Paris is a city that comes alive after dark with magic, whimsy, and fun. If you know you want to explore Paris nightlife on your trip, I’ve got some wonderful suggestions to get you started, including a few kid-friendly options.
Daytime Paris and Nighttime Paris are two very different, but equally beautiful and entertaining, versions of the City of Lights. And when it comes to shows, performances, and concerts, it’s tough to beat Paris nightlife.
You’ll find all kinds of venues and a wide variety of entertainment options, and with a custom-designed itinerary, I can help you choose the ones that are right for you.
Cassie’s Tip: People often want to know if being out at night in such a big city is safe, and that’s a fair question. Generally, neighborhoods that see tourist activity are quite safe at night, and other than pickpocketing (day and night), crime rates are quite low. Common-sense practices apply, of course — but overall, Paris nightlife is full of warmth, cheer, and good fun.
Cabaret
Cabaret is a quintessential form of Parisian nighttime entertainment — and it’s been around since the late 1800s
Over its long history, the essence of cabaret — glamor, creativity, free-spiritedness, sensuality, vitality, fantasy, celebration — have all become deeply woven into Parisian culture and aesthetic.
The most famous cabarets are the Moulin Rouge, Paradis Latin, and the Crazy Horse. But there are plenty of others to choose from, with performances ranging from acrobatic and whimsical to avant-garde and risqué.
Cassie’s Tip: I can help you determine which show is right for you, and there are also family-friendly options in Paris. For more details and descriptions of what’s available, check out my Parisian cabaret blog post.
Classical concert
As with its cuisine, Paris has a knack for celebrating the finer things in life, and its range of high-quality classical music is certainly part of that elegant tradition. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Saint-Chapelle Concert Series. This weekly candlelight concert is my top recommendation. The ambiance is excellent, with stained glass windows all around, and chances are high that there will be a concert during your visit.
- Eiffel Tower. This one is less infrequent, about once per month, but it is definitely memorable!
- Philharmonie de Paris. This world-class philharmonic venue is located about 30 minutes outside the city center, but it’s well-connected by metro and worth the trip.
- Church Concerts are also common around Christmas and New Years and are also performed sporadically throughout the year. This can be a delightful option when you just want a quiet evening to sit and soak in some beauty.
Jazz club
Jazz has long been an integral part of Paris nightlife and culture. Old movies like Paris Blues and recent TV series like The Eddy depict the rich, complex significance of this transplanted art form to the City of Lights.
A few of my favorites include Caveau de la Huchette, located in the 5th Arrondissement (the Latin Quarter), and Au Duc Des Lombards and Sunset Sunside, both located in the 1st Arrondissement.
Comedy show
Disclosure: The following comedy show links are affiliate links, and I may receive compensation if you book through them (at no additional cost to you).
You don’t have to be fluent in French to get a night of belly laughs at a late night comedy show. These English-language shows (put on by real Parisians) will have you in stitches and looking at your role as visitor in a whole new way.
How to Become a Parisian in One Hour is a long-running favorite of visitors, featuring comedian Olivier Giraud, who gleefully walks audience members through various aspects of Parisian life (shopping, eating, going out, conversing) and offers a hilarious take on how to “blend in.”
OMG She’s Parisian! is a one-woman show where stand-up comedian Julie Collas (a true Parisian through and through) explores the fundamental question: What is a Parisian?
Nightclub
If you love to dance the night away, Paris is definitely going to be your jam.
From chic places where high society goes to be seen (Larc) to electro-dance (Badaboum) to all-French, laid-back, sing-along drag cabaret (Madame Arthur) — Parisians love to while away the wee hours with a good party.
This is for the real night owls: in most clubs, things don’t even really get going until midnight, and they stay going well into the morning.
Opera
Whether you are a fan of the musical genre or you just want to see some fascinating architecture, visiting an opera house in Paris is well worth it.
The Opera Garnier is a gilded, opulent example of Napoleon III architecture, and guided and self-guided tours happen between 10am and 5pm. Most ballets and operas start between 7pm and 8pm — so you could tour the building, enjoy dinner nearby, and come back for a fabulous performance to cap off your evening.
The Opera Bastille is a much more modern wonder, almost a design opposite of the Garnier. Completed in 1989, its sleek exteriors and almost spaceship-like auditorium space have been a source of interest and controversy for decades.
Make the most of Paris nightlife on your trip
Whether you want just a taste of the nightlife in Paris so you can be back in your comfy bed by 11, or you want to explore the city from sundown to sunup — I can help you make the most of Paris nightlife on your vacation.
With a custom-designed itinerary, I can help you choose the activities that work best for you and your travel companions, make reservations, get tickets, and arrange transportation. So all you have to do is make sure you pack your fancy shoes and get ready for a fabulous night on the town.
Cassie Tetro
Itinerary Designer
& Certified Travel Expert
(Paris, London & Rome)
WHO AM I?
I’m Cassie Tetro, an Itinerary Designer and Certified Travel Expert for Paris, London, and Rome — my three favorite cities!
I help independent travelers like you save time and eliminate confusion with customized point-to-point itineraries crafted to your interests, preferences, travel pace, and style.
I take care of every aspect of your trip before you walk out your front door — tickets, reservations, tours, maps, transportation — so you can relax, soak in the magic, and enjoy a frustration-free vacation with a travel plan that’s as unique as you are.
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