Romantic Getaway Paris
Paris: a romantic escape in the City of Love
Treat yourselves and get away more often!
Paris, the City of Light, has long been celebrated as the world capital of love. With its cobbled streets, elegant bridges and enchanting atmosphere, the city provides the perfect setting for a romantic getaway.
A personal note:
Much like London, where I lived for several years, worked and even returned to studying through evening classes, Paris holds a special place among the European cities I have explored. And for good reason: I spent a large part of my life in the southern suburbs, commuting into the capital, and lived for more than three years in the lively, iconic and extremely pleasant Bastille–Ledru-Rollin neighbourhood.
I have since moved south to sunny Provence and have not returned to Paris for quite some time — blue skies, sunshine and other travels have kept me away. But I have already planned my next Parisian getaway, as my daughter has never set foot in the City of Light!
When is the best time to visit Paris for a romantic getaway?
If you wait until summer, or even spring, some parts of Paris can become almost unbearable, particularly on public transport. In truth, almost any time of year is suitable for a romantic weekend. Even if it rains, it hardly matters as long as you are together.
Paris is also filled with museums and shops of every kind where you can take shelter from the rain, as well as delightful covered passages that remain largely unknown to tourists.
Outside the busy summer season, school holidays and major events, the city is less crowded and hotel and apartment prices tend to be lower.
Queues at museums and tourist attractions are also considerably shorter, making your romantic escape even more enjoyable.
How do you reach central Paris from the airports?
If you are travelling from elsewhere in France, London, Belgium or Luxembourg, taking a TGV, Thalys, Eurostar or another train service can be a convenient way to reach the capital. Otherwise, flying may be the best option.
Paris itself has two main airports: Charles de Gaulle to the north and Orly to the south, a far cry from London’s six airports! There is also Beauvais Airport, approximately one hour north of Paris by coach, which is mainly used by low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air.
In fact, a return coach journey between Beauvais and Paris Porte Maillot can sometimes cost more than your flight ticket! One of those modern travel inconsistencies… Nevertheless, depending on the dates, Beauvais can still be the most affordable option. It is simply a matter of making the most of a good deal when one appears.
From Beauvais Airport, take an Aérobus shuttle, which will bring you directly to Porte Maillot in approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. From there, you can use the Métro to reach the neighbourhood where you are staying. Another option is to take bus no. 6 from the airport to Beauvais railway station, followed by a train to Gare du Nord. The complete journey takes around two hours.
From Charles de Gaulle Airport, several options are available depending on your destination. The RoissyBus is convenient for reaching the heart of the capital, with its terminus at Opéra. The RER B train stops at Gare du Nord, Châtelet–Les Halles and Saint-Michel before continuing south.
Finally, from Orly Airport, south of Paris, you can take the Orlyval to Antony and then the RER B into central Paris, or take Métro line 14 directly from the airport.
Where should you stay in Paris for a romantic atmosphere?
Finding accommodation in Paris can be challenging because demand remains high almost throughout the year. Your choice will naturally depend on your budget, but there are plenty of charming neighbourhoods with a romantic atmosphere: Montmartre, Bastille, Le Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the central area around Opéra, Bercy Village and the 16th arrondissement if you have a luxury budget.
To make life easier and help you plan your romantic weekend in the capital more quickly, we have compiled a selection of romantic places to stay in Paris for a range of budgets.
What romantic things can couples do during a weekend in Paris?
So, what should couples see and do in Paris to make their hearts beat in unison and create memories that will last?
During a weekend in Paris, it is physically impossible to see everything — and not everything is particularly romantic either. As in London, you can visit all the major tourist attractions, but the crowds can admittedly take away some of their romantic appeal.
Beyond the clichés of the Eiffel Tower and the Champs-Élysées, which you can of course visit, several neighbourhoods provide wonderful starting points for exploring Paris together.
Which Paris neighbourhoods should couples visit?
Explore the village of Montmartre together
Montmartre is a timeless, unmissable and world-famous neighbourhood with irresistible artistic and bohemian charm. We wholeheartedly recommend it, but on two conditions: avoid summer, when the crowds cause much of the romance to disappear, and try to arrive early in the morning so that you can enjoy the magic of the neighbourhood before it becomes too busy.
Wander along its cobbled lanes, discover talented street artists and make your way to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica for panoramic views across the city.
For a more intimate and immersive experience, how about taking a private guided tour with our local Parisian and professional guide, who will reveal the neighbourhood’s hidden corners and little-known stories?
Discover the picturesque Marais neighbourhood
With its magnificent private mansions and elegant boutiques, Le Marais is a wonderfully romantic setting. Stroll around Place des Vosges, discover intimate art galleries and share a quiet moment in one of its hidden cafés.
