Did you wonder one day why the night in Paris was so brightly 
present in your dreams? Because of the Light, of course!!
Imagine you are walking down along the bank of the Seine River and in front of you is this delicate bridge of Light crossing the river like a comet streaming the sky…. Standing up at the edge of the River, you try to focus on 
this Magic source of light and soon enough, new lights appear before your eyes like the stars in the sky in a warm summer night….
In fact, you are standing right here, on the right bank of the Seine River, on the Quai George Pompidou (one of the important President of France) in the Heart of Paris by Night.
Ideally, you may decide to start your visit of Paris by night just before the Sunset.
The lighted-up bridge you see beforeYou is 'Pont Marie', built in 1630 in order to connect the 'ile de la cite' (island on the Seine river in the center of Paris where originated the city foundations) to the rest of Paris.
To enjoy the most magical Sunset of your vacation, you have to stand on the right bank of the Seine River.
So naturally you cross the bridge 'Pont Marie' then the 'Ile de la cite' along the 'Rue des 2 ponts' (street of the 2 bridges). Pay attention to the famous ice-cream maker 'Bertillon' on the corner. Don't get crazy now and don't ask for French Vanilla, it does not exist!
On the other side of the Island, take the Bridge 'Pont de la tournelle'. Standing on the bridge, you will enjoy the best view of cathedral Notre Dame de Paris and all the bridges jumping over the Seine River 
(if you forget to by a new roll of film for your camera, you will find one in any 'tabac' or Newspaper stand).
Walk straight down the Bridge and you may want to stop for a drink at the 'Rallye-Bar', an authentic late 50s 'Bistro' (bar in French Slang) with a gigantic 
collection of Tintin Souvenirs (French Comic Book).
Walk down the stairs to reach the bank of the river on the right and enjoy a romantic walk in direction of the Cathedral Notre Dame de Paris.
On the bank of the Seine River, you will meet the 'Bouquinistes' in the Street Book market along the river. (see also Flea markets)
In order to capture an other best view of the cathedral (different angle) you have to stand onto the next bridge 'le pont au Double' that give you access to the Notre Dame de Paris in her early gothic attire.
Back down on the bridge, you will follow the 'Quai St Vincent' that opens on 'Place St Vincent' where all the young Parisians meet. It was also the location of the major student revolution in 1968 that changed forever the Education system of France (thank you guys!). This was also known as a major fight between the Student Secret Force and the Germans troops in 1944.
As you cross the boulevard St Michel to the Corner of 'rue de la Huchette', you will see the 'caveau de la Huchette' (tombs of la Huchette street), one of the survivor of the great period of Jazz in Paris.
Walking down the street, you make a right in 'Rue Xavier Privas' famous for all the Greek/African bars and restaurants. On your left, the fancy little church Sainte Severine is featuring a mixed architecture 
of early Romans and flamboyant Gothic.
Make a left to the Boulevard St Germain then a right on Rue St Jacques. You are now walking on the foot prints of millions of pilgrims from the middle age who were going to St Jacques de Compostelle in the North of Spain.
Make a left on 'Rue des Ecoles' and you will pass by the 'College de France' 
where the 'Crème du professorat francais' (elite of the French school institution) graduate, then make a right onto the middle aged street 'rue de la Montagne Ste Genevieve' (4th street on the right) pulsated by a lot of good typical restaurants.
By the way, it is time for diner and a glass of wine ; you will find the perfect spot right here on this street.
Rue de la Montagne Ste Genevieve merges into 'rue Descartes' that brings you naturally to the 'place de la Contrescarpe' where, on the 14th of July of each year, you can assist at the major 'Bal populaire' (public Ball). You can dance the waltz, the tango, the chachacha and everything between that on the tune of a live orchestra.
The place is surrounded with numerous outside café so attractive that you would spend the rest of your life right here, sipping one of those finest French wines.
But do not listen to your heart, and let's follow the 'rue Moufettard',
one of the most pulsated street of Paris called 'La mouffe'. At the End of 'la mouffe' stand the church 'St Medard' built during 13th to the 18th centuries, capturing all the different styles of architecture through the centuries.
Back on the Place de la Contrescarpe, make a left on 'rue Blainville' then 'rue de l'Estrapade' continuing into 'rue des fosses St Jacques' then make a left in 'rue St Jacques'. At the corner, you will see 'Le Port Salut', a nice restaurant with the dining room inside a wine cellar with a unique authentic arched ceiling. You are here in the neighborhood where the Asian culture begins to take place in Paris. You will find Tibetan, Chinese, Korean stores and restaurants.
Going down the Rue St Jacques, you will make a right on Rue Royer Collard where the medieval houses seem to be ready to collapse because of their inclined front. Some Parisians say that if you drink enough one night and walk down this street, you will hear and see the
houses kissing.
And it is very easy to have a drink in this area, as you will see going down the street because the bars are like the football players: shoulder to shoulder!
On the corner with 'Boulevard St Michel', you will see 'le petit Journal' (the little newspaper in French), a famous Jazz club dedicated to New Orleans and after World war Jazz music period.
You now cross the Boulevard and Follow the fence of the 'Jardin du Luxembourg' ('place Edmond Rostand' then 'rue de Medicis') in direction of the 'Greek' temple called Odeon opened in 1782. If you love Art, you definitely need to check out the program. This theater is open to a very eclectic panel from the 19th century performances to the new waves of 2000.
In Place de l'Odeon, you will find nice fine dining restaurants like the restaurant 'La Mediterranee' where you will eat in plates decorated by Jean Cocteau.
But if you are scared of 'la Douloureuse' in French (the Aching=the bill), go down 'Rue Racine' opening onto 'rue Monsieur le Prince' 
filled with little French, Italian and Japanese restaurants with very attractive prices.
Back on rue de l'Odeon opening onto 'ront-point de l'Odeon', you will make a left to Boulevard St Germain. On the right, the bar called 'la Rhumerie' is well known for its world famous tropical cocktails. Be careful, you still have to walk after!!
Arriving to 'Place St Germain des pres' (also called Place du Quebec) you will notice the three Chic Chic restaurants ('Café-Brasserie') : 
'café Lipp', 'Les deux magots' and 'the Flore'.
Make a right into 'rue St Benoit', paradise for Jazz. Don't miss the 'Bilboquet', the 'Montana' and the 'Latitude Jazz-Club'.
If you like Cigars, get back to the Boulevard St Germain to the right and after a short walk you will see 'the Casa del Havano'.
I guess it is where you will end this tour in Paris with a glass of fine Cognac in one hand, a fine hand-rolled cigar on the other one and a large smile on your face…
Or maybe you will enjoy more a nice French brewed beer. Come back on your steps from where you are and make a right to 'rue des Ciseaux' (scisors street) merging into 'rue des Cannettes' (Beer Cans Street). The pub O'Neil is waiting for you! They brew their own beer. Don't forget to keep some money to get a cab back to the hotel!! (The subway system closes at 1 AM)
