From the food to the wine to the language, the French do love better: Try our 15 ways to say Je t’aime (without crossing the Channel!) 

Paris, Champagne, passion, oh, and that accent - mais oui, the French know their stuff when it comes to love.

The intimacy of the City of Light, with its winding streets, the twinkling Seine and the long, intimate dinners, you'd have a task on your hands not to say J'adore amour in the country that created romance.

But when you're stuck in Blighty and need to add a certain je ne sais quoi to your life (British blokes pay attention), it's time to look to our cosmopolitan neighbours for inspiration.

From food to fine wine, here's how you can proclaim your love French-style, without crossing the Channel!

Paris, Champagne, passion, oh, and that accent - mais oui, the French know their stuff when it comes to love
Paris, Champagne, passion, oh, and that accent - mais oui, the French know their stuff when it comes to love

Indulge with elegance 

The French don't shy away from the odd indulgence, and are the experts on dining with decadence.

So, ditch the idea of calorie-counting and poring over the label and just enjoy your food, wine and life - while not going overboard on the portion front.

Try a perfectly proportioned Mini Dauphinoise Gratins (£1.99 for 4, Lidl) or an irresistible slice of Salmon Quiche (£1.99, Lidl).

Get dynamic with dating

When it comes to romance, us Brits start off all guns blazing before settling into a routine of box sets and pizza. Tomato sauce-splattered tracksuits never made anyone's list of desirable attributions we're afraid. 

Even couples who have been married for decades are expected to enjoy regular romantic rendezvous in France, so follow their lead. Surprise your partner when they walk in the door with a bouquet of roses like Lidl's Luxury Rose Bouquet (£25). Love needs no special occasion! 

When it comes to romance, us Brits start off all guns blazing before settling into a routine of box sets and pizza while even established French couples are expected to have date nights
When it comes to romance, us Brits start off all guns blazing before settling into a routine of box sets and pizza while even established French couples are expected to have date nights
Follow their lead and surprise your partner when they walk in the door with a bouquet of roses like Lidl 's Luxury Rose Bouquet (£25). Love needs no special occasion!
Follow their lead and surprise your partner when they walk in the door with a bouquet of roses like Lidl 's Luxury Rose Bouquet (£25). Love needs no special occasion!

Cheers to a drop of the good stuff!

The French make no apologies for enjoying a glass of wine or deux with their meals.

With the wine industry dating back to Roman times, it's ingrained in their identity - so it's no wonder French wines are still seen as the cream of the crop when it comes to great grapes.

From a lusty Bordeaux to a crisp white, little else is as romantic as toasting each other with a good bottle. Why not say cheers with a Chateau Plessis Bordeaux, £5.99 or a Cremant de Bourgogne, £7.49, both at Lidl. 

From a lusty Bordeaux to a crisp white, little else is as romantic as toasting each other with a good bottle. Why not say cheers with a Chateau Plessis Bordeaux, £5.99 or a Cremant de Bourgogne £7.49, both at Lidl
From a lusty Bordeaux to a crisp white, little else is as romantic as toasting each other with a good bottle. Why not say cheers with a Chateau Plessis Bordeaux, £5.99 or a Cremant de Bourgogne £7.49, both at Lidl

Try out the language

Touted as the language of love for centuries, no matter what the French say it always sounds passionate.

Try and woo your beloved with a few phrases or create a menu for them entirely in French.

What shows you care more than being willing to take the risk of stumbling over your nouns in a foreign language! C'est magnifique! 

Touted as the language of love for centuries, no matter what the French say it always sounds passionate 
Touted as the language of love for centuries, no matter what the French say it always sounds passionate 

Think fromage, not cheesy!

Legendary general Charles de Gaulle quick had his countrymen sussed as he took charge of the country last Century, saying: 'How can you govern a country that makes over 256 kinds of cheese?'

He's right, of course, apart from the fact that they boast over 400 types! Brie, Camembert, Roquefort, what better way to indulge in life's pleasures than sharing a board of delicious goodness with your other half.

You'll certainly be saying 'cheese' with a huge grin when you stock up on the authentic goods on offer in the fromage aisle at Lidl. From Normandy Brie (£2.49, 500g, Lidl) to spreadable Goats' Cheeses with herbs, honey and cranberries (99p, 100g, Lidl).

