Paris – the city of love and art – has an irresistible pull. What could be more romantic than spending Valentine’s Day wrapped in its atmosphere, slowly savoring every moment? This is a story of a journey from Dubai, filled with refined impressions, art, and, of course, French cuisine.
Arrival in the City of Light: February 13
Paris is called the City of Light because it became a center of Enlightenment thought and was one of the first European cities to introduce a systematic street-lighting network – a detail that gives it a special charm at any hour.
We depart Dubai on the morning of February 13 at 7:50 AM. A few hours in the air, and we land at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). Taking the time difference into account, it’s 12:25 PM in Paris.
Since this is not our first visit, we’re not chasing classic tourist landmarks. Instead, we want to return to our favorite places, move slowly, and fully absorb the city’s rhythm. With only three days, the hotel’s location matters – a lot.
We check into InterContinental Paris Le Grand, right across from the Palais Garnier. From our window, we see the opera, its architectural details, and elegant Parisian streets – an instant immersion into the city’s atmosphere.
After dropping our bags and changing, we head to one of Paris’s oldest cafés for coffee and our favorite mille-feuille.
What to Wear in Paris in February
February in Paris can be chilly, with temperatures ranging from 2 to 10°C and frequent rain. Dressing well means thinking in layers. A warm wool coat and a soft cashmere sweater form the base. I’m wearing a thin white ribbed turtleneck in fine knit, beige silk trousers, and a classic warm brown coat. On my feet – elegant maroon Mary Jane shoes, stylish yet comfortable for long walks. A cashmere scarf, gloves, maybe even a hat if you get cold easily – and, of course, an umbrella. In February, it’s essential in Paris.
Breakfast Across from the Opéra Garnier
Café de la Paix, directly opposite the Opéra Garnier, is more than just a café – it’s a Parisian institution founded in 1862. Its Second Empire interiors, rich with gilding, frescoes, and decorative moldings, create an atmosphere of refined grandeur.
Seated with a view of the opera square, we order coffee and, naturally, a mille-feuille. Here it’s served with flair: perfectly crisp layers of pastry, delicate vanilla cream, and fresh berries – juicy raspberries and fragrant strawberries.
Art in Paris
This trip is not about ticking off landmarks. It’s about art, slow afternoons, wine, cheese, and not denying ourselves carbohydrates. After coffee and dessert, we step into the world of contemporary art. From February 13 to 15, Paris hosts several major art events.
One of the highlights is Art Capital 2026, held in the recently restored Grand Palais. This large-scale event brings together four major salons: Salon des Indépendants, Salon des Artistes Français, Salon Comparaisons, and Salon Dessin & Peinture à l’Eau. It’s a chance not only to see contemporary works but also to meet the artists themselves.
I’m particularly drawn to Elisabeth Gore with her calligraphic abstraction and SYLC, whose work explores psychological structures.
Tickets cost around €22: https://www.artcapital.fr/en/billetterie
We also hope to visit “Echo Delay Reverb: American Art, Francophone Thought” at the Palais de Tokyo, which runs through February 15. The exhibition explores the relationship between American art and Francophone intellectual thought, offering a thoughtful perspective on cultural exchange.
Tickets: https://billetterie-palaisdetokyo.tickeasy.com/en-GB/palais-de-tokyo-home
And if time allows, we’ll stop by the free “Louis Vuitton Art Deco Exhibition” at LV DREAM (26 Quai de la Mégisserie). Entry requires advance booking, though the chocolate boutique is open without reservation.
Info: https://fr.louisvuitton.com/fra-fr/magazine/articles/lv-dream
Booking: https://lvartdeco.seetickets.com/timeslot/louis-vuitton-art-deco-exhibition?lang=en-GB
Evening in Paris: February 13
The evening before Valentine’s Day is reserved for romance. We start with a film – but properly.
