Our ideas (not cheesy!) for Valentine’s Day

Bathtubs filled with red roses, heart-shaped chocolate boxes, declarations under the Eiffel Tower… Seen, seen again, and overdone. What if, this year, we stepped out of the ordinary for Valentine’s Day? A cheffe's dinner at home, a jazzy evening, a romantic comedy at the theatre, a comedy club show, a steamy night in a former brothel, or an escape outside Paris: a zoom on truly good ideas that are not cucul and even downright unusual to surprise your partner.

What if, this year, instead of shelling out 300 € (per head) for a Valentine's Day dinner at a restaurant — always a disappointing option — we had a cheffe's gourmet meal delivered right at home? Good news: Paris’ most glamorous caterer, MAM by Stéphanie Le Quellec, offers her special Valentine's menu for two people once again. From the aperitif, toast to love with MAM’s Cosmo cocktail, just like Carrie Bradshaw.

It starts with an amuse-bouche: mushroom velouté, hazelnut whipped cream, and cep brioche to share. For the starter, we love the langoustine ravioli with julienned vegetables and the incredible creamy coconut, lime, and lemongrass broth. The main course offers either a tender farm-raised chicken cordon bleu with melting Beaufort cheese and black truffle (poultry option) or the intense, flavorful truffle-infused risotto accompanied by sea bass quenelles with sorrel (fish option). Desserts to share end the meal with a Passionnément Chocolat — a crispy, tangy chocolate delight with passionfruit confit — followed by a citrus madeleine as a final treat. All that’s left is to bring out your finest dinnerware and colorful candles for a romantic table, to savor the pleasure of playing at home.

Complete menu for two: 135 €, available from February 13 to 15, 2025.

Fancy a good dinner and hearty laughs? Head to the now iconic Fridge Comedy Club (opened by Kev Adams), which has crafted the perfect Valentine’s evening! Fanny Spinetta, the star of Parisian stand-up and a regular at Fridge, delights with her sparkling and bold humor to bring smiles all around. Her show, specially designed for February 14, promises a delightful mix of laughter and sensuality (perfect for the occasion).

But Fridge Comedy Club didn’t stop there in creating an unforgettable night! The special dinner menu, prepared by cheffe Hannah June, brings a unique blend of Levantine flavors spiced up with Parisian inspirations. After a glass of champagne, enjoy amazing bites like hot goat cheese or marinated feta with spinach. Chicken or mackerel keftas come with saffron pilaf rice and pomegranate seeds, complemented by beetroot ricotta cream and pickled pink onions. For dessert, there’s a smooth lime, cherry, and sumac meringue, or a mochaccino coffee delight. Ultra-original cocktails, crafted by Céline Lopes, the club’s mixologist, are inspired by regular comedians at the club. The best part: the evening is split into two sessions — dinner at 7:30 pm followed by the show at 9:30 pm, or the show at 8:15 pm followed by dinner at 9:45 pm.

Fridge Comedy Club, 164 rue Saint-Denis, Paris 2nd. Paillettes Comedy String, Valentine’s night, 120 € per person, show + dinner. Reservations available online.

For an unforgettable Valentine’s, treat yourself to a romantic getaway at the Maisons de Campagne, either the weekend following or the one after Valentine’s Day. The Château de Villiers-le-Mahieu and Maison du Val — two idyllic spots less than an hour from Paris — offer an all-inclusive experience: everything is included, from ultra-cozy rooms and meals to snacks, drinks, and a variety of activities. Here, you can relax as if it were your own countryside home… without the hassles!

Activities include: on February 14 starting at 5 pm, talented illustrators Clara and Vicdoux will sketch your portrait as a couple, family, or friends. There’s also a cooking masterclass on February 18 at Maison du Val and February 20 at Château de Villiers-le-Mahieu, a gourmet teatime featuring Popelini cream puffs, yoga and Pilates sessions, painting, watercolor, or paper crafting workshops. For a moment without the kids, they can enjoy supervised activities such as treasure hunts, board games, and creative workshops. Prefer a day escape? Just book a lunch to access the on-site offers for free.