Brie, Camembert, Roquefort, what better way to indulge in life's pleasures than sharing a board of delicious goodness with your other half
Brie, Camembert, Roquefort, what better way to indulge in life's pleasures than sharing a board of delicious goodness with your other half
You'll certainly be saying 'cheese' with a huge grin when you stock up on the authentic goods on offer in the fromage aisle. From Normandy Brie (£2.49, 500g, Lidl) to spreadable Goats' Cheeses with herbs, honey and cranberries (99p, 100g, Lidl)
You'll certainly be saying 'cheese' with a huge grin when you stock up on the authentic goods on offer in the fromage aisle. From Normandy Brie (£2.49, 500g, Lidl) to spreadable Goats' Cheeses with herbs, honey and cranberries (99p, 100g, Lidl)
You'll certainly be saying 'cheese' with a huge grin when you stock up on the authentic goods on offer in the fromage aisle. From Normandy Brie (£2.49, 500g, Lidl) to spreadable Goats' Cheeses with herbs, honey and cranberries (99p, 100g, Lidl)
You'll certainly be saying 'cheese' with a huge grin when you stock up on the authentic goods on offer in the fromage aisle. From Normandy Brie (£2.49, 500g, Lidl) to spreadable Goats' Cheeses with herbs, honey and cranberries (99p, 100g, Lidl)

Scent of success

The French are serious when it comes to the scent of success. Perfume is an essential for every Parisian woman and when you indulge in a spritz of the good stuff, you'll feel on top of the world - or at least the Eiffel Tower.

So why not treat the special person in your life to some seductive new fragrance such as Suddenly Diamonds or Woman I (Lidl, £3.99 or 2 for £7, 50ml). Affordable luxury is simply heaven scent.

Perfume is an essential for every Parisian woman and when you indulge in a spritz of the good stuff, you'll feel on top of the world - or at least the Eiffel Tower
Perfume is an essential for every Parisian woman and when you indulge in a spritz of the good stuff, you'll feel on top of the world - or at least the Eiffel Tower
So why not treat the special person in your life to some seductive new fragrance such as Suddenly Diamonds or Woman I (Lidl, £3.99, 50ml). Affordable luxury is simply heaven scent
So why not treat the special person in your life to some seductive new fragrance such as Suddenly Diamonds or Woman I (Lidl, £3.99, 50ml). Affordable luxury is simply heaven scent
So why not treat the special person in your life to some seductive new fragrance such as Suddenly Diamonds or Woman I (Lidl, £3.99, 50ml). Affordable luxury is simply heaven scent
So why not treat the special person in your life to some seductive new fragrance such as Suddenly Diamonds or Woman I (Lidl, £3.99, 50ml). Affordable luxury is simply heaven scent

Pop your cork 

France gave the world champagne - the excitement of the popping cork, the bubbles, the clink of glasses, it screams romance and exclusivity.

Get the fizz back into your love life by ensuring you're stocked up on a few bottles of the good stuff. 

Check out refreshing and very affordable Comte De Senneval Champagne Brut for just £9.99 (Lidl). Now that's worth celebrating. 

From the stunning vocals of Edif Piaf to THAT Je T'aime song by Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin, nothing will get the emotions moving like French music
From the stunning vocals of Edif Piaf to THAT Je T'aime song by Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin, nothing will get the emotions moving like French music

Je ne regrette rien... about my music choice

From the stunning vocals of Edif Piaf to THAT Je T'aime song by Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin, nothing will get the emotions moving like French music.

Get dressed up, light the candles, put on some slow-paced classics and voila!

Breakfast in bed 

A trip to a boulangerie is part of everyday life over the Channel. From flaky croissants to perfect profiteroles, the French do breakfast with style and pizzazz.

Want to enjoy more regular breakfasts in bed? Ditch the smell of fried food and burnt bangers and introduce an altogether more elegant early morning meal.

Plates of pastries will do the trick. Stock up on delicious goodies such as buttery Madeleines (£1.79, Lidl) or Chocolate Crème Crêpes (£1.29, Lidl), or pop down to your local Lidl for some fresh croissants straight from the ovens.

