Paris Honeymoon Planner (By a Local)

👉 Jump to: Where to Stay for a Honeymoon | Activities | Restaurants | Tips | FAQ

I’ve lived in Paris for over ten years. During that time, I’ve had many honeymooning friends visit and seen many more who’ve loved — or loathed — their Paris honeymoons. For example, my friends Megan and Tim (pictured above) honeymooned in Paris. I helped them tour central Paris at night, sharing my top bars, restaurants, sites, and more.

Now, I’m here to help you, too. The below guide has everything you need to plan your own Paris honeymoon. You can leave me a comment below if you have any questions. Or maybe you just want me to plan the whole thing for you? Check out my custom Paris itinerary planning services and I’ll help you plan every moment to perfection.

So, what should you know? We’ll start with the most important decision: ideas for where to stay.

Affiliate Disclosure: Travel Lemming is an independent reader-supported blog. You can support us by purchasing via the affiliate links on this page, which may earn us commissions. See our Advertising Policy for further explanation. Thank you!

Where to Stay for a Honeymoon in Paris

Exterior view of the Le Pavillon de la Reine hotel surrounded by greenery from its courtyard — **Le Pavillon de la Reine hotel** from its courtyard

Best Paris Honeymoon Hotels & Resorts

For a Paris honeymoon, the best hotels offer luxury and discretion. I’ve picked my favorite Paris hotels for couples based on your main priority. For example, you can stay at L’Hôtel, where Oscar Wilde famously died, for 19th-century luxe. Or, try La Belle Juliette nearby for pampering at low prices!

💎 Luxury – Pavillion de la Reine
🛎️ Mid-Range – Hôtel Fougère
🌹 Boutique – La Belle Juliette
🏛️ Historical – L’Hôtel
🛁 With Spa – Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris
🛏️ Budget – Hôtel Caron le Marais

For more options, see my full guide to where to stay in Paris.

Best Paris Honeymoon Neighborhoods & Areas

A charming hotel entryway with colorful flowers above — *A charming hotel entryway in the Marais neighborhood*

Paris is full of vibrant neighborhoods! But some Paris neighborhoods are better than others for honeymooners. My favorite places to stay in Paris for a honeymoon are central but offer opportunities for privacy. Here are my top picks:

The Marais (Search apartments in the Marais) – This area, in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements (districts) is known for its charm, history, and boutiques. I live here, so I can attest to its mixture of attractions and privacy.
Champs-Elysées (Search apartments in the Champs-Elysées) – Stay in this chi-chi area of the 8th arrondissement if you love luxury. This is particularly true if you love luxury shopping. You’ll find wide boulevards, grand buildings, and easy transportation access to the rest of the city.
Gros-Caillou (Search apartments in Gros Caillou) – If the Eiffel Tower is the center of your honeymoon, the Gros-Caillou area will suit you perfectly! This residential area has lovely buildings and tons of cafés and shops. The farther you get from the Tower, the more your experience will feel authentically Parisian.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Search apartments in Saint-Germain-des-Prés) – This bustling area in the Left Bank’s 6th arrondissement is perfect for lovers of literary history. The church that the area is named after offers classical music concerts. Meanwhile, cafés like Les Deux Magots are famed for authors like Hemingway who drank there.
Oberkampf (Search apartments in Oberkampf) – This party-going area of the 11th isn’t the first place most people would think of for a honeymoon. But if you love wine bars, art galleries, ceramics studios, and hidden green squares, it’s the place for you!
Palais Royal (Search apartments in Palais Royal) – I don’t often recommend that visitors stay in the crowded 1st arrondissement. But if you plan on being out and about more than in your hotel room, the Palais Royal Quarter might be the perfect choice for you!

Paris changes enormously even from street to street, so if none of these sounds perfect for you, check out other Paris neighborhoods! You’re sure to find your ideal fit.

Honeymoon Activities in Paris

The author's friends Megan and Tim honeymooning with the Eiffel Tower in the background — *Megan and Tim getting Eiffel Tower views*

A honeymoon in Paris is all about the experiences you’ll have. From the carnival museum to the film museum, Paris has activities for all types of visitors. My favorites, though, are those that you can only do in Paris or that provide you with a different view of the city. Take a look!

Luxury

See a Show at the Garnier Opera House

View of the fancy and intricate interior of the Palais Garnier — *The luxe interior of the “Palais Garnier”*

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +33 1 58 18 35 57 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm daily | Entrance: €15, adults, free under 12

Paris has two opera houses, but the more famous one is the “Palais Garnier.” In other words, it’s literally described as a palace! Not just for fans of Phantom of the Opera (you know who you are), the opera house also features a stunning ceiling by artist Marc Chagall.

