Proposing Marriage in Paris: The 17 Most Romantic Spots to Pop the Question

If you’ve decided to ask your partner to marry you, you could leave her a little note on the fridge written in lipstick and hope she gets the message soon enough. But there’s another way. A marriage proposal, or just a lovers’ kiss, can be especially romantic if it happens in the right place at the right time, say, on a trip to Paris. Here you won’t need any lavish production: no torches or flaming letters, no red carpet, and you can even skip the limousine ride. White flowers or colorful balloons will do just fine, because the backdrop and atmosphere of the City of Light will do all the work for you.

You probably don’t know all the secrets and treasures of the City of Light. So I’ve put together 17 romantic spots in Paris where you can get down on one knee against a moving, pastoral backdrop and a special atmosphere, places that will mark the start of a journey toward a shared future. Just don’t forget to bring the ring.

Proposing in Paris: Three Decisions to Make Before You Pick a Spot

Before diving into the list itself, there are three things worth settling first. Experience shows they change the outcome more than the choice of spot itself.

The time. Most of the places on this list work best during the blue hour, about twenty minutes after sunset. In summer that means around 10 p.m., and in winter it’s already 4:30 in the afternoon. It’s worth checking the exact sunset time for your date.

Crowds versus scenery. The most famous spots are also the most crowded, and proposing in front of forty people holding selfie sticks is a very different experience from what you imagined. This list favors quiet places over the obvious ones.

Who’s taking the photo. If you want the moment documented, you need to arrange that in advance. You can book a local photographer for an hour, or simply ask a friend to stand off to the side with a phone. What doesn’t work is hoping a random passerby will capture it nicely.

Romantic Places in Paris to Propose

SQUARE BARYE

Metro: SULLY-MORLAND.

A great option for pulling out the ring sits at the eastern tip of Île Saint-Louis in the 4th arrondissement, in a spot called Square Barye. In this pleasant little corner you’ll feel pleasantly removed from the bustle of the city around you, and the moment will be perfect.

As a rule, if you haven’t visited Île Saint-Louis yet, that’s a must. I highly recommend wandering its small, narrow streets and peeking into the courtyards. A good part of the island belongs to the Rothschild family; if you ever get the chance to visit one of the private mansions, like Hôtel de Lauzun, don’t say no.

What do you do after you get a yes to “will you marry me”? Go get ice cream. Berthillon ice cream, nearby on Rue Saint-Louis (the island’s main street) at number 31, is considered the best ice cream in France.

SQUARE DU VERT GALANT

Metro: PONT NEUF.

You can also formalize your partnership at the “tip” of Île de la Cité, in a spot called Square du Vert-Galant. It’s a magical little gem tucked beneath the Pont Neuf (the “New Bridge”), reached by stairs next to the equestrian statue of Henri IV in the middle of the bridge, leading down to a green, manicured, sparkling garden.

This is the lovers’ garden, and it hasn’t lost its charm. Head west to the blossoming tip of the island and look for a quiet spot near the water, with a wonderful view toward the Louvre Museum, the Pont des Arts and the Institut de France. There’s no doubt this is a good spot for lovers. Just be careful not to drop the ring and watch it roll into the river. That would be an irreversible mistake, at least in the short term.

What do you do after the hoped-for yes? Move on to Place Dauphine on the other side of the Pont Neuf. It’s a triangular square surrounded by matching houses. A quiet, romantic spot, fitting for the occasion.

Hot Air Balloon: Parc André Citroën

Metro: BALARD or JAVEL.

A proposal that’s a bit different, a little adventurous, and very romantic can happen in the hot air balloon at Parc André Citroën in the 15th arrondissement. When the balloon reaches its peak height and you feel like you’re on top of the world, you can get down on one knee and ask the big question. At the same time, you’ll see Paris from an unusual angle: a bird’s-eye view.

Parc André Citroën is one of Paris’s newer parks, made up of seven colorful gardens combined with fountains and pools. It’s completely different from the city’s older parks, but it’s definitely worth a visit, and it makes a pleasant destination for a stroll on a nice day.

After the moving ceremony, once the balloon returns to the ground, you can continue from here to a huge, lavish country club called AQVABOULEVARD, a short walk away, which, completely by coincidence, can also serve as a special site for the fateful question: “will you marry me?”

AQVABOULEVARD

Metro: BALARD

To make an original proposal, you don’t need a fireworks show or a VIP helicopter ride. You can do it in quite a moving way while wearing nothing but a swimsuit. AQVABOULEVARD DE PARIS is a huge complex that serves as a unique entertainment, sports and leisure site.

