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You’ve seen it in the movies, boy meets girl, boy falls in love with girl, boy books cheap flights to Paris and takes girl there as a surprise. Perhaps not exactly like that, maybe the boy has a bit of extra cash and takes the girl first class on the train from St. Pancras. They have Champagne at the Champagne bar. But he doesn’t put an engagement ring in the glass at the Champagne bar, because February is pretty cold and St. Pancras doesn’t exactly have central heating and actually having Champagne at the bar that time of year is likely to be quite a swift affair.
It’s worth bearing in mind that if you do plan a romantic Valentine’s break to Paris, it’s going to be pretty nippy out there. So if it’s a surprise and you’re packing for your cherie amour, remember to pack big fluffy scarves and perhaps a couple of hot water bottles so you’re extra toasty in your hotel room. You could even bring heart shaped hot water bottles.Magic.
Paris has long been held up as the city of love and there is definitely something special about it. Maybe it’s the French accents and the air of confidence in the city. Or it’s the relaxed atmosphere. Either way, Paris is a great place to while away a Valentine’s weekend.
One of the most romantic places in the city has to be Montmartre. Montmartre was where one of the greatest romantic films of all time, Amélie, was shot. On the cobbled streets you will find the vegetable shop and the café. Peer through the glass and you can see the film poster inside. There are lots of cafés and restaurants here that are reasonably priced and serve excellent food. You can have pastries and coffee early on, or cold meats with sliced baguettes and a small glass of wine for lunch. There are quaint traditional fishmongers and cheese and wine shops all along the streets at the foot of the hill and atop the hill itself is the magnificent Sacre Coeur.
There are a few ways back down the hill from the church. One goes past a small music venue where fiddlers and the like can be seen playing to a number of people through the open window. Just below this are a couple of popular restaurants serving steak and chips with starters of onion soup. Even the house wine is often good, as the French really love their wine. Walk down the hill from the steps at the front of the church and you will walk through the park from the film Amélie.
While in Paris you can visit the Eiffel Tower (although you may want to skip climbing it – the queues are long and it’s cold and windy at the top). Taking a boat along the Seine is a lovely way to see the city. The flea market is also recommended, particularly the part with the antiques, old prints and vintage clothes. End your stay by putting a love padlock on the Pont de l’Archevêché.
John Hutchinson has enjoyed travelling since he was a young boy when his parents first took him to visit family overseas. Since leaving home, John has tracked down family all over the world and regularly jets off to faraway lands to see distant relatives.
