Valentine’s Day in Paris solo. Some might gasp at the thought of being alone in Paris on Valentine’s. It is the City of Love, after all. The city where one dreams of walking with a loved one, arm in arm, along the Seine, under the Eiffel Tower or on the romantic Pont Alexandre III.
I guess you could just ignore the day. Valentine’s Day in Paris is not in your face and over-commercialized in France as it is in North America.
But I think that for those of us solo gals out there, this day is about embracing a different sort of love. Indulge in an awesome “Galentine’s Day.” Take the opportunity to savour love. Love of you. Self-love. Step into your space, add a little sass and spend the day in the City of Love celebrating
Y O U!
Besides loving yourself perhaps you can indulge in a double whammy. Are you having a not-so-secret love affair, just like me, with the city of Paris itself? Let’s revel in this delightful duo of love on February 14 – Valentine’s Day in Paris.
How To Spend Valentine’s Day In Paris Solo
1. Valentines Day in Paris | Early Bird Walk
On Valentine’s Day in Paris, plan to get up bright and early, don your walking shoes and get strolling. Don’t worry, at this time of the year the sun doesn’t rise until 8 am.
Some of my favourite walks in Paris are along the Seine, through the Latin Quarter, up and down the infamous staircases of Montmartre or by the Canal Saint-Martin. Take your pick. Just walk out your door and watch the city wake up, the joggers fly by and smile. Valentines in Paris – it’s sure to be a winner.
2. Savour A Croissant And Café
Start your day off right. Where else can you find just the right kind of “croissant au beurre?’ That perfect blend of butteriness and flakiness. Pair it with a café au lait or a café noisette. Two of my favourite spots to grab the perfect croissant are Du Pains et des Idées in the 10th arrondissement or Pain Pain in the 18th.
It’s Valentine’s Day in Paris, I might splurge and get my most favourite croissant of all – an almond croissant. This deluxe version of the croissant au beurre is filled with almond paste, a little chocolate and covered with a sprinkling of sliced almonds and icing sugar.
Pro Valentines in Paris Tip: Here are my top tips on where to get the best croissant in Paris.
3. Valentine’s Day In Paris | Roses and More Roses
“Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we’ll ever do.”
Brene Brown
Flowers are always available in Paris. Tulips, roses and lilies are in abundance in the corner stores. I’m getting roses.
As a single gal, I always buy myself roses at least once a year – always on Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day in Paris will be no different. I am going to pick my favourite colour, inhale the glorious scent and then set them up in my apartment. I sure hope there’s a vase. If not, a kitchen tumbler will do.
If you are heading to Paris solo, read Travelling to Paris Alone: Solo in the City of Love for tips on what to see and do!
4. Valentine’s Day In Paris | Discover An Intimate Museum
My first choice of a small Paris museum to visit on Valentines Day in Paris is the Musée de la Vie Romantique or the Museum of Romantic Life (it sounds way better in French)!
The Musée de la Vie Romantique, set in a stunning 1830’s pink house framed with green shutters, welcomed guests on February 14th, 2020 with the opening of a special exhibition “Coeurs, du Romantisme dans l’Art Contemporain,” a celebration of the heart in contemporary art. On Valentines Day in Paris 2023, visit the lovely mansion and stop for tea in their garden café.
If you’re looking for another bit of love inspiration on Valentine’s Day in Paris, head over to the Rodin Museum. He did create the ever-famous statue of “The Kiss.” Stroll by his entangled couples with a little sass in your step.
Pro Valentines in Paris Tip: There are plenty of small museums in Paris. Here are some top picks.
5. Valentines in Paris | Stand Before The Wall Of Love
Not too far from the Musée de la Vie Romantique is the Wall of Love – Le Mur des Je t’aime. On Valentine’s Day in Paris, stand before the wall where “I love you” is written in 250 languages. Pause and think for a moment about how this “loving yourself” journey is going.
6. Which Sweets Do You Desire?
I absolutely have a sweet tooth and on Valentine’s Day in Paris, I plan to honour that!
It’s not hard to find gourmet shops that specialize in chocolates. Browse the unique delicacies at La Mère de Famille, which has been in operation since 1761 or Méert- Chocolate and Confectionery started in 1677. Of course, there are patisseries on every corner and Ladurée macarons abound. Go wild! Satisfy all of your cravings.
To satisfy your sweet tooth how about joining a pastry and chocolate tour in le Marais or learning how to bake macarons?
7. Discover Hidden Paris As A Flâneuse
It wouldn’t be a day dedicated to self-love if I didn’t flâner, just a little. Wandering the streets of Paris without a map is my favourite way to uncover and explore Paris.
On Valentine’s Day in Paris, start with one of these intriguing streets in mind, or a destination, and then stray from the plan. It is astonishing what you can discover in Paris that is just not in the guidebooks.