An impressive place, not well known to tourists, unlike anything else in Paris. It’s a leisure and entertainment site on a scale you don’t often see, with giant swimming pools, some covered and some open, and inside the pools plenty of attractions: islands, cafés, climbing poles, water currents, giant slides, bubble baths, a wave machine, tall trees and more. There’s also a wide range of gyms, shops, movie theaters, restaurants and cafés. Here too, of course, you’ll need to keep a close eye on the ring.

Where do you go from here? Well, there’s no need to find another destination. You can easily spend at least half a day here enjoying yourself.

The Four Parts of the World

Metro: RER Port Royal

A powerful environmental sculpture, or more precisely a giant bronze fountain, called The Four Parts of the World, stands in the Jardin des Grands Explorateurs in the 6th arrondissement.

Despite all the water flowing in this fountain, you won’t need to arrive by rented yacht to make your exciting proposal to your beloved. Just look for a quiet spot around the pool at the base of the fountain, and get to work.

This impressive spot is near the Luxembourg Gardens. If you exit through the southeastern gate of the garden, cross the street, and enter a long, narrow public garden that’s a continuation of the same park, about 300 meters south, you’ll reach your destination.

Where do you continue from here after the ceremony? Retrace your steps and spend a few good hours in the Luxembourg Gardens, the most beautiful and romantic gardens in Paris.

The Thinker

Getting there via Metro: VARENNE, a station named after the street where the museum sits, at number 77. Opening hours: 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Closed on Mondays.

One of the most pastoral and peaceful spots at the heart of Paris is the Musée Rodin, a museum holding the works of the greatest French sculptor of all time. A must for sculpture lovers. It sits inside an old mansion, surrounded by a large garden where some of Rodin’s works are displayed, including “The Thinker,” which became famous worldwide.

Here, at the feet of this marvelous statue, one of the happiest moments of your partner’s life can take place. The energy radiating from the statue is immense; you can really feel how Rodin, in his most famous work, managed to capture movement and emotion in bronze. The statue sparks plenty of interest and curiosity among the museum’s visitors, but once you know what Rodin himself said about it, that interest grows even more. Rodin once explained:

What makes my Thinker think is that he thinks not only with his brain, with his knitted brow, his distended nostrils and compressed lips, but with every muscle of his arms, back, and legs, with his clenched fist and gripping toes.

On these words of Rodin, Roy Williams, author of the book The Wizard of Ads, says there’s electricity in them. Powerful words, in unusual combinations, that illuminate thought in a precious light, and that our world revolves around the power of the word. Indeed, “words are the most powerful drug used by mankind,” as Rudyard Kipling, the English writer and poet who, among other things, wrote The Jungle Book, once put it.

Where do you continue from here? For a lovers’ stroll on the most beautiful bridge in the city, a short walk from the museum: the Pont Alexandre III.

The Wall of Peace

Metro: ECOLE MILITAIRE

The Wall of Peace is a relatively new site, built in 2000 in the 7th arrondissement, facing the impressive building of L’ECOLE MILITAIRE and near the UNESCO building.

The word “peace” is written on glass panels in 49 different languages, alongside messages of peace written by many famous figures, such as Elie Wiesel, Bernard-Henri Lévy, François Hollande, and the singers Lara Fabian and Enrico Macias, among others. Visitors can tuck wish notes into the site, an idea inspired by the Western Wall in Jerusalem.

The view toward the Eiffel Tower makes this spot quite remarkable. The message of peace rising from the site fits well with a proposal that marks the start of your shared future.

Where do you continue from here? A short walk along the lawns of the CHAMP DE MARS to the foot of the Eiffel Tower, then cross the river and climb up to the viewing terrace of the Palais de Chaillot, which offers one of the most breathtaking views in the City of Light.

The Wall of Love

Metro: Abbesses.
The Wall of Love, or more precisely the “I love you” wall, has stood since 2000 in a small garden in the Montmartre district, near the ABBESSES metro station. The wall, 10 meters long and about four meters high, is made of blue ceramic tiles bearing the phrase “I love you” in more than 200 different languages, including Hebrew and Yiddish.

In Hebrew you can find the phrase “I love you and I’m fond of you.” The idea came from Frédéric Baron, who wanted to express his love for his wife this way. The execution was handled by the artist Claire Kito. In short, it’s a charming, playful, romantic spot. The wall has become a pilgrimage site for couples in love, who hug and kiss at its base. It suits your needs perfectly too. You don’t even need to learn how to propose in French.

And what comes next? Here there’s no dilemma at all: head up the hill and wander the romantic lanes of Montmartre.

ARENES DE LUTECE

Metro: JUSSIEU or MONGE
The next arena where it’s worth popping open the champagne sits in the 5th arrondissement, called ARENES DE LUTECE: a Roman amphitheater from the 2nd century. In the distant past it held 10,000 people watching gladiator fights. Today it’s used by local kids and nearby students as a soccer and pétanque field.

