10 Best Public Places to Meet Your Tinder Date in Paris


 

Going on your first Tinder date is likely one of the most daunting things you’ll experience in your adult life. Dating in general is hard, meeting strangers via the internet is harder; and with the current spotlight on the patriarchy and female safety, one needs to be extra careful.

Many visitors to Paris turn to the dating app Tinder to connect them with compatible individuals who are available around the city. Some use it to find love, others to find friends; whatever your reason you still need to stay safe during your first meeting with said stranger.

by Clem Onojeghuo – Unsplash

Paris is abundant in public spaces in which one can meet up with someone unknown. Being a tourist hub of the world it is actually quite difficult to find spaces entirely void of people and public life.

Mont importantly, you need to meet your date somewhere where an “out” is possible, should the date be going distinctly bad. Here are the 10 spots in Paris that I would recommend for both safety and enjoyment.

1. Galerie Vivienne in Paris

5 Rue de la Banque

Throughout Paris you’ll find hidden passage ways that emerge between two storefronts and open up a whole world within them. Some of the passages are covered, others are open air.

The Galerie Vivienne is one of the most famous passages in Paris. It is situated in the 2nd arrondissement in the middle of the French bistro with the same name.

While one could easily arrange to simply meet their Tinder date at this little bistro, and leave it at that, there is something alluring about using the passage instead. As you make your way through it you’ll have your pick of a number of other cafes and restaurants that are hidden inside the space.

Galerie Vivienne – by Guilhem Vellut – Wikimedia Commons

I think the appeal is that despite being a distinctly public space, the passage offers an element of privacy as well. You’re in plain sight of individuals who can help you if things go south, but you’re also away from prying eyes and the outside world.

If things do go well, having Galerie Vivienne as the location of your first ever date is quite romantic and something you’ll hold onto for years to come.

2. Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris

Jardin Tuileries

“I’m awful at small talk, it’s going to be too awkward”; the line I’ve heard repeatedly from friends when contemplating their first public meeting with a Tinder stranger.

Finding common conversation ground with someone new can be tricky, especially if there are no distinct talking points surrounding your meeting place for you to draw from. Museums in Paris exist to save the day.

While quite literally any of the museums around the city will do, the Orangerie in the 1st arrondissement is better suited for a first date with a stranger in a few ways.

Musée de l’Orangerie – by LWY – Wikimedia Commons

The works at the Orangerie span across many of the most well known names in fine art known around the world. Renoir, Picasso and Monet steal the spotlight in this establishment, making for simple and generalized art chat that doesn’t put you on the spot too heavily.

Spanning across one giant room in the Orangerie you’ll find Monet’s exquisite “Water Lilies” creation. Tell your date to meet you here. The room is big enough to absorb all of the initial awkwardness as you work your way around.

3. Palais de Tokyo in Paris

13 Avenue du Président Wilson

The Palais de Tokyo is a short walk from the Eiffel Tower and falls under the zone of the 16th arrondissement . Many people mistake this building for a conventional museum, however it really is more of an experimental space.

The building is used to host exhibitions, performances and film screenings through a careful curation of works by the establishment’s management team. What you’ll find happening in the space if you show up blind is never certain — one must check the Palais de Tokyo website prior.

Palais de Tokyo – by Guilhem Vellut – Wikimedia Commons

Exhibits and events aside, the Palais de Tokyo building is an intricate structure that boasts ample outdoor space where visitors can hang out during the day. It’s an ideal spot to meet up with someone new as you find a quiet corner in the sun to talk and get to know your new Tinder friend.

If things go well, you’ll be able to stroll through to the Eiffel Tower and other nearby attractions. Take note of the weather before arranging to meet here, this is a distinctly outdoor excursion.

4. Place des Vosges in Paris

Le Marais

There are public squares and plazas in quite literally every arrondissement of Paris. Any of these make for great meeting points between two unknown people as they are central points of interest where there is consistent flow of people and Parisian life.

The Place Vendôme and Place de la Bastille are historic ones, the Place de la Concorde is one of the most major, and the Place des Vosges is undoubtably the most beautiful — so we’ll go there!

Place des Vosges – by AINo – Wikimedia Commons

The Place des Vosges is the oldest public square in Paris, which means it is surrounded by exquisite buildings dating back centuries. The square joins the 3rd arrondissement with the 4th and marks a central hub in le Marais neighborhood.

The square is massive, you’ll need to be clear on exactly which quadrant you and your Tinder date are meeting in. There are benches in the space however the grass is lush enough to laze on if you so desire.

The best thing about pubic squares is the opportunity for people watching. An easy change of topic should the flow of conversation be less than appealing.

5. Hôtel Particulier Montmartre in Paris

Pavillon D, 23 Avenue Junot

I learned recently that the presence of food brings a lot of people comfort when engaging in a first meeting with a stranger. Having a meal in front of you gives you somewhere to direct your attention in moments of discomfort or awkward silence.

