Top 10 Dating Ideas In Paris
Dating in Paris should be one of the easiest and most enjoyable things you will ever plan. The only problem you will encounter is choosing between hundreds of amazing, memorable activities and sights available on any given day. Let's look at ten of the best possibilities for romantic getaways in the city of lights, in no particular order.
A classic bohemian way to spend a night under the Parisian lights is to stroll along the river until you get to Pont Neuf, a pedestrian bridge on the Seine. Before you go, get a nice bottle of wine and cheese or another light snack to take along. Once you get to the bridge, you can find a place to sit and quietly watch the boats slide underneath and central Paris glitter above you. Expect company, but usually it is a quiet and convivial atmosphere.
For a more traditional afternoon picnic, try a trip out to the Bois de Boulogne. To the west of the city, this park (or "woods") is large enough to make you forget the city for a while. If you pick your spot carefully, you and your date can even find a surprising amount of privacy. Enjoy the walk and make the hunt for a great spot which is part of the fun you'll enjoy together.
All but the most jaded travelers will be drawn to the beauty and history of the Eiffel Tower. Going together and seeing Paris from the top is a once in a lifetime experience. If you are game for a little exercise together, consider skipping the elevator up the first two floors and climb the stairs. The view from inside the steel beast is unique, and working your way up together will give you time to bond and chat. You can skip the restaurant in the tower for one of the great cafes near Trocadero.
For those who find the tourist-filled entrance to the tower to be a little too much, alternative views are available. A simple way is to take Metro line number 6 heading west. It eventually goes above ground and you will see the tower on the right-hand side of the train. First-time visitors usually find this particularly exciting. If your date has already seen the tower, consider taking a walk on the banks of the Seine towards the tower. Time your walk so you land somewhere with a good view right on the hour, when the tower lights up.
The Bateaux Mouches run up and down the river all day and well into the night. Again, while these seem obvious, the trip down the river highlights the scenery of downtown Paris from a different perspective. Floating down below the city gives the buildings on Ile de la Cite and Ile de St. Louis an even more imposing appearance. By night, the lights bring out the romantic allure of the city.
For lovers of music and stained glass, Ste. Chapelle, tucked away right behind Notre Dame, offers a special treat. With the highest ratio of glass to stone of any gothic cathedral, Ste. Chapelle puts on its own light show every day, especially at sunset. Check schedules if you would like to see a classical music performance that accompanies the changes in light in the cathedral. After the show, the two historical islands are right outside the door.
Another daytime activity is just to take a walk from the Louvre through the Tuileries. This luxurious park takes you through the old royal palace and towards the Arc de Triomphe. Depending on the time of year, carnivals, live music and food stalls line the sides of the park. Check listings before you head out.
For a more interactive date, head to La Villette in the north of the city. This modern science park has activities for all ages, and you and your date can have some hands-on fun with the quirky games and experiments in the complex. Again, the temporary exhibits change, so call ahead to find out what they are currently offering.
Of course, all of these walks through the city can (and should) be paired with meals, one of the greatest attractions of Paris. A wonderful place to eat and people watch is Rue de Mouffetard, in the Latin Quarter. If you get there early in the morning, the market will just be opening, and you can pick from fresh produce or just have a coffee and a pastry in one of the many cafes and markets on the street. If you want to sleep in, don't worry-the street also offers several reasonably priced and delicious brunch specials. Over brunch, you and your date can decide which one of the Latin Quarter's sites you want to see. Several, like the Pantheon and the Jardins de Luxemburg, are in walking distance.
A little further afield is the Marche aux Puces. This sprawling market specializes in antiques, but it is so much more. Even if you have no interest in antiques, you will find yourself spending hours just rummaging through the ancient trinkets and oddities. On the weekends, a few places play live music. Try La Chope des Puces, where Django Reinhardt used to play. His grandson is still there, keeping up the jazz guitar tradition. Get there early, though, as the small venue fills up quickly.
