Why Parisis 42 DESTINATION GUIDE DESTINATION Still the at the Tour d’Argent... despite the tired clichés, Paris still has all the right ingredients A cruise on the Seine, kissing on the Ei!el Tower, a show at the Moulin Rouge, dinner for an unforgettable rendezvous that "ts any couple’s de"nition of romance Most RomanticCity on @ / words
Heather Stimmler-Hall 43 Illustration: Isaxar/Shutterstock Photos: David Lefranc/Paris Tourist O#ce; J. E. Bulloz/Getty Images 44 wing of naughtiness about them. like night swimming, night museum visits have anevenings. intrinsicthe in crowds and lines ticket both avoid you’ll kids tire out early and almost everyone else is off to dinner, surroundings. places for couples to appreciate each other in beautiful But done the right way, Paris’ museums are underrated endless artworks you feel guilty for not appreciating enough. Museums might bring to mind long lines and a blur of T Art Appreciation After DESTINATION GUIDE DESTINATION he midnight blue walls of the masters such as as such masters Once a railway arailway Once Musée d’Orsay d’Orsay Musée Monet, Renoir Renoir Monet, This page, top and Van Gogh and impressionist impressionist E the works of of works the station, the the station, uropean paintings is practically deserted now houses houses now - S Dark ince groups tend to visit in the mornings, what better place to steal a kiss than in front of rodin.fr) private in sculptures suggestive artists’ the discuss to T of the Cité de Cité l’ of the frontal view of the sparkling any night visit. You could also surprise your lover with a full- Quai Branly Museum primitive arts, the theatrical lighting of the contemporary set 10pmuntil gallery are delightfully dark, even when July’s sun doesn’t rocadéro. rocadéro. T he Louvre’s top floor Richelieu . N O ot that we’re condoning any illicit behaviour, but rsay’s neo- T he Rodin Museum’s vast garden is full of places (musee-orsay.fr) A rchitecture rchitecture I (quaibranly.fr) mpressionist (citechaillot.fr) E (louvre.fr) iffel . A nd even if you’re not into T A ower from the windows adds a bit of drama to nd .
on the Place du garden near the Louvre Louvre the near garden the sculpture in Jardin Jardin in sculpture the T des Tuileries, a public apublic Tuileries, des Sneak a kiss in front front in akiss Sneak Museum. You’ll also You’ll also Museum. nd a bronze cast of of cast abronze nd " – perfect for a stroll astroll for – perfect he Kiss he of Auguste Rodin’s Auguste of The Kiss The at dusk at at the Rodin Rodin the at (musee- ? Get the designer treatment at snazzy hotels hotels snazzy at treatment designer the Get lm noir lm " to psychedelic from themes exotic ers rooms with with rooms ers ! o which Seven, The as such SEVENTH HEAVEN Discreet Pleasures Your Affection Publicly Display as of yesteryear, stylish properties such rendezvous. and small closets perfect for a weekend their whimsical themes, large beds hotels has been seducing couples with a new selection of designer boutique fantasy. every service industry strives to cater to their getaway – it’s no surprise the city’s anniversaries or simply to enjoy a sexy to wed, to honeymoon, to celebrate been coming to Paris – to propose, Considering how long couples have and Vice Versa most most when it passionate comestheir off side.to showing romance. I Something’s Gotta Give as d’ by the Hôtel de Ville (standing on the Pont photographer to immortalise your own Kiss City the and Mr Big kiss in the last episode of We Pont the like Paris. des a popular guidebook to the best spots for kissing in are not only accepted, but openly admired. cuddling on park benches and even shamelessly locking lips affection) is chastised, in Paris, holding hands as you walk, f you haven’t guessed it yet, Parisians have a soft spot for A T D rcole if you want the same backdrop he he iane Keaton and Jack A S merican cities where blatant P blatant where cities merican ). You can even hire your own private even T hey may be discreet about many things, but not N (sevenhotelparis.com) O o longer the seedy dives (viceversahotel.com) ver the past five years, ). ). ´ N A icholson in rts (where Carrie
Sex in DA (public displays of happens in Paris, stays in Paris. friendly Club Med atmosphere. What all-you-can-eat buffet evenings in a can test the waters during the festive locations, and bashful newcomers so popular they’ve added two new City trip. your another way to add a little spice to on vacation, couples-only clubs are who feel a little more daring when the most of their evenings. For those staff dedicated to helping guests make and staffed with friendly yet discreet are often decorated by star designers T here’s even S auna auna U T nlike he exotically themed Moon (mooncity.fr) (and lock) in hand in lock) (and ring –with propose to place perfect the is Arts des Pont The has become Under Roof Roof Under Levitation Levitation The Seven The The aptly aptly The room at at room named named 45
