There’s no better place to take a romantic honeymoon in than the city of love and Paris certainly lives up to its reputation of being romantic. There’s no shame in showing the world how much you love someone in this city. Everywhere in Paris, there are couples holding hands, kissing and embracing each other.
WHY HONEYMOON IN PARIS
A blissful romantic holiday in Paris will take you to places like the Eiffel Tower—where you can wine, dine and see some incredible views of Paris, the Lourve—where you can experience the world’s biggest art collection, and to Montmarte—a lively neighbourhood where you can get a taste of local Parisian life and the famous Sacre Coeur Basilica.
Paris is the perfect honeymoon destination if you want an experience filled with beauty, history and amazing food. The best part about the City of Lights is that you can have any type of holiday here—it can be super relaxing or super busy. You can visit a wide selection of museums or, simply hang out in parks and cafes. It doesn’t matter if you’re sticking to a tight budget, or are ready to splurge on a super romantic honeymoon. If you are a little tight on cash after the wedding, a Honeymoon in Paris can be as cheap or as expensive as you want it to be. With so many things to admire and plenty of cultural sites to see, Paris offers a plethora of experiences to suit all types of honeymoons.
HOW TO GET THERE
Paris the capital city of France in Western Europe which fortunately makes it easy to get to from anywhere on the globe with their busy and well renown international airport – Charles de Gaulle. Once you are at the airport, it is less than 1 hour to get into Paris with self drive, taxi or train options into the capital.
A train will cost about 10 Euro per ticket, or 50 – 60 Euro for a taxi. If you choose to do the self-drive option, do some reading on traffic rules and conditions in Paris. Particularly on the roundabout at the Arc de Triomphe!! With 12 streets for entry and exit points and room on the roundabout for about 10 cars side by side, it can be an interesting experience for your first time driving through Paris. If you are after a laugh, request you taxi driver takes you for a lap around the Arc De Triomphe on the way to your hotel, or get a ticket up the top of the structure and watch the chaos unfold!!
Flight times from:
| New York: 7 hours | New Delhi: 10 hours |
| L.A.: 11 hours | Beijing: 11 hours |
| London: 1 hour | Dubai: 8 hours |
| Sydney: 24 hours |
HONEYMOON ACTIVITIES IN PARIS
With a population of over 2 million people, Paris is an expansive city that can offer you and you’re your partner a selection of romantic, cultural, adventurous or relaxing activities. It is no surprise that it is one of the most visited cities in the world by tourists. Below a taste of the honeymoon city highlights.
The Eiffel Tower – For lovely panoramic views of Paris, head to the iconic Eiffel Tower where love is always in the air. Enjoy the irresistible ambience with a glass of pink Champagne at the top-floor Champagne Bar to celebrate your honeymoon.
Picnic in the Champ De Mars – Another romantic way to enjoy the Eiffel Tower, pick up some wine, bread and cheese and sit with you loved one in the Champ De Mars which enjoys stunning view of the tower. Be aware alcohol is not allowed on the Champ De Mars after 4 pm so make sure you picnic lunch is all wrapped up by then if you want to have a drink.
Disney Land Paris – Just because kids love Disney Land, doesn’t mean that adults can’t love it too. Adventureland and Discoveryland, for instance, are packed with thrill rides and high-tech gizmos. But the whole experience of visiting Disney Land is magical for all ages—the sights, princesses, parades, music and light shows create a place ‘where dreams come true’,
Cruise over the “Old Paris”- A visit to the old district of Paris is always a treat for any newlyweds. Take a cruise on the canal St. Martin to admire its peaceful water and beautiful foot bridges.
The Musee Du Lourve – If you love art, you need to visit the world’s greatest art museum at least once in your life. It’s the largest museum on the planet, with 675,000 square feet of works from almost every civilization on earth. Famous pieces like the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory are all here—but there is so much more beautiful artwork than just these. You’re bound to stumble on something memorable.
Les Catacombes – A trip to Les Catacombes makes a thrilling adventure. Its curious cemetery has thousands of bones that line the tunnels underneath Paris. It’s definitely a creepy sight to see, but magnificent as well.
Musée Du Orsay – The Musée d’Orsay contains the world’s largest collection of Impressionist masterpieces by artists like Cézanne, Monet, Manet, Van Gogh, Degas, Gaugin, and more. It’s uniquely housed in a train station building constructed by Victor Laloux for the 1900 World Fair. There’s two excellent cafés to grab a bite to eat before viewing the works as well.
