By Taylor Fuller | Published: September 26, 2022 | Updated: February 16, 2026
There's just something magical about a Paris vacation, especially when you share it with the one you love. It's hard not to feel the romance dancing through the air when you visit this charming city. The architecture, food, rich culture, and history make Paris the perfect place for a couple's weekend getaway while you're traveling the world on a cruise. Here's how to make the most out of your weekend in Paris while turning up the romance.
Key Takeaways: Romantic Vacations to Paris
- ● Paris is one of the most romantic cities in the world, so you can explore without a strict agenda and find fun things to do.
- ● Some of the most exciting experiences for couples in Paris are available as shore excursions from a cruise vacation, like boat trips on the Seine, Eiffel Tower tours or visits to the Louvre.
- ● In the spring or summer, you can enjoy outdoor sights and sounds in world-famous gardens, but many Parisian destinations are worth it year-round.
- ● There are countless cruises to Paris departing year-round that can provide a romantic getaway for you and your partner.
Let The Passion Of Paris Guide Your Journey
To guarantee a romantic weekend getaway in Paris, don't go into it with any firm plans. Paris is best explored without an itinerary, with the freedom to wander the cobblestoned streets and see where they lead. At night, the city comes alive with spontaneity and romance. Once your cruise disembarks at Le Havre port, you're ready to explore the city with your partner.
My best advice is to put down the guidebook and pick up your lover's hand. Let Paris whisk you away! You never know what hidden gems you'll find around every corner as you follow the footsteps of all the historic figures, famous artists and icons that came before you and left their mark on the City of Love.
If you find the idea of that intimidating, you can also create a list of things you can't miss. But walk — or bike — to each sight when you can because it's those in-between moments that are really special.
You could travel to Paris 10 times over and still not see everything. This is why I always tell people to walk when they can, and only take the metro when traveling long distances. The quintessential magic and romance of Paris can be discovered best on foot. But it's always helpful to have a jumping-off point.
I find that arriving at the Louvre, having a look around the museum (there is more to it than the Mona Lisa) and then walking through the Tuileries Gardens all the way up to the Champs-Élysées, where you can shop or window-shop. This is an excellent way to get your bearings and whet your appetite for all things Paris.
Another lovely spot is the Trocadero, where you can take a leisurely stroll to the Champ de Mars, with stunning views of the Eiffel Tower along the way. The Champ de Mars is a wonderful location for a quiet picnic together. Head to one of the local shops and grab a bottle of wine, piping hot baguettes, Camembert cheese and some fresh fruit. You cannot travel to France for vacation without an afternoon picnic of baguettes and cheese — dress the part and you'll feel like you're in a classic movie.
Then, once evening hits, just before sunset, start walking along the Seine. Head to the Pont Alexandre, an ornate bridge, that offers amazing views of the Eiffel Tower. Stop there to see it twinkle, but don't take your phone out right away. Take a quiet moment to stare at one of the most beautiful sights in the world. If you're lucky, the experience may be rounded out by a nearby street performer providing a romantic soundtrack for the moment.
Share Your Love Of Art Together
If you and your partner share a love of all things art, then Montmartre is an area of Paris that can't be missed. Montmartre is the artsy part of the city that still holds its Bohemian charm from the late 1800s and early 1900s.
First, get dressed up and head to the Moulin Rouge for a quintessentially Paris night of glamorous cabaret. In the morning, grab a crêpe and sit on the stairs of the Sacré-Cœur before finding your way to the square at Place des Abbesses in Montmartre and visit the "Le Mur des Je t'aime," or the "I Love You Wall." Created by Frédéric Baron and Claire Kito, the wall is made of 612 tiles that feature the words "I love you" in 250 languages. It's a hotspot for couples visiting from all over the world, and the energy is palpable as couples flock here to share a smooch and take in the truly romantic monument to love.
Beyond the city sights, there are so many amazing gardens to visit in Paris. The Tuileries Garden is close to the Louvre and perfect for a walk on a beautiful day. The garden was opened to the public after the French Revolution and is filled with French culture. Admire the gorgeous gardens and keep in mind all of the history that has occurred there.