A trip to a boulangerie is part of everyday life over the water. From flaky croissants to perfect profiteroles, the French do breakfast with style and pizzazz - perfect for breakfast in bed
A trip to a boulangerie is part of everyday life over the water. From flaky croissants to perfect profiteroles, the French do breakfast with style and pizzazz - perfect for breakfast in bed
Stock up on delicious goodies such as buttery Madeleines (£1.79, Lidl) or Chocolate Crème Crêpes (£1.29, Lidl) to sweeten up your weekend mornings 
Stock up on delicious goodies such as buttery Madeleines (£1.79, Lidl) or Chocolate Crème Crêpes (£1.29, Lidl) to sweeten up your weekend mornings 

Stay balanced 

It's a country that doesn't take the old adage 'work hard, play hard' too literally, as they have the perfect balance of work.

Staggering in exhausted from a 12 hour shift every day does not do wonders for romance, so follow their lead when it comes to clocking off on the dot, especially if you have something planned with your partner.

Don't check emails over dinner or bang on about how annoying Kev in accounts is - be filled with the joie de vivre and discuss the fancy things in life (most of these are French as well).

Staggering in exhausted from a 12 hour shift every day does not do wonders for romance, so get a little bit French about things when it comes to clocking off on the dot, especially if you have something planned with your partner
Staggering in exhausted from a 12 hour shift every day does not do wonders for romance, so get a little bit French about things when it comes to clocking off on the dot, especially if you have something planned with your partner

Majestically moreish macarons

Who could resist the bright coloured gems of pure mouth-watering bliss?

Macarons are a seriously one-of-a-kind pastrie and are the trendiest treat you can buy at the minute. 

Forget the cronut or the cupcake, this chic little morsel will kick you a sugar rush without feeling leaving you feeling full and frumpy.

The French say that eating these is like a sweet kiss - unforgettable - so get these Lidl Macarons (£2.99 for 12, Lidl) in your shopping trolley and who knows, there might be a peck in it for you once you get home.

Macarons are a seriously one-of-a-kind pastries and are the trendiest treat you can buy at the minute
Macarons are a seriously one-of-a-kind pastries and are the trendiest treat you can buy at the minute
The French say that eating these is like a sweet kiss - unforgettable - so get these Lidl Macarons (£2.99 for 12, Lidl) in your shopping trolley and who knows, there might be a peck in it for you once you get home
The French say that eating these is like a sweet kiss - unforgettable - so get these Lidl Macarons (£2.99 for 12, Lidl) in your shopping trolley and who knows, there might be a peck in it for you once you get home

Aphrodisiacs

It can't be a coincidence that the most romantic country in the world has such a love of one of the planet's most potent aphrodisiacs. 

Believe it or not garlic (yes, the stuff you were told to steer clear of before smooching) is jam packed full of allicin, a compound which gets your bloodflow pumping.

Indulge in the deliciousness the most authentic way you can with escargot. Make like you're a local and cook up some Burgundy style snails packed with flavour (£1.99 for 12, Lidl) or try some seafood in the form of traditional Breton scallops (£3.49, Lidl).

It can't be a coincidence that the most romantic country in the world has such a love of one of the planet's most potent aphrodisiacs
It can't be a coincidence that the most romantic country in the world has such a love of one of the planet's most potent aphrodisiacs
Indulge in the deliciousness the most authentic way with Burgundy style snails packed with flavour (£1.99 for 12, Lidl) or try some seafood in the form of traditional Breton scallops (£3.49, Lidl)
Indulge in the deliciousness the most authentic way with Burgundy style snails packed with flavour (£1.99 for 12, Lidl) or try some seafood in the form of traditional Breton scallops (£3.49, Lidl)
Indulge in the deliciousness the most authentic way with Burgundy style snails packed with flavour (£1.99 for 12, Lidl) or try some seafood in the form of traditional Breton scallops (£3.49, Lidl)
Indulge in the deliciousness the most authentic way with Burgundy style snails packed with flavour (£1.99 for 12, Lidl) or try some seafood in the form of traditional Breton scallops (£3.49, Lidl)

Make time to dance 

Walk along the Seine during the summer and you'll come in contact with a series of swooning couples slow dancing as dusk approaches.

You may not have the Eiffel Tower in your eyesight, but don't let that stop you giving a pas a deux a go. 

Walk along the Seine during the summer and you'll come in contact with a series of swooning couples slow dancing as dusk approaches - give it a try in your own living room
Walk along the Seine during the summer and you'll come in contact with a series of swooning couples slow dancing as dusk approaches - give it a try in your own living room

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