What’s Dating in Paris Really Like?

In Paris, where romance is supposed to be part of the city’s brand, dating can easily go from magic to merde. Amélie, 29, recalls her worst date so far: “He showed up late, took me to a loud bar with bad wine, and talked about his ex. Then, he asked me to touch a scar on his neck, even after I said no.” Realizing it wasn’t a match, the date ended with her walking in the rain, alone. Timothée, 27, a creative producer, had a promising first date with a friend of a friend, but the second fell flat: “It felt awkward, like none of the chemistry we had shared before even mattered. Ten minutes in, he invited a friend to join us and then left with him, leaving me sitting there alone.” Ghosting soon followed, with the guy texting, "I’m too busy with work to date.” Timothée’s flatmate, Pauline, 27, a pastry chef in Paris who’s dated over 50 men, agrees many are just looking for “sex friends.” But she stays hopeful: “Ironically, my best friend, after a decade-long relationship, is now only meeting guys who want something serious. Perhaps it’s not the city, but the energy we give off?” Even in the so-called city of love, Amélie, Timothée, and Pauline’s stories highlight just how tough it is out there.

Despite the challenges of dating in Paris, French singles are apparently more determined than ever to find love. According to Bumble's 2025 Global Dating Trends, 72% are actively dating in search of long-term partners. However, the future of relationships is clouded by socio-economic uncertainties, with 59% of women now looking at a partner's stability in terms of finances, values, and mental health. This data resonates deeply with Amélie: “Take a good look at the person you let into your life. Does this person bring me peace when I sit next to them?” Born and raised in Paris, she also reflects on the stereotype of the romantic French man, which is inaccurate, based on her experiences: “French men do tend to have commitment issues and most don’t put in any effort. There's this idea that women should now do the same for men, as if equality means the end of romance! Plus, we end up doing the emotional work most of the time without even realizing it. It’s draining.”

In the same Bumble report, 46% of singles say a love for sports and culture is creating micro-communities, providing more opportunities to meet people with similar values. Antoine, 38, a creative director, enjoys seeing many Parisians in their 30s engaging in activities like sports, climbing, and marathons. “People, including myself, understand the need to be the ‘best version of ourselves’ to reach potential,” he says. While he believes it’s still possible to meet people in Paris’ trendy spots, like bars in the 10th, 11th, and 19th arrondissements, or at events, he values how dating apps expand options. “The app is intuitive, the UX is good, and it’s a nice way to meet women,” he says. “It was a cool moment when I realized the world is full of possibilities, even if sometimes it feels like we’re all just products.” 

Sure, Antoine has had a generally positive experience on dating apps, but he also feels it’s not perfect. “It’s easy for a narrow-minded person to look for the type of person or relationship they think they want. Sometimes this means missing out on someone amazing who doesn’t fit those criteria.” This is why Lenny, 29, a social media manager, feels it’s much better to meet people in real life. She offers a straightforward take: “I simply hate dating apps.” Like Amélie, Pauline, and Timothée, she often encounters ghosters, weirdos, and emotionally unavailable men. “I also give my matches a lot of care and attention since I really want to get to know them better, but I find that men on these apps are just looking for the next best thing and don't really consider the feelings of the person on the other side of the screen.” Originally from Lebanon and having lived in the UAE and Italy before moving to France, she believes culture plays a significant role: “Dating back home is more structured and intentional. Most people date to marry, which is something I’ve always believed in, and still do. In Paris, dating often feels like a way for people to feel less lonely.” As someone who works in social media, she also understands how these apps are designed to generate profits, and this knowledge encourages her to “stay away from this trap even more.”

Surprisingly, Lenny’s sentiments likely match a recent letter from Spencer Rascoff, the newly appointed CEO of Match Group, which owns Tinder and Hinge. In the letter a few weeks ago, shared with Fast Company, he acknowledged that dating apps have often felt like a numbers game rather than a space for building meaningful connections. To address this, the company is betting heavily on new developments to revitalize its products. One such feature is an AI-powered game on Tinder, currently in a test run in the US, where users can practice flirting with a chatbot. Additionally, Match Group is rolling out a new verification process, which will roll out in France by the end of the summer. Timothée recalls a time when Tinder and Bumble were the go-to apps in their circle. “Tinder seems to be used more for one-night stands, whereas Hinge has more of a ‘looking for long-term relationships or short-term situationships’ vibe,” he says. “Depending on what you're looking for, I’d recommend Hinge. It also gives you the chance to meet a wider variety of nationalities if you’re not specifically looking for a French person in Paris.” Meredith, 25, a queer American au pair in Paris, shares her take on the apps: “I met three of my most important exes, who are still my friends, on Bumble. Tinder is annoying because even when set to women-only, men still show up. Hinge makes me want to die. The hottest people are on OkCupid, but also the weirdest.” And although she’s still on it, she agrees with Lenny: “To be honest, all of it sucks. It’s all hell.”

Indeed, finding a long-term relationship in Paris is tough, but according to the new TimeOut survey on the best and worst cities for dating, it’s likely the same for most big cities. Amélie explains, “In cities like Paris, New York, or Berlin, financial stability is uncertain, and dating apps give everyone access to incredibly beautiful people from all over the world, even models and fashion people.” She also agrees that this challenge is likely a more global issue. Today, people prioritize freedom, the ability to travel, work whenever they want, and their well-being—an approach that isn't necessarily a bad thing. “I feel optimistic because I want to spend most of my life in Paris, so I don’t want to give up on love,” Timothée shares, adding, “However, I would never recommend moving here specifically to find love. Move here for the culture, the architecture, the food, and the experience, but, for the love of God, do not come here for love. It’s far from the best thing.” Meredith adds: “If you’re moving to Paris to find love, don’t. That’s a stupid reason to move, and the visa process sucks.” As a single straight man still searching for a meaningful relationship, Antoine believes dating in Paris for a genuine connection, whether through apps or in person, is possible. “But I would recommend people start by looking for friendships first, not just focusing on dating, and see where it goes,” he says. He also suggests that, in addition to joining activities like sports classes, art courses, or local groups, dating apps can still be a great way to meet new people. After all, what’s the worst that could happen? Antoine quips: “Sometimes you match with a writer, and end up answering questions about dating in Paris for nss.”