And then there's the Luxembourg Gardens. Inspired by the Boboli Gardens in Florence, they're a beautiful mix of French and English gardens. Spend a laid-back afternoon exploring the apiary, orchid-filled greenhouses, the rose garden and apple orchard, then end up at the large, scenic pond for a picnic. Bring a blanket and some snacks, so you can lie out on the grass and relish a French-style lunch, enjoying each other's company without a care in the world. Then, wander through the gardens admiring the statues, ornate fountains, Orangerie and Pavillon Davioud. Catch a concert or free exhibition to heighten the experience.
Make A Date Night In Paris With New Culinary Cuisines
With just one weekend in Paris, make time to indulge in some world-class French cuisine. Personally, I don't think there's anything more romantic than grabbing a few sandwiches and a bottle of wine and finding a place to lay out a blanket along the Seine, but if you're looking for some more upscale experiences, Paris has you covered.
To round out the best couple's weekend getaway, get dressed in your finest and pretend it's 1920 with a dinner boat cruise down the Seine. Enjoy a candle-lit dinner on the water as the vibrant city skyline surrounds you. You could also dine among that skyline, at the Eiffel Tower's restaurant, Le Jules Verne.
Or book yourself a meal at Hôtel Plaza Athénée (make sure you book ahead of time). Its main restaurant, Jean Imbert au Plaza Athénée, will take you back in time as you indulge in classic French delicacies surrounded by gilded mirrors and ceilings and large, sparkling chandeliers. End the night by joining in on the open-air dancing on the banks of the Seine. Every evening in the summer, couples dance the night away under the city lights. There's nothing more romantic than that.
If getting dressed up isn't your thing, enjoying steak and frites at a charming brasserie is an excellent choice for a low-key yet delicious dinner. Or, if you have access to a kitchen, head to a marché (there's an excellent one on Rue Cler, as well as the centuries-old Marché des Enfants Rouges) and pick up the freshest ingredients to create your own French-inspired meal. Set up a candle-lit dinner on your balcony and just be together, soaking in the love that Paris exudes.
Then in the morning, get up early and grab a seat on a terrace while you sip some coffee and share a Croque Madame with your partner. Or, have a little fun and visit every single pâtisserie you walk by in search of the world's best croissant. The best part of being in Paris is leaving the real world behind and fully immersing yourself in the love-filled city.
Walk Hand-in-hand Through Versailles
One of the most romantic and grand places you can visit is Versailles. It's only a short train ride away from Paris and is the perfect day trip on your couple's weekend getaway. When you arrive and walk through the sparkling golden gates of the Palace, let the grandeur wash over you. It's a mesmerizing sight, made even more impressive when you consider its history.
If you have the time, make sure to visit both the inside and the gardens. If you only have a short time, the gardens are wonderful to spend a charming afternoon getting lost in. The lavish gardens are so big that even on a really busy day, you'll feel as if it's just you and your love. Take your time wandering around, and you'll stumble upon hidden fountains, where the flow of the water is timed to the most beautiful music. You can also grab a rowboat and float along the Grand Canal, giving you a different perspective of the massive property.
If you do have the opportunity to see both, inside you'll be led through a labyrinth of rooms, each more impressive than the last. The Hall of Mirrors is perhaps the most well-known and beautiful. When you step through the doors, you'll see why. Large chandeliers, windows and mirrors fill the room, creating an optical illusion that makes it look even bigger than it is.
The over-the-top architecture of Versailles is timeless, right out of a romantic movie. During your visit, you'll also be able to visit the Grand Trianon, which was built so Louis XIV could carry on his love affair with Madame de Montespan. You'll also see the Petit Trianon, which Marie Antoinette completely redid after her husband Louis XVI gifted it to her.
Experience All the Romance of Paris
Whether you're looking for honeymoon ideas or need a trip to rekindle your spark, Paris is the ultimate place to celebrate your love. Just remember not to over-plan. Let Paris happen to you, and you'll experience things you could never have planned.
If you let go and throw out your itinerary, you'll find yourself on a magical adventure. You could be lost in the whimsical Versailles gardens, sipping bubbly in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, wrapped up in the bright lights along the Seine, stepping out of your culinary comfort zone at the best restaurant in the world or people-watching with a warm pastry in hand. And the best part? You get to experience everything Paris has to offer with the love of your life, and there's nothing more special than that.
Get Royal Deals, Sign Up Today
Getting There
Explore Our Most Affordable Itineraries
Say "oui" to all things love on a romantic couples weekend getaway to France.
