France is Offically the Most Romantic Country in the World
Originally posted on & updated on 11th January, 2024
France is one of the most visited countries in the world and with good reason; it is a country that caters to young couples looking to celebrate their love. So for men that dislike romance, candlelit dinners and treating your wives and girlfriends, grit your teeth. Here are 10 of our favourite romantic destinations.
Paris - the Most romantic City in the World
Paris is one of the most preserved and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. A perfect place for lovers and for romantic holidays. Few things can compare to watching life go by on a quaint Paris boulevard, as you sit in a picture-perfect street café, lazily sipping on decadent French wine. The City of Lights really does have it all – from world class galleries and museums such as The Louvre and Musée d’Orsay to stunning modern architecture and globally renowned shopping. Renowned for its stunning landmarks, Paris is home to some of the world’s best known sights. Ranging from the simple medieval beauty of Notre Dame Cathedral to the grand spectacles of Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower, Paris is as picturesque as it is pleasant.
Nice - capital of the South
From the first blast of warm air as you step out of the airport, Nice fills the senses. Smell the mimosa and lavender in the flower market, taste the socca (a chickpea crêpe), the ‘pissaladière’ (onion pie) and pastis in the Cours Saleya, tune in to the busy Vieille Ville with its myriad tiny streets, shops and cafés and be dazzled by the glittering turquoise and dark blue sea. Take the “Petit Train” up to the château for the view of the Baie Des Anges, or take the open-top bus for a historical tour of the city. Walk along the Promenade des Anglais, visit the art galleries, or the beautiful churches to escape the heat. Spend time at the hidden gem of Nice, Parc Phoenix, a haven of wildlife, gardens and fountains. Take the short train ride to Villefranche sur Mer, walk through the town and round the coastal path to the port and enjoy coffee or lunch at the delightful Baleine Joyeuse café, feeding the fish at the water’s edge. Or simply sit at a café in Nice itself and enjoy this wonderful, busy, atmospheric place.
Magnificient Mont Saint-Michel
Le Mont Saint Michel is rightly one of Europe’s icons. An enormous 12th century Benedictine abbey spread 80 metres above the sea across the top half of Mont Saint-Michel. There is so much to explore, from chapels to vaulted rooms where monks would live, work and pray. It is completely magical and the abbey is a masterpiece.
Trouville – One of the Gems of Normandy
Unpretentious Trouville is a charming town with both a veteran beach resort, graced with impressive mansions from the late 1800s, and a working fishing port. The town was frequented by painters and writers during the 19th century like Mozin and Flaubert, lured by the 2km-long sandy beach and the laid-back seaside ambience. Enjoy a beautiful view of the city while eating the best seafood in town at Chez Alain; a true delight.
Parisian Chic Aix-en-Provence,
Aix (pronounced like the letter X) is all class: its leafy boulevards and public squares are lined with 17th and 18th century mansions, punctuated by gurgling moss-covered fountains. The Cours Mirabeau is a lively, vibrant boulevard full of cafes, shops and wonderful fountains. Take the time to explore and reflect at the exquisite Cathedrale St. Sauveur in the heart of Aix. The architecture is simply stunning.
Eze - A Charming Hilltop Town
Your jaw will drop at the gorgeous view of the Mediterranean from Eze. Its beautiful cobblestone streets and hot-pink bougainvillea are a far cry from the glamour of Cannes or St-Tropez. The ancient village of Eze, with its fabulous views over St Jean-Cap Ferrat, is where the real appeal of the Côte d’Azur lies. Enjoy lunch at Gascogne Café where you’ll find plenty of locals enjoying simple French classics like Provençal mussels, steak aux poivres, salade niçoise; all at reasonable prices.
Bordeaux - Old & Modern Side by Side
Bordeaux is a classy city with magnificent architecture, beautiful stores and cafes, and a lovely riverside walk with activities for people of all ages. There’s plenty of great shopping along the pedestrianised areas of the Old Town, particularly along Rue Sainte-Catherine, and for a break from walking around the city all day, there are charming squares of all sizes located in every nook and cranny where you can rest your feet and have a bite to eat. Once you’ve had your fix of the city centre, you can take various day trips to small villages and vineyards not far away to sample the local wines, cheeses and other gorgeous produce.
Saint Emilion - Bordeaux’s Little Sister
It’s not just its wonderful cloisters, its cobbled streets that wind and turn revealing beautiful old buildings, its old falling down monuments as much above as underground in cool limestone tunnels, its views over terracotta rooftops and seas of striped vines, its hidden corners of rows of vines basking in the sunlight…it is the special feeling this medieval town gives off through every pore of its being. Saint-Émilion is the perfect place to stay to unwind and marinate in a medieval village, packed with history and mind-blowing views.
Lyon - The Hidden Jewel
Considered by many to be the gastronomic capital of France, Lyon is home to France’s most interesting cuisine. You’ll be tempted by the lively atmosphere of the city’s many ‘bouchons’ (traditional restaurants) but it’s the meals you enjoy there that will leave lasting memories. Lyon oozes creativity. From its various art museums to the fashionable designers of the Croix-Rousse, you can find something to inspire you all over this wonderful city. Lyon exudes romance! Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere, looks like a castle nestled on the hillside and is beautiful when you first set your eyes on it and even more beautiful when you go inside. On top of this great church is a gold Lady Mary statue which is believed to represent Lady Mary, Jesus’ mother, who watches over and protects the city.
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