English
10 Places to Go On A Date in Paris
Since we can no longer hang locks of love on the Pont des Arts bridge, both Parisians and tourists are having to get more creative when it comes to going on dates around the city.
In the city of love, this isn’t that hard to organize. A shorter list might be where not to go on a date in Paris, since just about everything in this city reeks of romance!
The romantic era of the 18th century seems to have swept through Europe only to finally settle in the French capital for good.
Lovers in Paris – by Huy Phan – Unsplash
There aren’t many other places in the world where a simple stroll from one end of a district to the other can be considered a date… and a romantic one at that. Paris is magic. And the magic is attainable by any and all, whether you’re spending hundreds of euros or no money at all.
Whether you’re headed for your first date, or celebrating your 40th wedding anniversary — Paris offers the perfect experiences for all.
I’ve put together a list of 10 wonderful places to go on a date in Paris. For the sake of your wallet I’ve divided them from the most modest (aka free) all the way to the most luxurious.
Free places to go on a date in Paris
1. Visit Cimitière du Père Lachaise in Paris
16 Rue du Repos
A cemetery? For a date? I must be mad.
Père Lachaise isn’t just any old cemetery, it is the largest cemetery in Paris and the first ever garden cemetery in Europe. It takes up the better part of the 20th arrondissement and has multiple entrance points.
The space is incredibly atmospheric — with the dead comes peace, and the sense of this in Père Lachaise makes it the perfect place to roam the graves hand in hand. Spring time is best for this activity because the gardens flowers will be in bloom.
Cimitière du Père Lachaise – by FreCha – Wikimedia Commons
While on your date, make an activity out of tracking down the many famous residents of the graveyard. Jim Morrison’s grave brings millions of visitors to the cemetery annually. He shares the grounds with the likes of Edith Piaf, Proust and Oscar Wilde.
A cemetery stroll is an interesting twist on the conventional dating culture.
Dinners in, brunches, movie excursions all tend to blend together in a blur of unmemorable events when reflecting back on a dating period. A day in Père Lachaise Cemetery is a story you’ll tell the grandkids about, no doubt.
2. Visit a free museum in Paris
If there is one thing Paris is abundant in its museums. Any free guided walking tour around the city will definitely point the majority out to you.
While most Parisian museums request an entrance fee to gain access — almost all of them also offer some sort of concession day, or time slot, where entry is completely free.
The Louvre – by Shubhagata Sengupta – Unsplash
Arrange your date to fall during one of these times and enjoy the full experience of some of the finest art collections on the planet without having to fork out a cent. What better than a date spent marveling at the works of the greats like Picasso and da Vinci?
Here are some of the top museums in Paris that all offer free admission on the first Sunday of every month:
-
- The Louvre Museum, Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
- Musée d’Orsay, 1 Rue de la Légion d’Honneur, 75007 Paris
- Musée de l’Orangerie, Jardin Tuileries, 75001 Paris
- Musée du Quai Branly, 37 Quai Branly, 75007 Paris
- The Centre Pompidou, Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004 Paris
3. See a free film at La Péniche Cinéma in Paris
59 Boulevard Macdonald
The Péniche Cinéma is a floating cinema that sits on the Canal de l’Ourcq right on the edge of Paris in the 19th arrondissements. Getting here is quite a process, but the experience is totally worth it!
The boat screens free short films and documentaries all year round. The intention is free exposure for hard working artists, writers, filmmakers and directors. After each screening there is an open discussion where the creatives take the floor and engage with the audience.
Cinema Projector – by Jeremy Yap – Unsplash
This is an incredibly cool place to go on a free date in Paris. The experience of being on the water while simultaneously engaging in film is not something you can experience anywhere else in Paris.
Take the metro all the way to Port de Pantin and walk right through the La Vilette park to get to the boat.
Affordable places to go on a date in Paris
4. Go on a guided walking tour in Paris
The bustling nature of the more popular Parisian districts makes them the perfect place to enjoy a private walking tour around the area.
Pick your district, arrange the tour and enjoy hours of informative fun with your date under the Parisian sunshine. There is nothing more Parisian than enjoying one another’s company while simultaneously learning a thing or two about history.
Montmartre is a whimsical neighborhood to roam around on a date. The remnants of the bohemian revolution still hang in the air and there is an abundance of cheesy lover’s photo ops in the area.
Romantic Parisian Streets – by Mat Reding – Unsplash
If you’re feeling more risqué, then the district of Pigalle is an enticing and hugely entertaining area to take a love interest. In Pigalle, anything goes, and you’ll likely see sides of one another you didn’t know existed!
For a more artistic ambiance arrange your guided walking tour in Montparnasse or Menilmontant. They are also guaranteed to be naturally less crowded so you won’t have to queue to see any of the attractions.
Fun tip: Most of the metro stations in Paris have photo booths available. Consider stopping at each station you pass and collecting booth pictures along the way! A beautiful way to remember the day.
5. Picnic at the Champ de Mars in Paris
2 Allée Adrienne Lecouvreur
The Champ de Mars is the grass park directly in front of the Eiffel Tower. A picnic here, though common, is a great and inexpensive way to wow your lover.
