DESTINATION GUIDE the Most Romantic City Why Paris is Still on @ A cruise on the Seine, kissing on the Ei!el Tower, a show at the Moulin Rouge, dinner at the Tour d’Argent... despite the tired clichés, Paris still has all the right ingredients for an unforgettable rendezvous that "ts any couple’s de"nition of romance / words Heather Stimmler-Hall Illustration: Isaxar/Shutterstock Illustration: 42 43 DESTINATION GUIDE The aptly named Levitation Under Roof room at The Seven Discreet Pleasures ce; J. E. Bulloz/Getty Images E. Bulloz/Getty J. ce; Considering how long couples have are often decorated by star designers # been coming to Paris – to propose, and staffed with friendly yet discreet to wed, to honeymoon, to celebrate staff dedicated to helping guests make anniversaries or simply to enjoy a sexy the most of their evenings. For those getaway – it’s no surprise the city’s who feel a little more daring when service industry strives to cater to their on vacation, couples-only clubs are every fantasy. Over the past five years, another way to add a little spice to a new selection of designer boutique your trip. The exotically themed Moon hotels has been seducing couples with City Sauna (mooncity.fr) has become their whimsical themes, large beds so popular they’ve added two new Photos: David Lefranc/Paris Tourist O Tourist Lefranc/Paris David Photos: and small closets perfect for a weekend locations, and bashful newcomers rendezvous. No longer the seedy dives can test the waters during the festive of yesteryear, stylish properties such all-you-can-eat buffet evenings in a as The Seven (sevenhotelparis.com) friendly Club Med atmosphere. What After-Dark and Vice Versa (viceversahotel.com) happens in Paris, stays in Paris. Art Appreciation Museums might bring to mind long lines and a blur of endless artworks you feel guilty for not appreciating enough. But done the right way, Paris’ museums are underrated Publicly Display places for couples to appreciate each other in beautiful Sneak a kiss in front surroundings. Since groups tend to visit in the mornings, of Auguste Rodin’s SEVENTH HEAVEN kids tire out early and almost everyone else is off to dinner, The Kiss at the Rodin Your Affection Museum. You’ll also you’ll avoid both ticket lines and crowds in the evenings. And "nd a bronze cast of If you haven’t guessed it yet, Parisians have a soft spot for the sculpture in Jardin like night swimming, night museum visits have an intrinsic des Tuileries, a public romance. They may be discreet about many things, but not naughtiness about them. The Louvre’s top floor Richelieu garden near the Louvre when it comes to showing off their passionate side. Unlike – perfect for a stroll The Pont des Arts is wing of European paintings is practically deserted (louvre.fr). at dusk most American cities where blatant PDA (public displays of the perfect place to The midnight blue walls of the Orsay’s neo-Impressionist affection) is chastised, in Paris, holding hands as you walk, propose – with ring rey Kong; Serge Ramelli/Hôtel Seven Ramelli/Hôtel Serge Kong; rey gallery are delightfully dark, even when July’s sun doesn’t cuddling on park benches and even shamelessly locking lips (and lock) in hand ! set until 10pm (musee-orsay.fr). And even if you’re not into are not only accepted, but openly admired. There’s even primitive arts, the theatrical lighting of the contemporary a popular guidebook to the best spots for kissing in Je Photos: Quai Branly Museum (quaibranly.fr) adds a bit of drama to Paris. We like the Pont des Arts (where Carrie This page, top any night visit. You could also surprise your lover with a full- and Mr Big kiss in the last episode of Sex in Once a railway frontal view of the sparkling Eiffel Tower from the windows the City). You can even hire your own private station, the Musée d’Orsay of the Cité de l’Architecture (citechaillot.fr) on the Place du photographer to immortalise your own Kiss now houses Trocadéro. The Rodin Museum’s vast garden is full of places by the Hôtel de Ville (standing on the Pont the works of impressionist to discuss the artists’ suggestive sculptures in private (musee- Get the designer treatment at snazzy hotels d’Arcole if you want the same backdrop masters such as such as The Seven, which o!ers rooms with Monet, Renoir rodin.fr). Not that we’re condoning any illicit behaviour, but exotic themes from psychedelic to "lm noir as Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson in and Van Gogh what better place to steal a kiss than in front of The Kiss? Something’s Gotta Give). ´ 44 45 DESTINATION GUIDE Pleasure for Parisians Want <A Pleasure's Sake to Seduce You 1 /P When it comes to pleasure-seeking, the Parisians don’t just For the French, seduction isn’t just for the bedroom. They stop at food and drink. Perhaps it’s their Latin roots, but they consider the power to