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There are places perfect for a loved-up getaway because they mean something special to you and your partner (or situationship – we’re not here to judge), and then there are cities so beautiful, so filled with candle-lit restaurants, scenic walks and even whole museums dedicated to love, that they simply exude romance.
But the most romantic city of all? Plot twist, guys: it’s Paris. That’s right – Time Out has poured a whole load of love into refreshing our roundup of the most romantic cities for Valentine’s breaks in Europe, and the French capital has claimed the top spot. Who are we to overlook the official City of Love, anyway?
‘This city is magical in every season, from summers spent strolling the artistic neighbourhood of Montparnasse to crisp autumn walks along the Seine.’ says India-Jayne Trainor, a Time Out writer who’s travelled to cities all over the world. ‘Look forward to candlelit dinners in Michelin-starred restaurants, watch twinkling lights illuminate the Eiffel Tower or soak in the city’s culture at the Louvre and Musée-d’Orsay.’
The city’s very own Museum of Romantic Life is set to reopen its doors on Valentine’s Day with an exhibition on Paul Huet’s pioneering of French Romantic painting, but be sure to also pay a visit to Le mur des je t’aime, (or the wall of ‘I love you’) where those three words are written in 250 different languages.
Then there’s the question of where to stay. If you’ve got the funds, go all out and book a room at the Hôtel Plaza Athénée, which brags opulent interiors and Eiffel Tower views. We also have brilliant lists of the best hotels and Airbnbs in Paris.
Elsewhere on Time Out’s list of romantic cities are destinations including Verona, Athens, and Bergen – read it in its entirety below.
📍 Check out Time Out’s full list of the most romantic cities in Europe.
Did you see that The Louvre is hiking its entry fee for non-European tourists?
Plus: These are the world’s most sustainable cities, according to a new Green City Index.
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