Blog - TourTailors

FRANCE FOR LOVERS: 10 DREAMY DESTINATIONS FOR YOUR ROMANTIC ESCAPE

Written by Portugal Trails | 13 February 2026

France has a natural talent for romance! It also happens to be gifted at wine, cheese, charming villages, and the kind of scenery that makes you slow down without even noticing. Somewhere between a long lunch that turns into dinner, a glass of wine ordered “just one more,” and a walk that takes twice as long because the street is too pretty to rush through, romance happens naturally.

This is a country that understands pleasure: good food, beautiful places, meaningful moments. And knows that the best moments are about sharing. From elegant cities to coastal escapes and wine-soaked towns, these 10 destinations prove that romance just needs the right place, the right mood, and someone worth traveling with! Here is our curated list of the best places to visit in France for couples!

1 - Paris, Where Romance Comes Naturally

Yes, we will always have Paris! This city is a series of little scenes that somehow feel cinematic. Start with a sunset stroll from Pont Alexandre III to Pont de l’Alma: it’s peak “movie Paris,” with the Seine glittering and the Eiffel Tower popping up at exactly the right moment. For classic views, go for Trocadéro early in the morning, then wander the Rue Cler area for an easy, picnic-friendly lunch.

If you want something charming and less obvious, head to Galerie Vivienne or Passage des Panoramas, covered arcades that feel like Paris kept a secret just for you. And yes, do the Seine cruise… but book it for later in the evening when the city lights up, and the romance basically does the work. 

 

2 - Alsace, Storybook Streets & Wine Route Magic

Alsace is what happens when France and Germany collaborate on a place designed to make couples say, “Wait, this is real?” Base yourself in Colmar for canals and postcard lanes (the Petite Venise area is especially dreamy), then hop between villages like Riquewihr and Eguisheim, where the streets curve like they were built for slow hand-holding walks. In Strasbourg, wander beyond the cathedral (though the Notre-Dame Cathedral is genuinely jaw-dropping). Wander La Petite France at dusk, when the timbered houses and waterways look unreal.

One of the most romantic ways to do Alsace is the Route des Vins: tastings in small family wineries and gentle countryside scenery. Pro tip: if you visit in late November–December, you will get the Christmas markets, or in September–October for vineyard colors and harvest energy.

 

3 - Bordeaux, The Art Of The Good Life

Bordeaux feels like Paris’s stylish cousin who moved closer to vineyards and now has better weekend plans. Begin at the Place de la Bourse and the Miroir d’Eau - yes, it’s famous, but it’s also genuinely fun and makes for fantastic couple photos. For a romantic walk that actually feels “Bordeaux,” follow the Garonne riverfront through the renovated quays, then cross to Darwin Ecosystem if you want a cooler, more local vibe, with street art, cafés, and a great contrast to the city’s classical grandeur.

Wine lovers should block time for La Cité du Vin. It’s immersive and surprisingly entertaining, and the tasting viewpoint at the top is a perfect “cheers to us” moment. If you’re heading into vineyards, choose Saint-Émilion for cobblestone charm and hillside views. It is an easy add-on that turns a romantic day into a highlight of your romantic France vacation package.

 

4 - Nice, The Riviera Done Right

Nice is romance with sunshine and a bit of Riviera confidence. Start exploring in the Promenade des Anglais, then head up to Castle Hill (Colline du Château) for sweeping views over the Baie des Anges. It’s the kind of view that makes couples suddenly speak in whispers. After that, get pleasantly lost in Vieux Nice, where narrow lanes, pastel façades, and little churches set the scene for an easy, unplanned afternoon.

For a “very Nice” date, browse the flowers and local treats at the Cours Saleya Market, then linger over a leisurely lunch before catching sunset on a boat. It’s effortlessly charming, and a strong contender among the best places to visit in France for couples.

 

5 - Avignon, A Medieval Dream


 

Avignon brings the romance with stone walls, river views, and just the right amount of medieval swagger. Start at the Palais des Papes. It’s grand, slightly dramatic, and basically the perfect backdrop for a couple's photo. Then stroll the Pont d’Avignon (yes, the famous one), before slipping into the shaded lanes of the old town for a quiet café stop.