Photos: Je!rey Kong; Serge Ramelli/Hôtel Seven 46 private moment in our memory.” for a few moments without the camera, our own up and say, “Let’s just enjoy this view together out the camera at every turn, you simply snuggle doubt your partner will argue if, instead of pulling next to standing you. the surroundings distract you from the person balcony or stunning architecture. But don’t let medieval street, an elegant wrought iron a monument, iconic to find a view of Paris that isn’t framed by an backdrop. You have to make some serious effort N Monumental Setting All you knead is love – love is knead you All DESTINATION GUIDE DESTINATION pamper yourself and and yourself pamper Thai Spa’s signature Spa’sThai signature ever underestimate the power of a romantic your mate with Ban Ban with mate your four-hand massage four-hand G the female form… bows, silk and ribbons to flatter, enhance and make sublime primped to attract a mate, French lingerie uses ruffles, lace, or Chantal window displays at Fifi Chachnil it comes to sexy lingerie. You can’t miss the flamboyant orswimming, the exotic Ban with its candlelit pool that gives you the impression of night to yourselves. room Many spas now offer couples’ treatments where you get a treatments that make your skin smooth, silky and sexy. and manicures, but for body-awakening massages and in the most self-indulgent fashion. harbour no guilt when it comes to taking care of themselves stop at food and drink. Perhaps it’s their Latin roots, but they When it comes to pleasure-seeking, the Parisians don’t just four-hands massage treatments. Pleasure's Sake Pleasure for G othic church, a winding etting photo fatigue? We T he French are also completely unashamed when T homass ooh la la! T (chantalthomass.fr) ry the sensual 28 T hai hai of the of the angle, and there’s not a postcard shop for miles. you actually see more monuments from this viewing terrace at the top of the Parc de Belleville: (sacre-coeur-montmartre.com) to the overcrowded steps of Montmartre’s Ciel de Paris Montparnasse’s 56th-floor Champagne bar, the from Bank Left of the views panoramic S like proportions anyway). E (fifichachnil-boutique.com) aint-Louis and iffel S S pa pas aren’t just for facials S ome of the best views aren’t just from the S (banthaispa.fr) T I nstitut nstitut du Monde pa ower (which reduces everything to ant- to everything reduces ower(which . Like colourful birds (spa28.fr/en) (cieldeparis.com) N otre otre with its , D ame from the rooftop A T rabe ry the view of the Île
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(imarabe.org art galleries, antique bookshops and local designers. vivienne.com) the and 9th) Montmartre, I (which literally translates to “window licking”). French phrase for window shopping is boutique windows designed to please, it’s no wonder the Clothing, candies, toys and artworks… with a whole city of – that’s used to entice, tease and lure in their customers. presentation – a veritable degree in design schools in France rushing past: they aim to seduce. not simply trying to get the attention of the busy pedestrians Parisians decorate the windows of their boutiques, they’re an argument to winning over clients in business. When life, useful for everything from getting their own way in bedroom. the for consider just the powerisn’t to seduce an seduction essential skill in French, everyday the For to SeduceYou Parisians Want f you’re both art lovers, the Passage Jouffroy (10 boulevard S troll arm in arm past the historic Les Passages Couverts.
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our , is a trove of unique boutiques, tearooms, Sacré-Cœur Basilica of of Basilica Sacré-Cœur that will remain etched etched remain will that forever in the hearts of of hearts the in forever Montmartre is a sight asight is Montmartre romantic view of the the of view romantic The stunningly stunningly The anyone in love love in anyone G alerie Vivienne T heir secret is in the art of faire du lèche-vitrines du faire (galerie-
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Photos: Pierre Leclerc/Shutterstock; Je!rey Kong au lait au acafé on sip you as el’s! masterpiece Ei Gustave admire to place agreat is Paris Hotel Shangri-La The 1 /P <A tea pianowith accompaniment room. treatment withoutfor springing a time it sparkles, right? check. Flowers, check. You know what Parisian monument. Champagne, a private terrace overlooking the iconic 220-square-metre rooftop retreat with com/paris/shangrila) S the question to your princess at La crowded agree that marriage proposals on the carpet. red the out roll to how historic palace hotels certainly know sight, beds fit for a king… Paris’ technologies discreetly hidden from furnishings, marble baths, the latest chandeliers, fine linens, antique being treated like royalty. Crystal N uite othing is more romantic than You experience can still the royal S E hangri-La njoy a decadent afternoon E iffel T ower are passé, pop (www.shangri-la. , a luxurious I f you display over the music and a dramatic fireworks S magical evening fountain shows in the (chateauversailles-spectacles.fr) Château the while de Versailles enchanting candlelight visits, (vaux-le-vicomte.com) Château Vaux-le-Vicomte evening excursion to the countryside. hire a driver for an unforgettable experience France’s royal heritage, athenee-paris.com/the-bar) Plaza of the bar or late-night at cocktails the stylish Hôtel Lancaster Hôtel fitness) S massage for two at Hôtel Meurice’s lounges/la_galerie) (fourseasons.com/paris/dining/ Four the at un King’s vast gardens, with Baroque pa Valmont , a leisurely , aleisurely S easons (lemeurice.com/spa- G A
