10 Romantic Things to do in Paris, France in 2023

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.

Visiting Paris with a partner is one thing you shouldn’t miss if you ever wanted to enjoy the French capital in a special light. There is no shortage of romantic things to do in Paris, with the city providing a gorgeous backdrop to even the most ordinary activities.

To make it easier for you to decide, here’s a collection of some of the best romantic activities in Paris!

Romantic Things to do in Paris

Catch the light show at the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is a Paris landmark and on the must-see list of everyone visiting Paris. While the imposing metal structure’s absolutely worth seeing in the daylight, it’s at night when it really shines. And not just metaphorically.

Every evening, the Eiffel Tower puts on a light show, from sundown until 1 in the morning. The light show lasts for a full five minutes and goes on every hour, but it is said that the most spectacular show is the last one of the day.

This is a perfect activity to end your romantic night after dinner and one of the best romantic things to do in Paris at night.

Relax at the Luxembourg Gardens

Moving on to a daytime romantic thing to do with your significant other, a stroll and lazy afternoon or morning in the Luxembourg Gardens should be high on your list. The Gardens are located at the border between two iconic Parisian quarters Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter. 

They were inspired by the Boboli Gardens in Florence and are split into French gardens and English gardens, separated by a geometric forest and a large pond.

The best way to take in these gardens is to simply stroll along and enjoy the views. Try to make sure you visit some of the fabulous sculptures, like the romantic Medici fountain and the Statue of Liberty. 

Be aware that hanging out at the gardens is a popular activity among Parisians and tourists alike, so if you’re after a relaxing time, take a stroll through the park’s northern area quickly and then head for the southern, more quiet part.

Likewise, if you can, try visiting during the week as weekends are likely to be more crowded.

Because Paris is a large city, it can sometimes feel busy, and an escape to the gardens can help you and your partner relax!

Picnic in Jardin des Tuileries

Another way to escape the busy city atmosphere is to have a picnic in Jardin des Tuileries. Its central location lends itself perfectly to be a lovely midday picnic spot on your way to or from the Louvre, Musée de l’Orangerie, or any other central Parisian sights. It’s right by Rue de Rivoli which offers numerous takeaway options for your picnic!

The Jardin was originally built by the orders of Queen Catherine de Medici but was re-landscaped by the famous gardener of King Louis XIV, André Le Nôtre, in 1664 in a formal French style.

The only thing left to do during a long visit to one of the fabulous museums is for you to go pick up some snacks and have a picnic and relax in a calm oasis right in the center of Paris.

Attend a French baking class

If you and your partner enjoy French food and especially, French patisserie, one of the most fun romantic things to do in Paris for couples is to take a baking class. 

This is a perfect activity for any time of day, especially if you’re visiting during the colder months because you get to hide from the gray Parisian weather for a couple of hours while learning how to bake and then eat! What’s not to love?

The classes Paris offers are numerous, so even the most particular among you will find something they like. And what’s better than spending a couple of hours learning a new skill with your partner and leaving with numerous delicious pastries?

Venture through the Gardens of Versailles

While not technically in Paris, the Versailles Palace and Gardens are a must-see. The Gardens themselves sprawl over 800 hectares and are so big, that one day might not be enough to see the entire estate. The sheer luxury, art, and vastness are reason enough to go visit them.

Versailles is a 45 min train ride from Paris, so the trip requires a little bit of planning, but it’s absolutely worth it if you have the time. Access to the Gardens is free because they’re part of a public park, which means it’s not unusual to see the French out jogging or out for a leisurely Sunday stroll. 

The Gardens are splendid at any time of day, but I’d suggest avoiding the midday summer sun because there’s very little shade in the main part of the Gardens.

As for the season, try to avoid winter, when most of the plants are resting for spring and some of the most splendid statues are put away for protection.

One of the best ways to see as much of the Gardens as possible is to rent a golf cart and drive out to the Trianon estate and the Queen’s Hamlet.

This way, you can use the time you saved by driving and spend it on a stroll through the gardens and discover little alleys and hidden paths in the park, making this a romantic thing to do in Paris instead of a strenuous hike.

Stroll hand in hand across the Pont Alexandre III

Not everything has to do a big activity, and a romantic stroll across the Pont Alexandre III is just what you might be going for. 

Pont Alexandre III is one of the most fabulous bridges over the Seine and connects the Esplanade des Invalides with the green promenade on the other side of the river on the way to the imposing Grand Palais and Petit Palais.

The bridge is most often packed with people, but if you’re out early in the morning or later in the evening you might just beat the crowds. 

The bridge is also a perfect spot for a sunset stroll when you’ll be bathed in soft, golden sunset light enhanced by the glow of the bridge’s lanterns. 

Short but sweet, a stroll over the Pont Alexandre II is one of the loveliest romantic things to do in Paris at sunset.

Explore the beauty of Palais Royal

Once home to France’s royal families, Palais Royal is nothing short of spectacular. Today, it’s used for French government offices, but that does mean that getting inside the palace isn’t an option. Don’t fret, the gardens and internal courtyard is still open to the general public and access is free.

Often overlooked by tourists in favor of the nearby Louvre, it’s a bit hard to spot in the midst of many grand buildings in the area.

You should stroll under the arches of the internal courtyard that line the Colonnes de Buren artwork, black and white octagonal columns of different heights that are one of the symbols of Paris. 

Also mandatory is a walk through the gardens, especially beautiful in autumn and early spring. Surrounded by buildings on all sides, the gardens are a popular spot for a temporary respite from the hustle and bustle of city life for many Parisians.

Stop by the Wall of Love

It might be a bit of a cliche, but how could a stop by the Wall of Love not make the list of romantic things to do in Paris?

The Wall of Love is located at Place des Abbesses and is well worth visiting on your way to the Sacre-Coeur Basilica and Montmartre. 

The little park is usually crowded during the day, but if you try to go in the morning, you could manage to snag a moment when you have the place for yourselves. If you stop for coffee and a croissant beforehand, you can even have a mini breakfast right there, while you’re looking over all the ways to say I love you in different languages.

It’s one of the best hidden romantic places in Paris, even though it might not be so hidden anymore.

Have a champagne tasting

You simply cannot come to Paris and not drink a glass of champagne. The bubbly drink is practically a religion in France and what better way to learn more about French culture and wine than by having a champagne tasting.

Traveling can be exhausting and making sure you enjoy yourselves and focus on your partner is important.

Whether you join an organized tasting or decide to buy bottles of champagne and taste them by yourselves, a tasting is one of the most romantic things to do in Paris, because it gives you the opportunity of simply enjoying your partner’s company while the city itself provides a gorgeous backdrop.

Go on a romantic cruise on the Seine

A cruise on the Seine is one of the best ways to see a different perspective of Paris, and what better way to relax and enjoy your partner’s company, than by going on a romantic cruise!

For the most romantic experience, try to book one of the many sunset romantic cruises the boating companies have to offer. Most cruises will provide you with a complimentary drink and offer options to buy food and more drinks on board.

Cruises are a great romantic thing to do in Paris because you don’t have to stress about directions and learning about the sights yourself but can let yourself be guided and focus on spending time with your partner. And, because most cruises start and end near the Eiffel Tower, you then have many options to end your night!

Final Thoughts: Romantic Things to do in Paris

The list of most romantic things to do in Paris above shows that it’s not a coincidence Paris is called the city of love so often.

The town itself offers gorgeous scenery and even just losing yourselves and exploring the many hidden streets of Paris, sampling croissants, baguettes, and champagne is romantic when you’re spending time with the one you love.