Belleville: Paris’s lesser-known alternative to Montmartre
Picturesque streets, an artistic, multicultural and bohemian neighbourhood, parks, hills and breathtaking views — does that remind you of somewhere? Belleville is a hidden gem for visitors seeking authenticity, creativity and a less explored side of Paris.
Its history includes memories of a former funicular, rather like Montmartre, along with picturesque hills, artisan workshops, hidden passageways and small private courtyards.
Belleville also has its own natural treasure: Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, an ideal place for a picnic featuring local products purchased beforehand in the neighbourhood’s streets.
Escape the bustle of the city in this elevated green park, with its lake, waterfalls and distinctive architecture. It offers the perfect setting for sharing intimate moments surrounded by nature.
Bastille: where revolutionary history meets contemporary Paris
Ah, Bastille… my former neighbourhood, where I lived for three years. It is a lively and fascinating part of the city, with its well-stocked Marché d’Aligre, picturesque arcades, elevated Promenade Plantée, hidden courtyards, artisan workshops and countless small bars and restaurants.
I loved living in this central area of Paris, with the green corridor of the Coulée Verte right beside it whenever I needed to escape the bustle of the city.
Beyond everyday life, the neighbourhood is naturally rich in revolutionary history — as well as many other stories waiting to be discovered.
Bercy Village: between city and countryside
This unusual village feels almost like a world apart within Paris. Easily reached on Métro line 14, Bercy Village will introduce you to an unexpected side of the capital. Here, beside the Seine, you can experience an important part of Parisian history.
Discreet and often overshadowed by more fashionable neighbourhoods, it is nevertheless one of the oldest parts of Paris, with a history dating back 6,500 years. The oldest remains discovered in Paris to date were found here: dugout canoes dating from the Neolithic period.
With its history, remnants of the past, converted wine warehouses and magnificent park divided into several sections — including a Romantic Garden — Bercy deserves a much closer look.
Boats on the water…
No visit to Paris would be complete without a trip on the water, offering a completely different perspective on the capital.
What should you choose? A classic sightseeing cruise on the Seine, perhaps with dinner? A more intimate journey along Canal Saint-Martin? Or even a rowing-boat trip on the lake in the Bois de Vincennes?
Take a cruise along the Seine
Few experiences are more romantic than a cruise along the Seine, offering a unique view of Paris’s most iconic monuments.
Glide along the river at sunset as the city lights gradually begin to glow. For an even more memorable experience, choose a dinner cruise.
Try a cruise along Canal Saint-Martin
Instead of taking the more traditional Seine cruise, or if you have already experienced it, opt for a romantic and unusual journey through historic Paris and discover the “Paris of the Parisians”.
Locks, authentic working-class neighbourhoods, bistros, shaded banks and underground vaults await you on this 2½-hour narrated cruise. The journey begins in Bastille and continues to the Bassin de la Villette, passing through neighbourhoods in the 20th and 19th arrondissements.
Try a cruise along Canal de l’Ourcq
The Canal Saint-Martin and Canal de l’Ourcq cruises complement one another, as the two waterways are connected. The Ourcq cruise travels even farther than the previous route.
This two-hour return trip departs from the Bassin de la Villette and follows Canal de l’Ourcq for one hour as far as Pont de Bondy before returning along the same route.
The cruise focuses on discovering street art in all its forms, whether commissioned or unofficial, accompanied by commentary from a street-art specialist.
Hire a rowing boat in the Bois de Vincennes or Bois de Boulogne
Here is another way to enjoy a peaceful trip on the water: hire a rowing boat in the Bois de Vincennes and combine the experience with a visit to the château, for example, or a walk along the Promenade Plantée leading towards Bastille.
Explore French cuisine in Paris
The capital offers an exceptional variety of culinary experiences, from charming waterside guinguettes and intimate bistros to historic brasseries, some of which are listed for their heritage, as well as fine-dining and Michelin-starred restaurants.
The choice in Paris is truly immense. We have carefully selected romantic restaurants to help you find the right place according to the neighbourhood, your mood and your budget.
Visit the Louvre in the evening: where art meets romance
The Louvre, one of the world’s largest museums, takes on an entirely different character at night. Enjoy the calmer atmosphere and discover its iconic works of art in a more intimate setting. Some special evening events even feature live concerts, adding a musical touch to your visit.
Escape into nature
Paris is filled with magnificent parks, perfect for a romantic walk between visits.
Located between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, the Tuileries Garden offers an elegant and peaceful atmosphere in the very heart of the city.
