Twilight in Paris

Apr 7

Evenings in Paris are always endearingly enchanting. In the twilight hours, we found ourselves meandering the city at leisure with no impending plans camera in hand.

I’ve always wanted to take time for “La Grande Roue”, rising whimsically from its perch on Place De La Concorde, offering unrivaled views with a vantage point at the city's very heart, above the picturesque Tuileries and just adjacent to the Louvre.

The Louvre from The Wheel — The Louvre from La Grande Roue

As sunset met twilight we were aloft, the Notre Dame rising from behind the glowing square and infamous glass pyramids of the Louvre. La Tour Eiffel glimmered across the Seine, while opposite, the Sacre Coeur atop Montmartre adorned itself in the last of the evening’s rays. We soaked in the incredible vista as the glow of the city’s lights appeared one by one. For an easy 8€, we can’t recommend this experience enough!

Whenever one finds oneself close to the Louvre in the evening it’s impossible not to amble through the square in the cooling air and just like a sunset - attempt to little avail to capture a photo that does justice to the moment. The way the light changes as the sky grows dark is mesmerizing no matter how many times you’ve seen it.

The Louvre at Twilight — Evening lights up Paris

We made our way along the Seine and were soon drawn in by the sounds of a crowd. We found a vantage where we could see over onlookers. A dramatic fire-wielding performance executed with entertaining showmanship was unfolding under the forbidding face of Notre Dame. Bursts of light occasionally cast gargoyles into sharp relief, as they peered down on us from their lofty perches.

Notre Dame at Night — Notre Dame at night

Crossing to the Ille Saint-Louis we observed those enjoying the river’s banks below, in the glow of street lamps, and paused to soak in the dancing reflections thrown back from the water’s surface.

We walked into Le Marais and the streets grew much more lively. Large groups sprawled into the cobbled street, mouthwatering smells and boisterous conversation filled the air as the city woke in earnest from its summer afternoon stupor.