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Paris, city of love: myth or reality? The romantic magic of the capital

On 08/03/2025

In Paris / Île-de-France

Streets that breathe romance, suspended moments, a unique aura... but does this cliché really hold water?
Waka Trip takes you to explore the roots of romance in Paris, between history, culture and timeless emotions.

 

A city of love and freedom: historical origins

Paris didn't become the “city of love” overnight.

  • As far back as the Middle Ages, the capital was a center of power, art and seduction. Under Louis XIV, Molière triumphed with comedies of manners such as Le Misanthrope, reflecting a rebellious, sometimes mischievous spirit.
  • Enlightenment: Voltaire electrified Parisian salons with his daring, libertine ideas, and his love letters made the capital a place where seduction became an art, far removed from strict conventions.

This was the golden age of Romanticism, when love became a play on the mind, a favorite theme of a capital in turmoil.

 
Chateau paris

The Golden Age of Romanticism in Paris

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Paris became the scene of eternal, tragic love.

  • Victor Hugo, in Notre-Dame de Paris, thrills hearts with his pen against the backdrop of a Gothic cathedral.
  • George Sand, muse and daring novelist, lived a passionate love affair with Chopin.
  • Montmartre became the bohemian district par excellence, a haven for artists and lovers.

Paris becomes a symbol of art and passion, where every alleyway tells a story.

The dream machine: Paris through song and film

It's impossible to evoke Parisian romanticism without talking about music and cinema:

  • Édith Piaf, the voice of the people, sang La Vie en Rose around the world, embodying the raw, intense love of the streets of Paris.
  • French cinema, with Jean-Luc Godard and Truffaut, films modern love, stolen kisses on the banks of the Seine.
  • More recently, Céline Dion revisited L'Hymne à l'amour for the opening of the 2024 Paris Olympics from the Eiffel Tower.

Paris today: between dream and reality

The Emily in Paris series (Netflix) puts the spotlight back on a fantasized Paris:
elegant terraces, starry rooftops, strolls along the quays, spontaneous love.

Cliché? Perhaps (yes).

But this image attracts millions of visitors every year in search of their romantic Paris, between Parisian cafés, designer boutiques and suspended moments.

Paris, a living stage for love

From Molière to Céline Dion, via the lovers of Montmartre, Paris seduces, moves and inspires.
It's not just a city, it's an experience, a romantic tableau in motion.
Every season, every street, every glance can become a scene of love.

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