The entrances to this free arena are on RUE MONGE and RUE NAVARRE, and you can make your generous proposal at two different spots: one in the middle of the round field, and the other up in the stands overlooking the arena.

After you get a yes and the initial excitement wears off, continue from here for a pleasant stroll through the nearby, stunning JARDIN DES PLANTES.

Jardin de l’Hôtel de Ville

Metro: HOTEL DE VILLE

A very quiet, fairly intimate spot that works well for finally voicing your intentions about your shared future is the JARDIN DE L’HOTEL DE VILLE. This small, little-known garden sits right along the southern side of the city hall building, the side closer to the river, and it’s reserved for non-smokers only.

Paris City Hall stands at the eastern end of Rue de Rivoli, in one of the most impressive buildings in the city, maybe in all of Europe. Its facade bears 146 statues of famous figures and the cities of France, and inside it holds a grand ballroom and reception rooms rich with ornate crystal chandeliers and unique wood paintings. The building overlooks a beautiful, very well-kept plaza that draws plenty of attention, leaving the nearby garden quiet and mostly empty.

Where do you continue from here? A stroll through the charming streets of the Marais, a short walk away.

ARSENAL

Metro: BASTILLE

As surprising as it sounds, Paris is a “port city,” thanks to a harbor once surrounded by marshland. It’s a small harbor, or if you like, a sort of marina, near Place de la Bastille, behind the new opera house.

Even though it’s a harbor, you don’t need to arrive on a fancy yacht to say “will you marry me?” Just walk down the wide stairs leading to the dock, where you’ll find a variety of lovely boats and yachts, some of which serve as homes, plus a row of (fairly pricey) restaurants overlooking the unique view at the heart of bustling Paris. This spot, called ARSENAL, is calm and quiet, and feels more like a small provincial town than the capital of France.

Got a yes? Continue from here for a walk along the VIADUC DES ARTS and the elevated promenade above it. The promenade, known as “the green trail” (LA COULEE VERTE), starts on RUE DAUMESNIL behind the new opera house and runs for more than 4 km to the Bois de Vincennes. Of course, you don’t have to walk the whole thing, and every few hundred meters there’s a staircase down to street level, where you’ll find a variety of galleries, design shops and workshops.

Square René Viviani

Metro: ST-MICHEL

The oldest tree in Paris stands in Square René Viviani, facing Notre-Dame Cathedral, near the legendary bookshop Shakespeare and Company. Given its advanced age (it was planted in 1601), the tree is now held up by concrete crutches.

To ask the big question, “Veux-tu m’épouser?” (in plain English: “will you marry me?”), you don’t have to stand right by the old tree. You can focus on any of the charming little corners in this small, special garden, for example under the plant archway in the center of the photo below, with the grand, impressive cathedral in the background.

Where do you continue from here? From this central spot, the sky’s the limit. Choose between three great options: a walk through the Luxembourg Gardens, a walk through Île de la Cité, or just a pleasant wander along the river.

Place de Furstemberg

Metro: SAINT GERMAIN DES PRES (go around the church via RUE DE L’ABBEYE)

Maximum thrill when pulling out the ring can be found in a tiny, modest, simple spot in the 6th arrondissement: Place de Furstemberg. Some go so far as to describe it as a stunning romantic gem straight out of a surrealist world.

Personally, I don’t fully agree with these descriptions or the outsized admiration for the place’s beauty. I included the square mainly so my fellow Francophiles wouldn’t say, “you forgot the most romantic place in the city.” In any case, this small square is named after Cardinal Egon von Fürstenberg, who was abbot of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and it holds four trees and an elegant lamppost that adds a romantic touch to the place, so it’s best to hold the moving ceremony in the evening, once the lamps are lit. The square also has a small museum dedicated to the painter Delacroix, who lived here.

What can you do for the rest of the evening? Just wander around the stunning lanes of Saint-Germain, full of restaurants, pubs and cafés.

The Statue of Liberty

Metro: CHARLES MICHELS or JAVEL

Did you know Paris has its own Statue of Liberty? It stands right in the middle of the Seine, at the end of a promenade called “ALLEE DES CYGNES” (Island of the Swans), south of the Eiffel Tower, near the PONT DE GRENELLE, in a spot tourists rarely flock to.

It’s not really an island; it’s actually an artificial walkway built over the water (in 1827). The statue faces west, toward the original Statue of Liberty in New York. The spot is quite picturesque and romantic, and it’s a favorite location for bride and groom photo shoots at sunset, with the river and the Eiffel Tower in the background. So getting down on one knee at the foot of the statue and asking for your beloved’s hand is definitely a worthy option.

