Luxury France Honeymoon Destinations: 6 Romantic Ideas
..Classic, Rustic, & Adventurous Romance
Are you interested in embarking on a luxury France honeymoon? If so, you’re certainly spoiled for choice. But you may also feel a bit overwhelmed by the choices on offer. Should you spend the most important getaway of your life in Paris, a city reputed for offering couples endless romance? Perhaps a private wine tasting tour of Champagne or Burgundy would hit the perfect balance between culture, discovery and a little decadence? Or would a quiet yet opulent stay in a chateau plunged in the middle of Provence or the Loire Valley more closely fulfil your dreams? The truth is that the choice will always be a highly personal one, and there are no “right” answers. Your ideal French honeymoon package will be different from other couples’, so one-size-fits-all options are likely to be a disappointment.
Whether you choose to focus on one marvellous region or opt for a more ambitious tour of several, the most important thing is to make the experience unique and unforgettable. Read on for 6 magical and luxurious honeymoon destinations in France. We’ve paired our recommendations with ideas for exceptionally romantic, private activities and special evenings together. If these inspire you and you’re ready to start planning your own special trip with your new groom or bride, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We’ll work hard to make sure it’s every bit as magical as you’ve imagined it would be. And if you’re iinterested in a luxury destination wedding in France, our bespoke planners handle all the details.
Marie Tesson
Founder
Paris: For Classic Romance & Urban Elegance
We’d be remiss if we didn’t place Paris at the top of our list. Practically synonymous with romance and enchantment, there’s very good reason so many couples spend their honeymoon in the capital. In addition to simply being iconic (think “An American in Paris” and its sweet love story) it offers an exceptional number of possibilities for a voyage a deux (trip for two) that neither of you will soon forget.
A stay in an opulent palace hotel in Paris or a quirky, contemporary boutique hotel is definitely in order to make your experience ultra-romantic and relaxing. Whether you opt to centre your sojourn at world-celebrated hotels such as the recently-renovated Ritz Paris or the Bristol, taking advantage of the gourmet Michelin-starred restaurants on their premises for unforgettable têtes à têtes, or prefer to stay in one of the capital’s chicest concept hotels, your options are nearly limitless.
Private Tetes-a-Tetes in Exceptional Places
In addition, many Parisian museums house restaurants and other spaces that can be privatised for special dinners, receptions or other special events, so if you were hoping to have a destination wedding reception or an entirely private dinner for two with breathtaking panoramic views of the city, the possibility certainly exists. You an also arrange to privately rent a river barge or yacht to explore the Seine or Marne rivers and enjoy fine dining onboard with a private chef.
Private Shopping Tours & Gourmet Experiences
A private Paris shopping tour “a deux” can offer the perfect opportunity to search for home items, find special memorabilia to help you remember your honeymoon forever, or to spoil each other with custom perfumes and beautiful couture clothing. Take a whirl through the city’s finest luxury jewelers to find the perfect post-wedding statement piece to mark your love forever. A concierge-style private tour is always recommended, since local style experts will home in on the addresses that perfectly suit your tastes and style. Read more about our private shopping tours of the capital here.
Finally, make sure to step off the beaten track during your romantic stay in the French capital: explore the city and its quieter neighbourhoods on foot with your cher/ie, take a private French culinary tour or wine tour with an expert guide, or plan a honeymoon based around a special theme. Film fan? Your private tour can revolve around visiting locations for some of the most iconic movies filmed in Paris, and include a few evenings in local cinemas. If you both share a love of fine French patisseries, take a romantic whirl through some of Paris’ best places for gourmet tea and pastries. The most important thing is to make the city your own, together…
Provence: For Rustic Romance, Glamour
Paris is undoubtedly the most popular destination for luxury honeymoons in France. But for newlyweds yearning for rustic romance, Provence delivers oodles of the stuff. From the poetic, hilly heights of Avignon to the rustic charm of the Luberon and dramatic coastal glamour of the Cote d’Azur, the region offers breathtaking diversity.
Imagine spending a week or more in a beautiful old Provencal farmhouse or palace hotel, fitted with all the luxurious amenities you can imagine. One of our favorites is the sumptuous La Bastide de Gordes Palace, situated within 12th century medieval fortifications in the heart of the Luberon region. Pampering yourselves at one of France’s most indulgent and high-end spas, offering products and treatments from Sisley, you let your cares entirely drift away. What could be better than sharing moments of calm and peace together, perhaps sipping a glass or two of locally produced white wine on the terrace before partaking in a gourmet dinner. Can you picture it yet?
