France borders the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Your French honeymoon will be filled with sophistication, history, great architecture, charming villages, great perfume, and famous landmarks. And the food is unsurpassable. Wherever you are in France, you’re in the midst of romance.
There are many romantic destinations in France, and you can divide them into three general categories to fit your tastes and needs. Of course, you can travel through all of France and revel in everything the country has to offer.
The City of Lights is the hub of France and the very definition of romance. Everything you could want, from the greatest museums, restaurants, shopping, and world-famous architecture, can be found here. Don’t miss Notre Dame Cathedral, the Musée d’Orsay, the Eiffel Tower, the famed Montmartre district, and the infamous Moulin Rouge. The cultural and artistic history here is unrivaled.
For a French honeymoon on the beach, visit the Cote d’Azur. This is the playground of the rich and wanna-be rich. It’s where opulence reigns supreme. Explore the Mediterranean in a yacht and check out the fabulous mansions. Take a 30-minute train ride to Monaco and visit the royal palace as well as the casino. Nearby Nice is ideal for hiking and taking in the majestic views.
In between Paris and the Riviera lies the Loire Valley, made up of colorful villages straight out of a storybook, huge vineyards, and an abundance of castles. It is almost impossible to stand anywhere in the Loire Valley and not catch sight of a castle. For the French aristocracy, building the most spectacular castle was a type of one-upmanship – my castle is grander than your castle. Visit a few and judge the grandeur for yourself.
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Table of Contents
About France 📖
Best Time to Visit France 📅
Top Things to do in France 👫
Weather in France ☀️
About France
First and foremost, France is a seductive siren. Regardless of where you are, you will be tempted by the aroma of warm croissants and freshly baked bread in the morning from any boulangerie. Food is a culture onto itself. Even the humblest abode, restaurant, and town sets a careful table, chooses only the freshest produce, and carefully prepares a meal, which will be accompanied by wine. In France, food is a sacred thing. Prepare your taste buds for the thrill of a lifetime during your French honeymoon.
The French enjoy their luxuries and treasure them as they would a mistress. A fragrant cup of coffee is leisurely sipped at a pleasant sidewalk café with a flaky, buttery croissant. A wardrobe may be scant and meager, but it will contain a Chanel scarf. It’s how the French live. The country took the hint from King Louis XIV and does everything on a grand scale. It has the greenest countryside, the whites of beaches, the most majestic castles, the finest art, and the smoothest of wines. And we haven’t begun a visit to that gilded monument to opulence, the Palace at Versailles. France is a living, exciting, fabulous hyperbole.
The city of Bordeaux is frequently overlooked in favor of Paris, and it shouldn’t be. The architecture here rivals the best in France. Take a cruise along the River Garonne to catch all the sights. Bordeaux is, of course, all about great wine and sunny vineyards. A general consensus is that the finest wine in the world (more hyperbole but truth) can be had here. The vineyards have wine tastings paired with appropriate foods, so this is an opportunity to learn more about wine and general entertaining.
There is more to Bordeaux than fine wine. Visit the city’s architectural masterpiece, the Cathédrale St-André and climb its 230 steps for a splendid view of the entire town. The Musée des Beaux Arts explores the development of Renaissance art through the 20th century. The manicured gardens are a work of art in themselves. The Basilique St-Seurin is a treat for history buffs with tales of the Romans through the Charlemagne era.
While in Bordeaux, be sure to cross the Pont de Pierre bridge. It connects the city divided by the Garonne River and is a marvel of construction. The right bank provides the best view of this bridge.
Continue your French honeymoon south to the French Riviera. Sunshine is almost guaranteed as you visit the white beaches and towns beyond the sea, especially Nice, Cannes, and a number of smaller resort towns.
The highpoint of the coastline is Saint-Tropez. This charming town, filled with cobblestone streets and lovely small stores, is a favorite of movie stars and other elite who enjoy the nightclubs, fine restaurants, free-flowing champagne, and the good life on their yachts. During your visit, charter a yacht and enjoy the lifestyle without spending the big bucks. There are also art galleries and museums to explore.
