Article Surfing Archive

Like Venice, Paris has always been a magnet for lovers and their affairs. As Woody Allen put it: "As long as you haven't been kissed during any of those rainy Parisian afternoons, you haven't been kissed at all." Paris is where sleepy marriages are rekindled, the flames of passion ignited, vows renewed, and special someones met. But where will you get the most ardent thrill?

Smooching at a cafe terrace

Somerset Maugham once said: "If the pubs in London had sidewalk tables like Parisian bars, you would drink glasses of rain!" Rich idea. Let's start with sidewalk cafes. Paris counts a thousand of such cafe terraces, and whichever you pick there will always be lovers sitting nearby. A very good reason to get entrenched, and start sweet-talking your love interest.

One of my favorite cafes is 'Les Chevaux de Marly', inside the Louvre Museum, facing the wing where the Da Vinci Code movie was filmed. Les Chevaux de Marly isn't your typical sidewalk cafes; the place reeks history, and even when you sit outside you are well protected against the elements thanks to the stone parapet.

Another lovely sidewalk cafe stands at St Germain des Pres, just in front of the St Germain Church. The vast terrace of 'Aux Deux Magots' is covered by a large awning. During summertime, the cafe adds more chairs outside. 'Aux Deux Magots' used to be the writers' and philosophers' cafe. It may have lost a bit of its literary touch, but remains a wonderful place to look into each other's eyes.

More suggestions? Check out the following areas, you'll find nice cafes: 'Butte aux Cailles' (in the 13th district), 'Place de la Contrescarpe' (in the 5th district), 'Place des Abbesses' (on the Montmartre Hill), and the perennial cafe facing the Pont St Louis, on Ile St Louis, near Quai de Bourbon.

Walking hand in hand

I always advise my friends who take the trip to Paris to discover the city on foot. Walking is the absolute best way to enjoy sightseeing in Paris. And 'look up' must be your operative word. Don't just look at eye level: raise your eyes, and observe what's above. The 'upper floor' scenery is worth it.

For romancing the love of your life, certain places have these very special qualities which will set them apart in your memories of togetherness. I will tell you about three now, and more to come.

My first pick is and always will be 'Place Furstemberg'. Tucked between St Germain des Pr's and the river Seine, this little square has a quiet, ravishing beauty. From the St Germain Church, cross the plaza walking toward the Seine and Rue Bonaparte. Turn right, behind the Church, and follow Rue de l'Abbaye. Take the first short street on your left. It ends up on 'Place Furstemberg'. Famous French painter Eugene Delacroix had his studio there, and it's an interesting spot to visit during the day. But 'Place Furstemberg' takes all of its romantic quality at night, when the bench sitting under the large trees at the center of the square offers a wonderful halt. The lamp posts lend the 'Place' a serene, timeless atmosphere. Simply otherworldly.

My second pick would be the steep flights of stairs leading up to the top of the Montmartre Hill, and the quaint streets below 'Place du Tertre'. Here again, you would be well inspired to discover the hill during the day, and come back to it in the evening. Montmartre is one of the last areas in Paris to have retained their 'olden days' feel. Strolling around the hill at night gives you a whiff of what Paris was like in the late 1800s. Most definitely one of the very best spots to roam hand in hand, stealing a kiss here and there under the quiet glow of the street lights.

The last site I would definitely love you to discover is the tip of the 'Ile de la Cit''. Ile de la Cit' is the larger of the two islands situated at the center of Paris. It is situated downstream of 'Ile St Louis', and it's most notable sights are the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Saint Chapelle. At the western tip of 'Ile de la Cit'' stands the 'Pont Neuf' - the 'New Bridge'- build there in the 16th century. Beneath the Pont Neuf lies the 'Square du Vert Galant', named after Henri the 4th of France. The words 'Vert Galant' allude to the king's unbridled passion for ladies ('Galant' refers to his reputation as a smooth talker, and 'Vert'means the guy was 'always ready to fire'). The view from the little tree-lined park opens up on the river, and faces the 'Pont des Arts' and the Louvre museum. I recommend you to visit it during daytime.

More romantic places

Paris abounds in places where to court your love. Since I like the topic, however, I will come back to you soon with more of these special places where to live your romance. Till then I wish you the best.