10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Paris

Moulin Rouge is known for its over-the-top, risqué cabaret performances and its classic, windmill-topped theatre. You’ll find the exterior of Moulin Rouge emblazoned with red neon lights that are unmistakable on the Boulevard de Clichy. Inside the opulent theatre is a dazzling fantasy world where dancers are bejewelled with rhinestones, sequins and feathers as they deliver a series of high-energy performances. Multiple showtimes and package options are offered for Moulin Rouge performances, including VIP experiences. This iconic Parisian experience is perfect for a night out on the town after dinner.

The Seine flows through the middle of Paris, offering both beauty and practicality to the surrounding city. An after-dinner stroll along the banks of the Seine is a must-do when the evening lights of the city reflect on the dark water below. Walking tour maps of the river are readily available at travel sites, hotels and airports. A great way to appreciate Paris is on a river cruise, where excursion boats called Bateaux Mouches offer guided tours of the many historic landmarks along the waters of the Seine. Evening tours are especially beautiful on the river when sites like the Eiffel Tower are lit up against the night sky.

The Eiffel Tower Light Show is a nightly experience that is an absolute must-see for anyone visiting Paris. The show begins at sunset each evening, transforming the tower into a dazzling golden glow for 5 minutes every hour on the hour. This 360-degree sparkling effect is created from a whopping 20,000 low-energy lightbulbs that illuminate the tower from the inside. This glimmering evening light show occurs at the beginning of each hour, typically until 1 am. The finale lasts for a hypnotizing 10 minutes and offers a more dramatic version of the light show. You’ll find great spots along the Seine river to view the show between the Île de la Cité and the Pont d'Iéna.

The Paris Catacombs comprise the largest ossuary in the world in an underground labyrinth that houses the remains of more than 6 million people. You’ll find striking patterns of carefully arranged bones covering the walls of this unique site, creating a morbid maze of tunnels deep beneath Paris. The site is located a few miles southeast of the Eiffel Tower. Tour prices vary, and accessibility to the Paris Catacombs is limited due to the stairs on-site. The atmosphere underground stays chilly year-round, so you may wish to bring a jacket. No food or drinks are allowed within the catacombs, and it is of course forbidden to touch the bones, so keep your hands to yourself.

Rue Oberkampf is a trendy street known for lively nightlife ranging from bars and nightclubs to concert spaces. The Oberkampf area sits between the Bastille and the Place de la République, and its main street of Rue Oberkampf is a great spot to look for after-dinner entertainment in Paris. As you explore the neighbourhood’s winding streets and hidden passageways, keep an eye out for some of the fantastic street art the area is known for. You’ll also find relaxed pubs, high-energy clubs and plenty of spots to enjoy live music.

Opéra Garnier is a spectacular Italian-style opera house offering performances of the arts including opera, ballet, concerts and recitals. Within the 19th-century theatre, you’ll find an opulent auditorium utilizing marble, red velvet and gold gilding underneath a beautiful domed ceiling painted by artist Marc Chagall. The theatre is located just over a mile north of the Louvre. Ticket prices vary based on performances and seating, with seating options including floor seats, balconies and galleries. The Opéra Garnier was used as the setting for Gaston Leroux's famous novel 'The Phantom of the Opera'. The opera house still keeps box #5 vacant and permanently reserved for its resident ghost.

Bar Hemingway is located inside the Ritz Paris hotel and is named for author Ernest Hemingway, who frequented the bar and drew inspiration from it. This intimate, 25-seat space is bursting with character, housing leather armchairs, old typewriters, and unique decor honouring the bar’s namesake writer. Headed by Colin Field, twice voted 'Best Head Bartender in the World', this bar offers an immense range of handcrafted cocktails and classics. To score one of the bar’s coveted 25 seats, locals suggest arriving well before the bar opens at 6 pm. Seats also open up later in the evening as visitors finish their drinks.

Rue Montorgueil is an open-air market street in Paris located within the Châtelet-Les Halles district. This trendy neighbourhood hosts everything from quaint local markets and cosy bistros, to renowned pastry shops and quirky boutiques. Historic houses with elaborate ironwork and painted facades line the streets. In the evenings, Rue Montorgueil transforms into a hub of lively nightlife. With no car access on the market street, locals socialise late into the night. Many of the neighbourhood bars and restaurants are open late, offering lots of after-dinner entertainment with live music and signature drinks.

Piscine Pontoise is a vintage public pool featuring authentic art deco architecture and a glass roof. This hidden gem is located centrally in the Latin Quarter and is mostly frequented by locals. Piscine Pontoise is known for its old-world charm, especially enjoyable in the evenings when the pool space is lit with multicoloured lighting. Evening swim sessions are structured between 'fast' and 'slow' swim lanes within the large pool. Changing rooms on the upper-level mezzanine are staffed with attendants. Showers are available within the complex. Swimming caps/bathing hats are required for every swimmer.

The Rex Club is one of the longest-running clubs in Paris, hosting wild techno and house parties. Major national and international DJs frequent this electronic music club, located just off the Grands Boulevards. Inside you’ll find a killer sound system blasting music across a packed dance floor and fully lit stage. You can order drinks from the bar, and seating is available if you need a break from dancing. The Rex Club typically charges an entrance fee, and locals say the party starts going strong around 1 am.