14 Romantic Things to Do in Paris for Couples
Paris knows how to make hearts skip a beat; the City of Light has perfected romance over centuries.
These 14 romantic things to do in Paris will turn your trip into the love story you’ve been craving.
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1. Picnic Under The Eiffel Tower At Champ De Mars
Grab a baguette, some cheese, and your favorite person for a picnic at Champ de Mars, the green park sitting right at the Eiffel Tower’s feet. Spread out on the grass with the most iconic Parisian backdrop towering above you.
The expansive lawns provide the perfect venue for a romantic afternoon. It all gets especially magical at sunset, when the iron lady glows against the sky. Stick around for the hourly light show after dark; it’s hard not to feel a little swept away.
2. Sunset Seine River Dinner Cruise
A romantic dinner cruise on the Seine lets you see Paris from the water while enjoying a fancy meal. Float past the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Notre Dame as the city lights up for the evening.
Sunset cruises offer the best lighting for photos — monuments glow in the perfect golden hour. Most boats have big windows or open-air decks so you can soak in all the views.
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3. Steal A Kiss Atop Montmartre
The hilltop village of Montmartre in Paris’s 18th arrondissement serves up sweeping city views. Climb the steps to Sacré-Cœur and find a spot on the grass — couples love gathering here at sunset when the sky turns pink and orange.
Cobblestone streets twist past artists and cozy cafés. Wander through Place du Tertre for a quick portrait, then slip down a quiet alley for a more private moment.
The vibe here is different — more village, less city. Once the sun goes down, the twinkling lights across Paris make it all feel straight out of a movie.
4. Dinner At Le Jules Verne Restaurant
Le Jules Verne restaurant sits 125 meters (410 feet) above Paris, right on the Eiffel Tower’s second floor, and it checks just about every romantic box.
Chef Frédéric Anton heads up the kitchen at this two-Michelin-starred spot. The menu changes with the seasons, and every plate looks like it belongs in an art gallery.
Floor-to-ceiling windows offer up Paris from every angle. Booking early is a must — tables disappear fast, and there’s no just dropping in.
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5. Stroll Through The Luxembourg Gardens
The Luxembourg Gardens stretch across 56.8 acres (about 23 hectares) of manicured greenery right in the heart of the Left Bank. Tree-lined paths, vibrant flower beds, and the Luxembourg Palace set the scene.
Pack a picnic and grab one of those classic green chairs scattered throughout the park. Couples often wander hand-in-hand past the Medici Fountain, where the atmosphere turns up the romance.
Spring brings blooming flowers, and autumn means golden leaves. It’s a peaceful escape from the city’s buzz, but you’re still close to everything.
6. Visit The Love Wall In Montmartre
The I Love You Wall in Montmartre might be the most romantic spot you’ve never heard of. This 40-square-meter artwork (about 430 square feet) displays “I love you” 311 times in 250 languages across 612 dark blue tiles.
Red splashes scattered across the wall symbolize a broken heart being pieced back together. Hidden away in Square Jehan Rictus near the base of Montmartre, the wall is free to visit.
Artists Frédéric Baron and Claire Kito created it in 2000, and couples from all over the world have been stopping by ever since. See if you can spot your language in the mosaic.
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7. Explore Hidden Passages Like Galerie Vivienne
Step into Paris’s covered passages for a romantic stroll through 19th-century shopping arcades that feel like a secret world. These glass-roofed corridors hide boutique shops, tiny cafés, and gorgeous architecture that most people miss.
Galerie Vivienne is one of the prettiest, with mosaic floors and elegant design. Vintage bookshops and tea salons make it a lovely spot for an afternoon date.
If you want to keep wandering, connect Passage des Panoramas and Passage Verdeau for a longer route through Belle Époque Paris.
8. Walk Hand-In-Hand Along The Canal Saint-Martin
Sometimes, skipping the Seine and wandering over to Canal Saint-Martin is the move. It winds through the 10th arrondissement, lined with leafy trees and the kind of iron footbridges you’ll want to stop and admire.
As you stroll, you’ll pass vintage shops and low-key cafés that don’t scream “tourist trap.” Maybe pick up some wine and cheese nearby and settle in along the water for a picnic; it’s hard to beat. The canal really glows during golden hour, with sunlight bouncing off the water and couples scattered along the stone edges.
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9. Take A Vintage Car Tour Around Paris
Sometimes your feet need a break. Cruising Paris in a classic Citroën 2CV is just plain fun. These private guided tours in vintage cars let you see the big landmarks — Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe — while relaxing in retro French style.
Your driver doubles as a guide, sharing stories and snapping photos of you at famous spots. Many cars have open roofs, so you can feel the breeze as you cruise through charming neighborhoods.
10. Attend An Opera Show At Palais Garnier
Catching a performance at the Palais Garnier is about as romantic as Paris gets. This 19th-century opera house is all red velvet, golden balconies, and a chandelier that weighs over six tons.
The opera and ballet season runs most of the year with more than 170 performances. Hold hands and watch world-class singers and dancers on stage. The building itself feels straight out of a fairy tale, with grand marble staircases and ornate decorations everywhere you look.
It’s worth booking tickets ahead — shows sell out quick. Dress up a bit to match the setting and make the night feel extra special.
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11. Rooftop Drinks At Le Perchoir
Le Perchoir hands you classic Paris rooftop views. Drinks run the gamut from signature inventions to the classics — wine and beer are always on hand, too, if you’re not feeling experimental.
Out of all their locations, the Ménilmontant perch really steals the show; it’s got that iconic, slightly bohemian energy you hope for in a Paris night out.
The Marais spot has Eiffel Tower views for a little extra drama. It’s hard not to fall for Paris when you’re up here, drink in hand, city lights flickering all around.
12. Climb Arc De Triomphe Rooftop For Sunset Views
Watching the sun drop behind Paris from the Arc de Triomphe rooftop is about as romantic as it gets. You do have to climb 284 steps to reach the top — no shortcut unless you need the elevator for accessibility.
But the payoff is sweeping views of the city that just keep getting better the higher you go. From above, you can spot the Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Élysées unfurling below, and classic Paris rooftops stretching in every direction.
Snagging rooftop access tickets in advance helps you skip the lines and get right to the good stuff. Most people linger for a while, snapping photos and just letting it all soak in; it’s hard not to.
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13. Morning Coffee At Café De Flore
Sometimes you just want to start your day in a place with a bit of history, and Café de Flore delivers. Nestled on Boulevard Saint-Germain, this iconic café has been pouring coffee since 1887, once drawing in famous writers and artists like Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre.
Red leather seats, Art Deco touches, and a steady stream of locals and visitors give it that unmistakable Parisian buzz. Order a croissant with your coffee, and if it’s not freezing, grab a spot on the heated terrace.
14. Couples Photoshoot With Paris Landmarks
Booking a professional photoshoot is one way to make sure you get good photos together — no awkward arm angles or half-blurry selfies. Paris has no shortage of backdrops: the Eiffel Tower, Trocadéro Gardens, the banks of the Seine, you name it.
Photographers here know the best times and secret angles to dodge the crowds and get dreamy shots. They’ll walk you through poses so you don’t end up looking stiff or staged.
