The Ultimate Romantic Paris Guide: 20+ Date Ideas, Valentine’s Day & More
Last Updated on 30th July 2026 by Sophie Nadeau
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Romantic dates in Paris: If French is the language of love, then Paris must certainly be the land of love. From rowboat dates on the lakes to hidden kisses during silent films, to glasses of wine in vintage brasseries, the possibilities are endless when it comes to going on a date in the City of Love.
Stuck for dating ideas? You’ve come to the right place for romantic inspiration! Read on and discover our ideas of romantic things to do in Paris with your date!
Most Romantic things to do in Paris
Go for a Parisian Picnic with your other half
While it’s true that February can remain a little chilly when it comes to the weather, going for a picnic in the park with your loved one is guaranteed to melt your heart if you wrap up warm and is one of the best budget things to do in Paris!
Head to your local Parisian supermarket and boulangerie, pick up some picnic essentials (wine, baguette, all the cheese), and venture out into one of the many Parisian parks, green spaces, and squares that the city has to offer. If the weather is a little too rainy for a picnic, then consider cosying up in one of the city’s cutest coffee shops instead.
Learn about medieval Romance in Père Lachaise
Pere Lachaise sits in the North East of Paris. With tree-lined boulevards and even its own signage mimicking that of Paris proper, Pere Lachaise Cemetery sits in a world of its own. A world inhabited by the dead. Reputedly over a million of them…
The very real people, Abelard and Heloïse, are buried in Père Lachaise cemetery, not far from the main entryway to the graveyard. The story of Heloise and Abelard is a tale of forbidden love, the Romeo and Juliet of its time if you will.
In the middle ages, Abelard was Heloise’s professor and the two were never meant to fall in love. But they did. And, eventually, they were separated by Heloise’s furious uncle, who also happened to hold a senior position at Notre Dame. Other Abelard and Heloise locations can be found on Ile de la Cité.
Take a romantic(and historical) walk along the Seine
One of the very best, and totally free, things to do for Valentine’s Day in Paris is to take a stroll down the Seine, hand in hand with your loved one. Wander past Notre Dame, the cutest café in Paris (Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole), the prestigious Sorbonne School and past the intricately stained glass windows of Saint Chapelle.
Perhaps you could even pick up an ice cream from Berthillon en route, or may a crêpe. Oh so French! Oh so romantic! Wandering which route to take along the Seine? Here’s a self-guided walking tour of Paris.
Attend a perfume making class
If you’ve ever wondered exactly what your‘signature scent’ should be, then a perfume class is the perfect way to find out. As you might imagine, there’s a fair bit of smelling and testing that goes into creating your very own perfect perfume. There are three key elements to creating a perfume; head notes, heart notes, and deep notes.
You need to browse through the ‘perfume organ’ which is an ensemble of dozens of scents and smell which perfumes you like and which you don’t. Those which you love the most you’ll note down. In total, there are more than a staggering 150 notes available.
At the end of the process, once you’ve chosen all of your favourite scents, then a master perfumer will look over your list. Though many of the scents pair well together, some can blend to become overbearing and so the perfumer (known as ‘the nose’) will ensure to note down in what quantities scents should be added.
They will also suggest alternatives to scents that may not pair so well together and will also ask you what kind of fragrances you typically enjoy, as well as any perfume that you usually wear in order to get a full idea of the kind of fragrance you’re looking for.
Book a perfume making class here
Visit Bois de Boulogne
What’s more romantic than escaping to nature? The Bois de Boulonge is a gorgeous public park located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, home to four botanical gardens, and within it you can explore rose gardens, lakes and even a waterfall!
While you’re in Bois de Boulogne, be sure to also check out Parc de Bagatelle, which is one of four botanical gardens in Paris and is nestled right in the heart of the forest (please note that the Park has a paid entrance fee during late spring, summer, and early autumn).
There are also row boats to rent, imagine yourselves on tranquil waters looking at peacocks walk around the wooded surroundings…honestly you will feel as though you’re both starring in a romcom at this point.
A little off the beaten path from Paris, this makes for the perfect afternoon away from busy city life and an intimate visit for you and your date!
Pay a visit to the ‘I love you’ Wall
Located near the metro station of ‘Abesses’, the ‘I Love You Wall’ (Le Mur des je t’aime in French) is filled with how to say ‘I Love You’ in hundreds of different languages. While I don’t recommend visiting the wall specifically to see the wall (there are always crowds of people and the wall merits only a short visit), the area surrounding the wall is beautiful and well worth a wander around.
If you’re looking for a romantic walk around Montmartre and beyond, then I recommend taking my Montmartre Self-Guided walking tour! On it, you’ll discover the hidden windmills of Paris, learn about Place Dalida, and see some of the places that inspired artists such as Picasso and Vincent Van Gogh!
