eiffel tower

3 Romantic Ways to Spend Valentine’s Day in Paris

It’s no secret that Paris is the city of love – which makes it the perfect place to spend Valentine’s Day with that special someone! Here are three of our favorite ways to make the day special.

1. Walk Along the Seine

Walks along the Seine are a bit damper these days, but the river running through Paris is still a lovely spot to wander arm-in-arm. In the past, lovers would go to the Pont des Arts and padlock their love to the city. While this is now frowned upon (lest the bridge sink – not super romantic!) the Pont des Arts, Pont Alexandre III, and Pont Neuf are all beautiful places to soak up the views of central Paris.

2. Stroll Père Lachaise Arm-in-Arm

A cemetery visit might not seem like the most romantic way to spend Valentine’s Day, but Père Lachaise is actually home to a host of famous couples: from Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas to the medieval Héloïse and Abélard (sometimes dubbed the French Romeo and Juliet), you’ll have more than your share of lovers to inspire you.

3. Enjoy a Candlelit Dinner

Paris’ gastronomic prowess is no secret, and what better day than Valentine’s Day to enjoy a delicious, romantic meal with your partner?

Since spots that take reservations tend to fill up pretty quickly on the 14th, here are a handful of our favorite spots that don’t take reservations; show up early (at 7pm) or late (at 9:30pm) to avoid the crowds.

  • Café Constant offers a reasonable, seasonally-inspired prix fixe not far from the Eiffel Tower –  the perfect place to stroll once you’ve finished your meal of heartier fare from the French Southwest.
  • Frenchie bar à vins is the wine bar outpost of Gregory Marchand’s famous Frenchie restaurant; the small plates menu makes for a delicious shared dinner. Just be sure to show up early – folks start to line up at 6:30 to score a seat.
  • Le Relais de l’Entrecôte is a Parisian classic; the family-owned restaurant serves only one dish: steak-frites. When your waitress appears tableside, she’ll just ask you how you like it cooked (and what wine you’d like to enjoy alongside it!)