11 Romantic Things to Do in Paris for Couples

A hand holding a glass of wine

Sure, just being in Paris is pretty romantic. But you can only sit across from one another on a chic terrasse and stare into each other’s eyes for so long before before the question arises: “Well, what do you want to do?” Whether you’re looking for an adventure, or just a conversation starter, here are a few activities to get you off your feet and into your lover’s arms.

11 Romantic Things to Do in Paris:

  1. A boat ride to the Temple of Love
  2. A romantic scavenger hunt at the Louvre
  3. A private city tour in a vintage car
  4. A bird’s-eye view of Paris
  5. Flowers for any season
  6. Pastry-making classes
  7. Life’s a cabaret
  8. Sunday in the park with Gruyère
  9. Wine tasting
  10. Dine in the dark
  11. Visit Le mur des je t’aime

1. A boat ride to the Temple of Love

Vincennes, the temple of love and artificial grotto on the Daumesnil lake, in the public park, in autumn

You heard it here. There is a literal “Temple of Love” in Paris. Specifically, in the middle of the Lac Daumesnil in the Bois de Vincennes, far on the eastern edge of Paris. Paris’s largest public park is a sprawling mass of greenery, ideal for any couple with one partner who loves hiking and one partner who “loves hiking” but wants to know exactly how far the nearest metro station is. Rent a rowboat to cross the lake and clamber up to the Temple. Once your Instagram story has uploaded, walk down the rocky path into a cozy grotto for a little more alone time.

2. A romantic scavenger hunt at the Louvre

PARIS, FRANCE - 06 MAY, 2017: Louvre museum is one of the world's largest museums with more than 8 million visitors each year.

Are you that couple that’s constantly trying to one-up each other? Do your heated dinner party debates make your friends anxious, but only make things steamier once you’ve gotten home? Check this out: THATMuse is a company that creates scavenger hunts at museums around Europe, and their Love Hunt at the Louvre might be just the thing to take in some culture, while creating an opportunity to unleash your competitive side. Tickets cost €29, but you’ll also need a Louvre ticket, which can be purchased online for €22. Then book your tour here.

3. A private city tour in a vintage car

PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 28, 2018: Historic Citroen 2 CV car standing in front of the Paris cityscape. Citroen 2 CV represents the Paris lifestyle like no other object in France.

You know what’s RATP strike-proof? A leisurely city tour in a classic Citroën 2CV, or the “deux chevaux.” Cedric’s Paris is a company that arranges customizable tours that will take you around Paris from €120. And talk about cars with personality — these babies literally have their own bios. Add a bottle of champagne, or even a professional photographer to your tour for an added price.

4. A bird’s-eye view of Paris

Aerial view of Paris and Eiffel Tower
Instagram: @ballondeparisgenerali

For the couple that reads The Economist together and uses Greta Thunberg’s name as a verb. The Ballon de Paris Generali hot air balloon in the André Citroën Park serves the dual function of being both a romantic way to see Paris from above, and also a one-of-a-kind way to learn about air quality in metropolitan areas. The balloon changes colors to indicate if air quality is good (green), middling (orange), or poor (red). So, essentially, spying the balloon from a distance might be an early indicator of whether or not it’s a good day to go for a 20-minute trip into the clouds. Tickets are €19 per person, and you should check the website to make sure the balloon is flying dependent on weather.

5. Flowers for any season

Paris, France, the Auteuil greenhouses, beautiful public garden in autumn

Is your girlfriend always complaining about how you never buy her flowers? Here’s a life hack: get her all the flowers, yes, even in February, if only for an afternoon, by taking her to the Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil, the miraculous botanical garden on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne. Entrance is free (FREE!), and you can email them about guided tours at [email protected]. While outside the trees are lifeless, watch the flowers (and your love) bloom evergreen.

6. Pastry-making classes

Choux pastries and flowers on a table
Instagram: @lefoodist

Did you get on board with your boyfriend’s insane New Year’s workout and diet regimen, when all you want in the world is to put away an entire sleeve of Oreos while he’s at hot yoga? Make your binge look like an exercise in good taste with a French pastry class at Le Foodist or La Cuisine Paris. Not only will you have all the macarons, tartes, and eclairs you can eat, but you’ll also have some back pocket recipes for impressing dinner guests. Classes run around three hours, and cost between €119 and €139 per person.

7. Life’s a cabaret

Paris, France - April 24 2023: the exterior of Parisian Moulin Rouge at night in Paris, France. The Moulin Rouge is the most famous cabaret venue in France

For the couple that’s obsessed with all things Baz Luhrmann, a trip to the real life Moulin Rougecabaret will really set the mood. This iconic Montmartre establishment has been putting on glitzy cancan shows since 1889, and still puts on two shows a night. There is one at 9PM and one at 11PM, with prices ranging from €88 to €210 depending on the time and day of the week. You can even splurge on the dinner-and-a-show combo, which starts at 7PM and costs between €225 and €445.

8. Sunday in the park with Gruyère

People picnicking in Buttes Chaumont park

A picnic always seems like a great idea until you’ve spent ten minutes staring at a shelf of tapenade in Monoprix, panicked, bought an odd number of incongruous grocery items, and just ended up stopping at the nearest boulangerie for a sandwich anyway. Luckily, the world class chefs at Boco have you covered. This restaurant in the 8th arrondissement serves freshly made meals and sides to-go, for delivery or pickup, so you can skip to the fun part of the picnic: arguing over which gently worn patch of grass looks like it has the fewest rocks and twigs in it. Skip the more touristy parks and try Parc des Buttes Chaumont or Parc de Belleville for some stunning sunset views and a locals-only vibe.

9. Wine tasting

Lineup of wine bottles

When you’re back home, it might be good enough to say, “it’s French,” when asked what wine you picked up at the liquor store. But when you’re at that Big Deal dinner reservation with your fiancé, and the waiter comes around with the wine list, you don’t want to be the chump who settles for a G&T because you were too afraid of picking the wrong Cabernet. Ô Chateau is here to help. This wine bar offers dozens of wine tastings held in English that will teach you what to look for and what you like in a good French wine. Sign up for a wine and cheese lunch, an apéro masterclass, a three-course dinner, or even a Champagne cruise, starting at €75 per person.

10. Dine in the dark

White plated dish against black backdrop.
Photo credit: Dans le Noir ?

If, while eating a meat substitute or low-fat variety of something or other, you’ve ever been told, “If you close your eyes, it tastes the same,” then you know how patently untrue this sentiment is. This fallacy is the entire concept behind Dans Le Noir ?, a one-of-a-kind restaurant in which the senses are divorced in order to hone in on an epicurean dining experience like you’ve never imagined. Diners are served entirely in the dark, creating a sensual atmosphere where taste — and touch — are magnified. Now celebrating twenty years, the dining group has proved its longstanding appeal. A three-course meal package starts at €58 per person, and they also offer special gift packages for Valentine’s Day.

11. Visit Le mur des je t’aime

Wall of Love, Montmartre, Paris France / Le mur des je t'aime Paris

The Wall of Love (aka “Le mur des je t’aime”) is a beloved photo backdrop in Montmartre, and a popular spot for couples to visit. The blue tiles showcase the phrase “I love you” in 250 different languages. It can get crowded, so visit early in the morning if you want the perfect pic.

Also Read: Romantic French Love Poems

Catherine Rickman is a writer, professional Francophile, and host of the Expat Horror Stories podcast. She is currently somewhere in Brooklyn with a fork in one hand and a pen in the other, and you can follow her adventures on Instagram @catrickman, or on TikTok @catinthekitchen.

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