Tourists and residents say they find Paris magical at night. A dazzling energy fills the air as excited chatter rises from cozy café tables outside, and a social buzz fills the streets with the many people mingling late into the evening.

When the sun sets, Paris doesn’t sleep. Instead, it comes alive with the glow of millions of lights throughout the city. There are nearly 300 illuminated sites around the city, including statues, fountains, monuments, churches and hotels.

In addition, 33 of Paris’ 37 major bridges are illuminated every night. The most famous illuminated object is the iconic Eiffel Tower, which shines brightly each night thanks to more than 20,000 light bulbs. IMB Photo

Tourists and residents say they find Paris magical at night. A dazzling energy fills the air as excited chatter rises from cozy café tables outside, and a social buzz fills the streets with the many people mingling late into the evening.

When the sun sets, Paris doesn’t sleep. Instead, it comes alive with the glow of millions of lights throughout the city. There are nearly 300 illuminated sites around the city, including statues, fountains, monuments, churches and hotels.

In addition, 33 of Paris’ 37 major bridges are illuminated every night. The most famous illuminated object is the iconic Eiffel Tower, which shines brightly each night thanks to more than 20,000 light bulbs. IMB Photo

At 324 meters tall, the Eiffel Tower is the tallest structure in Paris. The Eiffel Tower was constructed for the Paris Universal Exposition of 1889. IMB Photo

A view from the Champ de Mars grounds of the Eiffel Tower. The large public park is a great area for relaxing and walking. The park is named after the Campus Martius in Rome, which was dedicated to the Roman god Mars. At 324 meters tall, the Eiffel Tower is the tallest structure in Paris. The Eiffel Tower was constructed for the Paris Universal Exposition of 1889. IMB Photo

At 324 meters tall, the Eiffel Tower is the tallest structure in Paris. The Eiffel Tower was constructed for the Paris Universal Exposition of 1889. A view from the Champ de Mars grounds of the Eiffel Tower. The large public park is a great area for relaxing and walking. The park is named after the Campus Martius in Rome, which was dedicated to the Roman god Mars. IMB Photo

At 324 meters tall, the Eiffel Tower is the tallest structure in Paris. The Eiffel Tower was constructed for the Paris Universal Exposition of 1889. IMB Photo

A view of the Eiffel Tower from a street. IMB Photo

Several historic and iconic monuments rise out of the Parisian skyline: the Eiffel Tower, spires of Notre-Dame Cathedral, and Les Invalides’ gold gilded dome that houses the tomb of Napoleon. Paris, France’s capital, is a major European city and a global center for art, fashion, gastronomy and culture. Paris central is now home to 2.2 million people, while the expanding population of the Paris metropolitan area is well over 12 million. IMB Photo

Several historic and iconic monuments rise out of the Parisian skyline: the Eiffel Tower, spires of Notre-Dame Cathedral, and Les Invalides’ gold gilded dome that houses the tomb of Napoleon. Paris, France’s capital, is a major European city and a global center for art, fashion, gastronomy and culture. Paris central is now home to 2.2 million people, while the expanding population of the Paris metropolitan area is well over 12 million. IMB Photo

The sun sets on people standing in front of the Arc de Triomphe in downtown Paris as they await a parade to pass by. IMB Photo

View of St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican City, Rome, Italy.

Thousands of tourists and residents pass by Big Ben every day in London, England.

A statue of Ganesh sits in Trafalgar Square in London, England, for Diwali celebrations. Millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Light, which celebrates victory over evil, a renewed life filled with health, wealth, happiness and prosperity.

A scenic view of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.

A spotlight from the Eiffel Tower sweeps over the Paris, France, skyline at night.

Russian soldiers switch out posts at the Flame of the Eternal Soldier Memorial, outside the Kremlin in downtown Moscow, Russia.

Soldiers trade posts at the Flame of the Eternal Soldier Monument outside the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia.

A monument in Yao village in China’s Yunnan province. The town has a sizable population of minority people groups.

One year after Japan’s tsunami, a ship still sits many blocks inland at Kesennuma, Japan. Cleanup has taken place all around the ship. A monument to those who lost their lives sits next to the boat.

A motorcycle and cars drive past the Azadi Tower in Tehran, Iran. Azadi means ‘freedom.’ This tower was built in 1971 to commemorate the 2,500th anniversary of the Persian Empire.