Let’s be honest: some Paris guides will tell you to elbow through crowds at the Louvre, snap a selfie at the Eiffel Tower and call it a day, but while these places should still be visited, Paris isn’t about ticking off tourist traps. It’s about feeling the city’s magic and romance, the kind that lingers in hidden courtyards, stolen kisses on cobblestone streets and candlelit dinners where time slows down.
This is what you’re looking for when going on a Romantic Paris vacation.
Whether you’re hopeless romantics, adventurous foodies or laid-back wanderers, we’ve created a range of Paris romantic itineraries to match your vibe.
No rush. No stress. Just you, your favorite person and an itinerary that feels like it was made for you and your romantic getaway to Paris.
The ‘Time of Day’ Itinerary
This itinerary is built for couples who want magic without the madness. No packed schedules, no trying to fit in all the museums — just the perfect flow of a Parisian day, with room for detours, stolen kisses and last-minute ‘let’s just sit here and enjoy this’ moments. Even better? All the locations are well within walking distance or just a short metro ride away!
Morning
- Breakfast at Happy Caffé: Skip the overpriced tourist traps. This cozy spot serves buttery croissants and strong coffee — the ideal fuel for a day of romance.
- Musée Rodin’s Garden: Where you can wander among sculptures (and sneak a kiss by The Thinker).
Afternoon
- Early Lunch at Angelina: Famous for its decadent hot chocolate and Mont Blanc pastry, this Belle Époque tearoom feels like stepping into a romance novel.
- Tuileries Garden: Hold hands while walking past fountains and sculptures. Grab a bench near the pond and chat while people watching.
- Petit Palais: A stunning, often-overlooked museum with a peaceful courtyard café. Best part? Free entry to the permanent collections.
- Place d’Aligre Market: For a true local experience, wander this lively market by day, then duck into the surrounding streets for hidden courtyards and quiet cafés.
Evening
- Dinner at Le Petit Pontoise: A Parisian bistro with candlelit tables and classic dishes like duck confit. Book a table by the window for cozy vibes.
- Drinks at Prescription Cocktail Club: A dimly-lit, moody 1930s-themed speakeasy-ish cocktail bar with inventive drinks.
- Moonlit Walk Over Pont Alexandre III: End your night walking across Paris’ most romantic bridge, lit up like a jewel. Stop midway for a kiss — it’s practically a requirement.
The ‘Parisian Cliché — But Better' Itinerary
Yes, you should see the Eiffel Tower. Yes, you should visit the Louvre. But that doesn’t mean you have to elbow through selfie sticks and tour groups to do it.
This itinerary takes all the must-see Paris classics and flips them into romantic, crowd-free experiences. Best part? You’ll still check off the big-ticket sights, just smarter, slower and with way more charm.
Eiffel Tower
Skip: Midday crowds and hour-long elevator lines.
Do This Instead:
- Sunrise picnic at Champ de Mars: Bring pastries, coffee and a blanket. You’ll have the grassy lawns (and the tower) almost to yourselves.
- ‘Sparkle hour’ at night: Every hour after dark, the Eiffel Tower glitters for 5 minutes. Watch from Pont de Bir-Hakeim (a photographer’s secret) or the quays of the Seine by Lena Bridge for a quieter vibe.
- View from above: Skip the climb and head to Le Perruche rooftop bar for cocktails overlooking the tower — no queues required, perhaps just a reservation.
The Louvre
Skip: Midday madness (seriously, it’s like a theme park at noon).
Do This Instead:
- Friday night visits (Nocturnes): From 6pm, the crowds thin out, the lighting turns moody and tickets are cheaper.
- Alternative: Musée d’Orsay at opening time (9:30am) — it’s quieter and the clock tower views over Paris are unreal.
Here’s your in-depth guide to the Louvre Museum!
Notre-Dame
Skip: Just staring at the façade.
Do This Instead:
- Basilica of Saint-Denis: The world’s first Gothic cathedral and the final resting place of French kings. Just 15 minutes from Paris, but 95 per cent fewer tourists.
- Sainte-Chapelle: The stained glass here is stunning. Go right at opening (9am) to have the light pouring in all to yourselves.
Versailles
Skip: The all-day Versailles marathon (unless you love crowds in fancy hallways).
Do This Instead:
- Château de Vincennes: A medieval castle with a towering keep, a moat and almost no tourists. Feels like stepping into a fairy tale.
- Palais Garnier (Paris Opera): Take a guided tour of this opulent masterpiece or splurge on last-minute ballet tickets (cheaper than you’d think!).
Angelina & Tuileries
Skip: The hour-long line at Angelina’s main location.
Do This Instead:
- Breakfast at Angelina Rivoli: Same legendary hot chocolate, shorter wait.
- Tuileries Garden at golden hour: Grab a bench near the fountain and watch Paris glow.
Montmartre
Skip: The packed steps of Sacré-Cœur.