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont features a picturesque landscape of hills, waterfalls and even a temple overlooking a lake. Its many quiet corners are ideal for relaxing and enjoying nature.
The Luxembourg Gardens are among the most beautiful in Paris, with their lawns, flowerbeds and famous central basin. You can hire a chair and relax in the sunshine or sail a small model boat across the water.
Peaceful Parc Monceau is surrounded by beautiful Haussmann-style buildings and has an elegant, romantic atmosphere. It features statues, fountains and even a miniature Egyptian pyramid.
The lesser-known Parc de Bercy offers a romantic and relaxing setting, ideal for an escape together.
At the heart of the park stands a magnificent fountain, the Fontaine aux Lions, which is particularly delightful on sunny days.
In addition to its romantic fountain, Parc de Bercy offers charming walks along tree-lined paths, picnic areas and plenty of space to wander hand in hand.
Paris has many other parks, large and small, some more secluded than others. Make the most of them!
Attend a show at the Moulin Rouge
Paris is famous for its cabarets, and there are plenty to compare if you are tempted: the Lido, Crazy Horse, Paradis Latin, Chez Michou and the Zèbre de Belleville are among the capital’s twenty or so cabarets, spread across different neighbourhoods.
The Moulin Rouge is perhaps one of the most flamboyant and internationally famous.
Why not end your day with a dose of glamour at the Moulin Rouge? Attend one of Paris’s most iconic shows, featuring captivating dances, sparkling costumes and a passion-filled atmosphere. It is an unforgettable experience to share with the person you love.
Watch the sunset over Paname
Paris offers many beautiful places from which to watch the sunset. Depending on how many evenings you have planned in the city, choose one or more settings for an intimate moment together.
Montmartre hill offers panoramic views across the city. The square in front of the Sacré-Cœur Basilica is a popular place to watch the sunset.
You can also head to two of Paris’s most iconic towers: the Eiffel Tower and the Montparnasse Tower.
The Champ de Mars, opposite the Eiffel Tower, provides an iconic setting for watching the sun disappear behind the famous landmark. From the Montparnasse Tower observation deck, you can enjoy 360-degree panoramic views across Paris, including landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and Sacré-Cœur. As the sun sets, the sky and monuments take on warm golden colours, creating a magical atmosphere.
Centrally located, the pedestrianised Pont des Arts offers romantic views over the Seine and the surrounding buildings.
Similarly, the banks of the Seine are ideal at sunset. Find a bench beside the river and watch the light fade over the water, with the Parisian skyline as your backdrop.
Peaceful Parc des Buttes-Chaumont has hills and viewpoints that are perfect for watching the sun set over the city.
If you leave the Louvre around sunset, make your way towards the charming Tuileries Garden and enjoy the spectacle in an elegant setting.
Paris also has several strategically located rooftop bars where you can enjoy a drink as the daylight fades and the sky bursts into colour.
Each of these places offers a different experience, so choose the one that best suits your preferences and your plans for a romantic weekend in Paris.
Explore Paris at night
Paris, the City of Light… A night-time walk is an essential part of any romantic weekend in the capital.
To admire some of Paris’s most beautiful illuminated landmarks, head to the Champ de Mars or a rooftop terrace to watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle every evening, creating a dazzling display at the top of each hour.
The Champs-Élysées are often decorated with lights, particularly during festive periods. A walk along this famous avenue offers a vibrant and magical atmosphere.
Montmartre, with the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, offers magnificent views over illuminated Paris. Montmartre hill is a romantic place from which to admire the city lights, as well as to wander through the cobbled streets.
The façades of the Louvre, the world’s largest art museum, are often dramatically illuminated at night. It is an ideal setting for a cultural evening walk.
The banks of the Seine provide romantic views of Paris’s illuminated monuments. A walk beside the river allows you to admire iconic landmarks such as Notre-Dame and the Musée d’Orsay.
Pont Alexandre III is an exceptionally elegant bridge with spectacular illuminations. Spanning the Seine, it provides wonderful city views, particularly at dusk.
The Latin Quarter is renowned for its narrow streets and lively squares, which take on an entirely different atmosphere after dark. It is the perfect place to lose yourselves among the cobbled lanes and enjoy Parisian nightlife.
All these places offer a unique experience of illuminated Paris and are perfect for a romantic weekend or a night-time escape in the capital.
Where can you take a romantic day trip outside Paris?
Visit the Palace of Versailles
Take a day trip to Versailles to visit its sumptuous palace, magnificent gardens and the Queen’s Hamlet. A guided tour will help you discover the history of this remarkable royal estate.