Or imagine you and your beloved embarking on a romantic tour through fragrant Provencal lavender fields in mid-summer, being driven by a private guide in a vintage 2CV car as you take in the awe-inspiring purple fields and centuries-old farms of the Luberon countryside. A stroll through some of the region’s finest food markets, including the prized Carprentras market, will awaken all your senses, and fill your honeymoon with authentic sights, smells and colours.
If your honeymoon falls in the winter and you’re both gourmets, don’t miss truffle season in Provence and around France. This is a marvelous opportunity to taste “black diamonds” with the one you love, and purchase delicious local products to take home and enjoy.
Are you both passionate about arts and culture? Why not choose a private art tour that shows you some of the landscapes of Provence painted by famous French painters, or take a glassblowing workshop together?
Luxury Honeymoons on the French Riviera
Alternatively, you might opt for a week on the Riviera, hiring a private yacht for fine dining on the Mediterranean, or a quiet stay in a villa near the elegant old city of Nice, enjoying sublime sunsets and swims off of private beaches. St Tropez is also a coveted destination for honeymoons: with its pristine and world-renowned beaches, opulent dining and shopping opportunities and elegant nightlife, it’s certainly a destination to privilege if romance tinged heavily with glamour is what you’re after.
And while Marseille is routinely underrated by luxury travelers, it can make a fantastic honeymoon destination for more culturally adventurous couples in search of local authenticity.
Can you picture it yet? We certainly can. Read our guide to the most luxurious things to do on the French Riviera for more romantic and exclusive ideas.
Loire Valley: For Mythical Romance
What French region is most closely associated with fairy tales, sumptuous, mysterious chateaux and fog lingering on the horizon as you approach one of these mythical places, perhaps while on horseback? If you said “the Loire Valley“, you guessed correctly. A honeymoon in this quietly beautiful region will not disappoint anyone after a truly traditional brand of romance, nor those seeking all-out, uncompromising luxury.
From Chenonceau to Chambord and the Chateau d’Usse, the most breathtaking Loire Valley castles can be unforgettable stops; just make sure to hire a private guide to avoid the crowds and enjoy a truly remarkable encounter with these mythical places.
A stay in one of the region’s ultra-exclusive chateaux is also possible in many cases: old-world romance will be in full blush as you and your beloved enjoy lavish rooms fit for kings and queens, taste fine gastronomy and renowned Loire Valley wines. You and your beloved might visit exclusive cellars producing varieties such as Saumur and Chinon, or even hire a private sommelier or wine guide to help you discover the complex, balanced, fruity whites and superb sparkling wines the region is best-known for. Of course, an extraordinary private reception or wedding anniversary in a chateau is also a magical possibility: simply enquire with us if interested.
Finally, the Loire boasts a unique natural beauty and opportunities for enjoying wildlife, particularly in the spring and summer. A private river cruise of the Loire and Cher rivers will plunge you into the heart of the region’s natural riches, affording birdwatching opportunities and a moment to simply let your stresses melt away. You can even enjoy an aperitif or meal prepared by a private chef while onboard. If you’re nature and music lovers lovers, you might also consider a sunset concert and aperitif on a Loire Valley island: take in breathtaking views with your beloved while your very own violinist and harpist create the perfect soundtrack for your romantic moment outdoors.
Burgundy: For Wine & Culture Lovers
Burgundy is a place that some find a bit intimidating: celebrated around the globe for its exceptional and mysterious wines, the northeastern French region reserves many secrets, and isn’t especially easy for tourists to penetrate. Yet it makes an ideal destination for a honeymoon centered around the romance of wine tasting; anyone with an affection for history and architecture will equally adore a stay in this quietly elegant region.
Embark with your beloved on a private tour of exceptional cellars and vineyards, tasting some of the finest and most expensive bottles in the world. From Nuit Saint-Georges to Romanee Conti and Chassagne-Montrachet, these wines are prized by discerning collectors for very good reason; taking a private tour will allow you to gain an insider’s perspective on Burgundy vintnering secrets, and even meet some of the winemakers who have won accolades for their artistry and expertise.
While wine should be a major part of any honeymoon in Bourgogne, the region also offers breathtaking architectural beauty and history, as well as natural landscapes that meld seamlessly with rustic monasteries and country houses. Spend at least a day in Beaune, the former headquarters of the Dukes of Burgundy and home to beautiful medieval buildings such as the Hopital de Beaune, admired for its distinctive glazed-tile roofs. The annual, world-renowned wine auction is also held there: an ideal outing for couples with a shared passion for wine collecting.
Take a romantic barge river tour through Burgundian villages, floating gently along as you enjoy a meal prepared by an onboard private chef and wines specially selected by a sommelier. For couples seeking authentic travel experiences and cultural encounters, a private charter on a barge can make an ideal day trip in the region.
