Paris has long been known as one of the most romantic cities in the world and a top destination for couples, both old and new. Newlyweds flock to the City of Love to spend their honeymoons dining side by side in cozy cafes and sneaking kisses atop the Eiffel Tower.
After spending my own honeymoon in Paris, I can’t imagine a better place to spend Valentine’s Day than the Eiffel Tower. It’s a symbol of love in a city filled with romance, drawing couples from around the world. No brainer, right? But wait, it’s even better.
I’m going to share some unique ways the Eiffel Tower takes Valentine’s Day to the next level and my favorite tips for planning a romantic day in Paris.
Valentine’s Day at the Eiffel Tower
Every year the Eiffel Tower dials the romance up a notch to make Valentine’s Day extra special. Festivities in years past have included styled photo ops, heart-shaped balloons filling the Parisian Bubble restaurant (or “Bulle Parisienne”), and extravagant light shows complete with red animated hearts.
In the past, couples have had the chance to share their personal declarations of love with the world, written on heart shaped sticky notes displayed throughout the first floor atrium. The most beautiful of these messages were shared to the official Eiffel Tower Twitter account or even on all the screens installed in the tower.
🇬🇧 I wish you all a beautiful #ValentinesDay! 🌹
Declare your undying ❤️ to your Valentine with #EiffelinLove. I will share the most beautiful tweets. Also if you’re single, I never say no to your lovely messages 😉#EiffelTower pic.twitter.com/GUKyukVlGz— La tour Eiffel (@LaTourEiffel) February 14, 2021
So if you’re at the Eiffel Tower, especially around Valentine’s Day, and you see someone get down on one knee, it likely won’t be just to tie their shoe. The tower is one of the top places in the world to propose — in fact, it’s the fourth most popular spot to pop the question. According to a study of Instagram photos, one in 679 proposals take place here every year.
I’m sure with all those extra special touches, it would be hard to resist popping the question on the most romantic day of the year!
A perfect Valentine’s Day in Paris
First, have a leisurely breakfast, sleeping in at your hotel. Pastries to split, anyone? Then head to the Eiffel Tower to get a bird’s-eye view of the city with your sweetheart.
But the fun doesn’t have to stop there. Make the entire day a romantic adventure by visiting spots that seem to be made for lovebirds.
The Le Mur des Je t’Aime (The Wall of Love) in the Square Jehan-Rictus is one of my favorites. It’s a stunning art piece dedicated to love. On a wall created with enameled lava tiles, the phrase “I love you” is written 311 times, in 250 languages. It’s the perfect backdrop for a selfie with your Valentine while you learn how to say “I love you” in a new way. Just for fun, try these to get warmed up.
- Je t’aime (French)
- Ti amo (Italian)
- Jag älskar dig (Swedish)
- Volim te (Croatian)
After lunch, step out of the cold and into the Museum of Romantic Life. This beautiful building was once the home of artist Ary Scheffer, a fashionable portrait painter in the 19th century. She famously hosted influential artists and intellectuals of the time like Dickens, George Sand, and Chopin. Her salons, once considered a meeting place for Paris’s social elite, now showcase portraits of famous guests and art based on their literature.
Along your Parisian walks, stop and smell the roses at one of Paris’s many flower markets to create a personalized bouquet. Close your eyes to experience the fragrant blooms, and pick your favorites for a bedside display. Don’t forget to press one between the pages or a book or magazine for a priceless souvenir.
Finishing your day of love in Paris
No Valentine’s Day is complete without a romantic dinner in a cozy restaurant. With charming cafes lining the streets the options may seem overwhelming, but any of these romantic restaurants near the Eiffel Tower are perfect for a delicious meal.
As romantic as it is during the day, the Eiffel Tower at night is completely dazzling. The sparkling tower lit up beginning at dusk is a must-see and a breathtaking dinnertime backdrop. For an unbeatable view of the Eiffel Tower, these two restaurants are some of the best.
- Carette: Located right across the river, Carette is known for their brunch and pastries but also serves traditional French fare, salads and sandwiches for dinner.
- Les Ombres: This glass-enclosed rooftop restaurant located on the 5th floor of the Musée du Quai Branly serves upscale French entrees with a modern twist.
I always feel more romantic when I’m dressed up, and Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to do just that. Dress to impress for a formal dinner at one of the most beautiful restaurants in Paris for an unforgettable night out. Some of my favorites are Beefbar and Le Train Bleu, which are both famous for their opulent interiors.
Don’t forget: Be sure to make reservations far in advance, especially for February 14th.
Everyday romance at the Eiffel Tower
Even if it’s not Valentine’s Day, creating a little extra romance is easy at the Eiffel Tower.
Tour the tower at a slow pace, taking your time to soak in the beautiful views and indulge along the way. Treat yourself to decadent macarons from Pierre Hermé at the 2nd floor macaron bar. Pick from flavors created exclusively for the Eiffel Tower. For example:
- dark chocolate and raspberry ganache with raspberry confit
- dark chocolate ganache with mint cream
- the classic pink-hued rose
At the top of the tower, splurge at the Champagne Bar with a special glass of bubbly. Plan in advance to arrive in time for sunset, and sip your champagne watching the sun go down.
Pro tip: When taking a tour of the tower be sure to tell your guide that you’re celebrating an anniversary, engagement or have plans to propose. That way your guide can be in on the surprise (if you have one) or take a special photo as a memento. We love doing this for our guests!
Paris in February: Tips for visiting in the winter
No matter what time of year you choose to visit, every season in Paris has its unique charms. February is considered part of the low season, which means significantly less tourists and crowds.
Average temperatures in Paris during February range between a high of 45°F and low of 36°F. Of course, weather can be unpredictable as spring approaches so be sure to dress warmly in plenty of layers and bring gloves. This is the perfect time to flaunt your favorite winter accessories in those Eiffel Tower photos!
If the ice rink at the Eiffel Tower is open, you might take a spin around it while holding hands. It’s just another memory you can make together.
Or take advantage of the smaller crowds with a long walk around the city. Strolling along the river Seine at golden hour is especially magical. Pop into a cute cafe and warm up with a hot, creamy cup of chocolat chaud.
A day of romance to remember at the Eiffel Tower
Whether you consider yourself a romantic or not, exploring the Eiffel Tower in Paris is a surefire way to add an extra spark to your Valentine’s Day or any time you visit.
Love can be found all over the city and no matter what you choose to see and do, experiencing it with someone special is the absolute best part.
Wondering why the Eiffel Tower is famous for love? We wrote a blog post all about it. See if you agree with all eight reasons!