Do This Instead:
- Clos Montmartre Vineyard: Paris’ adorable vineyard.
- Le Mur des Je T’aime: The ‘I Love You’ wall, hidden in a quiet square.
- Rue de l’Abreuvoir: The real postcard-perfect Montmartre street.
Tip: Use a Hop-On-Hop-Off bus to hit some of these spots without wasting time on metros.
Paris for couples: How many days do you really need to fully enjoy your trip to Paris?
The ‘Five Senses’ Itinerary
Paris isn’t just a city, it’s an experience. The buttery crunch of a fresh croissant, the scent of old books in a tucked-away bookstore, the sound of jazz floating through a hidden courtyard. This itinerary is for couples who want to feel Paris, not just see it.
Forget crowded landmarks and staged photos. Here, every moment is designed to awaken your senses and deepen your connection, because the best memories aren’t just seen, they’re tasted, touched, heard and savored.
Touch
- Croissant-Making Class: Why just eat a croissant when you can make one together? Roll, fold and laugh your way through this intimate baking class, then enjoy your buttery creations with coffee. Extra romantic if you sneak flour onto each other’s noses.
- Alternative: Book a perfume-making workshop at Fragonard, where you’ll blend a custom scent to remember your trip by.
Taste
- Macarons at Pierre Hermé: Skip the touristy spots. Pierre Hermé’s macarons are art —think rose-lychee or salted butter caramel. Grab a box and sneak away to Square Jean XXIII behind Notre-Dame for a quiet, crumbly picnic.
- Bonus: Hunt down Paris’ best chocolate chaud at Un Dimanche à Paris — thick, rich and served with a side of cozy café vibes.
Sight
- Escape Game in Paris: Work together to solve clues and escape various themed rooms. Escape Hunt, for example, has a metropolitan pursuit, a botanical greenhouse or finding Aladdin’s lamp themes, along with an option for an outdoor treasure hunt with challenges throughout the city!
- Alternative: Atelier des Lumières is an immersive digital art exhibit where Van Gogh’s swirls or Monet’s gardens wrap around you in a breathtaking light show.
Hear
- Ground Control: By day: A hip food truck hub. By night: Live music, DJ sets and pop-up art in a converted railway warehouse. Share a bottle of wine and let the city’s underground pulse sweep you away.
- For Jazz Lovers: Le Caveau de la Huchette is a tiny, timeless cellar where swing dancers and live jazz make every night feel like the 1920s.
Smell
- Shakespeare and Company: It’s famous, but step inside and the smell of old paper and wooden shelves pulls you into another world. Sneak upstairs to the reading nook, where poets and lovers have curled up for decades. Then, grab a coffee at their café and watch the Seine roll by.
- For a Secret Whiff: Marché aux Fleurs (Flower Market) on Île de la Cité is a rainbow of roses, lavender and jasmine that’s pure olfactory heaven.
We all know tourism in Paris is huge, but how big is it really? Read all about tourism in Paris statistics!
The ‘Neighbourhoods Love Story’ Itinerary
Paris is a mosaic of villages, each with its own personality, secrets and romantic charm. This itinerary is for couples who want to savor the city slowly, without wasting time on crowded metros or rushed sightseeing.
Pick one neighborhood per day, dive deep and let its magic unfold around you. No transit stress, (each location is easy to walk to or take a short metro to) no backtracking — just you, your love and the authentic Paris most tourists miss.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés
For bookish couples who dream in espresso and poetry.
- Breakfast at Les Deux Magots: Sit where Hemingway and Sartre wrote, sipping café crème under the green awning.
- Get lost in bookshops: Shakespeare & Company (of course), but also La Hune for art books and San Francisco Book Co. for vintage finds.
- Picnic in Luxembourg Gardens: Grab a baguette from Poilâne and cheese from Laurent Dubois, then claim a green chair by the Medici Fountain.
- Sunset at Pont des Arts: The original ‘love lock’ bridge (minus the locks now), perfect for golden-hour photos.
Le Marais
For stylish couples who love hidden courtyards and gallery hops.
- Morning at Musée Carnavalet: Free museum dedicated to Paris’ history (and a stunning hidden garden).
- Lunch at L’As du Fallafel: The legendary falafel spot — get it to-go and eat in Place des Vosges, Paris’ oldest square.
- Vintage shopping: Hit Free ‘P’ Star for retro finds or Merci for chic concept-store browsing.
- Cocktails at Little Red Door: A speakeasy-style bar ranked among the world’s best.
Ménilmontant/Belleville
For couples who want the real Paris, untouched by tourism.
- Morning at Parc de Belleville: The highest park in Paris, with panoramic views.
- Coffee at La Caféothèque: A cozy spot with beans from around the world.
- Explore Rue Denoyez: A graffiti-covered street where artists work in the open.
- Dinner at Le Baratin: A tiny, locals-only bistro with incredible natural wines.
