Travel is a great way to develop one’s youth and unite couples. However, it is essential to find the right destination that will seduce your other half and the activities that you can both enjoy together, not to mention the cocooning and eco-responsible locations where you can curl up by the fire. Swimming like mermaids, cycling on the Route des Châteaux, skating freely on a frozen lake, sleeping in an igloo, horse riding on the beach or on a coastal path, a glass of champagne (in moderation) at the top of the Eiffel Tower... There are so many ways to celebrate love in winter. Here is a selection of romantic and unusual getaways for an unforgettable stay in France.
Dancing and skating on ice with your sweetheart on the Rousses Lake by the Jura mountains
Frozen lakes, cold temperatures, spruce forests, the Jura looks like the Great North in winter. A fantastic playground for figure skating enthusiasts in the middle of nature. A temple of Nordic skiing, the resort of Les Rousses has a high-altitude lake with a space dedicated to this practice. Between two runs, you can swap your ski boots for skates to enjoy the sunshine with your partner. Less risky but just as romantic, is the horse-drawn carriage ride with cheese and charcuterie tasting offered at the Centre Equestre Tinguely.
For a wellness interlude with your lover, you will adore the cosy cabins Les loges du Coinchet - perched more than three metres up in the beech trees from where you can gaze at the Jura mountains, with the Crêt de Chalam in mind. A perfect romantic getaway in between cosy campfires and birds chirping at sunrise.
Hang out with your other half cycling on the route des Châteaux in the Loire Valley
The use of electric scooters is said to be good for your mental and physical wellbeing, just as long as you are happy with the route you choose to take. We start our romantic escapade on two wheels at the Château des Dames aka Chenonceau, before joining, to vary the pleasures, the Indre à Vélo which has nothing to envy to la Loire à Vélo with its hilly landscapes, rural atmosphere and exceptional sites such as the medieval city of Loches and the château of Azay-le-Rideau.
New charming gites have been set up in the Prieuré de Relay. It was a former outbuilding of the Fontevraud Abbey, a mixed monastic order ran by women.
To explore Chambord again, try the So'Trott electric scooter ride through the Boulogne forest before arriving at the castle.
Bubble bath in Champagne
Seductive, bewitching and sparkling, champagne is the drink of happy days and lovers. To discover its mysteries, a stopover at the Domaine de Monteville, at the entrance to the Clairvaux forest, is a must. L'Empreinte des fees offers tours on foot or by electric scooter of the Dumont Champagne vineyards, which have been converted to organic and biodynamic methods, followed by a tasting (in moderation).
To add even more magic to this romantic getaway, you can voluntarily confine yourself to an eco-designed bubble for two amidst the Gremillet Champagne vines and conifers. Other accommodation has been set up in the Champagne vineyards to allow bubbly lovers to pedal from one bubble to another throughout their stay...
Visit Champagne and the Grand Est L'Empreinte des fées Bulle de Champagne Gremillet
Hike across the moutains of Lacaune in Occitanie
How about a bucolic walk, arm in arm, in a Tarn forest of the Monts de Lacaune to recharge your batteries in the heart of winter? The most courageous brave the cold to reach the Puech de Rascas, the roof of the Tarn culminating at an altitude of 1260m. The most reluctant let themselves be tempted by the reward: a comforting massage in a duo cabin at the nearby wellness centre Espace des Sources chaudes. Another option is a soak in the outdoor Jacuzzi in the woods.
As for accommodation, the old Caillé Bas barn, renovated as a gîte, is a charming stopover for a romantic getaway between exposed beams and stone walls.
Swimming like a mermaid and newts in Quiberon, Brittany
Forget about paddling, bodyboarding or shell fishing. For an atypical date on the Morbihan beaches, opt for mermaiding. An aquatic excursion in a mermaid (or newt) costume, halfway between synchronised swimming, apnea, free-diving and swimming with fins, to work on your cardio and sculpt your Apollo or Aphrodite body. A fun and sporting activity, accessible to all types of swimmers, which allows you to discover the Côte Sauvage from a new angle. Quiberon, Erdeven, Baden, Carnac, it all depends on the tides!
TTreat yourself to a moment of relaxation at the Chaumières de Kérimel. A bed and breakfast between Vannes and Lorient committed to sustainable tourism with home-made cider, Breton pancakes and shower gel with organic seaweed available.
Swim With Me Chambres d'hôtes Kérimel Visit Brittany in winter
Snowshoeing, igloo and moonlight fondue in Les Arcs, in the Alps
Name something more romantic (and unusual) than spending a sweet winter night with your partner at an altitude of 2000m in an igloo, huddled together like Inuits? Head to the Alpine resort of Les Arcs, with its Flocon Vert label, for a unique experience.
Headlamps on snowshoes, the evening begins with a short walk accompanied by a guide. At basecamp, you will enjoy a Savoyard fondue facing the incredible peaks before joining the cosy nest, dug in the snow with mattresses, animal skins and polar duvets. After a long, cosy sleep in your igloo, you will wake up, followed by breakfast of course, facing the Aiguille Rouge, which is just as magical. As we say here, hearts always beat faster in the mountains!
Unusual night in an igloo village Visit the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region
A romantic stroll in the Agriates desert, Corsica
With mild temperatures, Corsica has many trails worth exploring. Even during winter! And so, what better place it is than the island of beauty to declare your love? Apart from a few sheperds, cows and stray cats, encounters are rare in the Agriate region, which is the only desert in Europe! You can let yourself be guided by an experienced guide to discover the Ostriconi and its palette of colours: sea, mountain, forest and stone shelters.
