Hello all!

Thanks to your advice from earlier this year, my fiancé and I will be enjoying Nice and Paris for our honeymoon this October. This post is specifically regarding Paris. We will be arriving the evening of Sunday, October 27 and leaving the morning of Friday, November 1. SO, four full days in Paris! My fiancé has never been to Europe and Paris was her top choice. Here are the things we absolutely will be doing. Please note that the places that require timed entry have been booked already. And also, she has expressed interest in all of these things, but I am keeping the overall itinerary a secret from her.

Things to do in Paris: Ballet at Palais Garnier, Versailles, Rodin, Louvre, Eiffel Tower, seeing outside of Notre Dame, River cruise on Seine, Arc D T, and much more (basically everything essential)

Here is the challenge... while it is her first time in Europe and we can't wait for these big ticket items above, what we are looking forward to even more is the small, romantic, relaxed things in Paris. Examples: croissants and coffee at little cafes in the morning, walking the streets in the evening, and just spending time together. (basically what you would expect an early 20s couple to see on Tik-tok and say "hey I wanna do that") We are even willing to give up some of the big items above to make room for more of these special moments.

So, I am asking for your ideas. What are some things (activities, shops, streets, parks, cafes or anything else) that are small *I guess you could say non-touristy* things that will make our honeymoon even more special?

And yes I am aware that we are only there for 4 days (we wish we could be there longer)... but my goal is to do at least 2 "big-ticket planned things from the list above" a day, and fill the rest of the time with these small things. Thank you so much for your help!

FWIW, two big ticket items per day won't leave much time for the little things. Given the likely weather, a picnic in one of the parks is likely out, but if you have a nice weather day, that might work. Finish an evening with wine up at the Sacre Coeur steps. We seem to gravitate towards romantic scenes from some of our favorite movies set in Paris. If you've watched Midnight in Paris, the Sainte-Etienne du Mont steps can be romantic (its where Gil was picked up in the car for his evenings out. Pont d'Arcole if you've seen Something's gotta give with Nicholson/Keaton.

Personally I don't think keeping a secret about the honeymoon is a good idea at all. Unless she has expressly said "I don't want to know". Start marriage the way you intend to go on.

I'd also plan on only one main activity (museum, Eiffel Tower etc) per day. If you have the time and inclination for a second one, you can, but getting from A to B and standing in queues etc can be tiring and time-consuming.

One thing we did in Paris was get up early, 5 or 6am, and walk the streets, take photos by the Seine, then have a very early fresh croissant and coffee when you pass a cafe that's open and inviting. A quiet, serene Paris, just waking up, was lovely.

I think going up the Eiffel Tower at night is more special than during the day as the lights twinkle every hour on the hour and it's pretty memorable. I don't know if backpacks are allowed but you could check the website. Perhaps a little toast of champagne on top of the tower?

One place you didn't mention is the Musee de L'Orangerie. It doesn't take long to go through but Monet's huge waterlily paintings are incredible.

Like KayF, we were up very early on the morning after we arrived due to jet lag. We strolled for an hour or so and enjoyed watching Paris wake up. We watched a fish market being set up and grabbed a croissant and coffee when we (finally) found an open cafe. It's a great memory.

Have a wonderful time!

Here is a nice odd one for a tik-tok generation
Assuming you know what books are ;-)
https://www.shakespeareandcompany.com it has a lovely little cafe.
But you are asked not take photos inside the place.

Consider a pop-up restaurant, based in people's homes

Perhaps a concert at Sainte-Chapelle? I would definitely recommend that you visit that magnificent gem, even if not for a concert.

FWIW, I'm not sure a visit to the Eiffel Tower will be romantic. When I was there, it was ridiculously crowded, with people pushing and shoving and drunken visitors making a thoroughly unpleasant experience. In contrast, it is glorious when seen from a distance, especially at night.

You'll have a wonderful time no matter what you choose!

Maybe we were fortunate, but the Eiffel Tower was not at all crowded when we were there at night.

One of our most special memories is taking a boat ride down the Seine......at sunset....on one of the Vedettes de Paris boats......sit on the top deck....the boats aren't really big.......just fill your eyes with beautiful Paris...it is serene and very, very special...

The boats that we rode were from Vedettes du Pont Neuf.

We took a Batobus or similar boat from the banks of the Seine perhaps two blocks west of Gare D'Lyon about 8:00 PM, and landed at the dock by the base of the Eiffel Tower about 8:55 PM.
By the time we stood up, and walked to the gangplank, it was 8:59. Stepped onto the dock at 9:00, and the lights went nuts (on the tower) above our heads. Spectacular!!!

