Paris, the City of Love
Why is Paris called the City of Love? Plein Publique delves into the history of French romance, from secret hideaways to the iconic Le Mur des Je t'aime.
Do you dream of visiting Paris around Valentine's Day? Plein Publique investigated why the French capital is called the "City of Love." From medieval secret meeting spots to love locks on the Seine and hidden gem movie theaters!
- Well-known locations
- The Wall of "I Love You"s, Pont des Arts, Ciné 13
- Love locks...
- In 2015, more than 45 metric tons of padlocks were removed from the Pont des Arts
- Nicknames for Paris
- City of Lights, City of Fashion, City of Love
- Wall of Love
- >250 languages and dialects in Montmartre
Cliché, tourist gimmick, or is there a historical basis after all? PLEIN PUBLIQUE investigates why Paris is called the City of Love.
Paris has no fewer than three nicknames to live up to: the City of Light, the City of Fashion, and the City of Love. The last one, in particular, captures the imagination—especially now that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and special offers for city trips to Paris are everywhere. Curious as we are, we’ll first take a close look at the origins of the nickname “City of Love.” With love, of course ;)
L'AMOUR SECRET
New love is fragile; gossip and slander are timeless. How do you get to know a potential lover without ruining your reputation before the first kiss? That’s right—by avoiding the public eye. It’s hard to imagine, but in the Middle Ages, Paris was a rural town crisscrossed by a maze of canals and waterways—the ideal hideout for lovers, far from prying eyes and nosy neighbors along the banks. Budding love on the water, democratic across all social classes, recognizable and pure in its innocence.
L'AMOUR OHLALA
Around 1850, the tide turned: innocence gave way to debauchery. The Industrial Revolution drew thousands of workers—both men and women—to Paris, and as is often the case in a commercially thriving society, a delightfully carefree atmosphere took hold. The famous Parisian romance became more frivolous, the nightlife more exuberant, erotically tinged cabaret (think: Moulin Rouge) came into fashion, and “paid love” became a cult hit among poets, writers, and artists. Voilà the famous sexy vibe of Paris: romance with a spicy “oh la la” twist.
CULT CLASSICS OF LOVE
Paris exudes love in all its forms. Sometimes hidden, sometimes exuberantly visible. On the street, at a café, in a fleeting kiss that no one seems to be directing. For generations, the city has served as the backdrop for scenes where romance feels effortless. Real or staged—the difference fades away. What remains is the feeling: intimate, playful, and just a touch mysterious. Exactly as Paris is meant to be. Let’s keep the magic alive.
Paris, the City of Love
(S)LOTS OF LOVE
The place where—at least until 2015—you could symbolically seal your love by attaching a padlock with a love note to the bridge railing. This ultra-romantic concept fell victim to its own success: the railing was literally in danger of collapsing under the weight of tons of steel—700,000 padlocks, weighing more than 45 metric tons. Oh well. In 2015, the railings—padlocks and all—were removed and replaced with glass panels. Good luck to any lover who thinks they can still attach a padlock here. New spots for hanging padlocks come and go for the same reason: the Pont de l’Archevêché, near Notre Dame, has since been canceled as well. Is eternal love a thing of the past? Mais non—you just have to be smart about where you “hang out.”
L'AMOUR & LA MUR
The idea for “Le Mur des Je t’aime” in the Montmartre district comes from Frédéric Baron, a multidisciplinary artist and a true romantic. The wall is covered with enameled plaques featuring the calligraphic phrase “I love you” in more than 250 languages and dialects from around the world. You can submit your own declaration of love on the wall’s website: www.lesjetaime.com.
(SEMI-)SECRET PARISIAN SPOTS TO REMEMBER
CINÉ 13 Movie Theater, 1 avenue Junot
Emily in Paris, Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain: chic movies and Paris are a match made in heaven. If you’re in Paris and feel like catching a movie (we can’t imagine why you’d seek out the dark in the City of Lights, but hey, who are we to judge?), then you can’t miss this gem of a movie theater. Ciné 13 is the charming showpiece of a famous French director. In the intimate theater, the first three rows are equipped with loveseats for 2 to 3 people. Watching a movie in the arms of your lover(s): Parisian romance at its best!
PIZZERIA LE PATIO, 47 Cours de Vincennes, Charonne
Need we say more????
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
Kisses, the PLEIN PUBLIQUE team
FAQ
Why is Paris called the City of Love?
Paris earned this nickname because of the medieval waterways where lovers would meet in secret, the 19th-century rise of frivolous nightlife and cabaret, and the romantic charm of locations throughout the city.
What is Le Mur des Je t'aime in Paris?
Le Mur des Je t'aime is a wall in Montmartre, designed by Frédéric Baron, covered with enameled plaques on which "I love you" is written in calligraphy in more than 250 languages and dialects.
Are the love locks still hanging on the Pont des Arts in Paris?
No, in 2015, the railings—which had more than 700,000 padlocks (over 45 metric tons of steel)—were removed from the Pont des Arts due to the risk of collapse and replaced with glass panels.