Another way to relax following a hike, is grabbing your bathing suit instead and head to the solar-heated swimming pool at the Manor. A guest house with a breath-taking view of the Mediterranean and the citadel of Calvi. With the "Rispettu" eco-tourism label, this charming accommodation offers eco-responsible breakfasts with home-made jams and fresh fruit. The slippers are also made from compostable bamboo fibres. A stay of love and nature from start to finish.
Hot, Hot, chocolate on the Opal Coast, in the Hauts-de-France
Sensual and euphoric chocolate? That's what they say. In Le Touquet, the Chat Bleu shop and its 80 kinds of chocolate bites have won over more than one heart. It has been going on for 110 years. Find yourself a dreamy crime scene to share these delicacies, either in the dunes of the Opal Coast at sunset, the seafront or the pine forest, it's up to each person's taste.
If the appetizer goes as planned, the evening continues at the Baie de Somme, in the attic rooms of the Auberge du Moulin d'Eaucourt. The adjoining gastronomic restaurant, Le Saltimbanque, run by Sébastien Porquet, has just been awarded a green star in the Michelin guide.
Ideas for romantic stays in the Hauts-de-France Auberge du Moulin d'Eaucourt
One-to-one with the old lady in Paris
A compass for some, a muse for others, the Eiffel Tower leaves no one indifferent despite its 130 years. The Iron Lady always makes an impression when she shines at nightfall. The ideal place for a date. A romantic dinner at the starred Jules Verne restaurant and a glass of champagne (in moderation) at the top of the tower, this romantic Parisian escapade could well end up in seventh heaven... To keep an eye on her, you can stay at the Hôtel de Sers. This 5-star establishment, located a few metres from the Champs-Elysées, has suites with unobstructed views of her and the rest of Paris.
For a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, head to Fontainebleau and the Demeure du Parc. Stroll through the gardens of the castle, discover the village of Barbizon, between the art galleries and the painters' path through the most famous forest in France.
Eiffel Tower Hotel des Sers La Demeure du Parc in Fontainebleau Visiting Paris and its Region
Horseback riding on a beach in the Charentes region of France
A great alternative to discover the luminous island of Oleron is by going horse riding. Head for the Carbet stables for an introduction to brushing and saddle fitting before setting off for a romantic escapade at a walk or trot on the beach of Saint-Trojan-les-Bains between pines, beaches and dunes. An infinite sensation of freedom that can be extended over several days of roaming with an average of 35 kilometres per day. To keep an eye on the stallions, you can stay in a chalet or a caravan at the Airotel Oléron campsite, which has its own riding school.
Ecuries du Carbet Camping Airotel Oléron Visit New Aquitaine
Strolling in love in Giverny, Normandy
Adored by artists from all over the world, Giverny invites you to daydream and to whisper sweet nothings between groves and bushes in all seasons. Ideal for love confession, the poetic visit begins the gardens of the Claude Monet house. A short visit to the Musée des Impressionnistes to appreciate the brushstrokes of Pierre Bonnard and Eugène Boudin before heading down the Seine on a tandem bike, electric bus or small train to the nearby village of Vernon. After a romantic stroll through the beautiful narrow streets of the historic centre, a cultural immersion in the municipal museum, the day ends at the castle of Bizy.
We then slip into the duvet at O Plum'Art, a cosy nest with a cocooning atmosphere nestled in the former house of the Giverny milkman. Behind the stoves, the local boy and winner of the 2020 Top Chef competition, David Gallienne, magnifies local products with talent. Gastronomy enthusiasts can share a moment of complicity with their partner by booking a cooking workshop.
Shellfish and gardening in Pornic, Pays de la Loire
Breathe in the fresh, ocean air and listen to the sound of the waves crashing before washing up on the shore. There's nothing like a walk along the customs path around Pornic to stretch your legs with your partner. A coastal walk of 45 km with stops along the way to taste oysters, whelks, periwinkles and other iodine delicacies.
For the rest of the menu, the La Fontaine eco-domain is the place to be. A cocoon of well-being between beaches and vineyards, this charming residence houses a farm, an organic vegetable garden and two eco-responsible restaurants before the opening of a spa hotel in 2023. Guests can participate in a gardening workshop to learn about permaculture.
Le sentier des douaniers à Pornic Eco-domaine La Fontaine Visit the Pays de la Loire
Scents and fragrances in Grasse, on the French Riviera
The international capital of perfumery, Grasse is a prime destination for a romantic getaway. Fragonard, Galimard or Molinard, the great Perfume Houses open their doors to the public, so why not take advantage of this opportunity to discover the extraction process and the local know-how, listed as an intangible heritage by UNESCO. Offering a perfume to the one you love at the end of your visit is a must, unless you make it yourself in a workshop, which is even better! All you have to do is put on an apron and let your creativity flow.
Depending on the season, it is possible to pose in the fields of roses, jasmine or lavender in the gardens of the Musée Internationale de la Parfumerie. In winter, you can escape on the Route du Mimosa to admire the yellow pompons of the Tanneron massif.
The sensory journey ends at the Domaine Saint-Sauveur in an old chapel transformed into an ecological gite surrounded by olive trees and Mediterranean scents. The ideal place for a dress rehearsal before exchanging wedding vows...
Perfume creation workshops in the Grasse region Domaine Saint-Sauveur Visit the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region
By Kévin Bonnaud
