Paris at Sunset
Paris, the French capital, is known as one of the most romantic cities in the world. And Is there anything more romantic than watching a beautiful, colorful sunset over the City of Love?
If you are planning on catching a sunset in Paris, then you will need to keep an eye on the time, as sunset times in Paris vary greatly. In winter, the sun may set around 4 pm but visit Paris in summer, and the sun might not set until 10 pm.
Below, you will find the best spots to enjoy Paris at sunset and the sunset times for your holiday so you can plan a romantic walk, a sunset cruise on the Seine, or a night tour.
TIP: Are you planning a trip to Paris for the first time? Check out our Paris Trip Planner, a step-by-step guide that covers all the essentials.
Paris Sunset Times
When is sunset in Paris today? Check out the sunset time in Paris during your holiday and plan your sunset walks or photo shoots accordingly.
As you can see in the table below, Paris sunset times vary greatly: you have the latest sunset in Paris in June (21:58) and the earliest sunset in Paris in December (16:54).
MONTH | PARIS SUNSET 1st MONTH | PARIS SUNSET 15th MONTH |
|---|---|---|
January | 17:04 | 17:21 |
February | 17:47 | 18:10 |
March | 18:33 | 18:55 |
April | 20:20 | 20:41 |
May | 21:05 | 21:25 |
June | 21:45 | 21:55 |
July | 21:57 | 21:49 |
August | 21:29 | 21:06 |
September | 20:33 | 20:04 |
October | 19:30 | 19:01 |
November | 17:30 | 17:10 |
December | 16:56 | 16:53 |
Knowing the Paris sunset times is essential for booking night activities with a limited duration, like a Seine night cruise, a Paris night bike tour, or a Paris ghost tour.
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Best Sunsets in Paris
If sunsets in Paris are top of your priority list, we’ve got you covered. From famous buildings in Paris to scenic places with Eiffel Tower views, there are many wonderful locations to enjoy Paris at sunset.
Here are the best sunsets in Paris. We purposely won’t be sharing many sunset Paris pictures so that you get the full experience when you’re there!
TIP: Rooftop bars are some of the best places to watch the sunset in Paris. Check out our favorite rooftop bars in Paris.
1. Sunset Along the Seine River
The Seine River is a beautiful place to enjoy during the day and at sunset. There’s just something so majestic about an orange or pink sky reflecting on the water.
Depending on which part of the Seine you head to, you will be able to enjoy views of the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral. Take in the sunset with views of the Pont Alexandre iii and Pont Neuf for great photographs.
Take a romantic walk along the banks of the Seine or an enjoyable Seine river cruise to enjoy the sunset. Be sure to hang around after sunset to see the lights of Paris turn on, and the city come alive.
TIP: These are the best Seine River Cruises in Paris
2. Sunset at Montparnasse Tower
The Montparnasse Tower is 210 meters tall with 59 floors. Not only does the tower provide epic views of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower, but it’s also one of the best spots to watch the sunset in Paris for its unobstructed views.
There are two sunset options when visiting Montparnasse Tower. You can head to the 56th-floor terrace, which offers panoramic views of the entirety of Paris – Click here to buy Montparnasse Tower skip-the-line tickets
Also on the same floor is Le Ciel de Paris, a fantastic restaurant that is glass-walled, providing beautiful views of the setting sun and city landscape. This restaurant is a great place to enjoy drinks or food, making for a romantic place to visit at sunset.
3. Sunset at Arc de Triomphe
Arc de Triomphe is one of the iconic landmarks in Paris and a must-stop for any first trip to Paris.
Firstly, it may be that you want to get pictures of the Arc de Triomphe with beautiful orange hues in the background. Stand on the famous Place Charles de Gaulle roundabout for great photos. It should also be noted that between the 10th of May and the 1st of August, the sun sets on the axis of the Arc de Triomphe, a stunning phenomenon and one well worth photographing.
Your other option is to head up the Arc de Triomphe. Be warned that sunset time in Paris is a popular time for visiting Arc de Triomphe. You may need to allow 45 minutes to queue to get to the top or buy Arc de Triomphe skip-the-line tickets.
4. Sunset at Esplanade Trocadero
Nothing can top a Paris sunset with Eiffel Tower views. The Esplanade Trocadero is a balcony vantage point that is actually on the other side of the Seine to the Eiffel Tower. It is located between two lovely museums worth visiting before sunset: La Cité du Patrimoine et de l’Architecture and the Musée de l’Homme.
This is one of the best sunset spots in Paris and one of the best places with Eiffel Tower views, so be sure to bring your camera. During the day, take amazingly clear pictures of the entire tower, and during sunset, take silhouette photographs.
As well as amazing views, Esplanade Trocadero is completely free to visit.
TIP: why not enjoy an Eiffel Tower view from the comfort of your hotel room? Here are the best hotels in Paris with Eiffel Tower views.
5. Sunset at Esplanade of Sacré Coeur
One of the most iconic sunset spots in Paris is the esplanade of Sacré Coeur. The Sacré Coeur Basilica is situated at the top of Montmartre, the highest point in the city. This is a popular spot among locals and tourists for taking in the wonderful panoramic views of Paris.
Every day as sunset time approaches, the steps outside Sacré Coeur begin to fill up as a lively community of visitors comes to watch the sunset. Chances are there will be a musician serenading the crowd whilst the sun goes down.
After sunset, take the chance to explore one of the most famous neighborhoods in Paris with lesser crowds with this self-guided Montmartre walking tour.
