Last Updated on 23rd October 2022 by Sophie Nadeau
As one of the most romantic cities in the world, Paris is top of the radar for many recently engaged couples planning their first getaway post-marriage. And with the right planning, your honeymoon can become one of the most memorable trips of your life. Here’s how to plan the perfect honeymoon in Paris!
I love love, I love Paris, and I love France so much that I even ended up marrying one of its countrymen! For me, Paris is what you make of it, and so planning a honeymoon in the city is something which requires effort if you’re going to have a good time (and avoid disappointment)!
How long do you need in Paris?
The answer as to how long you should plan your honeymoon in Paris depends entirely on you, your partner, and the kind of travel you like to do. If it were me, then I would plan to spend 3 days in Paris before heading off to explore another part of France. You could even spend a week or so in France, before heading to experience the best of a honeymoon in Italy.
When should you plan to visit Paris for your honeymoon?
Thanks to a wide array of activities on offer across the year, the truth is that there is no bad time to visit the French capital! With this being said, if you visit in late autumn, early spring, or during the winter, the weather certainly won’t be its best so you should prepare for rainy days and even some snow.
Summer is the most popular time to visit Paris and so this is when you’ll find the most crowds and hottest temperatures. In my opinion, the true secret to planning the perfect trip to Europe is during the shoulder season, when the weather is still mild and the crowds are fewer than at their peak in summer.
Things to do during a honeymoon in Paris
Tour the city in a vintage Citroen 2 CV
The Citroën 2CV (short for Deux Chevaux, i.e. two horsepower) is the iconic French car. In production between 1948-1990, eventually, over 3.8 million of these cars were produced. Today, these classic cars are the perfect way to experience Paris from a new perspective.
Incredibly well-reviewed, this personalised classic car tour of Paris allows you to create your dream itinerary. Whether you want to see Champs-Élysées, be dazzled by the Eiffel Tower, or simply check out the Louvre, this tour even allows you to choose the colour of your 2CV. Check prices and availability here.
Take a Seine River Boat Cruise
When it comes to the evening dinner, there is perhaps no better way to see Paris by night than by heading out on a Seine River Cruise. This way, you can see many of the most iconic landmarks (many of which are situated close enough to the water to be enjoyed by boat) such as Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, and Musée d’Orsay (an art museum located within a former train station).
Whether you’re searching for a unique experience, romantic dinner option, or simply want to experience Paris from another angle, you certainly won’t regret booking a River Seine boat cruise while in the French capital.
One of the most affordable options is to take a one hour cruise which will take you past Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and other iconic sights. Find out more details here.
If you’re looking to celebrate an extra special occasion (or someone), then I highly recommend taking an evening dinner cruise. The evening cruises take just over two and a half hours and include drinks, as well as a three course meal (with vegetarian options available). Check prices and availability here.
Learn how to make macarons
The best selling cookie in France is that of the macaron, a crisp and delicious sweet with a history dating back several centuries. So if you’re looking for a foodie experience while visiting the French capital city, then you may well consider booking a macaron class in Paris.
One of the very best rated macaron classes in Paris out there is that held by Le Foodist in the 5th arrondissement of the city (i.e. the Latin Quarter). Unlike the previous listed macaron class in Paris, where you learn by the French method, Le Foodist course tackles the slightly more difficult Italian method. Book the class now
Have a picnic on the banks of the Seine
Enjoying a picnic along the banks of the Seine is one of those romantic moments that you would think only happens in the movies and yet turns out to be a pretty popular pastime among Parisians.
There are plenty of amazing picnic spots in Paris, though some of my personal favourites include the park of Square du Vert Galant (complete with a weeping willow tree) and Quai de la Tournelle, which overlooks Notre Dame cathedral.
Go on an excursion to Champagne
Champagne is one of the most beautiful regions in France, and also happens to be one of the easiest places to reach from Paris. You can rent a car and go on a self-guided trip to see the vineyards, visit Champagne houses, and stay in the illustrious city of Reims, whose Gothic cathedral is almost as famous as Notre Dame of Paris. Alternatively, you can go on a guided excursion from Paris to Reims like this one.
Take a trip to Giverny
Yet another oh-so-romantic day trip from Paris that you’ll be thinking about for years to come is Giverny, the iconic garden and house where Monet lived up until his death in 1926. The complex has since been transformed into a museum.
Best visited during the spring and summer seasons when the flowers are in bloom and blue skies are a near daily occurrence, highlights including seeing plenty of beautiful Monet paintings, and dining overlooking the River Epte, which feeds Monet’s waterlilies.
While you can take a self-guided excursion from Paris, you can also book a guided tour from Paris to Giverny like this one, where all of the transportation details are taken care of for you, meaning that you have more time to soak up the experience itself.
Take a stroll through Paris
Truth be told, one of the best ways to get to know Paris is to wander around, get a little lost, and allow the city to reveal itself to you. Be sure to head to Le Marais for a taster of medieval Paris or to Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the chic area of the city where writers hung out in the 1920s. For more inspiration, be sure to check out our self-guided Paris walking tours.
