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Coming to Paris for a romantic weekend? Historical districts, secret gardens, picturesque or unusual places… There are many ways to explore the city whether on a guided tour with an enthusiastic guide or alone with your sweetheart hand-in-hand. The possibilities are endless: Montmartre, Belleville, the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district, the ‘village’ of Passy, the treasures of Haussmann architecture, famous sites along the banks of the Seine, or even a trip outside Paris!
A romantic weekend in Paris must include Montmartre and its timeless atmosphere!
In the north of the city, the district of Montmartre has a delightful villagey atmosphere that attracts visitors from around the world. Lovebirds adore getting lost in the narrow bohemian streets winding up to the steps of the Butte leading to the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur (also accessible by The little train of Paris Montmartre. And there is all the fun of a merry-go-round ride in the pretty Place des Abbesses. A few steps away is the ‘Mur des je t’aime’ (‘Wall of Love’), designed by Frédéric Baron and Claire Kito in the Square Jean-Rictus. This famous mosaic composed of tiles of enamelled lava has ‘I love you’ written in more than 250 different languages. To immortalize your Montmartre getaway, get your portrait drawn by one of the artists at Place du Tertre. Nearby is the charming Musée de la Vie romantique, in a tranquil setting where time seems to have stood still. The museum that houses the studio of painter Ary Scheffer has been renovated in recent months and will reopen on 14 February 2026! Don't miss the famous Maison Rose with its green shutters on Rue de l'Abreuvoir, made famous by numerous Montmartre artists.
After your walk, enjoy a romantic dinner in one of Montmartre’s iconic restaurants. Options include La Mère Catherine, set in a 15th-century former presbytery, at the restaurant Edmond at the Terrass Hotel which offers sweeping views of Paris or La Bonne Franquette, where you can soak up the typical ambiance of old Montmartre. Finally, for an unforgettable evening out in Paris, why not finish with a show at the famous Moulin Rouge, situated at the bottom of Montmartre hill in the Pigalle district?
Another must-see neighbourhood for a walk together in Paris is the famous Marais. This trendy yet historic district in the heart of the capital continues to charm lovers with its narrow streets, mansion houses, historic monuments and museums. The highlight of any stroll here is the magnificent Place des Vosges, a green square surrounded by red brick arcades and paved walkways. Among other attractions, you will find Victor Hugo's house and the Square Louis XIII right in the centre.
Looking for a romantic restaurant in the Marais? Try Qui plume la lune (1 Michelin star). or for a more relaxed atmosphere try the Café Charlot, a former boulangerie now a typical Parisian bistro.
In the heart of the Left Bank in the 6th arrondissement, Saint-Germain des Prés is another romantic district, well-known to those nostalgic about the Paris of yesteryear! This district has a rich history as a meeting place for artists and intellectuals, who loved gathering at Deux Magots and Café du Flore, frequented by writers and artists such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Pablo Picasso and Simone de Beauvoir. Close to the church of Saint-Sulpice, discover the romanesque Place de Fürstenberg – one of the most preserved spots in the capital – home to the workshop of the painter Eugène Delacroix, which has been the Eugène Delacroix museum since 1930.
To round off this delightful walk, book a table at one of Saint-Germain-des-Prés’ romantic restaurants - Japanese chef Kosuke Nabeta’s Sola (1 Michelin star), for example, or Lapérouse, whose richly decorated private dining rooms make the perfect setting for a dinner for two.
An original idea for a stroll on a romantic weekend in Paris: explore the covered passages and shopping galleries covered with a glass roof. Head for the Bourse district – the historical Paris stock exchange – in the 2nd arrondissement, for a walk through the authentic and charming covered passageway. Here you can experience the ambiance of the belle époque. With glass roofs, charming boutiques and special atmosphere, these period shopping arcades are a delight to wander through. Couples love to saunter through with their arms around each other, away from the noise of the city. Ideal for rainy days! One not to be missed is the Galerie Vivienne which, with its superb mosaics, is one of the finest in the capital. The Passage des Panoramas is a gourmet paradise, being home to a number of foodie addresses, including a bistro, tea room and wine bar. Other covered passageways can be found in Paris, particularly in the 9th arrondissement.
Taste pastries, cheeses, wine and savoury specialities from local artisans in the districts of district of Montmartre, Saint-Germain des Prés, Belleville, Le Marais and more. Let Paris reveal the art of French gastronomy to you on these gourmet and cultural guided tours. An unusual walk to discover as a couple!
Along the Seine, you’ll see Paris and its monuments from a unique perspective! The Pont des Arts is the perfect backdrop to immortalize your walk. Connecting the Quai de Conti to the Palais du Louvre, this metallic pedestrian bridge is a favourite photo spot for lovers. From here, you can admire the Île de la Cité which is lit up with golden-coloured lights at nightfall.
Take a cruise along the Seine and enjoy wonderful views of Parisian landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris and the Louvre. To combine a river cruise with fine dining, opt for a lunch or dinner cruise on the Seine or by the quayside.
The Canal Saint-Martin, with its picturesque locks and swing bridges, offers a peaceful and bucolic walk north of the capital, away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
For a romantic escapade far from the hustle and bustle of the city, there are several districts in Paris with a ‘villagey’ atmosphere. In the South of Paris, the Butte-aux-Cailles (13th) is a little corner of paradise on a hilltop. This delightful spot with its cobbled streets lined with small houses with flower-filled gardens is a favourite with lovebirds. The picturesque Mouffetard district (5th), with its old houses and narrow, winding streets, is reminiscent of bygone villages. And leafy Charonne village (20th) has such a peaceful, bucolic atmosphere, you could almost be in the country. Not forgetting Batignolles (17th) with the magnificent Cité des Fleurs nearby, or the Mouzaïa district (19th), a secret spot unknown to tourists, which is a veritable island of greenery in Paris, like the La Campagne à Paris (literally, the countryside in Paris), in the 20th arrondissement and its elegant residences with their green, flower-covered facades. To the east of Paris, the Père-Lachaise cemetery offers an unusual outing for two. This unusual place to visit is a pleasant place for lovers winding paths are the graves of famous men and women, including Marcel Proust, Jim Morrison, Colette, Fréderic Chopin and Héloïse and Abélard … An opportunity to lose yourself in mystical contemplation.
More info on the village-like district of Batignolles
Discover our walking tour in the ‘village’ of Charonne and the walk from Ternes to Batignolles
Discover the cemetery of Père Lachaise in an unusual way
There’s no shortage of ideas for a romantic weekend near Paris either! The Paris region has an abundance of castles, forests and pretty villages that are perfect for a romantic getaway. Discover for example the medieval town of Provins, a Unesco world heritage site, the Domaine de Chantilly with its chateau, park and stables, or Fontainebleau, famous not only for its history-charged chateau but also for its vast forest and surrounding villages. Among these is Barbizon, where many of the Impressionists, charmed by the site’s beauty, came to paint ‘from nature’. Don’t miss the grandiose chateau and gardens of Vaux-le-Vicomte, where you might even be able to enjoy a candlelit dinner, or the enchanting lakes, immortalized by Impressionist painter Camille Corot, on the edge of the town of Ville-d’Avray.
Pampered, arty, gourmet or quirky – there are a thousand ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Paris!
