I know it’s cliche, but I absolutely LOVED Paris because it is just so romantic! There are so many things to see and do in Paris, and it’s a perfect destination for a couple’s trip. Here are my top suggestions for how to have a romantic weekend in Paris (check out my Paris Instagram Story too).
Guide to a Romantic Weekend in Paris
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The Eiffel Tower - A Romantic Weekend in Paris Must!
First things first, a trip to Paris would not be complete without seeing the Eiffel Tower!
Pick up a bottle of wine or some beers and head to the Eiffel Tower lawn around sunset. It’s great to see so many couples, families, and friends lounging on the lawn enjoying the evening together.
Be aware of the guys running around selling drinks and trinkets, they can be annoying, but just give them a firm no and hopefully, they’ll leave you alone after a while.
While we didn’t end up going up in the Eiffel Tower, the view from the very top is incredible and worth it if you have time.
Macarons at Ladurée Paris
Ladurée is the quintessential French bakery and arguably the world’s best-known seller of macarons. Over 15,000 are sold everyday!
Enjoy them in one of their many cafes or grab a few to go and stroll along the streets — either way it’s a great treat! Ladurée has several different locations in Paris.
Take a Romantic Stroll Down Paris' Streets
The streets of Paris are lined with cobblestones and beautifully historic limestone buildings. A morning or afternoon stroll is a simple, yet romantic thing to do in Paris! The below photo was taken in Montmartre (more on this neighborhood below).
Paris looks the way it does today thanks to Baron Haussman, an architect who completely remodeled the city in 1852 under the direction of Napoleon III.
Nearly all the building in Paris are under 9 stories tall, and that is not by accident! The French made it a law to ensure their most famous monuments don’t become over taken by skyscrapers.
Visit the Musee du Louvre
The Louvre is the world’s largest art museum, so of course, it made the list of places you must see on a romantic weekend in Paris! Over 10 million people visit each year.
We were not sure if we were going to have time to visit, so didn’t book our tickets ahead of time… that was a mistake (at least in August, the busiest time to visit Paris or really anywhere in Europe), they were sold out.
I suggest you buy your tickets ahead of time online. Unfortunately, if you wait to buy them in person, you are not guaranteed entry.
If you decide not to visit the Louvre Museum, you can still walk and explore the gardens surrounding it free of charge! And of course take a photo with the infamous glass pyramid 😉
Go on a Romantic Paris Lunch River Cruise
I highly recommend booking a lunch or dinner River Cruise with Bateaux Parisiens! We did the lunch cruise, and cannot say enough good things about it, that I wrote a whole blog post on it — read more here!
Lunch is a 3-course meal paired with champagne and wine. There were a couple options to choose from, and the food was delicious!
The 2-hour cruise takes you on a round-trip loop on the Seine River where you’ll get a front row view of all the best sights in Paris, including the Eiffel Tower, Le Musee D’Orsay, Notre Dame, and many more!
You can book a tour here, and trust me, it is a must for any romantic weekend in Paris!
Visit the Palace de la Concorde
While not necessarily the most romantic place on this list, the Palace de la Concorde, a big public square in the middle of Paris, is still worth checking out on your first visit to Paris. Walking through it, you can see the 3,300-year-old Luxor Obelisk, a gift from Egypt to France in 1833.
There is also a big, beautiful fountain opposite the Luxor Obelisk that is worth a stop for a photo!
Marvel at the The Galeries Lafayette Paris
The Galeries Lafayette is a high-end department store in the heart of Paris. Even if you’re not in the mood for shopping, it’s worth a visit!
The center of the building features a beautiful stained glass dome. You can go up to the top floor and stand on a glass overlook for an awesome photo (you can kind of see it on the lefthand side of the photo below).
Head up stairs to The Galeries Lafayette’s rooftop restaurant, Créatures, for a panoramic view of Paris! It is one of my favorite views of the city.
The video below shows the full panoramic view! Highly recommend going up for lunch or a drink. Be sure to check the weather first, unfortunately, they closed the rooftop right after I snapped this video because of rain.
Head up to Montmartre + Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur
Montmartre is a charming neighborhood situated on a large hill in the northern part of Paris. It has lots of cafes and boutiques and is primarily known for its artistic history and the Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur.
Many world famous artists lived and/or worked around Montmartre, including Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, and Vincent van Gogh! Given its rich artistic past, it’s no surprise that the neighborhood has a lot of street art.
Checking out the Sacré-Cœur (The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris) is a MUST. It’s a beautiful Catholic church that overlooks all of Paris.
It is the second most visited landmark in Paris! And it’s easy to see why, it’s a gorgeous building, and the view is incredible.
Something to note: prepared for a LOT of stairs when visiting Montmartre. They are worth it though!
Dine at a Romantic Paris Sidewalk Cafe
No romantic weekend in Paris would be complete without at least one meal at a Parisian sidewalk cafe!
I recommend a chocolate croissant and espresso in the morning! For lunch? Try steak frites, it won’t disappoint!
