to get a bit of an insider's glimpse of city life, not to mention meet new people and share in something a bit off-the-beaten-track. 

What does the concept involve, exactly? Private hosts either prepare special dinners themselves or hire a chef to create a special menu, then allow guests (anywhere from two to 60, generally) to their exclusive table for a night. 

Ready to give the experience a try yourself? Time Out has a good list of active supper clubs here. American resident Jim Haynes' regular dinners are especially popular, but also require reservations well in advance. 

Last but certainly not least, Paris is one of the globe's best places to enjoy world-class ballet and modern dance performances. The National Ballet boasts some of the finest dancers you're ever likely to witness, performing regularly at the Palais Opera Garnier (opera performances have meanwhile been moved primarily to the Opera Bastille).

More experimental, contemporary dance troupes offer fantastic performances at venues such as the Palais de Chaillot and elsewhere around the city. See this guide to dance in the French capital for plenty of ideas on where to head during your next stay.