8. Valentine’s Day In Paris | Acquire Something Fancy
Now as we all know, Paris is a mecca for shopping. Most days I browse to my heart’s content but on Valentine’s Day, I might just go the extra mile and purchase something fancy…and personal.
I’m going to indulge in some lingerie shopping. It’s easy to find lingerie boutique shops in Paris. And although Victoria’s Secret opened its first Paris store in June 2019, you won’t catch me at the North American chain in Paris.
So here’s what I know so far about lingerie in Paris. It’s sassy, sensual and beautiful. When the shop keepers ask to help you, they point out the real French lace that is from northern France. You’ve got me. I’m all in.
Princess Tam Tam has several locations in Paris. Audabe Paris is filled with lovely pieces. Take a stroll down Rue des Francs-Bourgeois and embrace your femininity.
9. Parks And Poetry On Valentines Day In Paris
What’s not to love about sitting in a beautiful park on Valentine’s Day in Paris? Being Canadian, unless completely bundled up, there is no reading in an outdoor park in February.
On Valentine’s Day in Paris, my slightly tattered pink anthology of love poems by Pablo Neruda, the Chilean Poet extraordinaire, will be carried with me. I carried it all through Chile and it has accompanied me to Paris.
French poets are known for their love poems but Pablo’s still rank as some of my favourites. I’m still trying to decide which French poet will become my top choice. Paul Verlaine? George Sand? Arthur Rimbaud?
Find the perfect perch and read poetry in any of the lovely Parisian gardens. My top picks would be by the pyramid in Parc Monceau or the Medici Fountain in the Jardin du Luxembourg but the Jardin du Palais-Royal is also a favourite. Follow up with a café, a chocolat chaud from Angelina’s or a steaming glass of vin chaud.
Pro Valentines in Paris Tip: Looking for some English poetry? Here are the best English-language bookstores in Paris.
10. Valentine’s Day In Paris | A Fun Run
On February 11, 2023, why not participate in the Valentine’s Day Paris fun run called the Course de la Saint Valentin? This fun run organized by the Frontrunners de Paris welcomes everyone at all levels of fitness. It takes place in the lovely Parc des Buttes-Chaumont in the 19th arrondissement.
11. Sip A Little Champagne On Valentines Day In Paris
After living in Paris, I have come to appreciate that champagne is an integral part of the culture. French culture is centred around good taste and pleasure. Thus, a little bubbly appears during apéro much more frequently than in North America. Add in the fact that there is a whole region of France named Champagne that produces the deluxe sparkling white wine. I highly suggest sipping champagne on Valentines Day in Paris.
if you’re not up for popping a bottle on your own, how about taking a day trip to the Champagne region of France?
12. Attend An Evening Concert
Spending Valentine’s Day in Paris solo, my top choice for the evening is to attend a concert. I particularly love candlelit concerts in churches such as Saint-Ephrem, Sainte-Chapelle, or La Madeleine. Check this link for current concerts in Paris.
Enjoy your Valentine’s Day in Paris. Make it a memorable one!
Until next time,
More Travel Info…
Paris Travel Resources:
Look for a fabulous Paris hotel right here. Why not splurge a little? It is Valentine’s after all!
All my Paris resources are right here on this page.
If you love that village feel in Paris these areas might interest you:
Le Marais is one of the oldest areas of Paris. Once marshland, it is full of boutiques, cafés, gorgeous old mansions and museums. Read my full guide to le Marais and also insider Marais tips from a local.
Montmartre feels like a small village. This post on Montmartre leads you to the most popular sites as well as some lesser-known places on the hill.
Ile Saint-Louis is still one of my favourite spots in Paris. On Pont Saint-Louis, you’ll almost always find some street music.
Don’t forget to stroll by the canal under chestnut trees by Canal Saint-Martin and eat at some great restaurants in Canal Saint-Martin.
And Montparnasse. Most people think of the tall black tower looming over the Paris skyline or the train station. This guide on Montparnasse uncovers some marvellous things to discover in the 14th arrondissement.
If you like being by the water, Ile aux Cygnes in the Seine might be for you! The Statue of Liberty, views of the Eiffel Tower and locals walking their dogs!
If you are looking for food suggestions, read about where to find the best croissants in Paris. And, if you have a sweet tooth like me, check out these best pâtisseries to try. There are also plenty of café suggestions for the Marais area in this post: Tips from a Local.
Travelling to Paris alone? This article on navigating Paris alone is full of tips and tricks for the solo traveller.
This page has all my articles on Paris that will help you plan out your trip, including day trips from Paris. I hope you subscribed to my newsletter to get my free download – An Amazing 2-day Itinerary in Paris.
If you are going further afield in France, make sure to check out my page on France.
Like this post? Save it for a future Valentine’s Day in Paris!
ooooolala hope your self love day was magical 🙂
Thank you Robin! It was definitely a magical day….
Love this! What great ideas for V-day or any trip to Paris ❤️??