In the spring and summer months you’ll want to get here early as the grass can fill up quite fast. Pack a blanket, some wine and your favorite French snacks and you’re good to go.
I recommend late afternoon as the start of your date so that you are still on the grass when the sun begins to set. Nothing screams romance quite like the Eiffel Tower lighting up in the evening sky every hour.
6. Get lost in a jazz evening at The Bal Blomet in Paris
33 Rue Blomet
For most people, their utmost fantasy date ideas tend to include some kind of musical ambiance. When in Paris it is only right that you do as so many others have done before you… and visit a jazz club.
The Bal Blomet is the oldest jazz club in Paris that still has its doors open! It is as old-school and authentic as it gets. Back in the day this was the place to be and be seen by some of the greatest writers and filmmakers in Paris.
The Bal Blomet – by Zythème – Wikimedia Commons
The club is open Wednesday through Saturday from 7pm onward. Get there early to get a decent table and sip on Old Fashioned’s as the band sings the blues away. 10/10 for ambiance and history all wrapped in one perfect date.
7. Tango the night away in Paris
https://tango-argentin.fr/paris
Argentine Tango are a company that have made quite an impact on the Parisian nightlife scene in recent years. Every month, they host a series of Tango evenings around the city at suitable venues where all are welcome.
Entrance is never more than €5 — and for two to three hours you’ll enjoy the magic of salsa with your partner. You’ll have to head to their website to find a venue and date near you (date as in day of the week — the other date I can’t help you with).
Couples dancing – by Ardian Lumi – Unsplash
Tango is endless fun and laughter. It’s sultry but doesn’t take itself too seriously. I attended one of these evenings with a friend, and while we thougfhrly enjoyed ourselves it was clear that the experience would have been even better with a lover!
What to wear? Comfortable clothing and shoes. You’ll need full mobility of your legs and arms, so be sure to leave the tight jeans at home. You’ll have to impress with your dance moves — not your wardrobe!
High-end places to go on a date in Paris
8. Catch a show at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris
1 Place du Châtelet
Nowhere does a night at the theatre quite like the Théâtre du Châtelet, darling.
This gargantuan and utterly exquisite building can be found in the 1st arrondissement right on the bank of the Seine. Architectural wonder would be putting this venue mildly. The space is an old fortress that was completed in 1862.
Date night doesn’t get much better than dinner and show. The streets adjacent to the theatre in the 1st arrondissement are filled with delicious places to dine pre-performance.
Théâtre du Châtelet – by TEDx Paris – Wikimedia Commons
A short walk from the theatre on Rue du Pont Neuf is the popular Asian-fusion restaurant KONG. Though pricy, the restaurant delivers wonderfully satisfying French-Japanese dishes and fine wines. A perfect start to the evening.
Visit the Théâtre du Châtelet box office and reserve tickets for your date in advance. You’ll have the choice of theatrical plays, ballets, concerts and the occasional comedy evening.
9. Enjoy a spa day at the Ritz Hotel in Paris
17 Place Vendôme
Sometimes the only way to let someone know you really love them, is to take them with you on a spa date at one of Paris’ top hotels.
The Ritz Hotel in Paris is a prestigious, five star vicinity with a spa to match. Upon entering the space you immediately feel transported right out of the chaos of the city… far, far away to a land where there are no such things as problems and stress isn’t a real word.
Ritz Hotel Spa – by Ritz Health Club – Sourced from their website
Valentines Day is taken particularly seriously at the Ritz Hotel Spa. As a holiday package couples can enjoy a massage together for one hour in one of the exquisite alcoves in the vicinity. This is followed by a private steam room where you’ll sip on champagne for a while.
Valentine’s special: €500 per couple
10. Fine dine over the Parisian skyline at L’Oiseau Blanc in Paris
19 Avenue Kléber
L’Oiseau Blanc is the crown of The Peninsula Paris located in the heart of Chaillot. The restaurant is built into the hotel rooftop and boasts the most unfathomable view of Paris for miles.
It is a Michelin star restaurant famous for its French cuisine. You’ll have to dress for your date here and of course booking is essential. L’Oiseau Blanc is open every day of the week so finding time to go shouldn’t be a problem.
Since L’Oiseau Blanc is just a short walk from the Arc de Triomphe I always recommend that couples take an evening stroll to the monument just after dinner. It’s always an interesting experience standing before it at night compared to during the daylight hours.
L’Oiseau Blanc – by L’Oiseau Blanc – Sourced from their website
When in the restaurant, the Eiffel Tower sparkling in the background can be distracting… try keep your attention on your date if you can.
Average cost: €120
Isolating the best places to go on a date in the most romantic city in the world is a shot in the dark. Like everything in Paris, there is always something better, cheaper, more enjoyable or more eccentric lurking around the corner.
The best way to go on a date in Paris would be to have a general idea what you’d like to do, and where you’d like to end up… and let the nature of the city take you on a romantic little ride.
Paris, je t’aime!
