Revealed: The real romantic spots in Paris
If you had to pick the most romantic spot in Paris, which would it be? See what a group of Paris-based writers went for when we asked them.
Paris has a world-renowned reputation for being the City of Love, and if you've ever visited you'd surely agree.
But where are the most romantic spots in the city?
We've asked Paris-based photographers, bloggers, and writers for their opinion - just in time for Valentine's Day.
Pont des Arts
Marc Lagneau/Flickr
Marco Hazan, the man behind the hit website Humans of Paris, says there's nowhere more romantic than the Pont des Arts.
"It's not only a bridge, it's a symbol of true love in the most romantic city of the world," he says.
And he says it's even romantic if you're alone.
"All you have to do is stand there and watch the Seine River and think about the person you truly love. That's Paris."
But be sure not to bring a padlock to attach - the practice has been banned and the love locks have long been removed.
Musée de Montmartre
Photo: AFP
"I go all soft and gooey each time I visit the Musée de Montmartre," says Nicola Williams, France-based writer for Lonely Planet.
"Not only is the museum squirrelled away in one of Montmartre’s oldest townhouses; its delightfully un-manicured garden evokes the 19th-century romance of this ancient artist neighbourhood to a tee. Renoir had his studio here for a while and it is easy to imagine him propped up effortlessly before his easel, painting.
"Be sure to explore the garden right to the end, where age-old trees and rambling brambles give way to something of a secret staircase. Walk down it, turn the corner and swoon over an utterly romantic view of Paris’ Clos Montmartre vineyard."
Place Dauphine
You can't go past the Place Dauphine in the first arrondissement, says Carin Olsson, photographer and blogger at Paris in Four Months.
"Even though it's in the middle of the city (quite literally), Place Dauphine is calm and quiet most of the time since it’s tucked away in between the beautiful houses surrounding this little square," she says.
"It’s one of my favourite places for a romantic little stroll – either during daytime in the spring when the trees are in full blossom or during a colder winter night when the square is lit up by the traditionally French lampposts. It’s quite enchanting to find yourself almost completely alone in the busy city of Paris."
Square du Vert-Galant
Photo: John Weiss/Flickr
If you ask Sedulia Scott, Blogger at Rue Rude, she'll say there's nowhere more romantic than this small garden, which is hidden away below the western edge of the Île de la Cité.
"When you stand at the end of the point, it feels as if you are on the prow of a ship floating down the Seine, with beautiful Paris on either side," she says.
Rue des Barres
Photo: John Weiss/Flickr
Lily Heise, author and blogger at Je t’aime me neither, wouldn't miss Rue des Barres on a Valentine's Day.
"Crossing to the Right Bank from Pont Louis Philippe, you’ve got one of the most charming views of Paris up the historic rue des Barres," she says.
"Like a Parisian time capsule, along its leisurely stairs you’ve got classic bistros with bustling outdoor seating, quirky antique and curio shops and the whimsical flying arches of the gothic St-Gervais-et-St-Protais.
"Plus if that weren’t enough, there are some of the city’s few remaining half-timbered houses and little secret garden you can peer into on the church’s north side. The perfect ambiance to savor a romantic Parisian kiss."
Rue des Abbesses
Photo: WikiCommons
"Montmartre is without contest one of the most romantic neighbourhoods in Paris," says Serge Massignan, blogger at Comme un camion.
"I love strolling down Rue des Abbesses at the end of the day and having a drink at a little table on the cobblestone street. Toward the hill, in the winding streets, there are loads of nice little restaurants where you can eat simply but very well."
Photo: Flickr/Alessandro Tortora
He notes that it's not far from artist hangout Place du Tertre (above), nor the view from the majestic Sacré Coeur Basilica.
"At the top of Montmartre, you have the most beautiful view of Paris. There’s no more beautiful place to stroll hand in hand."
The Moonshiner speakeasy
Photo: Moonshiner Facebook
Lisa at Savoir Faire Paris reckons if you want a good date, you should head to a hidden bar.
"Moonshiner is one of our favourite romantic speakeasy bars in Paris," she says.
"The element of surprise, combined with the atmospheric lighting, the intimate ambiance and the 1920’s décor, makes you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time in a world of your own, just you and your partner. Behind the large fridge door of an inconspicuous pizzeria close to Bastille, this hidden gem is one to visit!"
Serge Lutens at the Palais Royal
Photo: Serge Lutens Facebook
"Testing perfumes with your sweetheart is a very tactile and delightful olfactory experience," says Melissa Ladd, blogger at Prete-Moi-Paris.
"The sales staff is elegant and discreet and the boutique is beautiful and very romantic with deep purple tones and access to the gardens where you can stroll while deciding which perfume you prefer."
Follow the names of the streets
Cité des Fleurs. Photo: Flickr/Klasse im Garten
The team at Paris je t'aime sent us what they called a "funny lovey-dovey itinerary" of the most romantic place names.
"Start out at Passage du Désir, in the 10th arrondissement, and then on to the nearby rue de la Fidélité, which leads to... rue de Paradis," they write.
"In love, the language of flowers is particularly rich, so be sure to walk along the quai aux Fleurs (4th), rue des Rosiers (4th) then rue des Camélias (14th) before losing yourself in the Cité des Fleurs (17th)."
The Tour d’Argent Restaurant (5th arrondissement)
"Well, of course, all of Paris, even the idea or concept of Paris is romantic," says food blogger John Talbott.
"But as a food guy, when asked this question, I think immediately of the Tour d'Argent restaurant; sitting high above the Seine, watching the flickering lights below and the moon beams from the bateau mouches and looking into the eyes of my beloved of 55 years."
