Romance in Paris on the Seine River

Paris is fondly known around the world as the ultimate destination for lovers. Take your partner’s hand and go experience the most romantic spots in the City of Light yourselves! Cosy restaurants with intimate atmospheres, charming facades of classic buildings, and walks along the promenades at the sunset… Paris will seduce you without a doubt!

Here are some tips from our local Expedia expert in France, on how to make the most of your romantic weekend in Paris along the Seine River.

Day 1 in Paris

A Ballad on the Parisian Bridges

To kick off your romantic trip in Paris, start your morning with a walk on the Pont des Arts (Arts Bridge).

Remember to bring along a little lock marked with your initials or message of love. The bridge has a long tradition where visitors in love seal a lock onto the sides of the bridge, as a symbol of forever love. The tradition is kept alive today, with countless locks marked with i heart yous on this bridge of love. Remember to mark your names on your love padlock with a permanent marker and join in the tradition for love that lasts forever.

 CC2.0 / Dustin Gaffke

A Stroll in Paris

When you’ve left your mark in Paris, continue walking along the Quai de Conti (Conti quay) and cross Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge in Paris.

Then return to the Pont de l’Archevêché (Archevêché bridge) located at the end of the Ile de la Cité (Cité Island).

Art Nouveau Lunch

For a romantic lunch, enjoy a delicious meal at Bouillon Racine, a romantic restaurant located in the 6th arrondissement. This restaurant is decorated in Art Nouveau style and makes for a lovely experience.

Beautiful mirrors and splendid stained-glasses surround you. With the ambience set to perfection, delight your tastebuds with French specialty cuisine. What better time is there really to savour fine French delicacies, than a weekend in Paris shared with someone special?

Savour French delicacies foie gras (refined liver paté), canette à l’orange (duck with orange sauce) and dôme au chocolat (chocolate cake).

Romantic Escape into Nature and Art

After you’re done gazing into each other eyes over French desserts, in the afternoon stroll down for a visit to the Musée de la Vie Romantique (Romantic Life Museum) near Montmartre. This beautiful 19th century building located in the heart of the 9th arrondissement, was the villa of Ary Scheffer, a Dutch painter who was popular in France during the Romanticism era.

 CC 2.0 / OTTAVI Alain

Today, the museum features displays dedicated to Scheffer, prolific writer George Sand and other elements of the same period. Inside, you’ll discover their personal belonging as well as jewelry, furniture and paintings.

Scheffer was especially renowned for his portraits and several of them are displayed in Musée de la Vie Romantique. He painted in the atelier, where some of his visitors included Chopin, Delacroix and Liszt.

In summer, an informal tea house opens in the garden. A perfect setting to enjoy beautiful scenery and cool temperatures. Ideal to relax!

Cruise the Lake

All inspired, it’s time to move towards the Bois de Boulogne (Boulogne woods) for a boat trip on the lake. Sit back and cosy up in nature with your other half.

 CC 2.0 / fabrice

Dinner Al Fresco

Afterward, get the shuttle to go to the Châlet des Îles, on the other side of the lake. In the summertime, the weather is perfect for an al fresco dinner. In winter, travellers are welcome to relax in a delightfully cosy room. All year long, meals are an absolute treat. Savour refined or exotic French dishes in a romantic ambiance: ravioles, planchas or nems!

Day 2 in Paris

Paris Je T’aime

If you’re in Paris, you want lots and lots of photos. Murs des Je t’aime (Wall of I love yous) is a great photo op and a fun way to start your second day. Located on the Montmartre hill, this 40 square meters blue wall is an artwork by Frédéric Baron and Claire Kito. 311 “I love you”s are written in no less than 250 languages on this wall!

 CC2.0 /  Grégory Tonon

Romance along Pont Neuf

Your next visit brings you not on, but under, Pont Neuf (Neuf Bridge). Hop on a river shuttle and see Paris on a romantic journey down the river. With your lover’s hand in yours, take in all the wonder of the City of Lights. After this river cruise, make a stop in the very romantic Square du Vert Galant (Vert Galant Park).

Eat in a Traditional Brasserie

Lunch o’clock! Push open the doors of Chez Julien, between the Seine and the Marais area. This traditional brasserie has a splendid retro décor that will put you in a romantic mood. Taste authentic cuisine that may surprise you, such as the chair de tourteau au roquefort à l’avocat et au wasabi (crab meat with roquefort, avocado and wasabi). In summer, you will also be treated to the view of the île Saint Louis (Saint Louis Island).

When Parisian Art Meets Gastronomy

Romance is not only about the grand gestures. Sometimes it lies in the simple things. Begin the last evening of your weekend with a walk along Quai Saint Bernard (Saint Bernard quay).

Gardens and Art in Paris

Follow the Jardin des Plantes (garden of plants) until you reach the Institut du Monde Arabe (Arabian world institute). Enjoy artworks from 20th century artists, as you wander between the Pont de Sully (Sully Bridge) and the Pont d’Austerlitz (Austerlitz Bridge). In summer, people gather on the bridge and you may just find yourself dancing under the romantic Parisian sky!

Cool down with French Sorbet

After the long walk, share an ice-cream at Berthillon on the Ile de la Cité (Cité Island). It is ranked among the best ice-cream makers in the world. The scrumptious must-try specialty? Wild strawberries sorbet.

Romantic Meal & Stroll

Finish your trip to Paris with a meal at Colimaçon in the 4th arrondissement. The names of the dishes served here will tickle you — how about a ‘trio de nains de jardin au chèvre frais et noix’ (garden dwarf trio with fresh goat cheese and walnuts) for you?

To end the evening, have a romantic walk around in the Marais area, surrounded by the beautiful old buildings in this charming historic part of Paris.

The Parisian Bateaux Mouches 

The name originally indicated transport boats for passengers and goods. It was first used for tourists during the universal exhibition of 1867. Commissioned by Emperor Napoleon III, the exhibition brought together many nations in an exchange, exhibited many revolutionary innovations, inspired famous painters and more. Emperors and sultans and tsars were in Paris for the exhibition in 1867 when the bateaux mouches debuted as tourist transport on the Seine River.

Since 1960, the name is used exclusively by the Companie des Bateaux Mouches, who still take tourists on the Seine to discover Paris.

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All year long! Enjoy the coolness of the nights during your romantic walks on the quays in the summer.[/tab]

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Have a romantic stay in Paris with a hotel near Notre Dame de Paris or the Pont Neuf!

For more choices, see the top trending hotels in Paris, romantic hotels, and hotels near top attractions in Paris here, with Expedia Singapore.

[button style=’blue’ url=’https://www.expedia.com.sg/Paris-Hotels.d179898.Travel-Guide-Hotels’ icon=’entypo-suitcase’ fullwidth=’true’] Find Paris Hotels[/button]

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[tab title=”Where to Eat in Paris” icon=”entypo-address”] Le Bouillon Racine: 3, rue Racine, 6e arr
Le Chalet des Îles: Lac inférieur du Bois de Boulogne, 16e arr
Chez Julien: 1, rue du Pont Louis-Philippe, 4e arr
Le Colimaçon: 44, rue Vieille du Temple, 4e arr[/tab]

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Getting Around in Paris

By foot     The best way to discover the Parisian bridges

By boat     The Companie des Bateaux Mouches organizes between 14 and 16 daily trips depending on the season, ideal to visit Paris from the river.

By metro and RER     Every day from 6am to 12.30pm on week days and to 2am at the weekend on some lines.[/tab]

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