Known around the world as the City of Love, Paris is the perfect destination for a romantic city break. Whether for proposals, honeymoons, anniversaries, birthdays or simply because they feel like it, couples from across the globe flock to the French capital to see the sights and soak up the atmosphere. With its beautiful architecture, winding streets, exquisite cuisine, quintessentially culture and stylish shops, this chic urban center easily enchants loved-up duos.
Photo courtesy of Alberto via flickr
Ambient Paris
There’s so much to do in the city while you’re on your Paris holidays, but no visit is complete without a trip to the Eiffel Tower. This 320-meter tall engineering marvel may originally have been built as a temporary exhibit for the 1889 World Fair, but it’s now a firm fixture in this part of northern France. If you and your other half have a head for heights, you can ascend to the three levels within the tower. For the ultimate Eiffel experience, enjoy a tipple or two at the Champagne bar located right at the top, or enjoy a meal in the Le Jules Verne.
You can also get views of the city from the neighborhood of Montmartre. Set atop a hill, this area has a village feel and it boasts an array of shops and cafes. While there, you can also visit the Museum of Romantic Life.
Paris is filled with tranquil green spaces. One terrific place to get away from the crowds is Le Square du Vert-Galant. Actually a triangle, this spot on the Île de la Cité in the middle of the River Seine has been a popular meeting place for couples throughout the decades. Lapped by water and lined with trees, it’s a quaint and romantic place for a stroll or picnic.
Jardin du Luxembourg courtesy of Cristian Bortes via flickr.
You should also take the time to visit the Jardin du Luxembourg. These gardens in the grounds of the French Senate contain an abundance of flowers, as well as fountains and statues. They’ve been a favorite among couples for centuries, including the likes of Napoleon Bonaparte and Joséphine de Beauharnais.
The Champs-Élysées is a must-see too. The most famous street in the city, this broad boulevard stretches from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe and is lined with theaters and eateries. It is also one of the city’s premier shopping areas.
Wine & Dine
You can rest assured you won’t go hungry on your trip to Paris. Boasting a reputation for sumptuous cuisine, the city is home to everything from rustic bistros to triple-Michelin-starred fine dining establishments. For a panoramic view of the Seine and Notre Dame while you eat, head to the La Tour d’Argent. Over four centuries old, it serves classic French dishes washed down with lashings of wine.
Be sure to check out the plethora of patisseries, fromageries and boulangeries on offer too.
After spending a few days in Paris, you’ll appreciate exactly why it’s earned a reputation as a premier destination for romance and relaxation.
Jessica Festa is the editor of the travel sites Jessie on a Journey (http://jessieonajourney.com) and Epicure & Culture (http://epicureandculture.com). Along with blogging at We Blog The World, her byline has appeared in publications like Huffington Post, Gadling, Fodor’s, Travel + Escape, Matador, Viator, The Culture-Ist and many others. After getting her BA/MA in Communication from the State University of New York at Albany, she realized she wasn’t really to stop backpacking and made travel her full time job. Some of her most memorable experiences include studying abroad in Sydney, teaching English in Thailand, doing orphanage work in Ghana, hiking her way through South America and traveling solo through Europe. She has a passion for backpacking, adventure, hiking, wine and getting off the beaten path.