For the best mood, time your walk along the Rocher des Doms gardens for late afternoon: the views over the Rhône and surrounding countryside feel tailor-made for lingering. If you’re plotting a romantic getaway in France, Avignon is ideal: walkable and wonderfully atmospheric without trying too hard.

 

6 - Saint-Malo, Romantic By The Sea

 

Saint-Malo is the kind of romantic that comes with a salty breeze and the feeling that you have stepped into an old adventure novel. Walk the ramparts for sweeping views over the coast, then wander the Intra-Muros streets, with granite houses, hidden courtyards, and cozy spots that make you want to slow down. At low tide, stroll out toward Grand Bé (when accessible) for a dramatic sea-and-sky moment that feels surprisingly private.

After sunset, when the city lights glow against the stone, enjoy a seafood dinner - fresh oysters are a local specialty. For couples mapping out romantic destinations in France, Saint-Malo adds a bold, unforgettable coastal chapter.

 

7 - Reims, Champagne Country

 

Reims is romance with bubbles! Elegant, celebratory, and just a quick 45-minute trip from Paris, it is surprisingly easy to enjoy. Begin at the Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece that feels made for slow, hand-in-hand wandering (and a few “wow, look up” moments). Then head underground for a visit to a Champagne cellar: the chalk tunnels, called crayères, are atmospheric in the best way, and the tastings here feel like a built-in date.

If you have time for a little extra charm, pop into the Palais du Tau nearby and finish with a stroll through the city center before dinner. It’s one of the most Romantic places in France for couples if your idea of romance includes a good glass and an even better excuse to celebrate.

 

 

8 - Biarritz, Salty Breezes With Basque Flavours

 

Biarritz is where romance trades candlelight for sea breeze, and somehow feels even better! Start with a walk along the coast from La Grande Plage toward the Rocher de la Vierge, where waves crash below, and the views do most of the flirting for you. For a classic “Biarritz moment,” stop at the Halles de Biarritz to graze on local bites, because nothing says holiday chemistry like sharing something delicious with no cutlery.

If you want a splash of elegance, peek into the Hôtel du Palais area (even just for a drink nearby) and then head back toward the waterfront for sunset. As one of the most romantic places in France for couples, Biarritz is perfect for travelers who want their getaway to feel stylish, salty, and just a little bit irresistible.

 

9 - Lyon, The City That Flirts With Food

 

Lyon is for couples who believe romance is best served on a plate. And preferably followed by dessert! Start in Vieux Lyon, one of Europe’s largest Renaissance quarters, and slip through the city’s hidden passageways, the traboules (the fun part is pretending you totally meant to find that secret corridor). Cross the river to Presqu’île for grand squares like Place Bellecour, then end up in the Croix-Rousse area for a more local, lived-in feel and great views.

The real love story, though, happens in a traditional bouchon, where comfort-food classics and good wine turn “a quick dinner” into a full evening. In a list of the best places to visit in France for couples, Lyon is a top pick, because nothing brings people closer like a meal worth talking about.

 

10 - Burgundy, A Region Made For Lingering

Burgundy is the kind of place that makes you naturally lower your voice, partly out of awe, partly because you avoid disturbing the vineyard views. It’s a region built for lingering: quiet roads lined with vines, stone villages, and meals that last long enough to become a plan. Base yourselves between Dijon and Beaune for the perfect mix of city charm and wine-country magic.

In Dijon, follow the Owl Trail (Parcours de la Chouette) to the Palace of the Dukes (Palais des Ducs), then browse Les Halles market. In Beaune, tour the iconic Hôtel-Dieu (Hospices de Beaune) and slip into a cellar tasting: because Burgundy has a talent for turning “just one glass” into an entire evening!

 

Your Romantic Escape Starts Here!

France has a rare talent for turning simple moments into lasting memories. It can be a shared glass of wine, or a long walk through a beautiful city, or a dinner that ends later than planned. From elegant capitals to vineyard-filled regions and coastal escapes, these destinations show why France remains one of the most romantic destinations for couples to return again and again. If you are dreaming of a journey designed around your pace, your interests, and the moments that matter most, get in touch with us! A tailor-made romantic getaway might be closer than you think.