There is more to do in Paris during the month of February than celebrate Valentine’s Day, but where better to do so than in the City of Love?
Source: The 40 Best Things To Do In Paris February 2016 | Paris Insiders Guide
What better place to celebrate Valentine’s Day than in Paris?
With February approaching, so does Valentine’s Day — or in France, “Saint Valentin” — in many countries around the world. Unfortunately, February also brings with it the coldest temperatures of winter in France. If you’re thinking of going to Paris in February, don’t let their possibility of snow stop you. It doesn’t snow much in Paris, and even if it does, the city isn’t hard to get around, with pedestrian-friendly sidewalks and a large metro system at your disposal.
You do need to dress warmly, however: I highly recommend warm gloves and boots, a scarf, and a hat or earmuffs. If you like to take lots of photographs, give thought as to how difficult it is to maneuver your camera. When I was last in Paris in late fall, the temperature didn’t give the whole story: while the thermometer generally read about 46 degrees Fahrenheit ( 7.7 degrees Celsius), it was a damp cold, and my hands (well, my fingers, actually) got very red in the time it took to get my camera out of its case. As long as I kept moving I was fine; it was only when I stopped to take a picture that I felt what I will call “frostbite-creep.”
Perhaps I am just more susceptible to cold: Even in the coldest temperatures, I saw Parisians sitting outside in heated areas of cafes, huddled over the coffee of their choice with friends and family alike. I saw parents and children in coats enjoying rides on the Champs-Elysees. I saw plenty of people just enjoying the sites of Paris. In short, Parisians don’t let a little cold weather stand in their way of enjoying the moment — and neither should you.
Here are three activities that intrigued me:
1. Gourmet Bus Tour of Paris. The glass boats of the Seine have arrived on land: view Paris attractions on a luxury coach (bus) while dining on a multi-course meal of fine French cuisine. What an elegant way to experience the city. You can even ask your waiter for an audio commentary of the tour.
Choose between a 2-hour, 4-course lunch tour, or a 2.5 hour, 6-course dinner tour, both serving gourmet meals with 2 glasses of wine, mineral water and a coffee per person. Dinner includes a glass of champagne. Here is a sample lunch menu:
Starter: Artichoke soup with duck foie gras, ginger bread, and truffle oil
Fish course: Roasted sea bream filet with baby artichokes, dried tomatoes, and basil
Meat course: Guinea fowl breast with polenta and chanterelle mushrooms
Dessert: Raspberry macarons with lemon curd, honey, and fresh herbs
Drinks: 1 glass of white wine with Fish course
1 glass of red wine with meat course
1 coffee or tea
50cl still or sparkling mineral water
Cost of Lunch:
Adult: From $93.41
Child (11 and up): $93.41
Child (3-10 years): $43.96
Child (0-2 years): Free
Cost of Dinner:
Adult: From $142.86
Child (11 and up): $142.86
Child (3-10 years): $54.94
Child (0-2 years): Free
Metro: Charles de Gaulle Etoile. Board and alight near the Arc de Triomphe at 2 Avenue Kleber, 75016 Paris.
Additional information:
*Tables available for up to 8 people.
*The chef offers a sampling (“a la carte”) menu of 4 dishes for lunch or 6 dishes for dinner, served with wines by the glass selected for each meal. This menu must be booked 48 hours in advance.
*The Gourmet Bus Tour can be rented out for special events, with or without restaurant services.
*February 14 is sold out for lunch and dinner.
2. Nikolai Lugansky on Piano at the Theatre des Champs-Elysees, Main Hall.
Luganski is a classical Russian pianist who will perform selections from Shubert, Beethoven and Rachmaninoff. He will perform at the Theatre des Champs-Elysees, a mere babe among concert and opera venues in Paris, having been built in 1913. The theatre was meant to be suitable for contemporary works of music, dance and opera. Read here about its “scandalous” beginning.
Where: Theatre des Champs-Elysees
15 Avenue Montaigne
75008 Paris
Metro: Alma-Marceau or Franklin D. Roosevelt
When: Monday, February 15, 2016, 20:00 hours (8:00 P.M.)
Price: 30 – 72 euros ($32 – $77)
Due to heightened security precautions:
*There will be metal detectors and bag checks at the entrance.
*They request you arrive no later than 15 minutes before the event begins.
*There is no admission after the event begins.
*No large bags are permitted in the venue.
*One small bag allowed per person.
3. The Barber of Seville.
The Barber of Seville was originally a French play by Pierre Beamarchais, written in 1773. Giochino Rossini wrote an opera buffa based on the French play, and it is said to be one of the greatest masterpieces of comedy within music. The story is about a Spanish count who falls in love with a girl named Rosine. To make sure she loves him and not just his money, he disguises himself as a poor college student named Lindor, and sets out to woo her. He encounters problems, most notably her guardian, who wants her for himself. After enlisting the help of his ex-servant Figaro, love triumphs.
Where: Opera Bastille, Main Auditorium
75012 Paris
Metro: Bastille
When: Tuesday, February 2 – March 4, 2016
Cost: 173.00 euros ($186.80)
219.00 euros ($236.47)
Don’t forget sans visibilite tickets 30 minutes before each performance! (May not be available for this particular performance, but it’s worth a try.)
Au revoir!
References: “Theatre des Champs-Elysees,” by Wikipedia, CCBY 3.0. “The Barber of Seville,” by Wikipedia, CCBY 3.0.
Image of Valentine’s Day coffee and chocolates by CanStockPhoto.