Latin Quarter
For old-world romance and scholarly charm.
- Visit the Panthéon: Climb to the rooftop for a 360° view (and see where Marie Curie rests).
- Walk around Rue Mouffetard: A cobbled market street stuck in time.
- Find Arènes de Lutèce: A hidden Roman amphitheater where locals picnic.
- Drinks at Le Comptoir du Panthéon: A snug wine bar with candlelit tables.
The ‘Budget vs. Blowout" Toggle Itinerary
Paris doesn’t have to break the bank to feel luxurious and sometimes, the most romantic moments are the simplest. If you’re looking for romantic things to do in Paris on a budget, this toggle itinerary follows the same Seine region route, with options to keep it wallet-friendly or go all-out.
Budget
Morning:
- Coffee & Pastries at a Boulangerie: Grab fresh croissants and take them to Square du Vert-Galant, a hidden park at the tip of Île de la Cité. Toast with espresso from a nearby café.
- Romantic Walk: Walk to or take the bus to and then walk hand-in-hand along Quai de la Tournelle, with views of Notre-Dame and the Seine’s old bridges.
Afternoon:
- DIY Seine Picnic: Walk to Fromagerie Laurent Dubois for cheese, a local bakery for bread and a local wine shop (ask them to uncork your bottle). Spread out on Berges de Seine, the pedestrianized riverbanks.
- Free Art Fix: Close by, pop into Petit Palais for a dose of grandeur without the price tag.
Evening:
- Bottle of Wine on Pont des Arts: Grab a €10–15 bottle from a caviste (try La Cave des Papilles), then claim a spot on this iconic bridge. Time it for the Eiffel Tower’s hourly sparkle.
- Moonlit Walk to Île Saint-Louis: End the night with Berthillon ice cream from Paris’ most famous glacier.
Blowout
Morning:
- Breakfast at Hôtel de Ville’s Le Tout-Paris: A rooftop terrace with Eiffel Tower views, champagne and an indulgent French spread.
- Private Morning Boat Ride: Book a small-group sunrise cruise (some operators offer early slots) for a calm, crowd-free glide past Paris’ landmarks.
Afternoon:
- Lunch at Le Jules Verne (Eiffel Tower): From where the boat ride stops, walk or take public transport over to dine inside the Iron Lady at Alain Ducasse’s Michelin-starred restaurant. The elevator ride up alone is unforgettable.
- Private Musée d’Orsay Tour: Come back down the Seine by walking or metro and skip the lines with an after-hours guided visit, where you’ll have Van Goghs and Monets nearly to yourselves.
Evening:
- Private Yacht Champagne Cruise: Companies like Paris Yacht Charter offer intimate sunset cruises with a captain, champagne and a custom route.
- Rooftop Cocktails at Madame Rêve: Toast over 360° views of glittering Paris, with the Louvre pyramid glowing below.
Love doesn’t have a price tag, but Paris gives you options.
The ‘Anti-Itinerary’
Forget schedules. Forget must-see lists. You’ll hear it time and time again: Paris was made for wandering. For getting lost in cobblestone alleys, stumbling upon hidden courtyards and pausing at cafés just because their red awnings look inviting.
You could even give yourselves little rules, like wandering until you find a café with red awnings, or one person leads in the morning and the other in the afternoon.
Where to Wander (No Map Needed)
Secret Gardens & Hidden Alleys
- Passage de l’Ancre: A pocket-sized, flower-filled passage that feels like a fairy tale.
- Cité Florale: Streets named after flowers with cottages with climbing roses.
Parks for Lazy Afternoons
- Parc des Buttes-Chaumont: Cliffs, a waterfall, and a hilltop temple with panoramic views. Bring a book and a blanket.
- Parc de Bercy: Romantic footbridges and rose gardens tucked between old wine warehouses.
Elevated Walks & Canals
- La Coulée Verte: Paris’ answer to NYC’s High Line. Walk wildflower-lined paths, peek into artists’ studios and end with a drink in a sunken garden.
- Canal Saint-Martin: Tree-lined, iron bridges and quirky bookshops.
If you are looking to find some hidden gems in Paris, you can browse our post to give yourself a destination while exploring the surroundings.
Conclusion
Now it’s your turn. Paris is ready. All you need is each other and your pick of one of these itineraries. You could even do a different one each day you’re in Paris, creating your own 3-day romantic Paris itinerary.
We know how hard itinerary making can be, browsing the web and forums for romantic Paris date ideas or hidden romantic places in Paris, so hopefully our itinerary has given you a range of different ways you can spend a romantic day in Paris.
If you’re still struggling, you can also have a chat with one of our private Paris tour guides. Our guides have been meticulously selected for their love and knowledge of the city. They’re happy to have a chat to create a uniquely personalized romantic Paris trip for you and your loved one, taking your interests and needs into account.
We hope you enjoy your Paris romantic getaway!