Fun fact, the restaurant in Pixar hit Ratatouille is based on the Tour d'Argent.
Saint-Germain-des Prés
Photo: Flickr/Max Sat
"The architecture here represents what I think of as the classic, beautiful Paris that you see in films, and it’s full of little galleries," says Marissa Cox, blogger at Rue Rodier.
She recommends a quick stop at the flower market and the Shakespeare & Co bookshop before wandering the area's tiny streets.
"It's best in summer with an ice-cream in hand, or warming up with crepes during the winter on Rue Saint-André des Arts or a hot chocolate in Le Bar du Marche."
Sadly, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo did not respond when The Local asked for her most romantic spot in the city. But she'd probably pick Hotel de Ville.
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Paris has a world-renowned reputation for being the City of Love, and if you've ever visited you'd surely agree.
But where are the most romantic spots in the city?
We've asked Paris-based photographers, bloggers, and writers for their opinion - just in time for Valentine's Day.
Marc Lagneau/FlickrPhoto: AFP
You can't go past the Place Dauphine in the first arrondissement, says Carin Olsson, photographer and blogger at Paris in Four Months.
"Even though it's in the middle of the city (quite literally), Place Dauphine is calm and quiet most of the time since it’s tucked away in between the beautiful houses surrounding this little square," she says.
"It’s one of my favourite places for a romantic little stroll – either during daytime in the spring when the trees are in full blossom or during a colder winter night when the square is lit up by the traditionally French lampposts. It’s quite enchanting to find yourself almost completely alone in the busy city of Paris."
Square du Vert-Galant
Photo: John Weiss/Flickr
If you ask Sedulia Scott, Blogger at Rue Rude, she'll say there's nowhere more romantic than this small garden, which is hidden away below the western edge of the Île de la Cité.
"When you stand at the end of the point, it feels as if you are on the prow of a ship floating down the Seine, with beautiful Paris on either side," she says.
Rue des Barres
Photo: John Weiss/Flickr
Lily Heise, author and blogger at Je t’aime me neither, wouldn't miss Rue des Barres on a Valentine's Day.
"Crossing to the Right Bank from Pont Louis Philippe, you’ve got one of the most charming views of Paris up the historic rue des Barres," she says.
"Like a Parisian time capsule, along its leisurely stairs you’ve got classic bistros with bustling outdoor seating, quirky antique and curio shops and the whimsical flying arches of the gothic St-Gervais-et-St-Protais.
"Plus if that weren’t enough, there are some of the city’s few remaining half-timbered houses and little secret garden you can peer into on the church’s north side. The perfect ambiance to savor a romantic Parisian kiss."
Rue des Abbesses
Photo: WikiCommons
"Montmartre is without contest one of the most romantic neighbourhoods in Paris," says Serge Massignan, blogger at Comme un camion.
"I love strolling down Rue des Abbesses at the end of the day and having a drink at a little table on the cobblestone street. Toward the hill, in the winding streets, there are loads of nice little restaurants where you can eat simply but very well."
Photo: Flickr/Alessandro Tortora
He notes that it's not far from artist hangout Place du Tertre (above), nor the view from the majestic Sacré Coeur Basilica.
"At the top of Montmartre, you have the most beautiful view of Paris. There’s no more beautiful place to stroll hand in hand."
The Moonshiner speakeasy
Photo: Moonshiner Facebook
Lisa at Savoir Faire Paris reckons if you want a good date, you should head to a hidden bar.
"Moonshiner is one of our favourite romantic speakeasy bars in Paris," she says.
"The element of surprise, combined with the atmospheric lighting, the intimate ambiance and the 1920’s décor, makes you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time in a world of your own, just you and your partner. Behind the large fridge door of an inconspicuous pizzeria close to Bastille, this hidden gem is one to visit!"
Serge Lutens at the Palais Royal
Photo: Serge Lutens Facebook
"Testing perfumes with your sweetheart is a very tactile and delightful olfactory experience," says Melissa Ladd, blogger at Prete-Moi-Paris.
"The sales staff is elegant and discreet and the boutique is beautiful and very romantic with deep purple tones and access to the gardens where you can stroll while deciding which perfume you prefer."
Follow the names of the streets
Cité des Fleurs. Photo: Flickr/Klasse im Garten
The team at Paris je t'aime sent us what they called a "funny lovey-dovey itinerary" of the most romantic place names.
"Start out at Passage du Désir, in the 10th arrondissement, and then on to the nearby rue de la Fidélité, which leads to... rue de Paradis," they write.
"In love, the language of flowers is particularly rich, so be sure to walk along the quai aux Fleurs (4th), rue des Rosiers (4th) then rue des Camélias (14th) before losing yourself in the Cité des Fleurs (17th)."
The Tour d’Argent Restaurant (5th arrondissement)
"Well, of course, all of Paris, even the idea or concept of Paris is romantic," says food blogger John Talbott.
"But as a food guy, when asked this question, I think immediately of the Tour d'Argent restaurant; sitting high above the Seine, watching the flickering lights below and the moon beams from the bateau mouches and looking into the eyes of my beloved of 55 years."
Fun fact, the restaurant in Pixar hit Ratatouille is based on the Tour d'Argent.
Saint-Germain-des Prés
Photo: Flickr/Max Sat
"The architecture here represents what I think of as the classic, beautiful Paris that you see in films, and it’s full of little galleries," says Marissa Cox, blogger at Rue Rodier.
She recommends a quick stop at the flower market and the Shakespeare & Co bookshop before wandering the area's tiny streets.
"It's best in summer with an ice-cream in hand, or warming up with crepes during the winter on Rue Saint-André des Arts or a hot chocolate in Le Bar du Marche."
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