leahinsc

My husband & I will be staying in Paris for a week in Feb. We know about all the museums and various sights to see - but what about evening activities once this close or are too dark to see? Since it will probably be getting dark by 5pm, besides having dinner does anyone have any suggestions or websites for what to do in the evenings? We are really not into night clubs or dancing so much.

Travelnut

You can save a museum or two for whatever evening(s) they stay open (the Louvre is one).
There are a good number of cinemas that show movies in their original language (V.O./version originale) - a couple along Champs Elysee and around Montparnasse for sure..
A nice classical concert would fit - check either Pariscope upon your arrival or go to the ticket office in the basement of Virgin Megastore on the Champs and look at all the brochures on the wall.
You could take an evening bus ride and see many of the "illuminations" for much less than the tourist coaches.
You could take an evening Seine cruise and enjoy a glass of wine while the illuminated river bank floats by.
You could go up to the café or observation deck of the Tour Montparnasse and watch the sunset and the city lights begin to shine.
You must go to the Tour Eiffel and watch the glorious twinkling lights flash on for 10 minutes at the top of the hour.

Underhill

A number of museums are open at least one night a week, and that's a good time to go: fewer crowds. The Louvre around 7:00 p.m. is particularly good.
An evening cruise (NOT a diner cruise, though)on the Seine would be a nice way to spend some time. You could also take a bus tour that goes around Paris to see all the illuminations.

Having coffee in the lounge of one of the luxury hotels is also a nice way to pass some quiet time and people-watch.

Check the closing times for Le Bon Marché. Their antiques section is like a museum, and browsing in the Grand Epicerie is lots of fun.

elaine

Here's a website for one of the companies that offers evening boat rides on the Seine

www.vedettesdupontneuf.com

leahinsc

Travelnut(and others) you are great...you've given me some good ideas - keep them coming!! I really like the idea of a Seine cruise at night and hadn't realized that some of the museums might be open in pm. We were talking today about concerts so will check out those possiblities as well.

ira

Hi leah,

Walk along the Seine. The major sights are lit at night (mostly).

Huitres

Why not a romantic Seine river cruise? There are many dinner cruises along the river at night, with the boats all lit up. It looks like a wonderful thing to do (even in the cold!) and certainly a memorable one.

Go walking up and down along Rue Tivoli. It passes the Louvre, Tuileries Garden and has some great shops and cafes amidst the other buildings. While it is not as famous as the Champs-Elysees, it is a nice thoroughfare to check out other areas in Paris that you might not otherwise see. The area is very lively at night, with cafes open until the wee hours.

Also, I have heard there are concerts given at Sainte-Chapelle that are just beautiful (I missed going to one when I was in Paris 9 months ago!).