Top romantic things to do in Paris for couples

Ask anyone to list European cities for a romantic break, and the French capital, Paris, will undoubtedly be on the list.
If you visit, you’ll see why. It’s regarded as one of the most romantic cities in the world and is often called the ‘City of Love’. It is a must-visit destination for anyone planning a romantic trip.
The French capital is full of iconic landmarks, beautiful streets and riverside districts, and memorable experiences. This makes it the perfect place for couples. Whether it’s a trip up the Eiffel Tower, a walk or cruise along the Seine, or a quiet afternoon in Montmartre, Paris offers plenty of opportunities for romance.
In this post, I’ve put together a list of the most romantic things to do in Paris. These ideas will help you plan the perfect trip in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
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Romantic things to do on a trip to Paris
See Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower
The iconic Eiffel Tower is top of the fantastic sights to see in Paris. Standing at over 1000 feet, it dominates the skyline and is one of the world’s most visited monuments.
For anyone visiting the city, regardless of whether it’s a romantic trip or not, spending some time at the Eiffel Tower is a must.

You can go to the tower, wander around the adjoining gardens, and get some great snaps of it.
But if you have the time, go up it to experience the beautiful views of the city from here. It’s a perfect place to spend some time with your loved one.
There are some absolutely breathtaking views from the observation deck in the tower, with views out across the river and of the landmarks that Paris is so famous for.
Try to visit at sunset when it is especially stunning. Wait around, and you can see it at night when it is lit up and twinkles in the dark sky.
To make it extra special and for a bit of romance, you can also stop off in one of the restaurants for champagne or a bite to eat.
Take a sunset cruise down to the River Seine
Another of the top romantic things to do in Paris is to take a cruise down the River Seine.
This is an ideal way to combine seeing some of the city’s landmarks and having a really memorable experience. It’s also one of the best ways to see if the city if you are short on time – maybe if you only have a night or two over a Valentine’s weekend.
There are various cruises you can book onto. But for romance, the best time to get on board is early evening when you can see the city as the lights start coming on.

There are also night time cruises and dinner cruises with live music and a glass of champagne.
For example, this evening cruise includes a three-course meal while you sail past landmarks like the Louvre museum, the Eiffel Tower, and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Or you can book this cruise, which includes live music onboard.
Take a romantic walk along the Seine
If you prefer to sightsee on foot, you can see the city’s main landmarks by taking a romantic walk along the Seine River. Many of them are located on or near the river’s banks, so a stroll is a good way to see the magnificent buildings they are housed in.
Start near the Jardin des Plantes on the left bank of the River Seine, walking up towards the Latin Quarter, the Ile St-Louis, and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
If you stop off, you can explore some of city’s beautiful streets and historic architecture and pop into the cathedral that has now reopened.

Walking further you’ll see the Musee du Louvre and Jardin des Tuileries on the other side of the river. The Grand Palais and Petit Palais are on also on that side of the river.
Then carry on down to the Eiffel Tower.
You can ascend the tower and stop off for a drink. Or stroll through the gorgeous Champ des Mars park and use this for the setting for a romantic selfie with the tower in the background.
Stroll along the Champs-Élysées
The Champs-Élysées is one of the world’s most famous avenues, with charming and elegant cafes and boutique shops straddling the wide tree-lined boulevard.
It’s not that far from the Eiffel Tower, on the other side of the river. So you could always extend your romantic river walk and cross over the river to the Arc de Triomphe in the Place Charles de Gaulle.
If you walk the length of the Champs-Élysées from the Arc de Triomphe, you can finish at the Place de la Concorde square at the other end. You could end by popping into the Jardin des Tuileries by the river.
If you’re on the Champs-Élysées during the day, there are plenty of cafés and bars if you want to stop off for a coffee or a glass of wine. Or you can treat your partner to something from the shops and boutiques.
And if you’re there at night, you can stroll along in the dark and experience the avenue when it comes alive with lights.
Get romantic in Montmartre
Montmartre is often regarded to be one of the city’s most charming and romantic neighbourhoods. So if you’re on a romantic trip in Paris, make sure you spend some time here – and make sure you devote enough time, as there’s lots to do.
There are small cobbled streets and squares to wander around, with cozy bars and restaurants (including the historic La Maison Rose).
You can book a guided walking tour if you’re interested in learning more about the area.
Montmartre is also famous for the beautiful Roman-Byzantine Sacré-Coeur Basilica, the elegant white domed church that sits on top of a hill here.

