Paris - Indulge in Some Serious PDA

The traffic is insane and so are the prices, but hey, when you’re in love, what better place to be in than Paris? It’s a city that celebrates l’amour like no other. The neo-classical stone buildings ooze romance from every filigreed balcony and flower-filled window. Shady, tree-lined boulevards are made for strolling along hand-in-hand. Scroll down our list of couple things to do in Paris…

The River Seine, with its graceful bridges and lovely views is a favourite spot for sweethearts. At the Pont des Arts bridge, the safety fence has padlocks hung all over it, a lovers’ ritual in Paris; every so often, the powers-that-be get these removed, but the locks come right back!

Do the touristy thing – hop on to a Bateau Mouche for an evening cruise on the Seine. As darkness descends, lights shoot up around the bridges and monuments of Paris – a sight that’ll have you snuggling together in delight.

Paris has some of world’s loveliest parks and gardens, perfect for moments of quiet intimacy. The Luxembourg Gardens are gorgeous in any season. When you’ve walked around and had your fill of the flowers and fairytale Luxembourg Castle, stop off at a café close by for a glass of mulled wine.

Pack a picnic basket – baguettes, wine, cheese and fruit – and head to the Bois de Boulogne edging the city’s west. Spend a dreamy day wandering through the woodlands and the Chateau de Bagatelle’s gorgeous rose garden. Want some fun? There’s boating on the Lac Inférieur, a bowling alley and bike rentals. Tip: after nightfall, the Bois de Boulogne isn’t  romantic at all, so leave early.

So many places, so little time! Montmartre, with its cobbled, winding lanes and softly lit stairways has been a nurturing ground for art and culture from the 19^th century. Walk around its galleries, stop off at a café and just imbibe the ambience. Both the Arc de Triomphe and Cathedral of Notre Dame are overrun with les tourists; still, they’re arguably two of the world’s best places for memorable photo-ops. A quick train ride from Paris takes you to Versailles, former palace of King Louis XIV, the luxury-loving Sun King.

For a perfectly aimless amble, try the Latin Quarter. Old world charm spills out of bookshops from another era, tiny cafes and secluded gardens…sigh! In the evening, sound filters out of dimly lit jazz clubs onto the streets. Drop in for a glass of wine, great music and fabulous atmospherics.

So much of the city’s romantic aura comes from its celebrated love of art. The Louvre of course, is the Big Daddy of art galleries. If you prefer smaller, intimate spaces, visit the Musee d’Orsay. The Tuileries Garden, located between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde was created in the 16^th century by Queen Catherine de Medici. Since the 19^th century, Parisians have congregated here to enjoy the greenery get some fresh air and entertainment. The Orangerie at the Tuileries contains priceless works of art. Claude Monet’s ethereal Water Lilies are in two special rooms designed by the master himself. You will also thrill to Auguste Rodin’s erotic sculpture, Le Baiser – The Kiss!

And now to the romance of French cuisine! Splurge on a leisurely lunch for two at the Eiffel Tower’s Jules Verne restaurant. The 360 degree view of Paris, the elegant setting and the courteous French service …vraiment, memories are made of this! The food, needless to say, is out of this world.

Another kind of foodie experience – squeeze into a bistro packed with chattering Parisians. Place your order and pretend no one else is around! The cafes lining the Champs-Elysees spill out onto the some of the world’s most expensive real estate. Naturally, the prices reflect this. If you want to have your cake and eat it too, order a soft drink, park yourselves knee-to-knee at the miniscule tables and watch the world go by.

Other food-for-love options: rich, hot chocolate from Angelina’s and Pierre Marcolini’s chocolate-coated marshmallows. Share an ice-cream sundae at Berthillon, on the Ile Saint Louis. Feed each other melt-in-the-mouth cookies from Poilane’s. Retire early to bed for a classic on TV and a bagful of Da Rosa’s wine-drenched, chocolate-coated raisins….ahh, such decadence! Try every wine you can…Muscadet, Sauterne, Sancerre, Chablis and of course, champagne.

The world’s most romantic city celebrates love in all its shades. Go ahead, hold hands and indulge in some serious PDA….in Paris, that’s par for the course!