BY MICCA VANVIELD
Paris owns a reputation for being the most romantic city and the city for lovers. There just seems to be built in romance everywhere, from manicured parks and gardens, breathtaking panoramic views, world class restaurants and enchanting museums. These are only some of the few attributes that can make Paris a romance-laced vacation ideal for many couples. With so many romantic Paris attractions to choose from, your toughest decision will be deciding where to start.
Despite two deadly attacks in Paris in 2015, the overall number of tourists visiting France increased in comparison with the year before to reach an all-time high. The attacks that hit Paris in November briefly halted this increase, particularly in Paris. Despite this setback the country still has a goal to welcome 100 million foreign tourists every year in France from 2020.
Staying true to its theme of romance here are a few ideas of exploration for you to experience with that special someone: Stroll down the Seine river – now that love-locking on the bridge is restricted due to its weight and concern that it may soon collapse, you can just lock hands and actually take a stroll down the river itself, spying on all the lovely houseboats as you go. Grab a bottle of wine before you go snooping and dangle your feet over the river while admiring the beauty of the houseboats. Visit the secret waterfalls and vineyards – Pay a visit to Paris’ most exotic park, Parc des Buttes Chaumont and take a little adventure down to the foot of its impressive waterfall, just minutes from the gates of the park is a quiet hilltop village accessible only by three staircases or a single winding road. Journey to the Island of the Temple of Love – there’s a special place in Paris to take on the sunset with your date, it’s called the “Temple of Love” or Temple Romantique and it sits on an island in the middle of a lake in the Bois de Vincennes, the largest public park in the city. Take a tour around the lake until you see the temple and you can even rent a rowboat to get you across the river to add a touch more romance. Dance the night away by the Seine – Tango enthusiasts, advanced and never before, gather at the mini amphitheatres along the Seine to dance seductively until twilight. If you don’t want to join in, sitting with a bottle of wine on the steps, watching these dancers is still absolutely mesmerizing and incredibly romantic. A chocolate massage – Instead of the traditional box of chocolates, impress your love with a decadent, “All About Chocolate” spa treatment at the Four Seasons George V hotel. A chocolate mint body scrub is followed by a Swiss chocolate and toffee body wrap and finished up with a deep tissue massage using cocoa oil. In short, two and a half hours of pure bliss…without the guilty calorie counting.
It doesn’t matter what you choose to do while basking in the city of romance you are definitely out for a tantalizing trip. While exploring the city you will constantly have a view of the famous Eifel. Stop by the tower for a view especially at night when it’s lit. Or even make arrangements to pop the question to your sweetheart. Surrounded by all this romance who wouldn’t day YES.
