France

Feb 8, 2010 2:57:47 AM

Love factually: classic love

The cliche holds because it’s true - Paris with its gothic, dim-lit, river-fed, cobblestoned personality is the city for lovers. Add in bordellos, drifting musicians, medieval corners for hidden trysts and a few gargoyles and the stage is set for soft fleshy passionate romance. Yes indeed. If you haven’t yet been, buy two tickets and do you and your sweetheart a favour.

There are more steamy romance novels set in the city of light than any other. And why? Because the locations are so ready-made for rendezvous: on the platform at the stunning Garde du Nord or half way over the Seine on the ancient Pont neuf . Try not falling in love on the steps of the Basilique Sacré-Cœur or in the Place des Vosges, where many a duel was fought over lovely ladies and besmirched reputations!

Of course it doesn’t work for everyone. My sister was flown to Paris on Valentine’s day from LA the second time her future husband proposed to her. She ate a dodgy oyster and spent the two days they had there in bed green as an apple. And she turned him down.

But the law of averages says Paris this Valentine’s Day will once more be full of red roses and couples canoodling to a sound track of popping champagne corks. And the world is a better place for it.

Famous hotels for romance in Paris

Le Meurice

Salvador Dali would book out a floor of Le Meurice and ride his bicycle from room to room. Depending on which version you hear, he once had a herd of goats or sheep roaming through the corridors.

The Ritz Paris

‘When I dream of afterlife in heaven, the action always takes place at the Ritz Paris.’ Ernest Hemingway

Hotel Saint Jacques

Further out in the Latin Quarter. The Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn smash hit Charade was filmed here.

Paris doesn’t have quite the sizzle you’re after? Try out some steamy love…

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