You can walk up to it via steps or take the funicular and see the views across the city. Stay until the sun goes down, and it will be particularly special.
Once there, you can go inside and see the interior. You can also climb to the top of the dome. Being the highest vantage point in the city after the Eiffel Tower means you get absolutely incredible views from here.
Montmartre also has a museum of art and history (the Musée de Montmartre) and is famed for its Moulin Rouge theatre and concert hall with its windmill on the top.
Visit the Wall of ‘I Love you’
While you’re in Montmartre you should top off your romantic time here with a visit to the ‘Wall of I Love You’.
This monument is in a garden in Jehan Rictus Square in the Place des Abbesses on Montmartre Hill. It is over 400 square feet in size and covered in over 600 tiles. These have the words ‘I love you’ written on it in over 300 different languages.
It’s the perfect place to say likewise to your loved one.
Picnic on the grass in one of Paris’ beautiful parks
Paris is full of beautiful parks and gardens. So, depending on the time of year you visit, heading out with a picnic full of France’s fantastic food and drink and relaxing on the grass would be a great thing to do with your loved one.
If you fancy this, you can choose between all sorts of places.
There’s the beautifully manicured Jardin du Luxembourg with its French and English gardens, the Jardin des Tuileries by the banks of the Seine, the Place des Vosges in the historic Le Marais district, and the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, with its views across to Montmartre.

Not far from the Luxembourg Gardens and also near the river, you’ll find another beautiful park: the Jardin des Plantes. This botanical garden also has museums and a small zoo to add to its appeal.
Or, if you’re looking for a place where you can do various things on your visit, head out to the Bois de Vincennes. It is the largest green area in the capital, and so it is an ideal spot if you want to make a day of it. You can take a romantic stroll through the arboretum and past lakes, see a chateau, go on a boat trip, or take a pony ride.
Be cultural in one of the fantastic museums
As you would expect for such a big city, Paris has an incredible array of museums and art galleries to visit, and there’s something for everyone. If you’re someone who enjoys visiting museums, then this is an ideal thing to do on a romantic date.
Art lovers will be in their element here. There are so many to choose from, including world-class museums such as the Musée du Louvre, the Musée D’Orsay, the Musée Rodin, and the Petit Palais.

It’s also worth visiting the Pompidou Centre, which houses the National Museum of Modern Art – if only to see its unique building and structure. The Palais de Tokyo also showcases modern art.

If you’d like to learn more about the city’s history, visit the Musée Carnavelet or the Musée des Archives Nationales.
And for science lovers, there is the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie which has a planetarium within in it, as well as a submarine and aeroplane.
Unfortunately – if you want to visit a museum with a romantic theme – the Musée de la Vie Romantique (the Museum of Romantic Life) – is closed (temporarily until early 2026).
Take a photo in Versailles’ Temple of Love
When you’ve exhausted all the fantastic romantic sights in the city centre, or if you want to visit a fabulous place on the outskirts of the city, go out to the Palace of Versailles.
Located just 12 miles away, it’s a massive residence (there are over 2,300 rooms here!) with beautiful gardens in an extensive park spanning over 63,000 square metres. It was home to a succession of French Kings and was originally built as a hunting lodge in the 1620s.
There are some beautiful things to explore here, both inside and outside. These include the King’s State Apartments, the Queen’s Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Trianon Estate.
There are plenty of places to snap some great photos of your time here. For special ones, find the Temple of Love, an elegant neo-classical temple in the Petit Trianon.

You can also stroll around the beautiful gardens and take a small boat out on the Grand Canal.
In the summer, there are Musical Fountains shows, and on selected days, you can visit at night and see the gardens lit up with lasers and fireworks.
So if seeing the Eiffel Tower lit up at night isn’t enough, plan your trip to Paris for a day when you can spend a romantic evening in Versailles.
You can get further information on a trip out to the Palace of Versailles here.
Take a day trip to see some romantic castles
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of central Paris and are looking for an easy but romantic day out, opt for a trip to the Loire Valley.
The region is located not far from the south of the French capital and is home to some of France’s most beautiful scenery. You can explore quaint medieval towns and picturesque villages, admire fairy-tale castles dating back centuries, and take in stunning river views. It’s a perfect romantic day trip from Paris.
See my separate post for more information on a day trip from Paris to the Loire Valley.
Among the things you can see are the beautiful Château de Chenonceau, the stunning Château de Chambord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest castle in the Loire, and the small turreted Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire.

Sample some French wine and champagne
There are plenty of places where you can sample the country’s famous wine and champagne in romantic settings.
You can stop off for drinks at the top of the Eiffel Tower, in other rooftop bars, and in various historic neighbourhoods such as Montmartre, the Latin Quarter, and Le Marais.
And if you fancy it, book a wine tasting tour where you can try different varieties and perhaps pair them with some French cheese.
The alternative is combine a trip out to the Loire Valley with some wine tasting. The Loire Valley is home to some of France’s finest wines. There are apparently over 1,000 vineyards that you can visit here, so you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Click to explore options for wine tasting in the Loire Valley.
Romantic things to do in Paris
I hope you have a wonderful romantic trip to Paris. For other European cities that are perfect for a romantic break, see my post which covers 10 top places.
I have also written separate posts on the top romantic things to do in London, and in Venice.