Notre Dame Cathedral – The Notre Dame Cathedral Paris is one of most beautiful cathedrals in the whole city. Its Gothic style features a unique grandeur, with flying buttresses and beautiful stained-glass windows used in its architectural design. In 1909, the famous Joan of Arc was beatified in the Notre Dame Cathedral by Pope Pius X. The cathedral is also best known for its relation to the story of the Hunchback of Notre Dame, made famous by a myriad of cartoons and movies inspired by it.
Paris Bike Tour – See some of the best hidden charms of Paris on two wheels with a professional guide. You’ll get a thrill from riding down some of the most famous avenues in the city! There are loads of bike tours that you can find online, so you can choose one that’s right for you and your lover.
Wine Tasting in Paris – Couples who love wine and cheese can enjoy a relaxing wine tasting in the heart of Paris. You’ll taste some of 4 the most interesting wines in the region with some top-notch cheeses to pair with them. You can book your wine tasting through this link.
Montmarte – Paris’s Montmartre neighborhood has more local color than in the center of Paris. Walk through the cobblestone streets of this hilly urban village to see where some of the greatest French artists and writers used to live. You can climb or ride the cable car up the hill to the beautiful Basilique du Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre. The basilica was built to restore Paris’s spiritual community after the country’s military defeat at the hands of Germany. The best part is that it’s free to enter.
Place de Voges– The Place des Vosges is one of the oldest and most gorgeous squares in Paris. Have a romantic stroll under the arches or along the paths of the central garden, where you and your lover can take time to admire the beautiful facades of red brick. The square is the ideal departure point if you want to take walk in the Marais, one of the most charming historic neighbourhoods in the capital with a variety of museums, cafés and clubs.
IF YOU HAVE LONGER IN PARIS
If you’re looking to get out of Paris and have a few spare days, why not take a look at other attractions nearby.
Visit the Chateau de Versaille
The Château de Versailles is among the most visited sites in France and it’s only about 45 minutes away from Paris by train. It has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the greatest achievements in French 17th century art. A succession of French kings lived in the Palace up until the French Revolution. When you visit, you’ll see how it was built for the royals—the palace contains 2,300 rooms spread to over 63,154 m2. You can marvel at the palace, its gardens and its history with your lover on a self-guided audio tour. You can get tickets for the Château de Versailles here.
Stay in a Chateau
France has plenty of castles and chateaus if you want to feel a little bit regal for a few days. However most are in the countryside so best drive to them unless you are happy not to explore for a few days. There are some that are in close proximity to a train ride from Paris if you don’t want to drive such as the Chateau De Bourron to the south of Paris .
SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR HONEYMOON NIGHT 1
Fine dining whilst enjoying the Parisian skyline – Start the first night of your honeymoon with a delicious intimate meal. Paris is known for its fine cuisine, and it’s only right that you should splurge at least once on an amazing meal. If you want wonderful, romantic views of the Eiffel Tower and Avenue des Champ Elysée, check out NoLita—a restaurant goes above and beyond for its customers. NoLita has a trendy intimate atmosphere with chic black and white interiors. Alain Ducasse-trained chef, Vittorio Beltramelli uses super flavorful regional produce, and impresses visitors with classics like Sicilian suckling pig and more unique dishes like Martini and shrimp risotto.
FESTIVALS IN PARIS
La Fête de la Musique (Paris Street Music Festival)
On the 21st of June, the streets of Paris come alive. La Fête de la Musique attracts hundreds of Parisians every year for the summer equinox. Vibrant crowds form outside bars, cafes, and on the streets. If you’re a music-loving couple, you’ll adore the free performances of electronic music, jazz, hip hop and rock all around the city.
Paris Plages
During the summertime in Paris, you don’t have to head to the south of France just to get a taste of the beach. Around July 20, Paris closes the streets along the Seine River and brings in tons of sand and palm trees, deck chairs, and ice cream stands. You can even play beach volleyball, kayak and attend open-air concerts on three different man-made “beaches”.
Bastille Day
Bastille Day is celebrated every July 14th and marks the anniversary of first major event of the French Revolution of 1789. The destruction of the Bastille prison in central Paris is a symbol of France’s first strives toward democracy. During the festivities, you’ll see patriotic processions all over Paris. At night, you can view an amazing spectacle of beautiful fireworks for a romantic date on your honeymoon. Bastille Day also lets you enjoy summery outdoor parades while learning more about French history.
HOW TO GET AROUND PARIS
Paris has a wide range of transportation options as you would expect for a city of its size.
Metro – Due to the size of the city, the metro offers a fast and affordable way to get around the city. It is one of the best metro systems in the world and is intuitive to use. If you are trying to get out of Paris, the RER network is a great option.
Walk – A great way to see and experience Paris, a walk lets you truly immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of this amazing city.
