Paris Weekend Break

Paris Nightlife - Things to see and do in Paris by night

Paris becomes a different city at night as many of the daytime attractions close and the world of restaurants and nightclubs take over. But in the same way that Paris caters for all ages and tastes during the daylight hours, so it continues in to the night. Paris becomes awash with eateries, cafes, bars and without doubt the best cabaret clubs on the planet. Below are some brief summaries of some of the city’s most renown and popular night time haunts.

Remember, no Paris weekend break will be really complete unless you sample some aspect of this amazing city’s nightlife.

Champs Elysees

The Champs Elysees is illuminated at night and is one of the most romantic streets in the world in which to take an evening stroll.

The best place to see (and photograph) it in all its glory is from the top of the Arc de Triomphe. After you have taken in the view you can dine at one of the Champs Elysees’ many restaurants.

Moulin Rouge

Along with the Lido, the Moulin Rouge is arguably the most famous cabaret theatre in the world. It features the Doris Girls and shows regularly have a cast of almost one hundred dancers.

Famed for making the CanCan a household name in the early nineteen sixties, seats for the shows need to be booked well in advance and can cost up to 100 euros – and that is without dinner. A visit to the Moulin Rouge is a once in a lifetime experience and worth every penny or euro.

Altitude 95

This is the first floor restaurant of the Eiffel Tower and not surprisingly is sits 95 metres above the ground offering panoramic views of the Seine and Paris. A two course menu for adults is around 22 euros per person and the interior is described officially as being like that of an airship.

One floor up from Altitude 95 is the more exclusive and pricey Jules Verne restaurant, a full 125 metres above ground level. It may be more exclusive, but it is not a well known as Altitude 95. It is a good idea to book either of these restaurants a day or more in advance. For more information see our Altitude 95 page.

Jazz clubs in Paris

Paris has a number of excellent Jazz clubs including Le Caveau des oubliettes, the oldest one in the city. (You go downstairs in to the cavern rather than staying up stairs in the main bar.)

The Duc des Lombards is an other favourite with many and within walking distance on the rue des Lombars there are several others, all with a reputation for authentic music and spontaneous performances.

Opera Bastille

This is one of the ugliest buildings ever constructed, but if you can ignore its unsightly appearance, especially in such a beautiful city, it is the Paris Mecca for lovers of this musical format.

The acoustics and seating are said to be first class and, forgetting its aesthetics, it has a good reputation with performers and audiences alike. For more information see our Opera Bastille page.

The Lido

Along with the Moulin Rouge, this is the most famous night spot in the world and it is renown for its beautiful Lido girls (really the Bluebell girls) and their stunning costumes which over the course of a year run into millions of euros. Each show boasts over 500 outfits and every aspect of the shows and their performances are executed meticulously.

The Lido Club is just off the Champs Elysees and to be honest leaves the Moulin Rouge for dead. A show with dinner starts from under 150 euros. Not cheap, but an experience that you will never forget.

Le Crazy Horse

The Crazy horse is a glorified, but popular, strip club that came to life some fifty years ago. The show’s line up has featured appearances by various notables and most recently (around Valentines day 2008) Pamela Anderson became the latest celebrity to perform at this venue. The revue is not cheap and costs around 90 euros for two with a complementary drink.

La Nouvelle Eve

La Nouvelle Eve is an elegant Music-Hall cabaret located in Montmartre, the zone famous for its long tradition of Parisian cabaret and entertainment. La Nouvelle Eve’s shows feature the ever popular and colourful French Cancan along with numerous other original and comical performances. Most visitors choose to dine whilst enjoying a cabaret revue in this theatre atmosphere. Prices start from about 55 euros a head.

Something for the younger visitor

La Sorbonne

This is the closest thing that you will find to the student district in Paris and it is where most under 25 year olds choose to party.

It tends to be more rowdy that the rest of the city and the officials have a more lenient approach to the less well behaved.

Rex Club

This is definitely for the younger visitors to Paris. It is the best club (Disco) in Paris and does not open until midnight. Things remain quiet until close to 2.00am, from which time things start to hot up.

The music is Techno and the 400 square metres of floor area see are overlooked by an art deco style surround. The club is also know for its lighting.