No list having to do with Paris is definitive. The enduring buildings that have seen generations come and go host ever-changing events. However, this list should give you an idea of the variety and quality of dating possibilities. Now it is up to you to decide how to use Paris to dazzle your date.
A classic bohemian way to spend a night under the Parisian lights is to stroll along the river until you get to Pont Neuf, a pedestrian bridge on the Seine. Before you go, get a nice bottle of wine and cheese or another light snack to take along. Once you get to the bridge, you can find a place to sit and quietly watch the boats slide underneath and central Paris glitter above you. Expect company, but usually it is a quiet and convivial atmosphere.
For a more traditional afternoon picnic, try a trip out to the Bois de Boulogne. To the west of the city, this park (or "woods") is large enough to make you forget the city for a while. If you pick your spot carefully, you and your date can even find a surprising amount of privacy. Enjoy the walk and make the hunt for a great spot which is part of the fun you'll enjoy together.
All but the most jaded travelers will be drawn to the beauty and history of the Eiffel Tower. Going together and seeing Paris from the top is a once in a lifetime experience. If you are game for a little exercise together, consider skipping the elevator up the first two floors and climb the stairs. The view from inside the steel beast is unique, and working your way up together will give you time to bond and chat. You can skip the restaurant in the tower for one of the great cafes near Trocadero.
For those who find the tourist-filled entrance to the tower to be a little too much, alternative views are available. A simple way is to take Metro line number 6 heading west. It eventually goes above ground and you will see the tower on the right-hand side of the train. First-time visitors usually find this particularly exciting. If your date has already seen the tower, consider taking a walk on the banks of the Seine towards the tower. Time your walk so you land somewhere with a good view right on the hour, when the tower lights up.
The Bateaux Mouches run up and down the river all day and well into the night. Again, while these seem obvious, the trip down the river highlights the scenery of downtown Paris from a different perspective. Floating down below the city gives the buildings on Ile de la Cite and Ile de St. Louis an even more imposing appearance. By night, the lights bring out the romantic allure of the city.
For lovers of music and stained glass, Ste. Chapelle, tucked away right behind Notre Dame, offers a special treat. With the highest ratio of glass to stone of any gothic cathedral, Ste. Chapelle puts on its own light show every day, especially at sunset. Check schedules if you would like to see a classical music performance that accompanies the changes in light in the cathedral. After the show, the two historical islands are right outside the door.
Another daytime activity is just to take a walk from the Louvre through the Tuileries. This luxurious park takes you through the old royal palace and towards the Arc de Triomphe. Depending on the time of year, carnivals, live music and food stalls line the sides of the park. Check listings before you head out.
For a more interactive date, head to La Villette in the north of the city. This modern science park has activities for all ages, and you and your date can have some hands-on fun with the quirky games and experiments in the complex. Again, the temporary exhibits change, so call ahead to find out what they are currently offering.
Of course, all of these walks through the city can (and should) be paired with meals, one of the greatest attractions of Paris. A wonderful place to eat and people watch is Rue de Mouffetard, in the Latin Quarter. If you get there early in the morning, the market will just be opening, and you can pick from fresh produce or just have a coffee and a pastry in one of the many cafes and markets on the street. If you want to sleep in, don't worry-the street also offers several reasonably priced and delicious brunch specials. Over brunch, you and your date can decide which one of the Latin Quarter's sites you want to see. Several, like the Pantheon and the Jardins de Luxemburg, are in walking distance.
A little further afield is the Marche aux Puces. This sprawling market specializes in antiques, but it is so much more. Even if you have no interest in antiques, you will find yourself spending hours just rummaging through the ancient trinkets and oddities. On the weekends, a few places play live music. Try La Chope des Puces, where Django Reinhardt used to play. His grandson is still there, keeping up the jazz guitar tradition. Get there early, though, as the small venue fills up quickly.
No list having to do with Paris is definitive. The enduring buildings that have seen generations come and go host ever-changing events. However, this list should give you an idea of the variety and quality of dating possibilities. Now it is up to you to decide how to use Paris to dazzle your date.