Facing the Statue of Liberty, you can see the large, round building of Radio France, and on the other side of the Seine, the FRONT DE SEINE: American-style skyscrapers, luxury hotels with some of the most contemporary architecture, a private yacht marina, and the BEAUGRENELLE shopping center.

What’s worth doing next? You have two options here: walk the length of the Island of the Swans to the PONT DE BIR HAKEIM, or explore the upscale 16th arrondissement right nearby.

Canal Saint-Martin

CANAL ST MARTIN is a waterway that, for some reason, hasn’t gotten much coverage in the city’s travel literature, but it’s definitely a pleasant, romantic place to explore, well suited to the exciting mission this article is all about.

The canal, opened in 1825, stretches over 4 km from the Arsenal marina to La Villette in the north of the city. Generally, you’ll see barges carrying cargo and, mainly, tourist boats passing between the locks under old metal bridges. Interestingly, in some stretches the water level is lower than in others, so when a boat approaches, a kind of “tool-matching” game plays out,

as iron bridges open and close to balance the water level and clear the boat’s path. Tall, well-maintained trees line both sides of the canal, creating a peaceful, pastoral, very pleasant atmosphere. That might be why the canal was chosen as a filming location for several movies, including the well-known Hôtel du Nord.

How do you get to the canal? I recommend two options: one, take the metro to GARE DE L’EST, and when you exit with your back to the station, all the streets to your left lead, a few minutes’ walk, to the canal bank. Another option is to take the metro to REPUBLIQUE, enter the square onto RUE DU FAUBOURG DU TEMPLE, and a short walk later, you’ll see the canal on your left.

Where do you continue after your beloved nods yes? Just wander along the canal at your leisure.

The Champs-Élysées Gardens

Metro: FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT or CONCORDE

When people think of the famous Champs-Élysées avenue, they picture luxury shops, covered passages, cafés, restaurants, movie theaters, crowds of tourists and lots of cars. But there’s another Champs-Élysées too. Quiet, pleasant, green and romantic. I mean the Jardins des Champs-Élysées, the gardens of the avenue that stretch between the ROND POINT and Place de la Concorde.

With your back to the Arc de Triomphe, wander the left side of the avenue, and you’ll quickly find plenty of spots that suit the hoped-for ceremony, one that will surely end in tears of joy. One good option is by the lovely fountain shown in the photo.
The gardens were redesigned in the 19th century in an English style. You’ll find several fountains, pavilions, theaters, and upscale restaurants surrounded by greenery here. The French writer of Jewish descent, Marcel Proust, known as the author of In Search of Lost Time, used to spend long hours here in his youth.

Where do you continue from here? Either go celebrate at one of the Champs-Élysées’ upscale cafés, or go relax a bit in the lovely Tuileries Garden just across Place de la Concorde.

Palais de Chaillot

Metro: TROCADERO

If someone asked me to lead them blindfolded to a special site and choose for them the honor of the first look at Paris, there’s no doubt I’d lead them, after dark, to the viewpoint over the Eiffel Tower from the esplanade of the Palais de Chaillot.

If there’s a place that can be called “breathtaking,” this is it. It’s the most impressive viewpoint over the Eiffel Tower, and an ideal spot to hold the ceremony that’s about to change your life.

The palace itself houses, among other things, a theater and several museums. Right now there’s no need to visit them; your goal is the stunning view of the Eiffel Tower and its surroundings from this strategic spot.

Once you’re done, head down the stairs leading to the Trocadéro Gardens right below you, which lead toward the Seine and the Eiffel Tower. The gardens, the pool, the statues, the fountains and the powerful, colorful water cannons create a stunning sight after dark. The fountains aren’t always running, but when they are, with the tower in the background, it’s one of the best shows in the city. Walk through the gardens to the river, cross the bridge, and you’ll find yourself at the foot of the tower. Look up, way up. The sight is powerful and rare.

Photo Credits

All photos, except the cover photo, were taken by Yoel Thamanlis. The cover photo was taken by Nava Rotbart.

Want a few more ideas for what to do during a romantic trip to Paris?

• Want to go all out with the proposal? Why not do it during a Seine cruise or while riding in a limousine through the streets of Paris?
• If you loved this article, I also highly recommend reading Yoel Thamanlis’s piece on the most beautiful parks in Paris or on his favorite spots in the City of Light.
• Did all this walking leave you unexpectedly hungry? Check out the Paris restaurants page and enjoy a culinary experience at one of our recommended restaurants in the City of Light.
• Looking for more walking routes that will take you to Paris’s romantic spots (and some less romantic ones)? Click here.

FAQ: Proposing Marriage in Paris