Be creative. I know these forums are available for any types of suggestions and feedback, however I think a proposal should be the creation of your own individual construction - not others. Personally, I think a proposal in the Eiffel Tower is very cliche (athough yes, romantic... however 100 people staring at you is not romantic). Put some effort into it and don't be afraid to be individualistic and unique.

Nice view here....

www.chezfrancis-restaurant.com

<i>Le Ciel is closed for renovations until April 2012.</i>
Must have just closed as was still open in June. Ah well, back to Jules Verne. Hope they don't get rid of the naff but fun swivel chairs during the "travaux"!

And chapla, no it doesn't revolve. Would be a feat in engineering and physics if it did!

burkReimold13, I wouldn't be surprised if you've been scared off by all the negative notes on your proposal plan. But please do let us know what you decide (maybe after you've done it!) for the grand plan. Good luck and I'm sure she'll be thrilled regardless of whether you propose with a paper cup of champagne in a park, or on top of the Tower - you need to do something <u>you will both</u> remember and like.

Personally I'd propose on the Pont des Arts and take a lock with keys along with the ring. When she says yes, you put the lock on the bridge railings and toss the keys into the Seine !

I think that all the people who are knocking the public proposal are overstepping. I wouldn't personally like it, but if the answer is a foregone conclusion, it isn't nearly as problematic as people are making it out to be. Some people love the element of publicity, and I trust that the OP knows his girlfriend well enough to judge this.

OP, I hope you have a great time, whatever you decide. Paris is a wonderful city-I miss it!

avalon, what a wonderful and romantic idea, in my eyes at least. I don't know when the poster will be in Paris but I love the idea of an evening picnic in the shadows of the Eiffel Tower, your families could be waiting there and have everything set up. I know this is a very low key thing and maybe it's just the old hippie in me but wow! Whatever choice you make burkReimold13 I hope you enjoy your trip, it will always be something to remember. Congratulations
Susan

If you are looking for history and a wow factor, consider Le Grand Vefour...Napoleon & Josephine dined there

Le Cinq is top notch and fantastic service...would be memorable and the staff would make sure everything went according to your plan

I do hope it goes well and is a special night for all

Do you have the resservations? You don't just show up, you know!! LOL And the money for the dinner meal?
DS proposed at the top of the Tower late at night--all by themselves although we were all there on a family trip with his brother and sister and spouses.
I wasn't asked for ideas, but I would have also suggested Pont des Artes.
Having been to Jules Verne, I don't think it is exactly a place for a scene like that--mother and dad and all, but you know your family. I would make it just about you and her, personally, and JV would be lovely for that.

Thanks Suspaul, we locked the bridge on our 49th wedding anniversary last year and will check it out this October on our 50th!

What is the meaning of the locks Avalon? I've seen photos of the locks u mention. My trip coming up next month will be on our anniversary ....Is it to lock in your love and commitment to one another?

Pretty much, yes that's what the "Love Lock" symbolism is about. You'll see this on many bridges/fences/romantic spots around Europe (and many other regions too). Not sure exactly when or where it started, but the practise has certainly gained momentum in the last 10years or so. Other places you'll see the locks are Florence (Ponte Vecchio), Prague (a few places, but particularly on the fence at the Devil's Stream mill on Kampa Island), Cologne(Hohenzollern Bridge), Cinque Terre (all along the via del'Amore)...the list is long.

On a less romantic note, many city councils remove the locks at the end of the day (or when the object is too crowded) by cutting them off and disposing of them. Seems love isn't immune to bolt cutters!

And they (the bolt cutters) have done it at the Pont des Arts but that has not stopped lovers from filling it up again. Whether your lock stays there or cut off, the fact that you have sealed your love will not diminish!! Just don't forget to take a picture for posterity!

We saw a lonely one at the Jardin de Luxembourg by the Medici Fountain last year. Here it is:

COOL framboise. ty for sharing

Steps of Sacre Couer?! Only if you like the smell of urine!

I proposed at le Jules Verne last year. She had figured it out, so the surprise was lost. It was still great.

If I could do it over, I think I would have done it along the river bank the night before. I realized when it was a great time, but the ring was back in our room.

But then she couldn't have told so many people that I had proposed at the Eiffel Tower and she seemed to really enjoy doing that.
Keith

Le Pont des Arts at night. It is pedestrian only, has the Hotel Mazarin, the Ile de la Cité and the Louvre in its immediate surroundings and the Eiffel Tower is visible in the distance.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...57623266287099

I love avalon's idea!! And I agree with others that you should consider popping the question when she least expects it, in a quiet intimate spot. Then seal the deal with several kisses and go enjoy a beautiful dinner or picnic with your families.

I had a friend who went to Paris suspecting that her boyfriend was going to propose. Every meal, she was thinking "now?" It was very difficult for her to enjoy Paris, she was too obsessed with whether/when/how he was going to pop the question. Of course he eventually did in a very sweet way, but she thought he should have done it on the plane ride over!

Jules Verne is a VERY oversubscribed restaurant and can take 6 months to get in, I hope you already have reservations......

She confessed that she was looking hard to try to figure out if I was carrying a jewelry box on the way to the Eiffel Tower.

If I had not proposed, I think the train ride to London would have been very quiet