Honeymoon In Paris Planning – Eight Tips To Get You Started

You got engaged. You sent out all the invitations and did all the planning work. You've walked down the aisle (or through Uncle Arnie's garden). Now it's time for the two of you to get away by yourselves for some romantic fun in Paris. And, in coming to the City of Love you've made the right choice. If Paris isn't the most romantic city in the word, we don't know where else it is.

Heck, just being in Paris makes you feel romantic, which is the best way to start a life together. Let's take a look at the honeymoon activities in Paris we recommend.

1. Champagne Cruise Along the Seine

Champagne along the river — at night!

We might as well warn you up front — champagne is going to be a theme in our recommendations. Later you'll learn that, in our opinion, a Paris horse & carriage ride needs champagne. So, what do you think a Seine River cruise needs? That's right — champagne. This VIP champagne cruise gets you not only priority boarding access, but a private room at the front of the boat (the best viewpoint) exclusively for the champagne cruisers.

As the bateau pulls away from the dock, an expert sommelier guides you through a tasting of three champagnes, explaining the details of each as you glide past the iconic monuments and buildings. Highly recommended by us — this was one of our most memorable evenings in Paris.

2. Bateaux Parisens VIP Dinner Cruise

Dining tables on board Bateaux Parisens

We can also vouch for this romantic activity, and for the wonderful things you will experience. This may be the ultimate romantic evening in Paris — a relaxing, two-and-a-half-hour, slow cruise along the world's most beautiful river route. The fact that a classic multi-course French dinner is included is yet another bonus.

The view and the leisurely pace are fantastic. There's nothing to do but to take in the many aspects of this beautiful city as the sun sets and the buildings light up. The cruise includes the dinner, wine, as well as champagne, coffee, and dessert.

You also get front-of-the-line entry plus VIP seating at the front of the boat for the best views and the best service. Just make sure to choose the VIP Service Privilege option when you book your cruise.

3. Day Trip To The Magical Champagne Region

Winemaker explaining his craft, in the vineyards of Champagne

We did warn you, didn't we? About the champagne? But, listen, heading off to the Champagne region (about an hour from Paris) for a day immersed in the bubbly is something else, something amazing. You learn how champagne is made, visit the stunning limestone aging caves, and sample, sample, sample.

There's also time to visit the historic cathedral at Reims, capital of the Champagne Region, and to have lunch. Oh, and don't worry about the sampling, someone else is doing the driving — right from your hotel and then back again in the evening.

4. Honeymoon Hotels in Paris

Suite with a view, and the Shangri-La Paris

You're going to want a great hotel. A romantic hotel. One that is welcoming, cozy, with great staff, and in a great location. For this once-in-a-lifetime dream visit to Paris, we suggest you opt for luxury — something Paris has in spades. Our selection of the top 4 romantic hotels in Paris come in all price ranges, in the best parts of the City of Love.

5. Horse & Carriage Ride Autour Paris

White carriage in front the the Petit Palais

Toasting each other with glasses of champagne during a romantic horse & carriage ride. Yes, that's something you can actually do in Paris; and it's surprisingly easy to arrange. We heartily recommend the Royal Champagne ninety-minute ride, with numerous departure times during the day. À votre santé !

6. The Most Romantic Dinner In Paris

A fish course at Le Jules Verne, photo by Mark Craft

Imagine this. You're 400 feet above Paris, with a birds-eye view of the lights of the City of Light, and you're dining on a 7-course tasting menu prepared for you by one of the most renowned chefs in Paris, the holder of at least four Michelin stars.

Level two of the Eiffel Tower is the location of legendary restaurant Le Jules Verne, where Master chef Frédéric Anton has created a dining space just as magical as the monument it is on. His cooking is out of this world, too. In fact, we named Le Jules Verne under the whisk of Chef Anton the Best New Restaurant in Paris 2020.

This is something you'll remember forever. The number of tables is limited, so be sure to book far in advance. And, yes, you'll actually be dining on the Eiffel Tower!

7. Claude Monet's Gardens at Giverny

The famous Japanese bridge spanning Monet's lily pond

If you'll be honeymooning in the warm months — April to October — you must get out to Claude Monet's amazing gardens at Giverny, about an hour from Paris. This is where the Impressionist master lived and worked for 43 years, right up until he died, and it's the place that inspired many of his most famous paintings, including the waterlilies.

It really is a magical place and it's easy to sign up for a small-group tour to get you there in ease and comfort. The half-day tour starts in central Paris, where your meet your driver/guide. Everything is taken care of, so just sit back and smell the flowers.

8. Walking the Banks of the Seine at Dusk

Notre Dame at night, as seen from the river banks, photo by Mark Craft

We know that the river Seine is magical, but urban planners from a previous generation didn't see it that way. It was then, especially during the 1960s, that parts of the river bank were given over to high-speed automobile traffic, cutting it off from strollers and lovers.

Luckily, under the two recent mayors of Paris, all that has changed and the banks of the Seine are being reclaimed for walkers, dreamers, and picnickers. There's a whole new designation for this reclaimed space, Parc Rives de Seine — the parks of the banks of the Seine. Now at dusk you can witness both Parisians and visitors drifting down to the river banks to walk, talk, drink some wine, or have family picnic dinner.

Once or twice, you should be there as well. Take a half bottle of champagne with you. Live Paris, don't just visit it.