I find going up the Eiffel Tower to be a letdown and it's kind of ugly and filthy from inside. It's especially depressing at night. If you want to see the lights glitter, then you will get a much better view being back from the Eiffel Tower. Also, the best view of Paris is from the rooftop of Sacre Coeur. You can walk along the rooftop during the day, with access by a spiral staircase. There is a small fee. That way you get the Byzantine architecture of the Basilica in the foreground and the Eiffel Tower in the background. The best of both worlds.

Skip the wait for the Eiffel Tower and go to the 8th floor of the Galleries Lafayettes for a wonderful view and a cafe. Also, check out the restaurant at Musee de l'homme, It's on the Trocadero. the restaurant (indoor/outdoor) is excellent, but there's also an outdoor bar with sofas. The view of the Eiffel Tower is magnificent. Very romantic! The steps of Montmartre is also a good idea.

Consider the Fragonard perfume museum:
https://musee-parfum-paris.fragonard.com/en/
After seeing the interesting tour, maybe creating your own scent, you could get a souvenir that will reawaken Paris whenever your bride uses it.
Also get yourself some of their scented soap, for a similar effect.

Congratulations! You will have a wonderful time!
I think unless Versailles is a must do, I would eliminate it because it will consume 2/3 of a day of your very short stay. I did love it but you have to decide how much of a priority it is.

We liked seeing the Eiffel Tower from a Seine cruise at sunset, which at your time of year would be about 6:30. I didn't think climbing to the top was my favorite thing but my husband loved it.

We really enjoyed walking Canal Saint Martin and having a coffee at La Marine, taking in the sights.
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/pa...e=image%2Cfilm

We enjoyed our walk from the Tuileries to Palais Royal and onto some of the covered passages, especially Gallerie Vivienne and Jouffroy. The passages are an especially good option for a rainy day. They are full of unique shops and beautiful windows and tilework.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galeri...eVivienne1.jpg

Paris is chock full of charming cafes and shops. Make time to wander off the main streets and savor the ambiance.What area are you staying in? Enjoy!

Here's another vote for alternatives to going to the top of the Eiffel Tower. It can be mobbed, even at night, and the hassle and crowds aren't worth the view. Also, with just four days I would skip Versailles unless it's a high priority. It takes some effort to reach the palace from Paris, and exploring its many sights makes for an exhausting day! You will probably enjoy walking around Paris much more.

Definitely do a Seine river cruise timed to go by the Eiffel Tower as she sparkles - tres romantique!

Walk along or have a picnic on the canal saint-martin - very charming and romantic area. You can also do a boat tour, but the guide talks a lot so it's not quite as romantic (very interesting though.)

Walk the coulee verte/promenade plantee - converted railway that's been turned into a walking path with lovely gardens 30ish feet above the city. So pretty!

Eat at Le Coupe-Chou, a cozy old-world style restaurant in the Latin Quarter.

Stroll along the banks of the Seine at night - very romantic to have all the lights of the city around you.

Visit all the lovely parks and gardens you can (but especially Luxembourg Gardens.)

Visit the Wall of Love in Montmartre.

Explore the lovely market streets like Rue Mouffetard, Rue du Commerce, Rue Cler, etc.

Perfect for a romantic nighttime ride in Paris
https://en.citywheels-paristours.com/

If possible ask for Laurent to be your driver as he is an excellent photographer. Here’s one of our photos from December 2023



Another fabulous idea dinner at Le Train Bleu. Maybe not a small quiet room but fantastic all the same.

So pleased to see not one mention of a ‘love lock’ ~ is that scourge now history?

If Paris is your fiancée’s top choice, perhaps delve a bit into why that is…… a movie she loves, an interest in art or history,……and maybe tailor your surprises to make it special for her interests, not boilerplate tourism.

Congratulations to you both 💕

Yo OP Rat,
Maybe consider a visit to the Grand Mosque de Paris? It offers a trio of attractions.
-dining on authentic Moroccan food either indoors at their atmospheric cafe OR in its popular outdoor section.
-hammam massage for her (men no longer accepted) *you could be waiting outside sipping tea.
-a stroll through the sympa courtyard and gardens.

Added possibility of a two-fer, as the Jardine des Plantes is close by.
Bon Chance!
I am done. The end.

Another vote for the Mosque and the Muslim centre down towards the Seine. The restaurant on the top has views to die for.