Visit Parc des Buttes Chaumont
Have a picnic in the parc at Buttes Chaumont. An oasis of green, situated in the 19e arrondissement and away from the beaten tourist path, the parc of Buttes Chaumont is not only the perfect place to settle down and read a book but also for a ‘Parisian style’ sophisticated picnic.
Why not bring a table cloth to go with your typical wine, bread and cheese board?
Stroll around Ile de la Cite and grab a bite to eat!
Yes it’s slightly messy…but super tasty! Grab a falafel and stroll along the River Seine with your date, there really is no better way to the heart than through good food.
There are many great places to get yourself a wholesome falafel, here are just a few of our top suggestions:
- Maoz Vegetarian,8 Rue Xavier Privas, 75005
- Falafel For You,4 Rue du Petit Pont, 75005
- Oh Falafel du Liban,58 Rue Saint-Antoine, 75004
- Le petit falafel, 18 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 75011
Wander the lost villages of Paris
You may well not know this, but there are plenty of obscure, hidden and totally lost villages dotted throughout Paris. These small communities were once settlements in their own right but have since been absorbed into the fabric of the city of love.
Personal favourites include Square de Montsouris (close to the Catacombs of Paris), Butte Aux Cailles (reminiscent of wandering around Provence), and Butte Bergeyre (a micro-arrondissement away from the city centre with its own private vineyard). Head to one of these villages for a glimpse of French life outside of Paris without ever leaving the Peripherique!
Enjoy a fondue with wine
Of all the romantic destinations in Paris, the former hilltop village of Montmartre is probably the quaintest of them all. Wander along the cobbled streets, enjoy a coffee en terrace or explore one of the last remaining vineyards in Paris during the daytime, that of Le Clos Montmartre.
And when it comes to your Valentine’s Day meal, head to one of the ‘Frenchest’ eateries in town, Le Refuge des Fondus (17 Rue des Trois Frères,). Based down a little cobbled lane, there are two choices on the menu (meat or cheese?) and two drink choices on offer (red or white wine?) It doesn’t get more Parisian than this!
Grab a coffee (and a croissant or two)
Tuck into a freshly baked pastry and get that caffeine fix while you chat away on your date.
Paris is abundant with cosy cafes where you could grab a coffee or tea and nestle in! Not to mention, who doesn’t want a croissant when in Paris? If you’re needing some inspiration we have a guide for you to find all the cute Parisian cafes, the idyllic setting for a date!
Wander along Canal Saint Martin
Stroll along Canal St Martin at sunset and admire the beauty of Paris! You don’t have to spend money, sometimes the best dates are simply just enjoying one another’s company and soaking up the life of the city, and what better place to do it than Paris?
Head to a bar and sip on French wine
There are hundreds of trendy and cosy wine bars in Paris that are worth visiting, and there’s nothing more romantic than conversing over a glass of fine French wine as you watch the world go by while sat on the outdoor terrace seating.
If wine isn’t your thing why not check out the best Irish pubs in Paris and dance the night away with your date to live music!
Marvel at a small museum
There are over 150 museums in Paris so you’re completely spoilt for choice when it comes to finding a cosy place to spend a rainy afternoon date! One of my favourites is Musée de la Vie Romantique.
Literally translated as the ‘museum of Romantic Life,’ the former home of painter Ary Scheffer welcomed some pretty famous guests over the years; Frédéric Chopin, Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, Alphonse de Lamartine, Franz Liszt, Charles Dickens, and Ivan Turgueniev all visited the residence at some point or another.
If you’re looking for something a little different, why not visit the Sewers Museum? Or the doll museum? Avoid the crowds and visit the hidden gems of small museums in Paris, they’re all great talking points for you and your date to converse over.
Dinner by candlelight
If you’ve watched the Disney film Ratatouille then you’ll already have romanticised about eating out in Paris, so Valentine’s in the perfect excuse!
The city is filled with cosy candle lit places that offer the most delicious (and rich) French cuisine which will leave you falling in love.
Just a few romantic restaurants to consider when in Paris…
- Lolo Bistrot, 53 Rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, 75009
- Le Bistrot d’Henri, 16 Rue Princesse, 75006
- Bouillon Julien, 16 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, 75010
Enjoy a romantic cruise along the Seine
Have you ever dreamed of floating alongside the Eiffel Tower, drifting by as the monument’s twinkling lights sparkle on the Seine? Do you want to spend Valentine’s day with your beau or belle on one side and the glittering lights of the city on the other?
Have a unique experience and take a river cruise along the Seine at night! Whether it’s booking a romantic dinner cruise for two, or simply just taking a guided tour, it’s hard not to fall in love while you pass the warm glowing hue of the city and all the reflections sparkling on the River Seine.