Depending on the season and the schedule, you can see either a ballet or an opera here. Prepare to pay several hundred euros for good seats, though. If you’re on a budget, you can get less expensive tickets. Just make sure to book well in advance.

Put on the Ritz at the Bar Hemingway

Author Rachel, Betty and Michael having a drink at Bar Hemingway — *Michael, Betty, and me at Bar Hemingway*

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +33 (0)1 43 16 33 74 | Website | Hours: 5 pm – 12 am daily | Entrance: Free

Visitors to Paris flock to sidewalk cafés for wine. But when you’re done with that, head over to the Ritz and visit the Bar Hemingway! Named after the famous writer Ernest Hemingway, the bar has a great cocktail menu. It’s leathery, men’s-club interior provides a different kind of luxury than many parts of Paris.

Budget around fifty euros a person for an evening here. While that’s more than you’ll pay for café wine, it’s a fairly reasonable price for several hours at the Ritz!

Drink Champagne at the Eiffel Tower

Overlooking view of The Eiffel Tower and the cityscape of Paris — *The Eiffel Tower offers its own unique views of the city*

If you’re honeymooning in Paris, chances are you’ll visit the Eiffel Tower. But by planning well in advance, you can boost your experience to the next level! You can book tickets for a champagne toast at the summit, for example.

For the ultimate romantic Eiffel Tower experience, book tickets for when the lights go on at sunset. Search for “Paris sunset” and the day you want to go, then find that time slot on the booking site. These tickets go fast! If you miss them, you can also try for tickets the day of or eat at an Eiffel Tower restaurant.

Mid-Range

Take a Sidecar Ride Through Paris

A vintage sidecar riding around the city — *A vintage motorcycle sidecar provides a unique way to see Paris (photo: adolf martinez soler / Shutterstock)*

Website | Hours: Vary by day; check online booking calendar | Entrance: From $80 per person | 👉 Book Paris Private Flexible Duration Guided Tour on a Vintage Sidecar

Paris is such a well-visited site that you can find lots of quirky, unique ways of seeing the city! This private tour of the city takes place in a motorcycle sidecar for two. It can last between one and seven hours, depending on your stamina. And the guide can customize your itinerary to include everything from little-known attractions to day trips.

I also love that this tour has a wide variety of pick-up points. In most cases, that means that you won’t have to walk far. It also means that you won’t pay a premium for door-to-door pickup and drop-off!

View Paris From the River

View of The Bateaux-Mouches sailing along the Seine river — *The Bateaux-Mouches on the Seine River*

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +33 (01 42 25 96 10 | Website | Hours: 10:15 am – 10 pm weekdays, 10 am – 10 pm weekends | Entrance: Varies by cruise

No matter how much you care about food, you’re going to have to eat in Paris. Why not see the city by river while you do?

As you wander through Paris, you’ll notice lots of cruises going along the Seine River. You can book one of these for dinner, letting you combine some of Paris’s top sites with fine dining!

Make sure to check out the menu(s) offered before you book. Some cruises have set menus, while others let you order à la carte.

Budget

Explore Paris’s Scent History

The entrance to The Fragonard Museum — *The Fragonard Museum’s entrance (photo: OKcamera / Shutterstock)*

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +33 (0)1 47 42 04 56 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5:30 pm daily, Sundays 9 am – 5 pm | Entrance: From €29

If you love fragrance or luxury, you can’t miss this tour. It’s one of the best deals in Paris! For €29 (discounted) or €35, you get a guided tour of the Maison Fragonard perfume museum, a workshop in perfume-making, and your own custom scent.

This workshop is short, lasting 20 minutes. It’s a great way to spend a few hours before a performance at the Palais Garnier around the corner!

Get the Best Wine and Cheese Pairings

View of the entrance to 11ème Domaine — *The storefront of the 11ème Domaine wine bar*

📍 Google Maps | 📞 +33 (0)6 61 67 99 28 | Website | Hours: 5 pm – 1 am daily, 6 pm – 12 pm Sundays, Closed Mondays

For the best wine and cheese in Paris, I recommend the 11ème Domaine wine bar in the 11th arrondissement. The wine shop doesn’t do huge meals, but you’ll be amazed at how well you can fill up on bread and cheese alone! The friendly staff offers great recommendations and is incredibly talented at creating pairings. And the price won’t break the bank.

Honeymoon Restaurants in Paris

Writer Betty and her boyfriend dining at Le Petit Italien — *Michael and Betty at Le Petit Italien in the Marais*

Whether you’re a foodie or just eat to live, Paris’s restaurants are a delight to explore. For your honeymoon, look for the best! Luckily, in Paris, you can find the best food on any budget. I’ve focused on French restaurants here. But you can find recommendations for all types of cuisine in my guide, where to eat in Paris!