The 21 Best Things to Do in Paris for Couples

One of the most romantic cities in the world, strolling through Paris feels like you're on a living movie set—the gorgeous architecture, twinkling Eiffel Tower, glittering Seine river. If you're trying to narrow down the best things to do in Paris, it's hard to condense the list into just a few days—or even a week. But whether you're after Paris proposal ideas, planning your itinerary for the 2024 Paris Olympics, or you're simply looking for a couples getaway in Paris, we have the ultimate ways to spend your time in the City of Light, from romantic restaurants and intimate bars to helicopter tours to Versailles and private cruises along the canals. Here are some of the most exciting and romantic things to do in Paris for couples, no matter what season you're visiting.

Ascend the Eiffel Tower

Carve out part of a day during your visit for one site you can't leave Paris without seeing: the Eiffel Tower. Sure, you could whisk up via elevator, but part of the charm is making the climb up 674 steps to the second floor, where you can indulge at the iconic, Michelin-starred Le Jules Verne—a scenic spot for an engagement or anniversary. P.S. Tag your Eiffel Tower IG photos with one of these brilliant Paris captions.

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Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole, 75007 Paris

Go Gallery Hopping

Whether you're starting (or continuing) your art collection, curious to see some of the latest up-and-comers, or just want to browse beautiful spaces with museum-quality pieces, Paris's many galleries are the perfect way to spend an afternoon. For a tailored experience of the latest exhibitions around town, book a guide like The Seen's Alexandra Weinress, who can navigate through the city's top spots.

Helicopter to Versailles

One of the top day trips from Paris, fly over the city via helicopter soaking up views of the Seine, Eiffel Tower, and landmark neighborhoods like Montmartre from above. Your landing near the grand Palace of Versailles will be just as scenic as you pause for a drink and photo opp that's sure to make the next holiday card.

Wander Around Montmartre

Photo: Alexander Spatari | Getty

The hilltop neighborhood in the northern 18th arrondissement is how most people picture Paris: artists painting in the square, winding cobbled streets lined with cozy bistros, cafes spilling out into the street. It's a real village, complete with its own vineyards, windmills, and one of the city's most recognizable landmarks, the all-white Sacré-Cœur basilica. Artists like Van Gogh and Picasso once set up shop in the area, and you can explore former artists' studios and museums like one dedicated to Dalí.

Tour the Maze-Like Catacombs

Head underneath the city to the labyrinth of tunnels forming the Catacombs, where chambers are piled with the skeletons of more than 6 million Parisians. Even if you're not creeped out by caves and dark places, this is one attraction worth getting a guide to lead the way and access special chapels not normally open to the public.

1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014

Catch a Crazy Horse Show

Take a seat for the steamy Crazy Horse dinner show that's been popular in the city for the past 70 years. Blending classic French cabaret with modern hits, you'll find the interactive evening to be quite a memorable one—especially when your VIP seats include Champagne and caviar.

12 Avenue George V, 75008 Paris

Sample Classic French Fare at a Historic Bouillon

Around Paris, you'll find all-day dining from noon to midnight at classic, brasserie-style restaurants called bouillons. One of the most stunning: Bouillon République, which unfolds in a space dating back to the 1930s that's lined with polished period tiles and gorgeous carved woodwork. This is your chance to sample French staples like oeuf mayonnaise and escargots in parsley butter.

39 Boulevard du Temple, 75003 Paris

Stroll the Seine

One of the most romantic walks in Paris, the quays of the Seine couldn't offer a better postcard-perfect view of the city. During the day, bouquinistes (second-hand booksellers) open their famous stalls, while at night, you're likely to come across a brass band or two near Pont des Arts.

Relax with a Spa Day

Photo: @carolinealsing

Nothing beats jetlag like an energizing massage for two, and Paris's palace hotels definitely know how to pamper. One of the most sumptuous in the city is Sense, A Rosewood Spa at Hôtel de Crillon, the grand dame on the Place de la Concorde. You'll immediately want to turn the experience into a full spa day when you see the relaxation room with a Himalayan salt wall, steam room, and sauna—plus the pool glittering with 17,600 gold scales.

10 Place de la Concorde, 75008 Paris

Learn How to Bake Like a Pastry Pro

A romantic getaway is always an excuse to pick up a new skill to learn together, so why not embrace the most Parisian of all—pastry? Nicknamed "cakeboy," Frank Barron, author of "Sweet Paris: Seasonal Recipes from an American Baker in France," hosts group workshops and private experiences showcasing how to create frosting and filling for layered cakes. If you'd rather taste than bake, he also leads tours to some of the best chocolatiers and pâtisseries in Paris.

