Paris is arguably the most romantic city on Earth, and newlywed visitors can immerse themselves in breathtaking landmarks, parks, streets, museums, hotels and cafes. Hell, it’s so romantic here, you might get choked up watching a pigeon eat a baguette. Obviously, the romantic mood is intensified at night when the city is lit up (they don’t call it the City of Lights for nothing), but there are a handful of amazing places that will get your girl swooning before nightfall. Aside from the obvious, like strolling down the Champs de Elysees or going to the Eiffel Tower, these six romantic places will have you both feeling like you’re living in a fairy tale.
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Arc de Triomphe
Arc de Triomphe, Paris, France
The Eiffel Tower is the most famous building in Paris, but the Arc de Triomphe is a close second. In fact, some people might see the Arc as the true symbol of Paris. Completed in 1863, it was commissioned by Napoleon to immortalize his victory at Austerlitz in 1805. The massive arch is in the center of the Etoile roundabout, so it’s hard to miss. You and your wife will take a million photos, particularly from the viewing platform. You’ll have to climb 284 steps (after paying a small fee) to get to the top of the Arc, but once you do, you’ll be treated to a stunning cityscape.
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Le mur des je t'aime (I Love You: The Wall)
Le mur des je t'aime, Paris, France
We can see you rolling your eyes already. Sure, a wall of I Love You’s sounds cheesy as hell, but it isn’t as bad as it sounds. Le mur des je t’aime is basically the physical equivalent of the movie Love, Actually. It’s a wall in Montmartre (the 18th Arrondissement) made out of lava tiles, with the phrase “I Love You” written in 250 languages. Couples stop here and take selfies and think about love for the rest of the day. But here’s the reason why you’re going on this trip: Montmartre is beautiful, with narrow, winding streets lined with cafés and shops. And because it’s on a hill, Monmarte offers amazing view of the rest of the city. A whole host of famous artists (including Van Gogh, Picasso, and Monet) lived and worked there too, and you know artists love inspiring views.
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Ile Saint Louis/Seine River
Pont Louis Philippe, Paris, FranceAt some point, you’re going to want to board a river boat/yacht (or, as they like to call them around here, “river limos”) on the Seine. It’s one of the most romantic things you can do in Paris. The scenery is breathtaking as you go downstream, and you’ll see plenty of landmarks along the way. After the ride, sprawl out at Ile Saint Louis, one of two natural islands in the center of the river, connected to the rest of the city by several picturesque bridges. After walking around this quaint area, you can get romantic with a bottle of wine and a basket of cheese and take in the picture-perfect setting along the river.
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Luxembourg Palace and Gardens
Luxembourg Palace, Paris, France
We calculate there have been approximately 438 billion kisses delivered and received at Luxembourg Palace and Gardens. This well-known park, surrounding an even more famous palace, has historically been Paris’ most famous makeout spot (Napoleon and Jean-Paul Sartre being two famous examples). Not much has changed today. With the ornate statues, bubbling fountains and brightly-colored flowerbeds, how could you not want to lock lips here?
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Palace de Versailles
Palace of Versailles, Versailles, France
Has there ever been a point in your relationship where you held your girl’s hand literally all day? Be prepared to at Palace de Versailles. As soon as you arrive to this world-famous attraction (an hour away from the city by train), you will assume hand-holding position. The former chateau of Marie Antoinette, Palace de Versailles is a feast for the eyes with ornate, royal and elaborate design and architecture that’s mind-blowing. The estate is enormous at 17 acres, so expect to spend a whole afternoon exploring—while holding hands, of course.
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Les Deux Magots (or any other café)
Les Deux Magots, Place Saint-Germain des Prés, Paris, France
If we had a penny for every romantic café in Paris, we’d have about 80 bucks. No, seriously. There are around 8,000 cafés in Paris, and they’re all romantic. In fact, the reason why Paris is known for cafés is because there were almost 50,000 of them back in the late 1800s. It was basically the café capital of the world. Now, a Parisian café is just a great spot to cuddle up with your girl, drink a cappuccino, and maybe do some people watching. Some of the best cafés are in the Latin Quarter, known for its narrow streets and intimate feel, but head to St. Germain des Pres, which is home to many famous cafés, including Les Deux Magots and Café De Flore. Camp out at either and let the world just pass by.
