Valentine’s Day might have been and gone, but the most tantalising romantic breaks are those that you get to spend time planning and looking forward to. Here, the team at Racing Breaks share their plans for the ultimate romantic weekend in Paris complete with pampering, sophistication and the heart-fluttering giddiness of a day at the races…

Paris, city of love, has to be the ultimate destination for a romantic trip for two. With the glitz and glamour of the glossiest horse racing event in Europe however, the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Paris in October is taken to a whole new level.

Plan the perfect trip to Paris

The journey begins in London at King’s Cross St. Pancras, with a ticket in hand for the Eurostar, which only takes 2 hours and 40 minutes. When arriving in Paris, there is an unmistakeable finesse to the urban paradise. Beautiful architecture, tangible culture and history, and, cliche or not, excellent croissants. Grab one en route to your hotel.

Where to stay in Paris

We suggest making a long weekend of your trip to really get the most out of it, starting with a little spa indulgence. For ultimate decadence it’s pretty hard to beat luxury spa hotel, Hotel Molitor Paris. The romantic spa is the home of Clarins so you know the treatments will be good. Meanwhile, the five star hotel’s 1930s heritage and famous art deco swimming pool give it a uniquely stylish edge.

Then onto the superbly positioned Hotel Ibis Paris La Defense, included in Racing Breaks’ Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe package. The hotel is only 15-minutes from the racecourse and 20 minutes from the Eiffel Tower.

What to do in Paris

One of the beautiful things about Paris is its size. A comparatively small city, it’s easy to get anywhere by taxi, buses, metro on foot, or that quintessential Parisian favourite – bicycle. You will find them on every corner.

It goes without saying that a day or two of wandering between the Eiffel Tower, and from the bustling Champs-Élysées to the more intimate Montmartre is time well spent. Don’t forget to allocate an appropriate amount of time to sipping coffee and watching the world go by.

Onto the races, the main race day takes place on Sunday 6th October. If you travel with Racing Breaks then it all begins with an exclusive preview drinks evening. That means rubbing shoulders with top stars from the racing world including Frankie Dettori.

On the Sunday private transfer will take you to and from ParisLongchamp racecourse. The racecourse itself stands out amongst the greenery of the park, and boasts fantastic views across the track and beyond.

What makes racing in Paris exceptional?

The French know how to play host like nobody else, but on this occasion the real entertainment happens out on course. ParisLongchamp is known to be one of the most spectacular horse racing locations in the world. Whether you’ve been to many an event or this is your first time, it’s an experience guaranteed to showcase racing at its finest. A spectacle like no other, it’s a chance to see the top thoroughbreds from all over Europe, battling to pass the winning post in front.

Add into the occasion the sites, the food, the culture and the overarching romance of Paris in the autumn and you’ve got a classic mini break with a unique and decadent twist.