Paris is called the City of Love for a reason, and during our visit, it gave us plenty of unforgettable romantic moments, though one experience didn’t quite live up to the hype.
Watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night
No matter how many videos and pictures we’d seen of the Eiffel Tower before visiting Paris, we were not prepared for watching thousands of lights flicker on above us. Standing on Champ de Mars with couples and families and travelers from all over, we anxiously waited for the show to start.
As soon as the lights began twinkling, the crowd hushed, and then everyone smiled and cheered. Magical is right. And for a few minutes there, we forgot about the hustle and bustle of the city around us. It was one of those experiences where the fuss is completely worth it.
Sharing a crepe by the Seine
We stopped by a cute riverside stand that sold crêpes right out of the fryer and grabbed two on our way down to the Seine. Instead of hustling to see the next site, we found a spot on the stone steps overlooking the river and just enjoyed people watching. We ate our crêpes leisurely as we watched boats float by and listened to street performers around us play music.
The sun set behind the historic buildings, and there were couples all around us laughing and talking. It was a reminder that romance isn’t about fancy dinners or high-end trips. Sometimes it’s just enjoying a delicious meal with someone you love and watching the world go by.
Strolling through Montmartre at sunset
If we had to pick a favorite place in Paris, it would probably be Montmartre. The afternoon sun shone down on the steep streets, giving them a warm golden glow.
It felt almost movie-like as we walked aimlessly, exploring hidden art shops, flowered balconies, secret staircases and small cafes tucked away down alleyways. As we strolled along, street musicians serenaded us with music and every moment we were greeted by gorgeous views of the city.
Getting lost in the Louvre together
It’s impossible not to get lost in the Louvre (trust us, we tried). In fact, getting lost became one of our favorite things to do while we were there. We got lost laughing through quiet museum galleries, discovering unexpected works of art and each time we realized we were going in the wrong direction.
Our favorite memory? After what felt like hours, we finally found the Mona Lisa. We began to discuss whether or not she was seriously a little overrated. (spoiler: we both agreed she was) This complete stranger overheard us and joined in on our conversation. We ended up having a great laugh about the world’s most recognizable painting with someone we had never met.
Dinner in a hidden bistro
On our way back from exploring Montmartre one night, we purposely avoided the crowded tourist street and stumbled upon a residential area. There, we discovered a quaint hole-in-the-wall family restaurant with handwritten menus and only six tables. Our waiter greeted us with enthusiasm, suggested specialties, and never hurried us.
Our food was uncomplicated but exquisitely cooked, and it turned out to be the best meal we had our entire trip. Sharing two hours of conversation over delicious food and wine while we watched families come and go at this little bistro was more romantic than eating at any tourist hotspot.
Sitting on a bench in the Tuileries garden
Some of our best experiences weren’t related to any famous landmarks. On a sunny afternoon, we happened to pass by the Tuileries Garden and spotted two green chairs next to a fountain. We decided to stop and rest, and we ended up sitting there for close to an hour, people-watching.
We watched kids paddle toy boats in the fountain, Parisians read books in the sun, and dogs run around the gardens. We didn’t have any place to be or an itinerary to keep. That carefree hour helped us remember that sometimes the best way to see a city is to slow down.
The magic of Sainte-Chapelle
We knew Sainte-Chapelle would be gorgeous, but we weren’t expecting it to take our breath away. As soon as we entered the upper chapel, sunlight beamed through the immense stained- glass windows, illuminating the entire space in dazzling hues of blue, red, and gold.
We stared in awe at the ceiling for minutes without saying a word. It was hard to believe something so intricate and vibrant had existed for hundreds of years.
A rainy walk on the Champs-Élysées
Rain was definitely not on our itinerary, but spending the evening dashing around Paris proved to make one of our favorite memories. Trudging along the Champs-Élysées under one umbrella, we enjoyed how the rain made the pavements shine with light reflecting off the street lamps and cafés.
People seemed scarce, the air fresh and cool, and Paris looked even more picturesque than usual. Laughing at each other as we splashed through puddles, stopping to get hot chocolate to warm up, we realized that sometimes the best travel adventures are the ones you don’t plan.
The not-so-romantic Seine cruise
What sounded like the ideal romantic way to end our day, a boat ride down the Seine at sunset turned into quite the opposite. To start off, our boat was jam-packed with tourists, the wine was served in plastic cups, and we ended up stuck sitting next to this noisy couple fighting over their map for most of the ride. Then a child spilled a water bottle all over my husband’s jacket.
By the time we reached the Eiffel Tower, all thoughts of romance had sunk with the ship. The Paris skyline was gorgeous, but we felt like we were just on a packed tourist attraction crawl. If we could do it all again, we’d ditch the boat and spend our evening wandering hand in hand along the banks of the river.