I don’t have to tell you that absolutely any restaurant, cafe, bistro or crêperie in the city would be a suitable meeting point between you and your date. I am, however, going to tell you about a hidden gem of a brunch spot that is ideal as they come.

Nestled in the suburban streets of Montmartre is the Hôtel Particulier. The hotel is built into an old Parisian townhouse that was converted to host guests not long ago. The restaurant at the Hôtel Particulier holds brunch daily.

Hôtel Particulier Montmartre – by Hôtel Particulier Montmartre – Uploaded by them

Again, this spot is both public yet private at the same time. And if things go well you’ll have access to the hotel gardens where you can spend a further few hours getting to know one another.

I have a friend who did this. The date went so well, in fact, they they ended up moving through to the hotel bar, Le Très Particulier, and sipping wine late into the evening. Did they end up booking a hotel room as well? We’ll never know.

6. Grand Rex in Paris

1 Boulevard Poissonnière

I’ve personally never understood the appeal of sitting in a dark movie theatre as a first date, particularly with someone you’ve never met before. For some people this is their idea of the perfect first date; spotlight on the cinema screen, I suppose, and not on me!

The Grand Rex is the most iconic movie theatre in Paris. It is the home of the largest movie cinema in all of Europe, if you’d like to see it then request tickets for whatever is screening in the “main auditorium”.

The Grand Rex is opulent and offers a very different cinema experience to simply showing up at a normal movie theatre situated inside of a mall. It takes you back to the days where people attended the cinema; they dressed for it and each screening was treated as an event of its own.

If you’re going to sit in the dark with your Tinder date this would be the public space in which to do so. At least if things go badly you’ve got comfort foods and slush puppies at your disposal.

7. Any Park in Paris

The great outdoors. The greatest public meeting point of them all.

No matter where you are situated in Paris there is usually always a public park nearby. The Bois du Boulogne and Bois du Vincennes are known as the lunch of Paris as they boarder the far east and far west of the city.

They make for great spaces from which to stargaze as they are furthest from the light pollution of the city center. I’d save late night park visits for a second or third date, however. Stay safe, kids!

Luxembourg Gardens – by Kosala Bandara – Wikimedia Commons

Toward Paris’ center you can meet your potential lover in the Tuileries or Luxembourg Gardens. These gardens are so romantic that I sometimes take myself on dates here just to be in the mood of it all. Spring and summer bring all of the floral life into bloom and it is quite something to witness.

If you want to go really cliche and meet your date somewhere with the Eiffel Tower in the background then the Champ de Mars makes for a great grass space on which to frolic.

Picnicking in Paris is widely enjoyed and permitted in all public parks. You could add this element to your first date by each brining either wine, cheese, baguettes or other French snack along with you.

8. Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole in Paris

24 Rue Chanoinesse

If you’re going to meet your Tinder date for the first time at a Parisian cafe, at least ensure the cafe is très cute.

While on a free guided walking tour through the Notre Dame neighborhood I passed this enchanting little spot called Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole. During the summer you can barely see the building because the tress bloom so heavily down the walls that they almost touch the street.

Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole – by Pedro Szekely – Wikimedia Commons

The purple outdoor seating pairs in perfect contrast to the turquoise finish of the wooden exterior. Purple flowers drape over the courtyard and welcome visitors through the doors where the inside of the cafe is equally as enchanting. If there were a “good witch of Paris”, this would be her home.

Going the cafe route for a first date should at least pose something different to the dozens of regular cafes one passes daily in the city. Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole is like no other.

9. Rooftop at Montmartre’s Terrass Hotel in Paris

12-14 Rue Joseph de Maistre

Gorgeous panoramic views of Paris, tasty cocktails and ambient music as the night flows by; sounds like a wonderful first date if you ask me.

Not many people know that the Terrass Hotel in Montmartre has a full rooftop bar facility that is open to the public. The top floor overlooks the Montmartre Cemetery and the rest of the rolling rooftops that surround the area.

Terrass Hotel Rooftop – by Terrass Hotel – Uploaded by them

You’ll have to dress for this date as the atmosphere of this establishment is notably chic. In the warmer months you can spend your time on the actual outdoor terrace, and when it’s cold there is an indoor section with window tables that still enjoy the same view.

10. Le Duc des Lombards in Paris

42 Rue des Lombards

Last on my list is my most preferred public meeting point in all of Paris. Whether I’m meeting an old friend, a known date or a stranger, I always find huge comfort in the presence of jazz in a space.

In Paris you don’t have to look very hard to find jazz clubs in which to spend your time and money.  Le Duc des Lombards is one of my favourites, situated in the 1st arrondissement on a quiet street.

Le Duc des Lombards – by Peter Potrowl – Wikimedia Commons

The club is intensely intimate while still maintaining that very important public element that gives both you and your Tinder date a sense of security. They have nightly live jazz that runs until 3:30am on weekends which is unusual for Parisian jazz clubs.

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