What to do for a cheap Valentine's Day in Paris?

Paris is the capital of love, but what can you do for Valentine's Day without breaking the bank?

Paris is full of intimate places, romantic spots and hidden corners, except that many of them are not affordable. In this article, discover an idyllic and typical Parisian day out for lovers on Valentine's Day without breaking the bank.

 

Photo : Amandine Goetz

Pour les plus matinaux, rien ne vaut le spectacle du lever de soleil à Montmartre. Muni de croissants, que vous aurez achetés au bas de la butte (effectivement il vous sera difficile de trouver une boulangerie ouverte une fois là haut, il faut donc y penser avant de monter), installez-vous sur les marches de la Basilique du Sacré Coeur et laissez vous porter par la plénitude du moment en observant le ballet de cette incroyable ville de Paris se lever.

At sunrise, enter the fabulous Basilique du Sacré Coeur, which is open free of charge every day from 6.30am. And for €8 per person, climb the 300 steps to the Basilica's Dome. At the top, a splendid 360° panoramic view of the capital awaits you.
Information about visiting the Dome : https://www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com/infos-et-visites/visites/visite-du-dome/

 

Photo : Amandine Goetz

Then it's on to the heart of Montmartre, to the famous Place du Tertre. The birthplace of artists, where portrait artists, painters and cartoonists set up their easels. This is your chance to immortalise this unique day by passing under the pencil strokes of one of these artists. As for prices, don't hesitate to negotiate, as they can vary depending on how busy it is.

 

Photo : Amandine Goetz

There are plenty of restaurants to choose from in the Montmartre district at lunchtime, but it's time to head down the hill to Amonè at 13 rue Chappes. In this tiny restaurant, you can enjoy a cordon bleu like no other. As well as being of high quality and home-cooked using fresh produce, its ballotine shape will replace the famous spaghetti from "La belle et le clochard", which you can all nibble off one end at a time! But at €9.90 each, you can also pick up a recipe to share with your other half.
Discover the restaurant and its menu: https://restaurants-amone.com/

 

Photo : Amandine Goetz

The afternoon is set aside for a stroll along the quays of the Seine, which are obviously an essential part of a romantic day in Paris. This walk will take you to the tip of the Square du Vert-Galant, where you can sit under the famous weeping willow and maybe even kiss! For those who have never been before, the entrance is on the Pont-Neuf, where you will have to descend the stairs behind the statue of Henri IV.

 

Photos : Amandine Goetz

And to round off the day in style, you can dine in one of the incredible private rooms of the best bouillon in Paris. Le Petit Bouillon Pharamond, located in the Châtelet-les-Halles district at 24 rue de la Grande Truanderie, is a listed building that was the Normandy Pavilion at the 1900 Universal Exhibition. In addition to its large dining rooms, this typical bouillon offers small private rooms with the charm of yesteryear for majestic, intimate dinners. You don't need to make a reservation for the communal dining room, but you do need to make a reservation for the private rooms. The menu is that of a real bouillon, with traditional dishes and prices such as eggs mimosa with old-fashioned mayonnaise as a starter at €1.90 or Charolais steak with shallot sauce and chips as a main course at €10.50. 
You can find the menu here: https://www.petitbouillonpharamond.com/notre-carte

 

Front page image: Amandine Goetz
Editorial staff: Amandine Goetz