Many couples choose to travel to Paris to celebrate a romantic occasion. Whether it’s to propose to your partner, spend part of a honeymoon there, or to celebrate an anniversary, Paris rarely disappoints!
However, if you want to share an intimate moment with your partner, you’ll probably want to avoid the most crowded tourist spots. So we’ve compiled a list of our favorite hidden romantic places in Paris to give you some ideas on how to spend your special date!
If you book one of our Paris tours, be sure to let us know if you’re celebrating a special occasion, we’ll do our best to help you make it extra special!
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Enjoy the River Views at Place Louis Aragon
At the tip of Ile Saint Louis facing Notre Dame cathedral is a little square overlooking the Seine river. Place Louis Aragon has a little bench with lovely views of the river and the surrounding city. It’s the perfect place to sit for a snack and enjoy the views, or to enjoy a romantic moment at sunset.
On Ile Saint Louis, there’s a fantastic brunch restaurant called Wonderland Brunchy, open from 9 or 10 am until 5pm. It’s not exactly romantic per se and it can get very busy inside. However, the service is usually very good and the plates are beautifully presented with generous servings
If you want a very Parisian dining experience, we recommend the Saint Regis in the 18th district. Or you might prefer to walk a few minutes across the Seine river from Place Louis Aragon to Bel Canto restaurant - read more below!
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Be Serenaded at Bel Canto Restaurant
This restaurant in the charming Le Marais district of Paris was recently renovated by a theater manager to give guests the impression of dining on stage. This is a unique experience and a great option if you enjoy opera and fine dining!
The opera singers are also the waiters, and perform as they serve, giving the sensation of being serenaded as you eat.! They may even accept a song request. The singing doesn’t take over the evening however; rather, it frames the dining experience, so you can still enjoy a conversation over dinner.
Bel Canto also has a good vegetarian menu, in case you don’t eat meat. It’s essential to book in advance, so if you’re doing a self-guided tour of Paris with us, let us know if you need any help or tips for making a reservation!
Buy some Flowers at Marché aux Fleurs
Near Notre Dame there’s a very small but nice flower market, where you may pick up some flowers for your loved one on a special occasion!
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Take a Photo in Front of the ‘I Love You’ Wall in Montmartre
In the Jehan Rictus garden square in Montmartre, you’ll find Le mur des je t’aime (The ‘I Love You’ wall). The 416 sq ft wall features the words ‘I love you’ 311 times in 250 different languages across 612 lava tiles. The languages include all 192 languages of the United Nations, as well as rarer ones such as Inuit, Bambara, Navajo, and Esperanto.
Artist Frédéric Baron originally collected all of the ‘I love you’s in a notebook after asking his neighbors and local embassies. Then in 2,000, he created the wall with calligrapher Claire Kito as a homage to love. When you’re exploring Montmartre, be sure to get a photo of you and your partner in front of the ‘I Love You’ wall!
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Take a Break on the Montmartre Steps
The ambiance on the steps at Montmartre in front of the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, with a view over Paris can make for a very romantic setting. If you’ve see the French movie Amelie, you’ll recognise this area, and might feel like you just stepped onto the movie set!
You might be approached by sellers in this area; don’t be afraid to politely and firmly say ‘non, merci’ if you’re not interested in buying anything from them.
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Hire a Boat on the Bois de Boulogne Lake
The Bois de Boulogne is in western Paris. Once used as royal hunting grounds, it’s now a huge public park with botanical gardens, nature trails and lakes. After taking a stroll in this lovely park, if the weather is nice, you can hire a boat on the lake for an hour for 12 euros.
On a sunny day, why not bring a picnic to enjoy in the park too?
To get to Bois de Boulogne, take the Metro line 9 to Rue de la Pompe, or the RER to Henri Martin station.
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Go on a Romantic Dinner Cruise
An evening cruise along the Seine river with views of Paris on either side while you enjoy a delicious meal could be the ideal way to end a romantic day! If you book one of our Paris tours, we will recommend our favorite one!
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Dine at Le Jules Verne Restaurant at the Top of the Eiffel Tower
If you haven’t been to Paris before, you might not imagine that there are restaurants at the top of the Eiffel Tower! Le Jules Verne offers creative haute cuisine with outstanding service – and a price that corresponds.
But if you’re not on a budget and would like an unforgettable dining experience with views of Paris, dinner at Le Jules Verne won’t disappoint. Needless to say, it’s essential to make an online reservation!
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Watch Tango Dancing by the Seine
At the Jardin Tino Rossi when the weather is nice, local tango dancers gather to dance by the Seine. The music is nice and there’s a nice community feel to the occasion. Even if you don’t know how to dance tango, it’s very nice to sit and watch on a sunny day by the river, and quite romantic!
You may also enjoy a stroll through Jardin Tino Rossi’s nice shady park, which has some interesting sculptures.
Take a Romantic Stroll Along the Canal Saint Martin
The Canal Saint Martin is a lovely place to go for a romantic stroll, and it’s less touristy than the banks of the Seine. You might take an opportunity to have a kiss on one of the many bridges that crosses the canal! There are also many nice little stores and restaurants alongside the canal.
On Sundays the street along the canal is closed to traffic, so you’ll enjoy a quieter stroll.
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Enjoy Views & Solitude on the Ferris Wheel in the Jardin des Tuileries
Perhaps not the most ‘hidden’ romantic place, but a ride on the Ferris wheel at the Jardin des Tuileries can be a very special experience. You can enjoy lovely views from the top with your loved one, instead of being surrounded by a crowd of tourists, as you would be at the top of the Eiffel Tower. Plus, this view includes the Eiffel Tower!
Have a picnic in the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont
A lovely place to visit on a warm, sunny day, this park has green spaces, a couple of restaurants and bars, nature trails, little creeks, and even a waterfall! It’s the perfect place to have a romantic picnic in Paris, lie in the sun, enjoy the scenery and people watch. It is clean and well maintained, including the restrooms, so you might even decide to spend the day there!
If you would like to visit Paris before exploring other regions in France by car at your own pace, we warmly invite you to browse our France vacation packages.
All our sample itineraries can be customized to suit your preferences.
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If you would like to visit Paris before exploring other regions in France by car at your own pace, we warmly invite you to browse our France vacation packages.
All our sample itineraries can be customized to suit your preferences.