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, 47 World 48 the picnic of cheese, bread and wine along the banks of air food market stand, or the traditional Parisian park bench, oysters eaten informally from an open- scrumptious pastries consumed with abandon on a roasted chestnuts from a street vendor in winter, more simple pleasures, such as a shared cone of out to make room for other diners. your table as long as you like – you’ll rarely be rushed couples alone unless they signal for them. can be sure the waiters know well enough to leave and each shared bite of a new dish. and the company are elevated with each sip of wine about only heightens the experience. Both the meal and sharing the experience with someone you care to stay alive as much as they live to eat and drink, again and again and again you’d relive to want experience an is Paris in half other your é with % asou Sharing ich/RL/00437) UNES company French– the T merely the food itself that the French treasure. the world on its culinary heritage alone. and dining that Paris could beat most cities in Romance is so intimately intertwined with drinking DESTINATION GUIDE DESTINATION he actual act of enjoying a gourmet meal in good S eine – don’t forget the corkscrew! don’t – the forget eine C O Cultural Heritage . - T he French don’t eat and drink class Feasting répas – is now protected as a (unesco.org/culture/ D A on’t overlook nd in Paris, you I t’s not S tay at
Photos: Ina Peters/Getty Images; Bruno De Hogues/Getty Images please www.thaiairways.com visit THAI operates daily $ ights to Paris. For more information, what really makes Paris the most romantic city in the world. the Paris metro? Being able to satisfy almost any desire is I Own Adventure Choose Your baked bread leads to a delightful fancy. your tickles or passageway that surprises is to just follow any charming cobblestone street who strolls aimlessly – knows that the best way to find hidden someone for directions. itineraries and couples’ quarrels over whether to ask city perfect for exploring on foot. Forget about maps, many grandiose monuments, it remains a human-scaled O Exploring aDeux S nightclub? an in performers burlesque of up-and-coming party held in medieval cellars? Catch a rowdy performance did you know you can also attend a pirate-themed costume live music, dance, wine tasting and cooking classes. But has world-class art galleries, antique markets, theatre, opera, else. everyone as experience” that you’re not limited to the same cookie-cutter “romantic best thing about travelling to Paris with your sweetheart is n the end, romance is really a matter of personal taste. teampunk-themed bar? bar? teampunk-themed ne of things we love most about Paris is that despite its A ttend the latest graphic novel release party at a T T he true Parisian Parisian true he ake a behind-the-scenes tour of S ure, this cosmopolitan city boulangerie T he scent of freshly flaneur , Parisians E ast Parisian – or one T he compared to Montmartre “before the tourists”). the “before compared to Montmartre movie Latin Quarter (where you’ll find the famous stairs from the off in the Marais district (known for its hidden gardens), the coin. guidebook. antique shop too off-the-beaten-path to be included in any market, and a whimsical boutique window leads you to an with their shopping caddies lead to the bustling open-air Versailles are available purchased andcan be separately. Beyond this,accommodation onlyandhalf-day tour to s s s INCLUDED ces. o# worldwide our or roh www.thaiairways.com/ [email protected] email: visit or For more information on Royal Orchid Holidays, call 0 2356 2888,
O T A I wo nights’ accommodation withbreakfast irport-hotel transfersirport-hotel ne sightseeing tourne sightseeing f you don’t want to leave it completely to chance, start Midnight in Paris in Midnight T ake turns deciding which way to turn, or flip a Bastille. Bastille. the and Dame Notre Tower, Eiffel Champs-Élysées, the as such sites many city’s the of tour a on Jump Paris. destinations, holiday popular most world’s the of one Visit 3 days/2 nights PARIS MI ), or the Butte-aux-Cailles (often N I B R E AK ( R OH S 53) book, the award-winning and the author of (secretsofparis.com) of Paris newsletter monthlyfree Secrets Hall is the editor of the Stimmler- Heather writer the About (naughty-guides.com) to the A Lady’s N S the delightfully delightfully the aughty Paris: aughty Paris: exy City exy City lose yourself in in yourself lose quaint streets streets quaint G instinct and and instinct of the Latin Latin the of Trust your your Trust uide Quarter
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