The Ultimate Guide to Honeymooning in France

My boyfriend and I recently got married, and whilst our wedding was very easy to organise (the theme was do the minimum), our honeymoon was a bigger question. The biggest question being whether it should be in Italy or France. In the end we opted for Italy and decided to go to France to celebrate me getting residency in the EU. But not to worry, our honeymoon France plans will not be in vain - we will share all our research with you so that you can have the best honeymoon in France!

Honeymoon in France: The Ultimate Guide

France has long been a honeymooner’s paradise, and for good reasons:

Why France is Perfect for a Honeymoon

It’s a country that caters to every kind of couple. Whether you’re seeking heart-stopping adventures, postcard-perfect views or intimate evenings filled with laughter and fine wine, France has it all. From wandering hand-in-hand along cobble-stoned streets to basking in the glow of a romantic sunset on the French Riviera, every moment can feel like it’s straight out of a movie. Plus, the art, culture and food are second to none, making it a feast for the senses and the soul.

Where to go

Where you take your honeymoon in France is probably the first thing you should think about:

• Paris: the capital of France and known as the city of love and for a good reason - what better place to celebrate your love? Visit the best restaurants and see some of the most famous sites in the world!
• Marseille: if you're more of a coastal loving couple than a city couple opting for someone like Marseille, Cassis or Étretat will be better for you. You can just laze on the beach together and take a private yacht out to sea;
• Mont Blanc: maybe you're not city rats or beach bums, maybe your love is as tall as the mountains, in which case I recommend Mont Blanc, a 4,806 metre monument to your love (or it soon will be!)
• Normandy: if none of the above appeals to you, perhaps you are more like country mice honeymooners who would love somewhere like Loire Valley or Aix-en-Provence - but probably Normandy more than all!

Ultimately, if you have the time and budget I would recommend going to not just the cities or the beaches or the countryside or the mountains - but instead going to all of them. But that's because I love all four. You know yourselves better than I do so where will your love take you?

Where to stay

Once you know where you and your new spouse will be going in France, comes an even more exciting part of planning - where will you stay? Of course this will depend on where you're going and what your tastes are - fancy or rustic? As it's your one and only honeymoon, I do want to push you towards being as fancy as possible in this case.

This means opting for hotels over hostels or even better: going for a French luxury ski chalet! Even if you're not skiers, these are always the best places to stay in the mountains.

What to do during your French honeymoon

Similar to when we discussed where you are staying, what you will be doing on your honeymoon is something that will depend on where you go in France and, of course, what you prefer to do as a couple. Here are some ideas to get your brain wheels whirling:

• Visiting a winery: be sure to collect some bottles to open on your 10th, 20th and 50th anniversaries!
• Hiring a private yacht: the best way to see France is from the sea, as they say;
• Skiing or snowboarding: no matter if you're both good at snow sports, or if only one of you is, or if neither of you have tried these before, I'm positive that this could be a lot of fun for both of you!
• Eating out as much as you can: this is France baby, and one of the most romantic things you can do on your honeymoon is try out some of the best restaurants the country has to offer;
• Taking a bread making course: learn how to make French bread together or go even further and take a French cooking class to learn how to create things like ratatouille and tarte tatin!
• Kissing on the Eiffel tower: a must!
• Learning some French together (in case you don't already speak the language)
• Taking a hot air balloon ride: you can glide over the Loire Valley and take in the breathtaking scenery of châteaux and vineyards from above;
• Go hiking in Camargue: Discover the wild beauty of this region, famed for its white horses, pink flamingos and endless stretches of sand;
• A night under the stars: Book a glass-domed suite in the French countryside and enjoy stargazing like never before!
• Run through the lavender fields hand in hand!

Some of these things aren't exactly unique to France but they are still pretty French whilst still being romantic.

How to budget for your honeymoon

Checking your bank balance or even running out of money on honeymoon is probably the least romantic thing that can happen. So, to combat that:

1. Plan your budget in advance.
2. Start saving as soon as possible and put your savings in a high interest account or an ISA.
3. Think deeply about whether you want to reallocate some wedding money to honeymoon money - we did and we did not regret it.
4. Pay for things you can before you get there (think accommodation, tours and the like).
5. Whatever you think you'll need for the rest (food, souvenirs): double or triple it.
6. Have your budget spread out on multiple cards and in Euros in case you lose a card or the place you're in only takes cash!

Luxurious Additions

Now that the budget is out of the way, let's talk about some ideas on how to splurge and make it and even more luxurious, special, unforgettable honeymoon:

• Visit or even Stay at a Château: France is dotted with historic castles-turned-hotels where you can live like royalty. Château de Mercuès and Château de Bagnols are romantic options.
• Wellness retreats: Indulge in couples’ spa treatments at a luxury wellness retreat in Provence or on the Riviera. Relax, rejuvenate, and reconnect!
• Michelin star dining: France is the land of haute cuisine so why not celebrate your new chapter with an exquisite meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant?

Honeymoon Souvenirs

Finally, don’t leave France without taking home a little piece of it! A bottle of wine from Bordeaux, with extras for anniversaries like we mentioned earlier, artisanal chocolate from Lyon, or a perfume from Grasse are romantic keepsakes to remind you of your first adventure as a married couple.

What about you, where did you have your honeymoon? Feel free to share any tips & advice below! (Second photo by Pablo Merchán Montes on Unsplash)

Share this:

ABOUTME

We overland. We eat plants and fungi. We live outside as much as possible. We are all connected. A female travel blogger overlanding and writing about ecotourism, ethical and sustainable travel, socially conscious travel and housesitting. An online travel magazine since 2015.