Are you planning a romantic break in Paris? There can be no better time to do so than around Valentine's Day. The capital of romance is in the mood for love and waiting to show you a wonderful time. It’s just a question of knowing where to go and what to do, and on that point we have some great ideas for you!
Remember, though, that February in Paris is not only about red roses, chocolate and hearts beating as one, but also about love for classic cars, thanks to the Retromobile show, and love for art and design, courtesy of the Art Paris Art Fair. Follow the Best Western Quartier Latin's guide
Ideas for your Valentine's Day in Paris
The streets of Montmartre are certainly conducive to romance. You can discover shops, cafés, artists' houses, restaurants and more as you take a romantic stroll in this particularly picturesque district of Paris. Admire the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, stop off at the Place du Tertre and have a drink at the Cabaret du Lapin Agile. Take the Rue Saint-Vincent and soak up the atmosphere in the Place Dalida, then cross the Avenue Junot. The Moulin de la Galette, a fully operational windmill, awaits you close to the junction of the Rues d’Orchampt and Lepic. At the end of the Rues d’Orchampt is the Rue Ravignan and the Bateau-Lavoir, where famous artists gathered in the early 20th century. Don’t forget to pay a visit to the I Love You Wall, an essential stopping place during a stroll in Montmartre on Valentine's Day. You’ll also enjoy the Café des Deux Moulins and the Moulin Rouge.
To finish your stroll in style, check out the Museum of Romantic Life. You'll find it in the Nouvelle Athènes neighbourhood of Pigalle. This museum focusses, appropriately enough, on the Romantic period. On the ground floor are portraits, jewellery and furniture that once belonged to the novelist George Sand, while on the first floor the works of the painter Ary Scheffer and his contemporaries are honoured.
Then, as evening falls, treat yourself to a most romantic dinner cruise on the Seine with a live musical accompaniment that will spin a web of tender enchantment about you and the one you love.
The Retromobile Show
This year the Retromobile Show is 42 years old. More than 500 cool machines await classic and vintage car lovers from February 8th to 12th at the Porte de Versailles Exhibition Centre in Paris. If you’re a car buff, Rétromobile will take you on a thrilling journey through time. It’s a golden opportunity to admire beautiful vehicles and meet other enthusiasts as well as all kinds of players in the automotive world, including artists, rally organisers, clubs and federations, mechanics, manufacturers, model dealers, spare parts specialists and more.
And if you’re also a lover of art and design, you’ll certainly not want to miss the voyage of artistic discovery that is the Art Paris Art Fair, which takes place just over six weeks after Rétromobile. Around 130 galleries from 29 countries will demonstrate what European art has been able to offer us since the post-war period. This year will also see a focus on African art.