Romantic Paris: Valentine’s Day in the City of Love

Photos: fineartamerica.com, littlebrownpen.blogspot.com, www.azurs.net

Paris has long been known as the City of Love, and with good reason. It is a place full of beauty, from the winding Seine river reflecting the city lights to the Sacré-Coeur Basilica perched upon the hill and the iconic Eiffel Tower that distinguishes its famous skyline. Even the classic rooftops inspire a feeling of romance among visitors and inhabitants alike. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we wanted to share with you some of our favorite romantic spots and things to do in Paris. Whether you are a foodie, movie buff, hopeless wanderer, or just someone who enjoys spending a relaxing night at home, Paris has something to offer. And this year, with Valentine’s Day falling on a 3-day weekend in the US and fantastic last minute deals on Paris apartments, you just might be able to hop over for a spontaneous romantic getaway!

Photos: farm3.static.flicker.com, meteye.net,
littlebrownpen.blogspot.com, mozaaix.org

Immerse yourself in all things chocolate. Context Tours offers a Chocolate Walk, which takes you on a stroll through Paris’s historic Left Bank as you stop in to sample some seriously intense chocolate goodies.

Wander one of Paris’s most romantic neighborhoods. Discover the Canal St-Martin, stretching from the Bassin de la Vilette down through the 10th arrondissement to the rue du Faubourg du Temple, near Place de la République. Stop in one of the many cafés, or take a few steps down the rue de Lancry to enjoy a bit of wine at Le Verre Volé.

Gaze out over the rooftops of Paris. Though the roof deck at la Samaritaine is no longer open, fortunately there is still Le Georges, a restaurant atop the Centre Pompidou with 360° views of the city. Stop in for a drink to take in the breathtaking views – but we recommend going elsewhere for dinner. Looking for a less expensive option? Grab a bottle of wine, head up to Sacré-Coeur, and take in the best panoramic view of the city, glittering lights and all.

Class it up with a trip to the ornate Opéra Garnier. With Mozart’s Idomeneo playing on Saturday the 13th and La Dame aux Camélias ballet playing on the 15th, you’ve got a wide choice. Then again, you can also skip the performances and just take a guided tour or do a self-guided visit of the Palais Garnier. The chandelier and beautiful Chagall painted ceiling are not to be missed!

Take in a classic film. The Latin Quarter is known for its art houses that show films of all genres and in all languages. The rue Champollion is home not only to one of Haven in Paris’s cozy apartments, but to three classic art houses: Le Champo, Le Réflét Medicis Logos, and the Filmothèque du Quartier Latin. Or head to Le Balzac, an Art Deco independent cinema near the Champs Elysées that does pre-film concerts before Saturday showings.

Indulge in a memorable meal. With so many great restaurants, it’s hard to pick just one for a romantic dinner. So we’ll suggest a few. Some current favorites are Le Miroir in Montmartre, Le Petit Marché in the Marais, and cozy Left Bank spots Allard and Les Papilles. If you want to class things up, reserve at Ze Kitchen Galerie for memorable modern fare in a sleek setting. Relax and enjoy the meal!

oneandonlyparisphotography.com

Even with so many options, you might just want to cozy up at home. If so, you can’t beat a bottle of champagne paired with some quality French chocolates… and for those so inclined, a piece of notoriously sexy French lingerie.

Written by Sarah Raymond for the HiP Paris Blog. 

WRITTEN BY

Sarah Raymond

Sarah is a native New Yorker and lifelong Francophile. After starting her career at Haven in Paris, Sarah went off to hone her business skills at Darden and BCG before racing back to startup land. These days she runs operations at Context Travel as their Global Program Director, where she’s based out of NYC and spends as much time as possible traveling back to Paris, on the hunt for the best French cheeses!