Paris by night: night tours to book in August
When the light fades, Paris is transformed. Less noise, more sparkle, an almost confidential atmosphere. Here are 5 experiences to enjoy this summer, between 8pm and midnight, to prolong your evenings in style.
The Louvre under the stars: a Thursday evening in the world’s greatest museum
Every Wednesday and Friday until 9:45pm, the Louvre extends its opening hours. Away from the daytime crowds, the visit becomes almost intimate.
The Sully and Denon wings are subtly illuminated, and the works of art gain in relief.
A stress-free stroll, stopping to admire the classics (La Joconde, La Victoire de Samothrace) or the quieter galleries.
A drink at Café Marly after the tour rounds off this cultural evening perfectly.
📍Muséedu Louvre, 75001 Paris
The Sainte-Chapelle in concert: classical music and Gothic light
Every summer, classical music concerts are held at night in this 13th-century architectural gem.
The stained glass windows, lit from within, cast an almost mystical light on the strings and voices.
Programs vary: Vivaldi, Mozart, Bach, or sometimes modern compositions.
The reverberation of the venue sublimates the notes, and the setting remains unsurpassed.
Book early: places go fast.
📍Sainte-Chapelle, 10 Bd du Palais, 75001 Paris
The Serres d’Auteuil garden: a botanical stroll at dusk
In August, the Serres d’Auteuil exceptionally opens its doors on certain evenings for intimate night-time guided tours.
Explore the tropical walkways, historic greenhouses and Japanese-inspired gardens… in the natural light of dusk.
The scents of the plants increase tenfold with the cooler weather, and the atmosphere becomes almost meditative.
A botanist guide accompanies the discovery with sensitive, never academic, anecdotes.
A moment suspended between nature, architecture and silence.
📍Le jardin des Serres d’Auteuil
The Palais Garnier by night: opera and architecture in chiaroscuro
In August, several tours of the Palais Garnier are offered until 10pm, with or without a guide.
The grand staircase, the gilded salons, Chagall’s ceiling – everything becomes more spectacular under the subdued lights.
The experience is as visual as it is introspective.
We find ourselves slowing down, observing details, listening to the silence.
A detour to the bar at the nearby Grand Hotel is the perfect way to prolong the magic.
📍Palais Garnier, Pl. de l’Opéra, 75009 Paris
Sunset cruise with Les Vedettes de Paris
The Vedettes de Paris offer evening cruises departing from the foot of the Eiffel Tower, with a breathtaking view of the illuminated Seine.
At 8 or 9 pm, embark for an hour-long cruise through the heart of Paris: Notre-Dame, the Louvre, the Pont Alexandre III…
A glass of champagne, soft music and light commentary: the atmosphere is relaxed, without excess or tourist folklore.
Ideal for a first summer evening or a quiet moment with friends.
📍Vedettes de Paris, Port de Suffren, 75007 Paris
Paris at night has a different feel
These nocturnal visits reveal a slower, deeper, more magical Paris. When the city slows down, it opens up differently – to those who know how to look.
Try it once… or every week.
Discover more selected nightlife on parisselectbook.com
