1. Dine at Les Jules Verne. Located on the second platform of the Eiffel Tower’s south pillar, this restaurant offers one of Paris’s most unique fine dining experiences, not to mention breathtaking panoramic views of the city. Though both lunch and dinner are served here, we recommend a decadent evening meal—you will be enchanted by the gourmet food and by the city lights. Reserve at least three months in advance to ensure you get a table, and save up those euros—this one doesn’t come cheap, but it is a magical experience that’s perfect for your honeymoon. Visit restaurants-toureiffel.com for more information.
2. Visit the Musée de l’Orangerie. If you love Impressionist art, make a visit to this gallery a priority as it’s home to one of the world’s most important pieces of Impressionist art: Monet’s Nymphéas water lily series, painted in his garden at Giverny. Monet personally selected this gallery to display his masterpiece, which has remained in-house since 1927. Also on display here is the stellar Walter-Guillaume collection, a store of privately owned works by Parisian artists from the late Impressionist era to the interwar period—Cézanne, Renoir, Matisse and Modigliani are just a few of the masters you’ll find. The Musée de l’Orangerie is located in the Tuileries Gardens, a short walk from the Louvre—plan to visit both in one day for an experience trés artistique et fantastique.
3. Take tea at Ladurée. For the ultimate afternoon indulgence, enjoy a spot of tea and a tower of sinful French sweets at Ladurée, a Parisian landmark that has called the Champs Élysées home since 1862. This tea room is famous for both its glorious Renaissance interior and amazing treats, specifically the incredible selection of macaroons, available in every flavour imaginable, from vanilla and chocolate to pistachio, chestnut, lily of the valley, liquorice and candy floss. Purchase some macaroons to go, so you can indulge in a taste of Paris when you’re back at home.
4. Stroll the Palais Royal Gardens. Paris is certainly famous for its elaborate gardens, with the Tuileries and Luxembourg gardens being two of the busiest and most popular. If you are looking for an equally beautiful (and romantic) garden that’s a little quieter and off the beaten path, this is the one for you. Located within the confines of the Palais Royal—once the childhood home of Louis XIV—the garden has been there since the 1630s and features all the hallmarks of a perfect French jardin: impeccable grooming, linear rows of trees and flowers, and beautiful sculptures displayed throughout. Visit in the early morning or mid-afternoon for the ultimate Zen moment.
5. Explore Montmartre. At the end of the 19th century, this area was a mecca for artists, writers and poets, and once you explore the tiny streets and soak up all the area has to offer, you’ll understand why it was so inspiring. At the centre of the area lies Sacré-Coeur, but tucked behind that famous cathedral you’ll find a quaint and romantic village, complete with steep cobbled streets, countless cafés and tiny museums that beg to be explored. Many visitors miss this area, instead ascending and descending Sacré-Coeur’s famous steps without investigating the area further. Plan to spend the day wandering the streets of Montmartre and experiencing all the area has to offer—only then will you uncover its many charms.
6. Be a Disney kid. Disneyland Paris Resort is likely not on your list of honeymoon musts, but we suggest putting it there—it’s a ton of fun and definitely has its own flavour, different from its sister resorts in California and Florida. There are two parks here—Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios—and though there are certainly some familiar attractions (Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean and Small World, to name a few), they feature different staging, and there are far more thrills to be had in these parks. Getting there from the city centre is a cinch—it’s a 40-minute train ride away, with trains departing every hour. Play for the day or plan to stay a few nights—there are six fantastic Disney hotels to choose from.
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