Exploring Paris is always a good idea and if you’re travelling as part of a couple, even more so. The most romantic city in the world is full of hidden places, restaurants and great plans to celebrate love.
- Recommended activities you can’t miss
- Romantic restaurants to enjoy the city
- Special visits to monuments at the most romantic times
- Neighbourhoods for a charming walk hand in hand with your partner
Selection of plans: what to do, where to eat and what to visit
Recommended activities you can’t miss
A boat trip on the Seine
It’s one of the must-dos for couples in Paris, but that doesn’t make it any less impressive. The best way is to take the bateau-mouche at sunset or at night, book dinner on board and enjoy the best views of the city and its main monuments from an unparalleled setting, the waters of the River Seine.
Sunset from the Arc de Triomphe viewpoint
Climbing to the top of the Arc de Triomphe is one of the most romantic plans because the sight of Paris lit up from there is spectacular, especially because you can see the Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Élysées and the Louvre Museum. You could also head to Montparnasse Tower but it’s further from the centre.
See a show
Two cultural institutions can offer you an incredible evening with your partner, depending on your tastes. One is the Opéra Garnier, one of the most elegant and sophisticated places in Paris, and the other is the Moulin Rouge, where you can enjoy a cabaret full of light and reminisce about the famous film.
A picnic in the Luxembourg Gardens
In Paris there are plenty of markets and shops where you can buy good bread, good cheese and above all a good bottle of wine, all essential for a picnic in the Luxembourg Gardens where you’ll enjoy the spectacular views alongside nature.
Romantic restaurants to enjoy the city
Have a coffee somewhere charming
Before making a list of the most romantic restaurants in Paris, it’s worth keeping in mind that there are many bistros and small cafés that could serve as the backdrop for the most romantic films. One of them is Le Procope, the oldest café in Paris, located in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
Le Jules Verne
This Michelin-starred restaurant welcomes guests on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower, so you couldn’t ask for a better location. Its incredible menu is paired with a unique setting, which makes booking in advance a must.
Les Ombres
Looking directly at Paris’s most famous tower, Les Ombres is on the roof of the Musée du Quai Branly. The best time to visit is at night because the view of the Eiffel Tower lit up is spectacular.
Le Ciel de Paris
This modern spot is on the 56th floor of Montparnasse Tower, meaning that the views are spectacular. It pays homage to modern French cuisine and, as its name suggests, it could be considered the sky of Paris.
Lapérouse
This is one of the classic spots of historic Paris, located on the banks of the Seine near Saint-Germain. It maintains the select and luxurious atmosphere of the 19th century with private rooms and, of course, candlelit dinners.
Special visits to monuments at the most romantic times
Climbing the Eiffel Tower at sunset
The Eiffel Tower is always a good idea, but when the sun starts to set, the light bathes Paris in dreamlike tones, becoming the perfect spectacle to enjoy as a couple. Night is also a great time, when you can see the city lit up or the light show every hour.
Visit the Museum of Romantic Life
If you’re looking for a bit of privacy, you’ll love this museum. The house looks like something from a novel and you can always have tea in its stunning garden. Romanticism turns into art within its walls.
Arc de Triomphe
The most romantic way to visit the Arc de Triomphe is at sunset, climbing to its viewpoint where there’s a 360-degree view over the whole centre of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower. The best moment is being up there just as the city lights are switched on.
Neighbourhoods for a charming walk hand in hand with your partner
Stroll through Montmartre
If you’re looking for the romantic neighbourhood in Paris par excellence, it has to be Montmartre. The great Sacré-Cœur Basilica and its stunning panoramic views are a meeting point for many couples who enjoy walks along the cobbled streets, idyllic spots and the charm of street artists. In this neighbourhood is the famous “Je t’aime” wall with the phrase “I love you” written in over 300 languages.
Walk along the Seine at night
The banks of the River Seine are one of the most magical places in Paris, especially at nightfall when the city lights up and the reflections on the water create a perfect interplay of reality and illusion for enjoying love.
On the river you can also visit Île Saint-Louis, with an elegant and stately atmosphere reminiscent of Paris’s most sophisticated past, full of grand houses and quiet streets.
The Latin Quarter
The Latin Quarter has a younger vibe but is full of cafés and secret corners brimming with romanticism among its narrow streets and bohemian residents. You can stroll along Rue Mouffetard, the Luxembourg Gardens or visit the Panthéon.
