Bring the City of Love Home for Valentine’s Day

As a former French teacher, thus, obviously a francophile, I have tried to bring that Parisienne je ne sais quoi into my classroom and/or home as much as possible. The City of Love has been on my mind even more as Valentine’s Day approaches.

Walking along the Seine after a long lunch at a cafe, shopping at the top-notch boutiques, the Eiffel Tower, and hearing the beautiful language are a few reasons why Paris is undeniably romantic. Even though nothing compares to being in the actual City of Love, until your next trip, here are some ways to bring Paris to you.

Movies:
Both Paris, I Love You and Amélie are set in Paris. Paris, I Love You is a vignette style, while Amèlie is a romantic-comedy, and one of the most popular French movies of all time. Ratatouille and Hugo are excellent choices for a family-friendly movie night.

Cuisine:
Baking madeleines is a family favorite at my house, chez Garrison, so pick up a madeleine pan from Sur La Table at Stony Point Fashion Center, and you will soon feel just like Julia Child, in your own kitchen. Another fun activity is a French cheese sampling. Wegman’s and Costco offer many selections. Other fun French foods to make at home are: crêpes, croissants, quiche lorraine, and chocolate mousse.

Museums:
Step into Paris’s most renowned art museums virtually. The Louvre , The Musée d’Orsay, and The Centre Pompidou are open for virtual tours. You might have to wait to take your sweetheart to see the Mona Lisa in person; but, you can still enjoy tours of the unique pieces in each of these museums.

Imagine yourself at the Louvre art museum in Paris by clicking through their online gallery.

Connect:
See Paris in stunning photos by following these accounts on Instagram: @seemyparis and @paris.with.me. Both accounts are informative and capture the city in an authentic way. Maybe you can’t get to Paris now; but, these accounts help you dream about the day you can.

We may not be able to travel to Paris with our sweetheart this year but we can click through some fabulous instagram accounts to travel vicariously.

Read:
Curl up with a good book, café noir, and enjoy some French literature. The classic Le Petit Prince is easy to find in French or English. The iconic book is suitable for kids and grown-ups and has themes that transcend generations. Les Misérables is one you will need more than a day to read, but well worth it as the message of hope resounds.

It isn’t just francophiles who want to experience Paris during Valentine’s season. It seems many people associate love and romance with Paris. Although your options for traveling to Paris this year may be limited; there are plenty of ways to experience the city of love in your home. Bonne Saint Valentin!

Lindsay Garrison loves Richmond and is proud to raise her own family here. As a teacher for 12 years, she learned how to save, budget and stretch every penny. Additionally, she led groups of students to Europe annually, and took great pride in planning affordable, fun-filled trips. She transferred those skills to her daily life and shares them with readers of RVA on the Cheap. Lindsay utilizes RVA on the Cheap to make enriching life experiences accessible to all. Check her instagram: rva.familyfun for more affordable family adventures!