Beyond the Eiffel Tower: Ten Romantic Places to Propose in the City of Light

Of all the cities in the world, Paris is regarded as the most romantic. With its myriad of romantic sites, Paris is the perfect place to propose marriage. Although thousands have proposed atop the famed Eiffel Tower, consider following a more singular course and pop the question at one of these romantic Paris venues.

One of the most famous statues in the world, the Venus de Milo represents Aphrodite, the mythological Greek goddess of love and beauty. Proposing beneath her ancient gaze is a memorable way to surprise your intended. Built around 100 B.C., Venus is a timeless symbol of love; she’d be delighted to witness your most momentous of moments.

The Orangerie of the Tuileries Gardens is now home to the Musee de l’Orangerie. The Orangerie once functioned as the greenhouse for the garden’s wintering orange trees. Built in 1852, the Orangerie features an oval room filled with gorgeous natural light. Upon its wall are large panels of Monet’s original Water Lilies paintings—eight in all—that create an enchanting world. This renowned exhibit is both romantic and serene.

The vaulted fifteenth-century ceilings of the Musee du Vin and its accompanying restaurant make for an incredibly romantic venue. Located near the Eiffel Tower, this museum is devoted to French wine and its ancient history. The setting, wine, and cuisine make for an ambient place to propose marriage.

The real heart of Paris is right on the Ile de la Cite where the city was first inhabited by the Parisii, a Celtic tribe, more than two thousand years ago. This ancient island in the Seine is also home to the famed Marche aux Fleurs et Oiseaux—a flower and bird market that is open year round. Famed for their orchids, this extraordinary market makes a lovely and romantic place for a proposal.

Built between 1896 and 1900, this Art Nouveau bridge spans the Seine and is regarded as the city’s most decorative bridge. With the Grand Palais in its background, the bridge is an elegant place to propose amidst its ornate lamps, nymphs, and cherubs. The beautiful arched bridge connects the Champs-Elysees quarter and the Eiffel Tower quarter. With its magnificent views of the Seine and the Eiffel Tower, it is a particularly beautiful place to propose—especially in the evening under the lights of the city.

Famous for its jewel-toned dining room, the Restaurant du Palais Royal is situated in view of the beautiful gardens of the Louvre. Dining on its terrace is one of the most romantic places to eat in the city. If you plan to propose over a sumptuous French feast, this is the ideal venue to choose.

Begun by Marie de Medici in 1611, the Jardin du Luxembourg is Paris’s second largest public park. Elegant, beautiful, and filled with romantic nooks, the park offers many perfect places to pop the question. Consider offering the ring before the illustrious Medici Fountain or the more privately nestled Fontaine de Leda.

Walking through Montmartre is a romantic way to experience Paris. The Abbesses district in the Montmartre neighborhood is noted for its beauty. Cobbled streets and old windmills give this area a decidedly nineteenth-century air. Its Bohemian atmosphere and outdoor cafes make this a memorable place to propose in Paris.

Arguably one of the city’s most romantic hotels, the Pavilion de la Reine is located in the historic Marais quarter. The hotel is nestled within the Place des Vosges, a lovely square that dates to 1605. Old wooden timbers and sumptuous four-poster beds complement the luxurious old furnishings that will waft couples back to the romantic past as they contemplate their romantic future.

A boat tour along the romantic Seine is a wonderful way to propose marriage in Paris. There are many boat tours available in various languages. Views of Notre Dame, Pont Neuf, the Palais Royal, the Musee d’Orsay, and the Eiffel Tower are just some of the spectacular views these tours afford.

Paris boasts many romantic venues, but these are particularly well-suited for marriage proposals. Of course, proposing virtually anywhere in this beautiful city is bound to be memorable and romantic.