Summer in Paris means long days and late evenings. It’s fantastic for seeing the sights in sunlight as it doesn’t get dark until around 10:30pm. But what if you want to see the city at night, when it’s dark? Be prepared for some late nights (afternoon naps help with this). Also to take into consideration when the metro closes if you don’t want to be spending money on taxi’s. Night time in Paris is beautiful and I loved wandering around the neighbourhood I was staying in, and further afield.

Visit the iconic landmarks
The lights of Paris at night really do give you a whole new perspective of the city, and I finally understood why it is referred to as the ‘city of love’. Seriously, some people should really get a room! As the sun sets (very late in summer) and the lights begin to come on, landmarks such as the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame are illuminated, and even sparkle, against the night sky. The plaza in front of Notre Dame is fairly empty late at night, and as I was passing it the only other living beings were a few rats running through the park. The Louvre has a fair few visitors late in the evening, and the pyramid definitely looks its best at night. The Eiffel Tower is where it’s at though, with thousands of people still milling about, admiring the light show and the beautiful carousels nearby. The Trocadero is filled with people sitting around the fountain as the water cannons shoot towards the tower.

Get your dancing shoes on
I came away from Paris with a desire to learn to salsa, old school jazz dance, and even waltz! The unexpected dancing opportunities had me wishing I knew how several times.

Salsa by the Seine – Stroll along the Seine to the Quai Saint Bernard on a Sunday night, as I did with two friends, and you’ll come across a large group of people salsa’ing the night away. With latin music blaring from large speakers, groups of people sitting about watching, and hawkers selling bottles of beer from buckets, it’s a great place to people watch, or join in if you know how, as my friend Jo did. Be warned, it’s a meat market down here, so if you’re looking for a particular type of action you’ll definitely find it here!

Jazz clubs – I’d been dying to get to a jazz club my whole month in Paris and finally made it to Caveau de la Hutchette on the left bank on my second to last night, with my friend Rebecca. What a night! A club set beneath the streets of the city, drinking Mohito Royal au Champagne (that is a mohito with the soda water replaced with champagne) and listening to a three piece jazz band play the standards, it was a fantastic night. The piano man was amazing as his fingers ran hot over the ivory and it prompted many couples to get on the dance floor to boogie the night away. Boy could they boogie!!

Waltz beneath the Trocedero – Heading down to the Eiffel Tower at night I started at the Trocadero where many couples sat by the fountain watching the tower sparkle in the night. There were also many couples waltzing at the base of the Trocadero stairs, beneath the gaze of the iconic tower, and I wished, for the third time while in Paris, that I could dance!

Montmartre
For my month in Paris I stayed in Montmartre, and my favourite time to visit the top of the hill was in the evening as the sun was setting. Hundreds of people gather to sit on the stairs in front of the Sacre Coeur and watch as Paris slowly lights up. As the sky gets darker, the touts come out selling beer bottles from a bucket, and the buskers become more daring fire twirlers instead of musicians.

Around the corner the Place de Tertre is finally empty of the throngs of tourists and most of the artists that usually fill the square have gone home. Instead you can sit in the cafes in peace and enjoy a drink or two.

Boat tour on the Seine
All visitors to Paris should do a boat tour on the Seine. It gives you a completely different perspective of the city, and at night the lights of the city along the Seine are magical. Wave to the thousands still strolling along the banks of the Seine. Drink really bad wine that is sold at the small shop by the boat pier at Pont Neuf. Kiss as you pass beneath the Pont Marie. Discover new places to visit.