How to plan a romantic weekend in Paris
Focus on one or two neighborhoods like Le Marais or Saint-Germain-des-Prés to minimize transit time. Book your dinner reservations and museum time slots exactly 30 days in advance to avoid long queues that kill the mood.
- Pick a single base. Don't try to cross the city. Stay in the 4th, 6th, or 7th arrondissement. You can walk to most romantic spots, which is better than being stuck in a taxi.
- Secure your reservations early. If you want a view or a specific bistro, use an app like TheFork or the restaurant's website 4 weeks out. If you walk into a popular place without one, you'll wait outside in the cold.
- Build in 'flâner' time. The most romantic moments in Paris happen when you have no destination. Leave at least 3 hours each afternoon to simply walk along the Seine or through a park like Jardin du Luxembourg.
- Pre-book major landmarks. Never wait in the ticket line at the Louvre or Eiffel Tower. Buy 'skip-the-line' tickets online at least 3 weeks before you arrive.
- Is it worth going to the top of the Eiffel Tower?
- Not really. The best view of Paris includes the Eiffel Tower, so go to the Montparnasse Tower or the top of the Arc de Triomphe instead.
- Should I speak French?
- Always start with 'Bonjour' before asking a question in English. It is considered rude not to acknowledge the shopkeeper or waiter first.