Everyone has their own way of being romantic! While some might simply enjoy sitting on the terrace of Café de Flore, others might prefer to stroll hand in hand through the maze of streets in the Latin Quarter or have their photo taken in Montmartre ...
Romantic walks
The banks of the Seine have been enjoyed by couples in love for centuries. The quays around the two islands of Ile Saint Louis and Ile de la Cité are ideal places to stroll together. The bridges also appeal to couples. Could it be because their arches symbolize an alliance? Or because the water flowing beneath them brings with it the wildest of promises? According to tradition, lovebirds should kiss and make a wish under the Pont Marie, nicknamed "lovers' bridge." A more recent custom is to hang a so-called "love" padlock on the railings of the Pont de l'Archevêché and the Pont des Arts to immortalize their love.
Kissing on public benches
Benches in the public parks and gardens of Paris are perfect places for loving couples of all ages to whisper sweet nothings to each other. Historically, the Tuileries Gardens have always been a favorite place for libertine behavior. The wide alleys were once the scene of love and games of chance. These days you are more likely to see couples caressing Maillol's sensuous marble sculptures, or munching on caramel apples at the gardens' funfair in summer. Exchange kisses at a\ dizzying height in the Temple of Sibyl, perched on a rocky peak in the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, or in the dark in the stalagmite-lined cave below. Snuggle seductively near the Fontaine Médicis in the Jardin du Luxembourg, kiss like the ancient Romans in the Arènes de Lutèce, and swing above street level in the gardens of the Coulée Verte. In a very cold climate, the tropical setting of Serres d\'Auteuil is a good place to be, as are the greenhouses in the Jardin des Plantes. For discreet confidences, the National Archives' Rohan and Fontenay gardens are a favorite among lovebirds. These places, restored and reopened to the public in 2011, offer the atmosphere of a romantic 19th-century garden with pine trees, gloriette and topiary.
The timeless charm of covered shopping arcades
Symbolic of old Paris, covered arcades are popular with Parisians. With their high glass roofs, eclectic boutiques, and old-fashioned charm, they have an atmosphere all their own that encourages a romantic stroll away from the noise of the city. The finest are Galerie Vivienne and Galerie Colbert, with their neoclassical decor. Passages Jouffroy and Passage Verdeau will delight those who love collectibles, while Passage du Grand Cerf and Galerie Vero Dodat are magnets for design enthusiasts. Passage Choiseul is another popular meeting place, and Passage Brady with its many Indian restaurants transports you to the subcontinent.