Hire a bike – Another great way to get around and appreciate the streets, Paris has a bike service named Velib. Velib has a series of stations all over Paris where you can grab a bike and leave it at any other station for a small fee. Options for 1 day and 7 day hire are available with 1 day hire less than 2 euro at the time of writing. Paris Velib bike information is available here.
Taxi – Taxis are available and are an affordable way to get to the more remote areas you don’t want to walk or ride to.
Water Taxi – If most of the sites are within proximity to the Seine, Batobus has 9 stations offering a hop on hop off service up the river. 1 day, 2 day or annual passes are available. Batobus information can be found here.
Hop on Hop off Bus Tours – Paris has a selection of hop on hop off bus tours that operate throughout the city. A summary of each is available at this Paris Hop on Hop off bus link.
Bus – Paris also has an extensive bus network offering a cheaper alternative to getting around Paris.
ACCOMMODATION IN PARIS
Paris offers a wide range of accommodation to suite every honeymoon couples priorities whether it be price, location, or amenities.
Budget – For a basic double room with private bathroom, within a mile of the city centre in a 1 star hotel you can expect to pay approximately $50 to $100 per night.
Mid-Range – 3 star hotels within 0.5 miles of the city centre will cost you from $100 to $175 per night.
Luxury – 5 star hotels within a mile of the city centre are available from $250+ per night.
RECOMMENDED HONEYMOON ACCOMMODATION IN PARIS
Westin Paris Vendome– This luxury hotel is a 5-minute walk from Place de la Concorde and a 10-minute walk from the Louvre Museum. The upscale rooms offer gorgeous views of the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre. Relax yourself with this 5-star hotel’s awesome amenities, which include a luxurious spa and an exercise room, a chic restaurant with modern dishes and a lavish 19th-century inspired bar.
Renaissance Paris Arc de Triomphe Hotel – This stylish steel-and-glass hotel in the Monceau district is a 6-minute walk from Arc de Triomphe. The refined rooms and suites come with floor-to-ceiling windows, pillow-top mattresses, 24-hour room service, flat screen TVs and tea and coffeemakers. There’s also a modern French restaurant, a private outdoor terrace and a gym, if you’re looking to get some exercise.
Meliá París Champs Elysées – A 3-minute walk from Victor Hugo metro station, these elegant rooms come with free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs. There’s also a full breakfast buffet, a stylish lounge, a business center and a library.
Aparthotel Adagio Paris Centre Tour de Eiffel – Only a block away from the River Seine, this apartment hotel is housed in a modern building with a glass-walled lobby. The bright and airy studio-style apartments with hardwood floors and pull-out sofas feature flat-screen TVs, WiFi and kitchens and some even add views of the Eiffel Tower. Amenities include a heated indoor pool, a fitness room and underground parking.
W Paris – Opéra – Stay in this polished 5-star hotel if you want to be only minutes away from Avenue des Champs-Élysées. The elegant rooms offer flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, free Wi-Fi, rainfall showers and custom beds. Amenities include a trendy restaurant, a hip lounge with a bar and a 24-hour fitness center on the top floor.
ADULT ONLY HOTELS IN PARIS
If you are looking to get some quiet time away from the kids and families, the selection of hotels below might be just what you are looking for.
Le Fabe Hôtel – This cosy adults-only hotel gives you a relaxing experience in the vibrant district of Montparnasse. All rooms at Le Fabe offer a minibar, radio, free Wifi access, coffee maker and private bathroom with hairdryer. To spice things up, each room features unique French artwork as well.
Stella Etoile – Stay near the Arc De Triomphe and Avenue des Champ Elysées in the heart of Paris. Rooms in this adults-only hotel offer contemporary designs, with private bath rooms, minibars and free Wifi.
Mercure Paris Arc de Triomphe Etoile – This adults-only hotel is only a few steps away from the Arc de Triomphe and Avenue des Champs Elysées. All rooms have chromotherapy lighting, and are soundproofed. They also provide free Wifi access, minibar, coffee making facilities, satellite television as well as air conditioning.
LOCAL FOOD
French cuisine is definitely one of the finest. During your honeymoon, don’t hesitate to indulge in all the spectacular wine, French cheese, Champagne, and bread that there is to offer. Almost every Parisian restaurant has the French staple of crispy bread, cheese and a good French wine. There are more than 300 kinds of cheeses made in France, with the most famous being Camembert, Brie and the Roquefort. Make sure that you visit a French fromagerie to get some that’s truly authentic.
