Top romantic spots in Paris and their lesser-known alternatives

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The Mona Lisa – and her enigmatic smile – may have inspired countless love affairs, but The Louvre, the home of the world’s most famous artwork has plenty of other love stories hiding in its nooks and crannies. See them in the paintings of French romantic artists such as Delacroix, and the statue of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty – better known as the Venus de Milo.

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The Left Bank of the Seine has long been the haunt of star-crossed lovers, but railway station-turned-art gallery Musee d’Orsay is hard to beat for an afternoon date. Among the head-turners is Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night Over The Rhône, depicting a lovers’ tryst under a slew of stars.

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You can’t get more Parisian than the wrought-iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars. The architecture of the Eiffel Tower defines the city, the food – courtesy of celebrity chef Alain Ducasse’s one Michelin star Le Jules Verne on the second floor – is sublime, and the views have provided the backdrop for thousands of marriage proposals and engagements.

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For die-hard romantics, Le Sacré-Cœur (the Basilica of the Sacred Heart), perched prettily on a hill in Montmartre, provides views of the city to help stir passions. Rose sellers on the steps know it, too, and are ready to jump before you can say ‘Je t’aime’.

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Every good relationship claims to be about the little things you have in common: like a shared love for the squishy-soft macarons made at Pierre Hermé, an award-winning pâtisserie. Flavours are as delicate as you’d hope for – go for the raspberry and rose water, or milk chocolate and passion fruit.

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For a splashy, yet sophisticated date, take your partner to luxury food emporium Fauchon for a gift-wrapped box of tea-flavoured macarons – all infused with the aromatic scent of apple, earl grey or jasmine.

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For that only-in-Paris moment, leafy garden Jardin des Tuileries is the ultimate box-ticker. Set your camera whirring at the fountains, picnic by the ponds, or consider the seductive sculptures while showing off your partner to the people-watchers of Paris.

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For a dreamy arm-in-arm stroll, consider blooms-filled market Marché aux Fleurs, located between Notre-Dame Cathedral and Sainte-Chapelle chapel. Buy your partner a dozen roses, but remember the local tradition: yellow ones imply infidelity.  

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At more than 400 years old, La Tour D’Argent is said to be the oldest restaurant in Paris, and one of the city’s most expensive, but it’s also a one Michelin star darling overlooking a sensational skyline crowned by Notre-Dame. It’s a date, after all – what better excuse to justify a visit?

SEE ALSO: 11 best things to do in Paris after dark

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At first an unassuming neighbourhood restaurant, Restaurant Le Coupe Chou reveals itself bit by bit behind a small wooden door. Here, you’ll find a warren of plushy furnished rooms, crackling fireplaces and ravishing main courses. Romantic lead Marlene Dietrich dined here, so if that doesn’t inspire you, little else will.

– TEXT BY MIKE MACEACHERAN

Please check the establishments’ respective websites for opening hours as well as booking and seating requirements before visiting, and remember to adhere to safe-distancing measures while out and about.

To learn more about Singapore Airlines flights, visit singaporeair.com. For updates and travel advisories, please visit Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website. 
PHOTOS: PARIS TOURIST OFFICE, HENRI GARAT (VIEW FROM EIFFEL TOWER), JACQUES LEBAR (LE-SACRE COEUR), THE LOUVRE, MUSEE D’ORSAY, PIERRE HERME PARIS, FAUCHON, DAVID LE FRANC (JARDIN DES TUILERIES), DANIEL THIERRY (MARCHE AUX FLEURS), TOUR D’ARGENT, RESTAURANT LE COUPE-CHOU
This article was originally published by Singapore Press Holdings.