In the city of proposals, there are more men on one knee than in most places. So whether you’re falling in love for the first time or needing an injection of passion, there’s nowhere more romantic than Paris. There are the clichés of course, from the Eiffel Tower to the Pont des Arts, but there’s also more offbeat turf where you can plant that perfect kiss.
Bridges of Paris
The oldest bridge in Paris, contrarily called the Pont Neuf, stretches across the Seine with a perfect pause half way at the island, Île de la Cité. Paris’ newest bridge is in the southeast, an undulating footbridge connecting the Parc Bercy to the National Library. Best of all though is the pedestrianised Pont des Arts, a tiny romantic bridge in central Paris, with the best views up and down the river.
Square du Vert Galant
At the very western tip of Île de la Cité you’ll find this enchanting refuge away from the crowds. The
Square du Vert Galant
juts out from under the Pont Neuf, offering a perfect triangle of turf to take along a baguette, a book and a friend.
Metro: Pont Neuf (line 7)
Rue du Faubourg St-Honoré
Paris’ most renowned shopping street. Find Hermès classics, like riding boots and risqué leather bracelets (No. 24), or at Chanel, quilted bags and tailored suits. Best of all is Comme des Garçons, with a store so designed it hurts (No. 54).
Metro: St-Philippe-du-Roule (line 9) or M Madeleine (line 12 and 14)
La Fontaine Gaillon
Close to Opéra Garnier, this gem of a Gallic restaurant on a cute square is owned by French actor Gerard Dépardieu. The 18th-century house offers a series of intimate dining rooms with exquisite art by Picasso and Miró. Classic dishes include suckling pig, roast cod and steak tartare, with wine from Dépardieu’s own vineyard.
Metro: Quatre Septembre (line 3)
Address: 1 place Gaillon
Tel: +33 (0)1 47 42 63 22
Opening times: Mon-Fri 12:00-14:30, 19:00-23:30
Prices: €55 for 3 courses
Web: www.la-fontaine-gaillon.com
Chantal Thomass
The French gave us the word lingerie and they still do it best, whether it’s tartan garters or pinstripe basques. This is outerwear underwear that’s seductively stitched to be seen.
Metro: Tuileries (line 1)
Address: 211 rue St-Honoré
Tel: +33 (0)1 42 60 40 56
Opening Times: Mon-Sat 11:00-19:00
Web: www.chantalthomass.fr
Fifi Chachnil
A pleasure palace of pastel close to the Bourse, this is where you’ll find the smartest of bankers buying gifts for their trophy wives. It’s all frou-frou with pretty frilly undies and pink mohair jumpers - cute rather than risqué.
Metro: Etienne Marcel (line 4)
Address: 68 rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Tel: +33 (0)1 42 21 19 93
Opening times: Mon-Sat 11:00-19:00
Web: www.fifichachnil.com
Jay Ahr
To accept that next Oscar, buy your long, shimmery dress here. Spoil yourself with the exquisite gowns, from the slinky and cutaway, the ethereal and feminine, and the plunging and leopard-print. There are wedding dresses and diamonds, too.
Metro: Tuileries (line 1)
Address: 2-4 rue du 29 Juillet
Tel: +33 (0)1 42 96 95 23
Opening times: Mon-Sat 11:00-19:00
Web: www.jayahr.com
Place des Vosges
Perfect for a romantic stroll, Paris’ oldest public square is Spanish in style, with fountains, statues and musicians playing under the arches. On the southeast corner is the Maison de Victor Hugo, where the 19th-century poet-novelist used to live (Tue-Sun 10:00-17:40). A door in the southwest corner takes you into the courtyards of the Hôtel de Sully, a 17th-century mansion with a splendid art bookshop and manicured gardens (daily 09:00-19:00).
Metro: Chemin Vert (line 8) or Bastille (line 1, 5, 8)
Address: 62 rue St Antoine
Tel: +33 (0)1 44 61 20 00
Opening times: Mon-Fri 08:00-19:00, Sat-Sun 09:00-19:00
Web: www.monum.fr
Musée Rodin
Wander through the rooms of this elegant mansion to see Rodin’s exquisite ballerinas in bronze, but don’t miss the real beauties out in the sculpture garden under the lime trees. Contemplate The Thinker, the Gates of Hell and the Burghers of Calais. The museum has an excellent hand-held audio tour and there’s a café in the garden.
Metro: Varenne (line 13)
Address: 79 rue de Varenne
Tel: +33 (0)1 44 18 61 10
Opening times: Apr-Sep, Tue-Sun 09:30-17:45 (garden closes at 18:45); Oct-Mar, Tue-Sun 09:30-16:45 (garden closes at 17:00)
Prices: €6; reduced €4
Web: www.musee-rodin.fr
Le Coupe-Chou
Around the corner from the Panthéon, this is romantic fine dining behind ivy-clad stone walls. Den after den throughout this labyrinthine restaurant, one beamed room leads to another and another. Start with the chef’s special of fresh vegetable soup or scallops in puff pastry on fennel. The pepper steak melts in the mouth and three cheeses round off the meal.
Metro: Maubert Mutualité (line 10)
Address: 9 & 11 rue de Lanneau
Tel: +33 (0)1 46 33 68 69
Opening times: Mon-Sat 12:00-14:30, 19:00-23:30, Sun 19:00-23:30
Prices: €45 for three courses
Web: www.lecoupechou.com
Eiffel Tower
Only Paris could pull this off: the world’s iconic symbol of love, made of cast iron girders. After dark, the tower shimmers with twinkling lights for the first ten minutes of every hour (until 01:00). The last chance to beam up is 45min before closing time.
Metro: Bir-Hakheim (line 6)
Address: Champ de Mars
Tel: +33 (0)1 44 11 23 23
Opening times: Jan 1-Jun 14, Sep 2–Dec 31, Elevator daily 09:30-23:00; Jun 15–Sep 1, Elevator daily 09:00-00:00
Prices: €11.50 (children 3-11 years €6.30) for the elevator to the top; €4 (children 3-11 years €3.10) to take the stairs to the second level
Web: www.tour-eiffel.fr