If you want to indulge in a typical Parisian meal, try Entrecote Marchand de vin, which involves a juicy steak served with red wine sauce, butter and onions. You may also want to taste a delectable confit de canard – duck confit in English — which is another French favorite. It’s tender, flavorful and some the best comfort food that you can eat in France. Don’t forget the French pastries too! You’ll enjoy their light, crispy flakiness on the outside, and their chewiness on the inside. Try the traditional croissant, or a scrumptious pain au chocolat.
If you are after something a little more unusual, you can find frogs legs (which taste a bit like chicken to me) and escargot cooked in a garlic and butter sauce at some of the local restaurants. Don’t worry though, the escargot are not as slimy as you may be thinking after they’ve been cooked – actually pretty tasty!
LANGUAGE
The main language spoken throughout Paris is French, however there are a lot of people who speak fairly good English – particularly in the service and tourism industry. Before going to Paris I had been told that the locals were not impressed if you tried to interact with them in English – I however found that to be 99% untrue. Some basic French will however be well received throughout Paris and it is highly recommended to learn a few polite phrases.
Useful French phrases
- Hello = Bonjour
- Good morning = Bonjour
- Good evening = Bonsoir
- Good night = Bonne Nuit
- Goodbye = Au revoir
- How much is this? combien ça coûte?
- Thank you = Je vous remercie
- You’re Welcome = de rien
- Yes = Oui
- No = Non
- Where is the toilet = où sont les toilettes
MONTHLY WEATHER
Weather in Paris is fairly mild and dry all year round with no significant changes in rainfall, however the temperature changes a bit between the summer and winter months. The best time to visit to enjoy the warm weather is in the months of June to August which is the peak season for tourists in Paris however it is also the most expensive time to visit. If you can handle a slightly cooler temperature, a couple of months either side of the peak season will be cheaper and avoid the crowds.
High season: June to August
Dry Season: No predominate dry season
Rainy Season: No dominate rainy season
| Months | min. Temp. | max. Temp. | Rain days | Rainfall | ||
| January | 4°C | 38°F | 7°C | 45°F | 12 | 19 mm |
| February | 4°C | 38°F | 8°C | 46°F | 12 | 21 mm |
| March | 5°C | 41°F | 11°C | 53°F | 13 | 22 mm |
| April | 7°C | 45°F | 16°C | 61°F | 13 | 24 mm |
| May | 10°C | 51°F | 19°C | 66°F | 13 | 25 mm |
| June | 15°C | 59°F | 24°C | 75°F | 12 | 24 mm |
| July | 17°C | 63°F | 26°C | 79°F | 11 | 23 mm |
| August | 16°C | 61°F | 25°C | 78°F | 11 | 22 mm |
| September | 12°C | 54°F | 20°C | 68°F | 11 | 21 mm |
| October | 10°C | 49°F | 15°C | 60°F | 13 | 24 mm |
| November | 6°C | 43°F | 12°C | 54°F | 14 | 23 mm |
| December | 4°C | 38°F | 8°C | 46°F | 13 | 22 mm |
COST OF THINGS
| McDonalds Combo Meal | $9.43 USD |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 litre draught) | $7.07 USD |
| Imported Beer (0.33 litre bottle) | $7.07 USD |
| Cappuccino (regular) | $4.08 USD |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 litre bottle) | $3.14 USD |
| Water (0.33 litre bottle) | $2.05 USD |
PARIS TRAVEL TIPS AND TRICKS
Take a cooking class – There’s no better place to take a cooking class than in Paris. Like mentioned before, Parisian cuisine is some of the finest in the world. You’ll learn something new, whether you end up making croissants, macarons, or steak frite.
Get the Paris Pass – If you have a busy itinerary, you may want to get the Paris Pass. It gives you a lot of free and reduced admissions to museums and sights around the city, which is great if you’re considering taking a long honeymoon. The Paris Museum pass is also a cheaper option, and is good for newly-weds who are focused on visiting as many museums as possible.
Secure your valuables – Pickpockets and thieves who will attempt to create a disturbance then lift your valuables are alive and well in Paris.
See more than the Mona Lisa at the Louvre – When you see the Mona Lisa in person you may be surprised at how tiny it is. Not saying that Di Vinci’s masterpiece isn’t brilliant—but there are loads of bigger and more detailed artworks to see in the Louvre. You can spend over five hours viewing only some of the 380,000 objects and 35,000 displays of art in this world class museum.
IS PARIS SAFE?
Like any major capital city, there are a variety of security threats to look out for such as opportunistic thieves, robbers and drink spikers. Also consider protests are common and should be avoided. For the latest travel assessments and warnings, take a look at the France page for the US passport and International travel website for the latest travel warnings and information for Paris.