Best Time to Visit France
Fall and spring are the optimal times for a French honeymoon visit. The temperature is inviting for sightseeing, and the summer crowds aren’t present. The winter months can get cold and wet, but if you are planning to do much indoor sightseeing in a city such as Paris, it might be the perfect time. January and February provide the opportunity to pick up some fabulous French merchandise at excellent sale prices. Also, you will find shorter lines for major attractions such as the Louvre and Notre Dame.
The hot month of July also brings the famed Tour de France, which is watched by millions of fans. July 14th is Bastille Day, when Paris celebrates the storming of the infamous prison with parades, fireworks, and dancing in the streets.
If you are a fan of the annual new Beaujolais Nouveau, there are hundreds of festivals throughout France celebrating this event on the third Thursday in November at precisely 12:01 a.m. Expect music and fireworks in addition to a taste of the new wine.
Top Things to do in France
Romantic Seine River Boat Dinner
Paris has everything you could want – from the Louvre to the Eiffel Tower, and much more. How about indulging in a special romantic dinner cruise down the Seine, where you float past all these landmarks while enjoying a delicious dinner? Opt for the romantic menu, which includes your own private table, champagne, and rose pedals. The cruise begins around 8:30 p.m., after the sun sets and the City of Light begins to brighten with illumination. Call 1 76 64 14 45 for reservations.
When in the Loire Valley, you’ll want to visit as many chateaux as you can. They are all fabulous. The Château de Chenonceau in Clemenceau is probably the most famous and a prime example of the previously mentioned one-upmanship in chateau-building. It was given by King Henri II to his mistress, Diane de Poitiers. Diane, trying to upstage Henri’s wife, Marie de Medici, turned the chateau into a showplace. After Henri’s death, Marie evicted Diane and made it even grander. The sculptured garden is a masterpiece. Together, wife and mistress created a sensational work of art.
This incredible indulgence of King Louis XIV is one of the lushest palaces in the world. It housed 6000 people in 700 rooms with 67 staircases. It took 50 years to complete. The Hall of Mirrors was a sensation with its ceilings that has 30 paintings and incredible chandeliers. Located a mere 12 miles from Paris, it is easy to get to by train.
There are tours through the rooms, including King Louis and Queen Marie Antoinette’s bedrooms – gold paneling and all. The Petit Trianon is located a 25-minute walk from the palace and was the Queen’s own hideaway. There is a café for guests that serves regal meals. Don’t expect a mere hamburger here. Pheasant, anyone?
Call this town in Alsace near the German border the anti-Versailles. Its cobble-stoned streets and buildings that have stood hundreds of years take you back in time to how people might have lived in a French fairy tale. The town has a cathedral, museum, lots of bridges, but it is mainly about strolling and soaking up a bit of medieval charm. Enjoy a meal at the Kammerzell House, which was built in 1427 and now houses a restaurant. Take a boat ride through the city on the River Ill. If you are traveling in December, Strasbourg has one of the largest Christmas markets in Europe that dates back to 1570.
This 8-hour tour begins in Strasbourg. It will take you through the picturesque rolling hills, postcard-perfect small towns, and vineyards of Alsace. You will visit three separate vineyards and sample their wines. Enjoy the magnificent scenery while you learn more about wine and winemaking. Call (888) 651-9785 for more information.
Weather in France
The weather in France is usually mild, but much depends on the region. Packing layers to cover all instances of weather is a good idea. The summers can get hot, but it rarely becomes uncomfortable. The beaches at the French Riviera get the most heat. Here, the weather is pure Mediterranean. Expect some heavy rains in the fall. In the southern regions, there can also be strong winds which the French call mistral.
Autumn in France can be lovely, although it can rain throughout the country. Winters get cold, and the temperature can fall before freezing, especially if you are near the Pyrenees mountains.
The average temperature in Paris is just over 53 degrees – quite comfortable for outdoor explorations. There is heavy rainfall in the spring, but the rain is moderate for the remainder of the year.
