Paris is often referred to as the most romantic city in the world. But, I assure you, Paris is not the only romantic place in France! If you’re looking to celebrate love, check out my personal recommendations for the most ravishingly romantic places in France.
TOP 10 MOST RAVISHINGLY ROMANTIC PLACES IN FRANCE.
Sip Wine at Maison des Sancerre
When in France one must go wine tasting, oui? If you love white wine, Sancerre should be on your list of places to visit in France. Sancerre is an elevated settlement overlooking the stunning Loire Valley. When it comes to romance, it’s hard to beat Maison des Sancerre – at the heart of the town, it’s a perfect place to spend an afternoon.
Maison des Sancerre not only has some of the best views of this picturesque region, but it also has some of the most exquisite white wine in the country. Sip wine, relax outdoors, and wander the quaint streets of Sancerre to enjoy a romantic afternoon. It’s open daily from 10:00 am until 6:30 pm.
Climb the Romantic Eiffel Tower at Night
If you book a luxury villa in Paris, you’ll be in the perfect location to see the Eiffel Tower. The best time to take in the sights of this iconic monument is at night when Paris lives up to its nickname: the City of Lights. The tower is open until 11:00 pm during the offseason, with extended hours until midnight during the summer.
If you’re lucky enough to be in the area for Bastille Day (an important day of the French Revolution) in July, you can watch fireworks at the Eiffel Tower.
Tip: The rest of the year you can see a fantastic light show here each evening, on the hour.
Explore the Palace de Versailles
With incredible architecture and awe-inspiring gardens, the Palace de Versailles is legendary. This unbelievable attraction will have you stepping back in time to admire the majestic halls while learning about Parisian history.
Don’t miss the Hall of Mirrors – when the palace was built mirrors were still priceless items that were accessible only to the rich. The Hall of Mirrors houses 357 mirrors, crafted by artisans kidnapped from Venice.
Tip: This is the place to be for photo ops of the opulent kind.
Share the Romance at Pont des Arts
Pont des Arts is better known as the Love Lock Bridge in Paris. This famous bridge gained notoriety worldwide for being the location where lovers would close a lock around the rails and throw the key into the water below, symbolizing their eternal love for each other.
This practice is no longer allowed in Paris, but you can still visit the bridge, take some photos, and swear your undying love. Some bold tourists still choose to put a lock on the bridge…just know they will later be removed.
Mont Saint-Michel is a breathtaking medieval city built upon a granite outcrop in the region of Normandy. It looks like a floating palace in the water or something out of a fairytale. This gothic abbey and the surrounding town inspired more than one of the castles in Disney movies.
Hundreds of years ago, Mont Saint-Michel was viewed as an impenetrable fortress. Before the main road was built, visitors had to time their travels with the tides. Attacking armies were often caught unaware of the rising waters and washed away. You, too, should study up on the timing of the tides before you visit.
Walk the streets and take in the sights of this incredible historic town. Share one of their world-famous omelets at Le Mére du Poulard.
Tip: Stop along the road to Mont Saint-Michel and visit the nearby Moulin de Moidrey, a working 19th-century windmill on a hilltop.
Watch the Sunset at Etretat
The cliffs at Etretat are so beautiful that many artists have tried to capture their essence. Monet had an entire collection showcasing the cliffs and the water from various angles. Still, nothing is as captivating as seeing the area with your own eyes. Picture yourself relaxing on the white sand beach in a gentle cove, surrounded by the bleached cliffs that inspired artists and writers throughout history. Doesn’t it sound perfect?
Sail The Calanques
When most travelers hear the word fjord, they picture a scenic river in Norway. The Calanques are a series of fjords in France that are enclosed by towering limestone cliffs on the Mediterranean Sea. This natural wonder is worth seeing not only because of its overwhelming beauty but also because of its unique ecosystem. With no soil, all of the plant life in the area grows from the limestone.
Tip: The area surrounding The Calanques is often closed during the heat of the summer due to a risk of fires. If you can venture there in the early days of spring when the sun is shining and the birds are singing, you’ll have a wonderful trip.
Enjoy a Chocolate Indulgence at Lille
Have you truly experienced France without indulging in some chocolate? Established in 1761, Méert is both a chocolatier and patisserie located in Lille, near the Belgium border. Méert is world-renowned for its delicious waffle cookies, which you can pair with a latte from their tea shop. If you can’t make it to Lille during your trip, Méert has other locations in Roubaix and Paris. However, the architecture of the Lille location is worth the trip – the website calls it Pompeiian Orientalist style. We call it romantically ornate.
Lille’s Flemish history is reflected in the Baroque architecture of the historic district. Louis XIV invaded in 1667, thus the area became part of France.
Tip: For a totally unique experience visit Lille’s La Piscine Museum located in a refurbished indoor pool. The art deco design features and exhibits are all built around the water of the pool, creating a space that’s as beautiful as the art that calls it home.
Glide Down the Launch River in Colmar
Colmar is a town in Alsace, a region of France that has been heavily influenced by neighboring Germany and Switzerland. You will see this influence in the architectural style of colorful, half-timbered buildings.
One of the best activities to do in Colmar is to tour the neighborhood known as Little Venice from a boat. From this viewpoint, you’ll see all the beautiful buildings, as well as the heavily decorated bridges. Enjoy cocktails on one of the many patios overlooking the Launch, and taste culinary fusions that invoke the multi-national mood of the area.
Share Your Romantic Feelings at Le Mur Des Je T’aime
One of Paris’s secret gems is Le Mur Des Je T’aime, also known as the I Love You Wall. This art installation showcases the words “I Love You” in 250 languages.
While Le Mur Des Je T’aime is a tribute to romance, it’s a multifaceted piece that couples can relate to. The splashes of red symbolize broken hearts and the struggles people face when it comes to love while the words beneath represent the healing phrases that people together. It’s an emotional piece, and worth experiencing with someone special.
France is filled with charm and romance. Wherever you go, you’ll be able to find an unforgettable romantic experience.
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