Valentine's Day city break

Whether you want to say it with flowers, write it in lights, shout it aloft from a hot-air balloon or whisper it in a secret garden, a Valentine’s Day break in Paris or Brussels offers a thousand ways to say je t’aime.

Traditionalist’s Valentine’s in Paris
Tongue-tied? If you’re struggling for the words to show you care, head to Montmartre’s Wall of I Love Yous (www.lesjetaime.com), where you can read some 1000 declarations of love in 300 different languages. Feeling more vocal? Each year on Valentine’s Day, Paris’ town hall plays Cupid, giving lovers the chance to light up the city’s 170 luminous noticeboards with their declarations of love. Send yours to www.paris.fr.

Outdoor lover’s Valentine’s in Paris
Love can’t help but come naturally on Valentine’s Day in Paris, what with all those charming cobbled streets and intimate places. Wrap up warm for a cosy bike ride à deux through the dreamy Bois de Boulogne, skate hand-in-hand at Montparnasse or smooch in the Place des Vosges’ secret garden; perfect for Valentine’s in Paris. Buy her (or him!) blooms at La Madeleine’s colourful marché aux fleurs (closed Mon) or visit the Cité des Sciences’ orchid expo (www.cite-sciences.fr). Or sweep your love up in a hot-air balloon and toast them with champagne in the air, just outside Paris. (www.hotairballoon.fr)

Foodie’s Valentine’s Day in Paris
Wily women know the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Buy chocolate hearts to devour together at Richart (www.richart.com) or give in to the heady temptations on offer at Alléosee’s fromagerie (www.fromage-alleosse.com). Lead your Valentine to Paris’ oldest wine shop, the enchanting Caves Augé (one-time haunt of Marcel Proust), then on to Fauchon (www.fauchon.com), the French capital’s most famous food hall.

Traditionalist’s Valentine’s in Brussels
Head to Brussels for chocolates, chocolates and more chocolates! Brussels is very well known for its equisite chocolate shops which make a perfect Valentine's treat.  If you fancy a bit of sightseeing and wandering around the city for a romantic walk, don't forget to see the Grand Place (whc.unesco.org/en/list/857) then stroll around to Place Saint Catherine to the Quai aux Briques. If you'd rather stay indoors, see the Leonardo Da Vinci exhibition (www.expo-davinci.eu) or go shopping in the trendy Dansaert area (www.brusselscreativity.com/en/brussels/dansaert).

Nightlife for Valentine's in Brussels
The best nightlife venues are scattered across Brussels' districts. The city's glitterati meet in Ixelles' loungy bars, students favour the Bourse area for cheap tipples and tapas, and locals and tourists soak up the famous local beers on the Grand'Place. Find clubs on the glitzy Avenue Louise and the gay scene on the rue Marché au Charbon.

Restaurants for Valentine's in Brussels
With more Michelin-starred restaurants per head than Paris, Brussels loves to eat. But even the poshest restaurants have a relaxed vibe, and fine wines are often served alongside Belgian beer. Avoid touristy rue des Bouchers (unless you go for the classics: Aux Armes de Bruxelles (www.armebrux.be) and Chez Léon (www.chezleon.be). Instead head for the no-frills, excellent fish restaurants on Place Saint-Catherine or an intimate eatery in Ixelles.