Why a tour at night?
Paris deserves to be called the „City of Light“, especially after dark. The Eiffel Tower sparkles for five minutes on the hour, the Louvre and the Grand Palais are bathed in warm light and the Champs-Élysées glows, especially during the Advent season. A night tour shows this other side of Paris compactly in two hours - without you having to walk through the cool night air yourself.
Important to know: Both providers run their night tours as Panoramic tour without hop on hop off. You stay on the bus the whole time and enjoy the route in one go. Regular hop on hop off tickets are for the night trips not valid - This is a separate product.
Tootbus or Big Bus - which night tour is right for you?
Both tours last two hours, cost similarly and take you past the major sights. They differ in detail in terms of departure point, languages and season.
Tootbus Paris by Night
Electric bus- Duration: approx. 2 hours panoramic tour
- Meeting point: Place du Carrousel du Louvre
- Departure: Nov-15 Mar at 18:00 - Mar-16-Oct at 21:00
- Audio guide: 10 languages (DE, EN, FR, ES, IT, PT, AR, RU, ZH, JA)
- Children's audio guide: English and French
- Includes: Headphones, WiFi, wheelchair accessible
- Highlights: Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Invalides, Louvre
Or book on Tiqets · from 28,00 €
- Cancellation free of charge up to 24 hours in advance
- Instant vouchers on your smartphone
Big Bus Paris by Night
Eiffel Tower light show- Duration: approx. 2 hours panoramic tour
- Meeting point: 11 Avenue de l'Opéra (BBIC)
- Departure: All year round after sunset, time depending on the season
- Audio guide: 8 languages (DE, EN, FR, ES, IT, PT, KO, ZH)
- Includes: Headphones, WiFi, free poncho in case of rain
- Highlights: Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower twinkling lights, Louvre, Notre-Dame, Moulin Rouge
Or book on Tiqets · from 28,80 €
- Cancellation free of charge up to 24 hours in advance
- Instant vouchers on your smartphone
Note: The prices are updated daily and are taken directly from GetYourGuide or Tiqets. Fluctuations between the providers are normal - depending on the day, sometimes Tootbus is ahead, sometimes Big Bus.
What you see on the night drive
Eiffel Tower in sparkle mode
The highlight of every night tour. On the hour, the Eiffel Tower twinkles with 20,000 lights for five minutes. Both tours time their route so that at least one pass-by coincides with the sparkling moment.
Champs-Élysées in a blaze of light
The most famous avenue in the world with a view of the illuminated Arc de Triomphe. Particularly impressive from November to the beginning of January, when the festive Christmas lights are installed.
Louvre and Pyramid
The glass pyramid in the Louvre courtyard shines like a diamond in the middle of the historic ensemble. The lighting of the palace itself is warm and restrained - a stark contrast to the modern pyramid.
Notre-Dame, Quais and Pont des Arts
The Seine bridges are romantically and indirectly illuminated at night, while the reopened Notre-Dame Cathedral is spectacularly staged following its reconstruction.
Place de la Concorde and Opéra Garnier
The Concorde column and the fountains are dramatically illuminated. The Opéra Garnier is at its most magnificent in the evening - gold and copper reflect the street light.
Moulin Rouge (Big Bus only)
The Big Bus route passes the red mill wheel of the famous cabaret. Tootbus does not stop at the Moulin Rouge on the night route.
Illuminated boulevards with a view of La Défense.
When does which night tour depart?
Both providers adjust their departure times to the sunset window. In winter, they leave earlier, in summer later.
Tootbus by Night
| Season | Departure |
|---|---|
| March 16 - October | 21:00 |
| November - March 15 | 6:00 pm |
Attention: July 14 to 26, 2026 not in operation.
Big Bus by Night
| Season | Departure |
|---|---|
| Summer (approx. May-Aug.) | approx. 21:00-22:00 |
| Transition (Apr / Sept / Oct) | approx. 20:00-21:00 |
| Winter (Nov-March) | approx. 18:30-19:30 |
The exact time is shown in the booking calendar at GYG / Tiqets.
Seasonal recommendation
November and December: Best time for a night trip - the Christmas lights on the Champs-Élysées and Bercy make the city magical.
Summer (June / July): Sunset only after 9:30 pm - the tour starts accordingly late and ends around 11 pm. Plan the way back.
Tips for driving at night
Dress warmly
Even in summer, it gets fresh on the open upper deck in the evening - a jacket or scarf is no mistake, even in July. Absolutely necessary in winter.
Prepare camera settings
It shakes while driving. Short exposure times and ISO 800 to 1600 are a good start for night photos. Activate your smartphone's night mode.
Queue before the hour
Be at the meeting point at least 15 minutes before departure - if you miss the bus, you are not entitled to the next one. The tours only run once per evening.
Secure places in good time
In high summer and at weekends, the night tours are often fully booked. Ideally, you should book 1 to 2 days in advance - cancelation is free of charge up to 24 hours in advance.
Schedule the Eiffel Tower light show
The Eiffel Tower light show starts on the hour - the last show is usually at 11 pm (summer) or 1 am (winter). Check the tour timing if this highlight is important to you.
Plan your way back
The tours end at around 11 pm (summer) or 8 pm (winter). The metro runs on Sundays to Thursdays until approx. 0:40 am, on Fridays and Saturdays until 1:40 am.
Frequently asked questions about the night tour
Is the night tour hop on hop off?
No. Both Tootbus and Big Bus run the night tour as a panoramic trip in one go. It is not possible to get off during the tour. The route takes about two hours.
Is my Hop on Hop off day ticket also valid for the night trip?
No. The night tour is a separate product with its own ticket. If you want both, you should check the bundle offer (day ticket + night tour) at GYG or Tiqets - this is usually cheaper than separate bookings.
Which tour has the better atmosphere?
A matter of taste. Tootbus starts further west at the Louvre and focuses on the central boulevards. Big Bus starts at the Opéra and also stops at the Moulin Rouge and Place de la Concorde. The list of highlights overlaps by 80 percent.
Is there a night tour with Seine boat trip in the combined ticket?
Yes, both providers offer bundle tickets with an evening boat trip on the Seine. Tiqets offers the package up to five percent cheaper than booking both separately.
Can I cancel the night tour?
Yes, with GetYourGuide and Tiqets, cancelation is free of charge up to 24 hours before the selected departure. You will receive a full refund.
Is the night tour worthwhile in the rain?
In light drizzle yes - Big Bus provides free ponchos, the upper deck offers partial protection. Better to rebook if it rains continuously: The view of the sparkle will be poor and photos will not be possible.