Enjoy a Wine Tasting

Wine is a cornerstone of French culture, and while you can find a bar or cafe serving wine on nearly every corner, why not brush up your knowledge or learn the basics with a tasting of some of the country's highlights? In the buzzy 11th arrondissement, Cavewoman Wines offers a Just the Two of Us Essential tasting (40€ per person) so couples can spend an hour sipping French bottles expertly curated by owner Alison Eastaway.

52 Rue du Chemin Vert, 75011 Paris

Visit the Flea Market

If your trip falls over the weekend, block out a day to spend at the Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen, said to be the largest flea market in the world. With more than 2,000 vendors, you'll want to book a private tour to guide you to some of the best finds.

Porte de Clignancourt, 93400 Saint-Ouen

Cozy Up at Bar Hemingway

Photo: Ritz Paris

The cigar lounge-style bar has long been a landmark in Paris thanks to its famous fans, including namesake writer Ernest Hemingway. Embracing the feel of a members' club, the intimate 25-seater is perhaps one of the hardest "tables" in town to snag, since the line outside starts forming before the bar opens. Bar Hemingway is worth the wait, though, to try one of Paris's best craft cocktails.

15 Place Vendôme, 75001 Paris

Get Lost in the Tuileries Garden

Conveniently placed between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, the Tuileries Garden is a fantastic place to pause for a picnic lunch after a museum visit or shopping along the neighboring rue Saint-Honoré. If you're visiting in winter, the Christmas market is one of the best in the city, with more than 80 wooden stalls selling crafts and gourmet French fare, plus a funfare with rides.

Jardin des Tuileries, 75001 Paris

Dance Until Sunrise

If you're looking for a place to dance post-dinner, Silencio is your spot. The group's original (designed by David Lynch) is a gilded, cavernous club with multiple rooms and entertainment, including a cinema and two cocktail bars with drinks designed by one of Europe's best bartenders, Rémy Savage.

142 Rue Montmartre, 75002 Paris

Enjoy a Japanese Tea Ceremony

Housed in a 17th-century hôtel particulier (private mansion) in the Haut Marais, OGATA is a combination tea salon, restaurant, bar, boutique, and gallery that feels as if it was plucked out of Tokyo and rehomed in Paris. Take a seat in the tea salon and prepare for a ceremony as elaborate as if you were dining in a Michelin-starred restaurant. You can even turn it into a tasting of tea elixirs with alcohol for an afternoon apéritif.

15 Rue Debelleyme, 75003 Paris

Book a Private Cruise on the Seine

Photo: Julian Elliott Photography | Getty

You don't need a gondolier to add romance to a river cruise. On board one of Green River Cruises' luxury bateaux, you and your other half can enjoy a private cruise along the Seine sailing past the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame at sunset, watching as the city lights up come nightfall while toasting with Champagne.

Quai de l'Hôtel de Ville, 75004 Paris

Take a Food Tour

Get a local look into one of Paris's popular neighborhoods like the Marais or Saint-Germain-des-Prés on a food tour with Paris by Mouth, which are led by expert guides who are trained chefs, sommeliers, or food journalists. You'll have the chance to taste some of the city's best chocolate, charcuterie, and pastries—or, for cheese lovers, you can book a tour entirely dedicated to fromage.

Dine at La Tour d'Argent

If you're going to have one splurge-worthy meal while in the City of Light, this one tops the list. The sixth-floor panoramic La Tour d'Argent is lined in floor-to-window ceilings showing off sweeping views of the Seine, Notre-Dame, and Île Saint-Louis. Chef Yannick Franques will spoil you with classic French fare that pairs beautifully alongside collector wines and lauded vintages in the 300,000-bottle cellar.

15 Quai de la Tournelle, 75005 Paris

Dress Up for the Ballet

The opera house that inspired Phantom of the Opera, 19th-century stunner Opéra Garnier is like taking a step back in time in Paris with its gilded rooms, onyx balconies, ceiling of chandeliers, and modern fresco by Marc Chagall. Reserve tickets to leisurely tour the Palais Garnier before dressing up and returning to watch dancers perform a classic like Giselle.

Place de l'Opéra, 75009 Paris

Sip Cocktails at a Rooftop Bar

Photo: Romain Ricard

The best way to appreciate Paris's range of centuries-old architecture is from above. New rooftop bars keep popping up around the city, but one that claims a 360-degree view is located on the ninth floor of Hôtel Rochechouart in Pigalle. If you want to hint where a good place to pop the question in Paris would be, this rooftop garden overlooking the Sacré-Cœur is the perfect choice.

55 Boulevard de Rochechouart, 75009 Paris