Valentine’s Day in Paris: Romantic things to do in Paris

It’s never a bad time to visit Paris. But celebrating Valentine’s Day in Paris, the most romantic city in the world, is certainly something everyone should do at least once in their lifetime. The City of Love exudes endless chances of romance and luxury everywhere you go. With incredible architecture, to world-renowned cuisine that’s likely to leave you wanting more, there’s no better place to enjoy this special day with your partner.

Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway to Paris or are looking for original Valentine’s Day ideas to keep the love in the air, we’ve got you covered. Here are the most romantic things do in Paris.

• See the sunrise from Sacré-Coeur
• Share a kiss on the Ponts des Arts/Pasarelle des Arts
• Watch the sunset from the Eiffel Tower
• Go on a boat tour/river cruise on the Seine
• Visit the Wall of Love (Les Murs de Je t’Aime)
• Discover the best desserts in Paris
• Have a romantic picnic at the Jardin de Luxembourg
• Go to a Parisian Cabaret
• Enjoy a romantic dinner in Paris

1. See the sunrise from Sacré-Coeur

Walking around the charming old Parisian houses in Montmartre is a romantic experience in itself. At sunrise, however, the highest hill in Paris wakes up with a different colour. The delightful palette of oranges and reds that scatter over the cobbled lanes and the love padlocks on the fences opposite the Sacré-Coeur Basilica make this one of the most romantic spots in Paris. This is also a great place to soak up the breathtaking views of Paris in the early hours of the morning.

To further enhance the romantic touch, walk down the most beautiful street in Paris: Rue de l’Abreuvoir. You’ll fall in love with La Maison Rose and its beautiful pink façade and green shutters (arguably the most instagrammable restaurant in Paris!).

2. Share a kiss on the Ponts des Arts/Pasarelle des Arts

A romantic getaway to Paris should start with a stroll along the Seine and a visit to the most romantic bridge in Paris. Since the early 00s, the Ponts des Arts has became a love referent for couples from all over the world. As a sign of affection and commitment, people began attaching love padlocks with their names on and throwing the key in the Seine. But soon the bridge started to collapse due to the overwhelming weight of the locks!

Because of this, it’s now forbidden to attach padlocks on any of the bridges in Paris. So why not take a stroll over this beautiful bridge and share a kiss overlooking the river Seine instead? Both free and très romantique!

3. Watch the sunset from the Eiffel Tower

Another romantic activity for couples on Valentine’s Day? Standing at the top of the Eiffel Tower at sunset! At 324m height and a total of 1665 steps linking three floors (which you can access either through the stairway or the lifts), the Parisian icon of love offers the best panoramic views of Paris at any time of the day. But at sunset, the Eiffel Tower lights up with over 20,000 golden beams. And if this wasn’t enough, sparkling lights are imposed over the golden lightning every hour on the hour until 1am or 2am (depending on the season). The Eiffel Tower Light Show lasts 5 min, and you can see its beacon shining over Paris from practically anywhere in the city.

Complete the experience with a glass of white or rosé champagne (with optional caviar) at Bar à Champagne. Or try an unbeatable dinner experience at one of the two Eiffel Tower restaurants: 58 Tour Eiffel and Le Jules Verne.

4. Go on a boat tour/river cruise on the Seine

What’s a more romantic thing to do in Paris than a sightseeing cruise on the river Seine? Either during the day or at night, a boat tour on the Seine will allow you to discover the beauty of Paris from a completely different perspective. As you drift under some of Paris’ most scenic bridges, you and your lover will take in the most iconic landmarks of the City of Lights. Think the Notre Dame Cathedral, Grand Palais, Musée d’Orsay, the Eiffel Tower…

You can also make this a romantic dinner cruise and enjoy a gourmet French menu with the beautifully lit Parisian buildings as a backdrop. Definitely an unforgettable experience!

5. Visit the Wall of Love (Les Murs de Je t’Aime)

Another romantic idea for Valentine’s Day in Paris is visiting the Wall of Love. By the Place des Abesses in Montmartre, in the gardens of the Place Jean-Rictus, there’s a mural dedicated to love and reconciliation by artists Frédéric Baron and Claire Kito. The piece of art features 612 tiles of enamelled lava covered in the words “I love you”, 311 times in 250 different languages. Also notice the red notes representing the pieces of a broken heart that the wall tries to bring together.

6. Discover the best desserts in Paris

Trying the best Parisian desserts should be high on your list, whether it’s Valentine’s Day or not. Because traditional French pastries are way more than your typical (yet delicious) croissants and pain aux raisins! We’re talking luxury macarons (there’s no one better place than Ladurée). And fresh choux à a la créme at Odette Paris, just by the renowned bookshop Shakespeare and Company. And of course, chocolate at Maison Georges Larnicol and French butter cookies at La Cure Gourmande. Yum!

Find out more in our best pastries and desserts in Paris post.

7. Have a romantic picnic at the Jardin de Luxembourg

Escape the hustle and bustle of Paris with a romantic picnic at the Luxembourg Gardens. Located between Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter, it was designed in 1612 by Queen Marie de Medici as part of the Luxembourg Palace (now the French Senate).

For the perfect date, pack a picnic (cheese and pastries are pretty much encouraged). Or simply stroll hand in hand with your partner around the charming French and English style Gardens. Throughout the park, you’ll find important landmarks such as the Pavillon Davioud and the Medici Fountain. There’re also greenhouses for conservation purposes, an orangerie, an orchard and even bee hives! If this wasn’t enough, there’re 106 statues dotted around the gardens, such as those of Chopin, Delacroix and Montesquieu. This is one of the best romantic things to do in Paris on a budget.

8. Go to a Parisian Cabaret

Here’s a little something to make this 14th February memorable. As no visit to the City of Lights is complete without a bit of sequins and feathers, why not take your loved one on a date to the cabaret? Paris’ cabarets are famous all over the world for their incredible synchronised choreographies and their elaborate shimmering costumes. There’re plenty to choose from too – from the world-famous Moulin Rouge, to classics such as Lido de Paris, Crazy Horse and Paradis Latin.

9. Enjoy a romantic dinner in Paris

You certainly don’t need an excuse to indulge in some delicious French food any day of the year. But treating yourself and your partner to a special Valentine’s dinner in Paris is a must. We recommend traditional and modern French restaurants for an unmatched gastronomic experience. There are affordable romantic restaurants in Paris, as well as some of the most luxurious in the world, but always book in advance!

Some romantic budget friendly restaurants in Paris are:

• Semilla
• Le Polidor
• L’Epigramme

Romantic fancy and mid-range budget restaurants in Paris include:

• Macéo
• Le Procoppe (oldest café in Paris)
• La Rôtisserie Gallopin

For the best luxury restaurants in Paris, try:

• Le Grand Véfour (with notable guests such as Napoleon and Jean Cocteau)
• Lapérouse (a former mansion)
• La Tour d’Argent

Have you spent Valentine’s Day in Paris? Are there any other romantic things to do in Paris you’d recommend? If you’re planning a trip to Paris, hopefully this post has given you some great Valentine’s Day ideas to try! As always, if you loved our post, please leave us a comment, pin some photos and show us some love on social media using the buttons below.

G. x

I you love a romantic getaway, check out:

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