We head to Grand Rex, one of the most famous cinemas in Paris and the largest in Europe, located on Boulevard Poissonnière in the 2nd arrondissement. Built in 1932 in Art Deco style, it has been classified as a historical monument since 1981 and welcomes about 1.25 million visitors annually.
The cinema was envisioned by producer Jacques Haïk, who dreamed of a monumental hall for 5,000 spectators, with a 30-meter-high ceiling designed like a starry sky. The final version seated 3,300, but the ambition remained intact.
The façade was designed by architect Auguste Bluysen, while the interiors were created by Maurice Dufrêne, making Grand Rex a landmark of Parisian Art Deco. The day after its opening in December 1932, Paris Soir famously declared: “A piece of Hollywood has landed in Paris.”
After financial struggles, wartime requisition, and postwar revival, Grand Rex evolved into more than a cinema – today it also hosts concerts and offers an immersive backstage experience, Les Étoiles du Rex.
Apéritif in Saint-Germain-des-Prés
For apéritif, we go to Bar Josephine, a cozy cocktail bar in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, for a Kir Royale.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lebarjosephine/
If Kir is a daytime apéritif for cafés and bistros, Kir Royale belongs to the evening – velvet, mirrors, and soft light. Served the French way: a splash of crème de cassis first, then chilled champagne. No ice, no shaker. Simplicity is the elegance.
Dinner with Escargots
For dinner, a 15-minute taxi ride takes us to L’Escargot Montorgueil: https://www.escargotmontorgueil.com/
A Parisian institution since 1832. What to order:
- Escargots de Bourgogne – with butter, garlic, and parsley; the reason people come here.
- French onion soup, rich and gratinéed, if you’re in the mood.
- Roast duck (Canard rôti) – a classic worth trying.
A glass of white Burgundy is the perfect match:
- Chablis – crisp, mineral, notes of green apple, lemon, wet stone. Its acidity cuts through the butter and highlights the texture of the escargots.
- Puligny-Montrachet – floral, citrusy, lightly creamy, beautifully balanced. An elegant, intellectual pairing.
February 14 – The Day
Step 1: Sleep in.
After such a full first day, rest comes first.
Step 2: Taste.
Late breakfast at Le Grenier à Pain in Montmartre – two buttery croissants, then a walk through the neighborhood toward Sacré-Cœur and its views.
Step 3: Touch.
Shopping at Rouje – the French brand founded by Jeanne Damas, embodying effortless Parisian chic.
https://www.rouje.com/
Step 4: Breathe.
A visit to Jovoy – The Embassy of Rare Perfumes, a true temple of niche fragrances and olfactory memories of Paris.
https://www.jovoyparis.com/
Step 5: Listen.
At 8:45 PM – Les Duos d’Amour at Saint-Sulpice Church: an orchestra and choir performing famous love duets from opera and classical repertoire (Handel, Verdi, Bizet, Gounod, Donizetti, Offenbach).
Tickets: https://feverup.com/m/533002/en
Dinner
After the concert, dinner at La Coupole:
https://www.lacoupole-paris.com/en/
A legendary brasserie open late, steeped in Parisian bohemian history.
February 15: Saying Goodbye to Paris
With a post-lunch departure, we wake early, grab croissants and coffee on the go, and visit Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain – usually calm in the morning hours and perfect for a final cultural note.
Then it’s time to head to Charles de Gaulle Airport for our flight back to Dubai.
Epilogue: Paris That Stays with You
This journey is more than a trip – it’s an immersion into culture, art, and romance, where each moment becomes part of a lasting memory.
Paris in February reveals its quieter beauty, inviting you to slow down and truly feel its rhythm. From the gilded interiors of Café de la Paix to the bohemian streets of Montmartre, from contemporary art to refined scents at Jovoy – every element was carefully chosen to create a mosaic of impressions.
Returning to Dubai, we carry with us not just souvenirs, but a piece of Parisian soul – one that will stay until the next meeting with the City of Light. Because Paris is not just a place on the map. It’s a state of mind.