seduce an essential skill in everyday Nothing is more romantic than at the Four Seasons George V harbour no guilt when it comes to taking care of themselves life, useful for everything from getting their own way in being treated like royalty. Crystal (fourseasons.com/paris/dining/ in the most self-indulgent fashion. Spas aren’t just for facials an argument to winning over clients in business. When chandeliers, fine linens, antique lounges/la_galerie), a rejuvenating and manicures, but for body-awakening massages and Parisians decorate the windows of their boutiques, they’re furnishings, marble baths, the latest massage for two at Hôtel Meurice’s treatments that make your skin smooth, silky and sexy. not simply trying to get the attention of the busy pedestrians technologies discreetly hidden from Spa Valmont (lemeurice.com/spa- Many spas now offer couples’ treatments where you get a rushing past: they aim to seduce. Their secret is in the art of sight, beds fit for a king… Paris’ fitness), a leisurely Sunday brunch at room to yourselves. Try the sensual 28 Spa (spa28.fr/en), presentation – a veritable degree in design schools in France historic palace hotels certainly know Hôtel Lancaster (hotel-lancaster.com), with its candlelit pool that gives you the impression of night – that’s used to entice, tease and lure in their customers. how to roll out the red carpet. If you or late-night cocktails at the stylish swimming, or the exotic Ban Thai Spa (banthaispa.fr) with its Clothing, candies, toys and artworks… with a whole city of agree that marriage proposals on the bar of the Plaza Athénée (plaza- four-hands massage treatments. boutique windows designed to please, it’s no wonder the crowded Eiffel Tower are passé, pop athenee-paris.com/the-bar). To truly The French are also completely unashamed when French phrase for window shopping is faire du lèche-vitrines the question to your princess at La experience France’s royal heritage, it comes to sexy lingerie. You can’t miss the flamboyant (which literally translates to “window licking”). Suite Shangri-La (www.shangri-la. hire a driver for an unforgettable window displays at Fifi Chachnil (fifichachnil-boutique.com) Stroll arm in arm past the historic Les Passages Couverts. com/paris/shangrila), a luxurious evening excursion to the countryside. All you knead is love – or Chantal Thomass (chantalthomass.fr). Like colourful birds If you’re both art lovers, the Passage Jouffroy (10 boulevard 220-square-metre rooftop retreat with Château Vaux-le-Vicomte pamper yourself and your mate with Ban primped to attract a mate, French lingerie uses ruffles, lace, Montmartre, 9th) and the Galerie Vivienne (galerie- a private terrace overlooking the iconic (vaux-le-vicomte.com) offers Thai Spa’s signature bows, silk and ribbons to flatter, enhance and make sublime vivienne.com) is a trove of unique boutiques, tearooms, Parisian monument. Champagne, enchanting candlelight visits, four-hand massage the female form… ooh la la! art galleries, antique bookshops and local designers. check. Flowers, check. You know what while the Château de Versailles time it sparkles, right? (chateauversailles-spectacles.fr) hosts You can still experience the royal magical evening fountain shows in the treatment without springing for a Sun King’s vast gardens, with Baroque room. Enjoy a decadent afternoon music and a dramatic fireworks rey Kong rey tea with piano accompaniment display over the Grand Canal. ´ Monumental Setting ! Never underestimate the power of a romantic Some of the best views aren’t just from the backdrop. You have to make some serious effort Eiffel Tower (which reduces everything to ant- to find a view of Paris that isn’t framed by an like proportions anyway). Try the view of the Île iconic monument, a Gothic church, a winding Saint-Louis and Notre Dame from the rooftop medieval street, an elegant wrought iron of the Institut du Monde Arabe (imarabe.org), balcony or stunning architecture. But don’t let panoramic views of the Left Bank from the Tour the surroundings distract you from the person Montparnasse’s 56th-floor Champagne bar, standing next to you. Getting photo fatigue? We Ciel de Paris (cieldeparis.com), or, as an alternative The stunningly romantic view of the Je Leclerc/Shutterstock; Pierre Photos: doubt your partner will argue if, instead of pulling to the overcrowded steps of Montmartre’s Sacré-Cœur Basilica of Montmartre is a sight out the camera at every turn, you simply snuggle (sacre-coeur-montmartre.com), try the mime-free that will remain etched up and say, “Let’s just enjoy this view together viewing terrace at the top of the Parc de Belleville: forever in the hearts of for a few moments without the camera, our own you actually see more monuments from this anyone in love private moment in our memory.” angle, and there’s not a postcard shop for miles.