Feast on some of the best Macarons in Paris
Is there any sweet treat more synonymous with France than the macaron? While the best selling cookie in France can be on the pricier side of things when it comes to food in the city of love, there’s no gift quite like saying ‘I love you’ than that of a box of delectable macarons.
If you’re feeling more in the mood to create your own French sweets this February, then why not book yourself into a French macaron making-class at the world-famous Galeries Lafayette? Check prices and further information here.
Macaron address book:
- Ladurée, 75 avenue des Champs-Élysées (rue Lincoln), Paris, Île-de-France
- Carette, 4 place du Trocadéro, Paris, Île-de-France
- Fauchon, 30 place de la Madeleine, Paris, Île-de-France
Paris is scattered with sweet treats and delights to feast on with your loved one, you can find more mouthwatering desserts in our guide to all the French desserts you have to try!
Visit Montmartre
One of the most romantic pockets of Paris has to be that of Montmartre. Wander around the charming cobbled streets and marvel at the artists at work in the Place du Tertre.
Whether it’s admiring the views from the Sacré-Coeur or sipping on wine while listening to French music float through the air as you walk around.
Truly a place of beauty with plenty of hidden treasures to discover, Montmarte makes for the idyllic date spot as it’s abundant with things to see and feel inspired about, you’re unlikely to run out of conversation when strolling through this magical part of the city!
Marvel at the Modern Art at the Georges Pompidou Centre
Wander around the museum and marvel at the art and culture that fills this uniquely designed building! Also it’s a great spot for a date as the museum is open till 9pm every day (closed Tuesday’s) and even opens until 11pm on Thursday’s, so you could grab a drink at one of the surrounding cafes or bars after.
Go and make your own chocolates!
What could be better than eating craft handmade chocolate truffles that you made yourself? France is considered by many to have some of the very best chocolates in the world, and they’re not mistaken! This Valentine’s Day, why not grab your partner and head to one of the many chocolate making workshops around the city, and learn to make your own!
Plenty of prestigious Parisian pastry schools hold chocolate making workshops, not to mention you could also get hands-on with pastry and make yourself some sweet treats!
- Le Cordon Blue, Secrets of Chocolate workshop (2.5 hours)
- Edwart Chocolatier, seasonal private workshops (1 hour)
- Hands-on Eclair and Choux Making with a Pastry Chef, cooking experience hosted by Matthieu(2.5 hours)
Alternatively (or as well as, for those chocoholics out there!) if you want to learn all about the secrets and history of chocolate, then be sure to plan a trip to the Chocolate Museum: Check prices and availability here.
Wander around Le Marais
Wander around the little market stalls of Saint Paul’s Village. Hidden in the very heart of the historic district of Le Marais, the antique stalls are filled with little gems and strolling around makes for a great afternoon out.
Watch a black and white film and get cosy
Of all the romantic dates in Paris, this is probably my favourite! Watch a black and white vintage movie at one of the many independent theatres dotted around the city, particularly in Le Marais and the Latin Quarter of the city.
Independent cinemas worth checking out
Explore Paris in a Citroën 2 CV
If you want to get around the city in style, then you should look into booking a guided tour of the city in a Citroën 2 CV. I’ve done this myself on several occasions and getting around Paris in a roof-less vintage car is the kind of experience you’ll never forget!
These 2-hour tours can be taken around Montmartre, past the Louvre, and for an extra fee, you can even plan to have champagne or wine and cheese! Check prices and availability here.
Stay in a cosy hotel this Valentine’s Day
When it comes to romantic locations and escapes from the hustle and bustle of daily life, Paris in February has no shortage of destinations for loved-up couples.
Some of the best romantic hotels in the city include:
- Shangri-La Hotel (luxurious)
- Hôtel Particulier (quirky)
- Hotel Fabric (more affordable)
Check all prices and availability for Check prices and availability here.
Leave Paris!
Alternatively, if you want to completely escape the hustle and bustle of the city for the day, you could opt for a day trip from Paris to one of some amazing destinations that are not too far away, pretty romantic if you ask me!
Why Choose Paris for Valentines?
A city filled with arts and culture, rich with history and literature, what’s not to love?
There really is no where quite as romantic as the strolling along the streets of Montmartre, or wandering along the River Seine and taking in the views of the Eiffel Tower in the distance. No wonder the dreamy atmosphere of this gorgeous capital makes the perfect setting for many films!
The City of Love rarely disappoints and you won’t regret spending the day here with the one you love. We’ve put together a few date ideas to give you inspiration if you’re choosing to spend Valentines in Paris, ranging from free ideas to the more pricer, there’s something for everyone in this guide! And remember, it doesn’t have to be romantic in the love sense, these are perfect things to do as a friend-date too.
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