Walk to the Arc de Triomphe
Another one of Paris’ most famous landmarks, The Arc de Triomphe stands at the end of Champs-Élysées in the centre of Place Charles de Gaulle. It honors all those who fought and died during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.
Photo by Florian Wehde on Unsplash
Stroll along Canal Saint-Martin
Canal Saint-Martin is a nearly 3 mile long canal that connects to the Seine River. It is a popular place for Parisians and tourists alike, with its many restaurants and bars.
We had dinner at Le Marine, it was delicious! Highly recommend trying the escargot.
After dinner, check out Le Comptoir Général, a cool hidden bar. You enter though a small alley way to a building marked just with an arrow.
The inside has a really unique vibe, and the drinks are great. On weekends, it turns in to an awesome nightclub!
Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral
Though damaged by the fire in April 2019, you can still visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, but only from afar. It is still worth stopping by to see the historic landmark.
Enjoy Hot Chocolate at Angelina
So many people suggested I visit Angelina and have a hot chocolate… unfortunately there was a serious heatwave when I visited so hot chocolate was out of the question haha. We opted for another round of macarons instead, but if you find yourself in Paris when it’s cooler outside, apparently Angelina’s hot chocolate is a must!
Watch the Sunset from the Rooftop Bar at Generator Hostel
The Generator Hostel has a great rooftop bar with an amazing view of Paris with Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur off in the distance. It’s very romantic at sunset, so grab a drink and enjoy!
Admire the Palais Garnier - Paris Opera House
Arguably the most famous Opera house in the world, Palais Garnier is yet another classic symbol of Paris. It opened in 1875 and seats almost 2,000 people!
We didn’t have a chance to go inside, but from photos, it looks incredible and I regret that we didn’t! Photos below by isogood and Ninara on Flickr.
Even the back of the Opera House is stunning! Photo from the rooftop bar at The Galeries Lafayette.
Window shop in the Fashion Capital of the World
You can’t visit the fashion capital of the world, and not at least do a little window shopping! These are the top 10 places to shop in Paris according to Travel Triangle:
- Boulevard Saint Germain
- Rue Du Commerce
- Les Halles
- Le Marais
- Triangle D’or
- Rue De Rivoli
- Saint-Ouen Flea Market
- Boulevard Haussmann
- Avenue Des Champs Elysées
- Avenue Des Ternes
Photo above of Rue De Rivoli by besopha on Flickr.
Enjoy a Romantic Walk along Avenue des Champs-Élysées
A famous shopping street mentioned above, Avenue des Champs-Élysées leads up to the Arc de Triomphe and deserves a shout out of its own! It’s a perfect place for a romantic evening stroll.
Photo by Dyana Wing So.
Take in the Views from Montparnasse Tower
Parisians hate Montparnasse Tower because it is an eyesore on the skyline. However, it has incredible views from the top!
Photo by Jean-Pierre Dalbéra on Flickr.
Visit Musée d'Orsay
Musée d’Orsay is a famous art museum filled with works from Monet, Degas, Renoir, and Van Gogh, and more! It has the largest collection of impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces in the world. Photo below by DXR.
Romantic Paris Weekend Day Trip to Palace of Versailles
If you have an extra day to spare, consider a trip out to Palace of Versailles! About 12 miles outside of Paris, Versailles is an incredible palace once home to Louis XVI and other French rulers.
It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and receives well over 7.5 million visitors each year. Consider booking a tour and skip the lines!
Relax in the Luxembourg Gardens (Jardin du Luxembourg)
Jardin du Luxembourg was created in 1612 and covers 23 hectares. It is the perfect place for a relaxing afternoon stroll or picnic!
Admire the Sainte Chapelle
Sainte Chapelle is a Gothic-style royal chapel located on the River Seine. It is most know for its incredible stained glass windows — most of which are the originals!
Plus, it’s Rick Steves approved so you know it’s great 😉
Where to Stay during a Romantic Weekend in Paris: Hotel La Comtesse Tour Eiffel
The last night of our trip we splurged for a hotel with an amazing view of the Eiffel Tower at Hôtel La Comtesse Tour Eiffel. While pretty pricey, it was absolutely worth it! Just look at this room and view…
We booked the Comtesse Eiffel Tower Room (front view). If you want this view, be sure to specify that as they do have other rooms with side views that aren’t as great. Grab a bottle of champagne, because trust me, you are going to want to toast to this!
At night, you can enjoy the sparkling lights from the comfort of your room/balcony! It doesn’t get much more romantic than this…
So there you have it, my top picks for the most romantic weekend in Paris! Let me know if you have any questions, and be sure to watch my Paris story highlight on Instagram.
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xx Chels
Whenever I hear the word Paris, that romantic hue always come in my mind. So, I can actually relate to this post and I was looking for such guide for a long time. Thanks to this guide. It has really helped me and I would love to enjoy there. Planning my tour soon!!!
Yay I am so glad! You are going to LOVE Paris 🙂