Paris Romance Sans Cliche
So you're in the City of Light, and all the guidebooks are suggesting the typical Sacre Coeur-Eiffel Tower-Seine walks and views. But you've got a date with (1) a Parisian or (2) a really cool person who you really want to impress. Try our recommendations for a romantic experience in this most romantic of cities that nevertheless doesn't reek of cliché.
Breakfast @ Eric Kayser & Starbucks
Carrefour de l'Odéon
75006 París, France
If you find yourself waking up next to the person you began the night with and are pleasantly surprised by what you see, some breakfast might be in order. If you don't … want to commit to the wait and expense of a €20 brunch at Le Pain Quotidien (and trust us, we understand), we suggest something light and no-stress along the lines of an Eric Kayser croissant and some Starbucks. Yep, Starbucks in Paris. At Odéon they're just across the Carrefour from each other. Good luck for the rest of the day, lovers! [link]
Hotel Amour
8 Rue de Navarin
75009 París, France
That crazy André (graffiti artist and co-owner of Hotel Amour) marks with his finger all that is hip and cool in Paris. For that contemporary art-loving lover of … yours, you could be renting a sexy one-of-a-kind room in this boutique hotel in the 9th arrondissement. Each is designed by a different artist friend of André's (In Sophie Calle's room? Hope you don't wake up next to a break-up letter ... that's a whole 'nother Biennale.) Rooms are €90-€150 per night. Certainly your amant is worth that! [link]
MK2 Quai de Seine
14 Quai de la Seine
75019 París, France
The little electric ferryboat will shuttle you across the bassin de la Villette if you happen to find yourself on the wrong side (don't tell me you did it on purpose) so … you can take in the latest blockbuster or arthouse flick in the lovers' chair with the removable armrest. Too cliché, you say? Take a walk along the Canal de l'Ourcq. [link]
Tang Frères
48 Avenue d'Ivry
75013 París, France
A different kind of Indochine is to be found in the Parisian quartier chinois. Take your date down to Chinatown in the 13th arrondissement for some grocery shopping … and cook them dinner at your place, but only if your culinary skills are up to snuff. If you can't tell fish sauce from soy sauce, simply take your date for a walk and stop at the Tang Frères take-out counter for a picnic (check out the whole lacquered ducks!). If you're lucky, you might also score on some fresh cane sugar juice. [link]
Parc Floral de Paris
Route de la Brasserie
75012 París, France
The €5 entry fee on Wednesdays and weekends is well worth it to walk through this beautifully landscaped park with theme-based sections and hothouses. Created in … 1969 for an international flower show, you may still reap the fruits of this project as you lie in the carefully cut grass or listen to a jazz or classical concert on summer weekends. [link]
Promenade Plantée
Promenade Plantée
75012 París, France
Tuileries, Jardin du Luxembourg, whatever. This renovated old high line was landscaped for your pedestrian pleasure and now offers 4.5 kilometers of strolling delights … stretching from Bastille to Nation. Admire the constantly changing panorama while exchanging views on urban revitalization projects (if that's your thang). [link]
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