Finding Love in the City of Light: Top 6 Picks
Ah, amour. No other life event can match the powerful feelings evoked by love. Feelings of euphoria…passion …of caring and being cared for. Marketers know this. Which is why, for weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day, these ‘hot’ buttons are pushed mercilessly by greeting card companies, florists, chocolatiers, restaurants and lingerie stores.
If you have love in your life on February 14th, they say—then embrace it, celebrate it. If you don’t—then get it, find it.
In Paris, these ‘love’ messages are triple underlined by spectacularly romantic settings and a flirtatious air. For those who have found amour, enjoy. Revel in it. Join the thousands of couples engaged in public displays of affection—on the metro, in the streets, everywhere. Kiss passionately on the Seine. Stare at your paramour dreamily over cups of crème at cafés.
And for those still seeking that special someone, here are some ideas for looking in all the right places in the City of Light. Remember, love is out there and don’t stop looking until you’ve found it (wink).
#1: CAFÉS Pretty well any café in Paris will provide an abundance of atmosphere and people-meeting opportunities. Some fav spots:
Le Dada: Pick a prime outdoor seat or a spot at the bar and join the well-healed, beautiful people of the chic 17th. This friendly, welcoming café situated at the entrance of the lively Marche Poncolet-Bayen on Avenue des Ternes (M° Ternes) also has great food.
Le Sancerre: Popular rue des Abbesses in Montmartre, M° Abbesses, along with many other choices along this street. This place rocks later with pumping DJ music and strong drinks.
Kong: 1 rue du Pont-Neuf, 1st (01.40.39.09.00). M° Pont Neuf. Flirt at the long bar, dance. Or head downstairs to Lo Sushi, where you can grab sushi as it goes by on the conveyer belt while sending instant messages to interesting-looking patrons at the other numbered seats via terminals. Another location is at 8, rue de Berri in the 8th.
China Club: 50 rue de Charenton, 12th (01.43.43.82.02, www.chinaclub.cc). M° Bastille or Ledru-Rollin. Seduction city, go for happy hour during 7 to 9 pm.
Tantra: 23, Rue Mouffetard, Tel. : +(33) 1 47 07 61 16, sexy trance music and lighting.
St Germain-des-Pres: Particularly areas around metro stations St-Germain-des-Pres, Mabillon, St-Sulpice and Odeon. Try Alcazar on Rue Mazarine, Perdy Bar on Rue Guisarde, Café Mabillon on Blvd St-Germain, several cafés and bars in St-Sulpice area.
#2: PRIVATE PARIS SOIREES
Frequented by French, expats and visiting internationals of all ages and backgrounds, these intimate events are scattered across the city in private apartments. They are modern-day versions of infamous Paris salons formerly hosted by the likes of Gertrude Stein for the leading artists and writers of the period between World Wars I and II. Soirees provide non-threatening, relaxed, fun ways to meet people, while enabling the practising of language skills. They have launched lasting friendships, dates, marriages, babies, and split-ups too! You’ll just never know who you’ll meet at a soiree...
Jim Haynes Sunday Night Dinners: (http://www.jim-haynes.com/). Since the early 70’s, it is estimated that over 100,000 people have passed through this famous Renaissance man’s welcoming doors. Dinners are delicious, crammed with people.
Domingo’s Soirees: (www.adc-domingo.com). Since 1994, thousands of people have met and mingled as Domingo’s former language school and now gather a couple of times per week at his gorgeous Beaubourg apartment. Not to be missed are his July 1st and Thanksgiving dinners, and special dancing parties.
Chez Michel: Fantastic teas and cakes/cookies are served at this 9-year strong venue. Michel also hosts a jam-packed, rockin’ New Year’s Eve Champagne Party. Saturdays in St-Michel/Notre Dame area, phone for info at 01 43 25 86 55.
#3: THE LOUVRE AT NIGHT
Two nights a week, after the tourists leave by 6 PM to have dinner, many season-pass holding locals head to the Louvre for crowd-thinned culture. Brush up on your French art terms and go on a Friday night. Glow in the fantastic lighting.
#4: MEETIC (www.Meetic.com)
Europe’s most successful online dating service. The site claims to be most popular in France where incredibly one adult in 15 is a Meetic member. On February 13th, dubbed St. Singles Day by Meetic, thousands of people will spill into the streets of cities in France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Belguim for parties and speed-dating events organized by the online agency. Watch for the events in local entertainment listings.
#5: DANCE
Get close and steamy…hmmm…. there are numerous places in Paris that offer dance lessons and dances of all kinds, just google for a list and get going!
Cafe De La Danse. ¶ Large dance school in the Marais teaching salsa, samba, the tango and more. At 5 passage Louis Philippe (Arr 11) Metro: Hotel de Ville. Tel: Tel: 01 47 00 57 59.
Montecristo Café, 68, avenue des Champs-Elysées, Phone: +33 1 45 62 30 86, M° Franklin D.Roosevelt. After lessons, take your newfound dance skills to this café that turns into a hot salsa dancing club from midnight to 5 AM.
#6: SUPER MARCHES/FNAC:
Head to your local grocery/electronics store after 7 PM—such as Champion, FranPrix, MonoPrix, FNAC—packed with the after-work crowd. Ask a fellow shopper, not a store worker, (but, let’s face it, you’d never find such a person anyway!) for help reaching something, or for advice on what wine or CD to buy.
Karen Henrich spends her time between Paris and Vancouver, Canada, running a tour company for women (www.NuitBlancheTours.com). She is constantly on the look-out for cool Parisian sites to see and memorable experiences to be had. She also practices the fine art of finding ways to creatively stretch her tragically low Canadian dollars when in Europe.
