Valentines Day in Paris

Joe,

I'd recommend going to the Eiffel Tower for lunch at Altitude 95, take an afternoon boat ride on the Seine, then go see a show at the Moulin Rouge.

Kate

My wife and I enjoyed the Seine dinner boatride at night.

I'd suggest that when you get to Paris, you take a short nap, no more than an hour. Take a shower and then head out. It doesn't matter what romantic dinner you have planned if you can't stay awake and are grouchy with each other.

If the weather is good you can walk along the Seine. If it's bad you can snuggle in a warm cafe. Paris will provide the romantic backdrop.

I agree with Karen, especially if you're arriving from Arizona direct..Whatever you chose to do will be more enjoyable after the short nap and shower...Since we often don't know people's budgets i hestitate to make suggestions, though I will say to skip the Moulin Rouge. I recently read it's full of bus tourists who are so tired from having seen Everything during the day that they fall asleep and snore during the show.

Pick one of the more characteristic, smaller neighborhoods to stroll through (ie, Montmartre on top of the hill, not Champs Elysee) and choose a restaurant. One caveat- I don't know if Valentines Day in Paris is the same as in the US, meaning elevated prices, reduced menu, packed seating, etc. Anyone know if this is the case?

Since i live down the road from Paris i can't really say for sure responding to the above question...but during my time in France i know that the "holiday" has been taken advantage of by the merchants...flowers, chocolates, food; however, i haven't noticed that it's a "book in advance" any more than usual kind of day.