Finally, for an unforgettable experience that allows you to appreciate the region’s beauty from bird’s eye-perspectives, why not embark on a private hot air balloon flight over the vineyards at sunset? From this vantage, mythical Burgundy comes into full view, offering a truly romantic and special moment to be forever cherished.
Champagne: For Bubbly Romance & Opulence
Many people planning a honeymoon in France overlook Champagne, the region that’s, of course, world-famous for its sparkling white wines, but offers so much more, from natural beauty to centuries-old culture.
Let’s begin with the obvious (but not unremarkable): touring the area’s most prestigious champagne houses, from Taittinger, Krug, Bollinger to Moet & Chandon (who produce Dom Perignon), Veuve-Cliquot and Ruinart, is inevitably a magical experience. Not only will you and your cheri/e taste some of the world’ most prized champagnes: you’ll also get to explore an intriguing, and uniquely romantic, underground world of centuries-old cellars carved into the chalk landscapes. Make sure to avoid the massive group tours, however, and hire a private guide: this will guarantee that you encounter cellars and champagne makers that are generally difficult for the general public to access.
Champagne is also magical for its local culture, architecture and gastronomy. A honeymoon in the region should include a stay in the medieval city of Reims, famous for its breathtaking cathedral, Gallo-Roman ruins, and extensive crayeres, or chalk quarry tunnels, occupied in part by prestigious champagne makers.
For a romantic stay that includes wine and fantastic local cuisine, we particularly recommend the Domaine Jacques Selosse: its onsite guest house is situated amid local vines, and its gastronomic restaurant is the perfect place to sample exceptional regional wines and cuisine. For unforgettable high French gastronomy, also make sure to reserve a table at L’Assiette Champenoise, a three-star Michelin restaurant near Reims headed by Chef Arnaud Lallement.
Meanwhile, the opulent Domaine and Hôtel Les Crayères in Reims is an essential destination for anyone wishing to experience Champagne at its most luxurious: with its sumptuous suites, 2-starred Michelin restaurant, Le Parc, and elegant grounds, it’s no wonder discerning travellers choose to stay here time and again.
Spas are always tres romantique, and one of the best in Champagne, the Château de Fère Hôtel & Spa is situated on the grounds of a 13th-century chateau: what could be more decadent and relaxing? You might consider a stay here as you explore Reims, Epernay and other destinations in the region. The onsite pool, sauna and Turkish steamrooms, and treatments offer indulgence and relaxation, while the hotel’s gourmet restaurant offers additional opportunities to sample regional specialities and wines.
Finally, for those in search of ultra-exclusive evenings and events in the region, talk to us about the possibility of organising entirely private events: imagine a romantic candlelight dinner or private reception in a renowned champagne house that has been entirely reserved for you. Private sommeliers, musicians and even fireworks might make your evening one that you’ll never be able to forget.
24 Hours of High Luxury: Perfect for Paris Honeymooners
Only an hour or so from Paris, the region can make an ideal secondary leg of a high-end honeymoon that begins in the French capital. See our complete guide to 24 Hours of Luxury in Champagne for more in-depth ideas and suggestions on what to see and do and where to stay.
The Alps: For Adventurous Romance
Some luxury honeymoons require a bit of physical challenge and adventure to keep the excitement going. If you’re a couple who enjoy the thrill of descending black runs at full speed, the wind whipping through your hair, or embarking on challenging hikes together in the spring and summer, a honeymoon in the Alps might be ideal. Whether you choose to spend your honeymoon in the glamorous resort of Chamonix Mont Blanc or in the more understated, but rustic and authentic, Megève, a winter couple’ s getaway in the sublime mountains will afford you both adrenaline and relaxation– especially if you stay in one of the region’s finest Alpine hotels and benefit from their outstanding spas.
Imagine a full day cutting through the powder, followed by an indulgent massage and treatment at a spa that uses natural Alpine botanicals in their signature products. Next, you can both enjoy a fine gastronomic meal that features local Savoyard specialities, before sharing a glass of wine together in front of your own private, blazing fire. Wintery honeymoons can be incredibly romantic.
For the More Adventurous Couple: Honeymoon Hiking in the Alps
If you prefer traveling in the spring and summer, a private hiking tour of the region is another fantastic option. Hunt and taste local mushrooms with the guidance of a local expert; indulge in delicious cheeses and wild strawberries, and enjoy breathtaking green vistas, rushing rivers and waterfalls.
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If you’re after a luxury wedding or honeymoon in France that is unlike any other, hiring an exceptional planner is essential. Get in touch with us to start planning your special day or bespoke French honeymoon package. We’ll expertly handle every detail.
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