Discover the Paris of old in Montmartre
For the best experience, you’ll want to make sure that you head to Montmartre at least once during your time in Paris. Montmartre comprises of a large part of the 18th arrondissement of Paris and is famous for its distinct differences from the rest of Paris.
After all, it’s here where you’ll find artists painting ‘en plein air’ (open air) on Place du Tertre, several small museums, and the streets where the artists who lived in the city during the early 20th-century used to roam. For more inspiration, be sure to check out our guide to the best things to do in Montmartre and our self-guided Montmartre walking tour.
Head to Disneyland Paris
The magical Kingdom of Disneyland Paris is fun for all ages and some of the park has even been recently refurbished. During certain times of the year, events and seasonal festivals are held, including festivities at Halloween and at Christmastime. Nearby, you can indulge in some luxury shopping at low-cost prices in La Vallée Village outlet mall.
Pick up a souvenir in a Parisian bookstore
If you and your new beau are literary fans, then Paris is definitely the place to be. Even if you don’t speak or read French, then there is a plethora of English language bookshops to sink your teeth into.
Of course, the most famous English language bookshop is Shakespeare and Company, the iconic store in the shadow of Notre Dame who sell all manner of tomes in English. Next door, they have now opened the Shakespeare and Company Café where you can enjoy light bites with speciality coffee.
Just a few streets away, another English language bookshop is tucked away on a little cobbled lane. Wander away from the Banks of Seine. Step away from the ever iconic and incredibly famous Shakespeare and Co., and escape the crowds of Notre Dame.
Head down the little cobbled lanes that form mazes in this part of the city. Soon enough, you’ll likely come across books spilling out onto the street and the smell of coffee wafting down a little-known Parisian lane. This is The Abbey Bookshop.
Savour a romantic meal
There is no shortage of wonderful places to enjoy a romantic meal in Paris. One of my absolute favourites for those who love Michelin Star fine dining is Septime Paris, in the 11th arrondissement. Just be sure to book well in advance as space here fills up fast!
Another memorable experience can be found at Le Train Bleu, a lavish restaurant housed within the Gare de Lyon train station. This French institution is reputed for its classic French dishes such as braised lamb and lobster pasta.
For a small and intimate affair, be sure to check out Le Bistrot d’Henri. My husband and I enjoy this restaurant so much that this is where we opted to have a meal with our families after our civil marriage ceremony at our local town hall (all couples getting married in France are required to have one of these).
Tips to know before planning your honeymoon in Paris
Book skip-the-line tickets in advance
Otherwise, my top tip would be to avoid wasting time in Paris by ensuring that you don’t have to wait in any long lines of queues! What this means is to book your entrance tickets well in advance and with skip-the-line functions for all the major monuments and attractions.
Purchase your skip-the-line Louvre ticket here, purchase your skip-the-line Versailles ticket here, and purchase your Eiffel Tower skip-the-line ticket here.
Watch out for scammers
Paris is easily one of my favourite destinations in the world and I have spent over half of my adult life living in the city. However, before you visit the French capital city, it’s important to know about the most common Paris scams such as the string scam and the roses scam. For all the details, check out our guide to the most common scams in Europe.
Where to stay during your honeymoon in Paris
Luxury accommodation
Hôtel Bourg Tibourg, 19 Rue du Bourg Tibourg, 75004 Paris, France: Situated in the very heart of the 4th arrondissement of Paris, this stunning and luxurious hotel is easily one of the best places to stay in Le Marais. Facilities on site include room service, concierge service, a bar on site, and bedrooms and suites at various price points. Check prices and availability here.
Hotel Particulier Montmartre, Pavillon D, 23 Avenue Junot, 75018 Paris, France: Housed within a former mansion house, and close to the ever-so-pretty Villa Leandre, Hotel Particulier is a four-star hotel that’s well-reviewed across the web.
Self-proclaimed to be the ‘smallest hotel in Paris,’ this accommodation was once a 19th-century family home. Services offered include a bar, restaurant, and private courtyard space that’s secluded from the rest of the city. Check the best prices and availability here.
Mid-range accommodation
Le Presbytere (Hôtel Le Presbytère), 78 Rue de la Verrerie, 75004 Paris: One of the cooler and more unique places to stay in Le Marais is that of Le Presbytere (Hôtel Le Presbytère), which can be found right in the heart of Le Marais, just a short walk away from the Centre Georges Pompidou art museum.
Set against the backdrop of a former presbytery, many of the rooms retain their original features such as stone arches and beams. Amenities of this three-star hotel include tea/ coffee makers in every room, free WiFi, and private bathrooms. Check prices and availability here.
Le Relais Montmartre, 6 Rue Constance, 75018 Paris, France: Literally translated as ‘the retreat,’ this four-star accommodation is a four-star Montmartre hotel offers rooms for couples and families. Facilities include paid parking, free Wi-Fi, and a patio.
Le Relais can be found along rue Constance and nearby attractions include the exterior of the Appartement de Théo Van Gogh and the lost windmills of Paris. Check the best prices and availability here.
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