Les Maisons de Campagne, Maison du Val, 78100 Saint-Germain-en-Laye (from 387.75 € on February 14), and Château de Villiers-le-Mahieu, 78770 Villiers-le-Mahieu (from 450 € on February 14).

Valentine’s Day calls for a bit of naughty fun. To soak up sensuality and sexiness, head to Boudoir des Muses, the hottest address in the Marais. Newly opened in the fall, this 4-star spot oscillates between convent and brothel, making its Valentine’s debut. Deliciously transgressive, Boudoir des Muses has already become THE place for a steamy evening for two (or more!). The atrium-shaped lobby evokes a purgatory-like vibe, leading to a theatrical bar designed as a true intimate and glamorous haven.

Your evening program: a cabaret show hosted by the hilarious and sensual Maud Amour (from 8 pm to 11 pm, entry with a requirement of 1 cocktail and 2 dishes per person). Among the love potions: the signature cocktail L’Amour Passionnel (vodka infused with verbena, passionfruit and raspberry puree, lemon juice, and tonic, 18 €), perfectly paired with a raspberry and rose pavlova (13 €). The highlight of the night? Two private bath salons offering a suspended moment of absolute relaxation for 1.5 hours, including two glasses of champagne (Hédoné Bath 285 €, Vénus Bath 250 €). Things are bound to heat up...

Boudoir des Muses, 6 rue de Saintonge, Paris 3rd. Reservations by phone at 01 87 58 08 08 or by email at restaurantassistantmanager@boudoirdesmuseshotel.com. 

Things are swinging over in Paris' Golden Triangle! The city’s music lovers have only one name on their lips: Le Melville! A chic venue where jazz and world music enthusiasts revel in an ambiance reminiscent of the best New York clubs.

For Valentine’s Day, chef Malcolm Ecolasse (formerly of Froufrou Paris) marries his dishes with the majesty of Alexandre Lombard-Buffet's piano, accompanied by Axel Allright on drums and Arthur Cayuelas on bass, with vocals by Galawesh. The result? A menu featuring a glass of champagne, smoked scallop carpaccio with passionfruit vinaigrette, followed by an ultra-gourmet confit salmon fillet with reduced poultry jus, samphire salad with fennel and bone marrow accompanied by roses. Then, a pumpkin half-moon with honey, spices, and feta, topped with ginger-honey-lemon foam and blood orange. Dessert? A sublime vanilla-chili pannacotta flavored with truffle, chili oil, and chocolate. Love, like jazz, is chaos—but not just any chaos!

Le Melville, 28 rue Jean Mermoz, Paris 8th. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 7 pm to 2 am.

Forget Love, Rosie, Notting Hill, and Four Weddings and a Funeral — give the romantic comedy Un peu, beaucoup, aveuglément a chance at the theatre. Cozy up in a plush red seat next to your sweetheart (for life or just the night), laugh and swoon at Clovis Cornillac’s new baby at Théâtre de la Michodière. Our favorite actor, who already wowed us in Dans les yeux de Monet, takes the lead role in the romantic comedy Mur Mure, written by Lilou Fogli, alongside the stunning Laurence Arné.

Imagine: through a wall, just by sound, your neighbor seems to be your exact opposite. Machin, a quirky and frankly misanthropic inventor (gotta love his mad scientist glasses), needs only one thing: total silence to perfect his inventions. These, both wacky and ingenious, constantly drive his neighbors away. Enter Machine, a beautiful pianist moving in on her own for the first time—right next door to the scientist. You think you know the rest? Not quite... A heartwarming romantic comedy with great actors.

Mur Mure, Théâtre de la Michodière, 4 bis rue de la Michodière, Paris 2nd.

Also discover the top shows of the moment and our favorite restaurants in the 9th arrondissement.