Parisian Nights

Paris at night is a totally different experience. I tried to go out and enjoy the nights when I could but with papers due and exhaustion sometimes a night in was needed. The majority of the nights were spent out and about the town exploring. Below is a list of some of the ways I fully enjoyed myself while in the city.

Montmartre
From afar you see a cathedral on a hill and once you head over to the 18th arrondissement you’ll find lots of art studios, cafes and bars, and gorgeous views. Just walking around the district is a treat and you’ll feel the village-like charm. Grab a crepe and some beverages and head to the steps outside the Sacre-Coeur for breathtaking views of the city. If you’re lucky there will be live music, theatre performances, and many people to mingle with.

See a film at the Luxor
This was one of my favorite experiences while in Paris and the Luxor is a beautiful cinema with a lot of history. Begin with drinks at the Luxor rooftop bar before the showing. I saw the Nile Hilton Incident which was somewhat fitting with the dialogue (Arabic film with French subtitles). It was a unique experience having to make assumptions about what was going on throughout the film, but it also made me pay close attention to the beautiful aesthetics. After the film walk around the neighborhood stopping along at the various cafes and bars.

Has anyone visited Paris and not visited the Eiffel Tower? I used to think the Eiffel Tower was over rated, but that was way before ever actually seeing the thing. It really is a beautiful structure day or night. On our last night of the dialogue we all headed to the Champs de Mars, in front of the tower, armed with blankets, wine, and food. We sat for almost four hours chatting and gazing in delight as the tower would light up, sparkle, and then fade into the night.

Every time I heard or saw the Seine, “Our Last Summer” would immediately start playing in my head (not complaining). So obviously I enjoyed walks along the river. A night river cruise is nice, but so is wine and cheese at a café around Saint-Germain and then a stroll along the Seine. Best if you walk west toward the Eiffel Tower and see it lit up.