Inside Saint-Valentin: The Capital of Romance 

Paris usually steals the spotlight for romance, but in the heart of France is a small village with a much more romantic claim to fame. Saint-Valentin is the only region in France named after the patron saint of love.  

While most of the world celebrates Saint Valentine’s Day for 24 hours, the Capital of Romance celebrates it 365 days a year, and even more so on the days leading up to Valentine’s Day on 14 February.  

For Valentine’s weekend 2026, the 285 inhabitants are preparing to celebrate and welcome visitors from across France and abroad with an impressive programme for their 62^nd Valentine’s Day, all about love. 

There’s a sense of peace in this commune in the centre of the Val de Loire region of France, with no crowded monuments, it’s easy to walk about; outstanding but not overwhelming. 

Instead, couples can stroll hand in hand through the Lovers Garden, the Jardin des Amoureux, the focal point of the village, a four-acre lush garden that makes you want to switch off and spend time with nature. 

The garden project began in 1989, when Mr Pierre Rousseau, only 31 years old, took office as mayor of Saint Valentin. His ambition was clear. He wanted to transform the town into a place where couples could celebrate year-round, not just on 14 February. It remains his main occupation.  

Now in office for 49 years, Rousseau’s vision has proven successful, embraced by both residents and visitors. 

The popular garden is equipped with a bandstand and many trees, two in particular that visitors seek out.  

L’Arbre aux Vœux (The Tree of Vows) is a solid metal sculpture with couples’ names and dates engraved on metal hearts, rather than carved into a tree trunk. Nearby stands another tree, a real one, L’Arbre aux Coeurs (the Tree of Hearts), adorned with paper hearts, ribbons, or notes with vows, personal messages, or wishes for the future.  

And for those seeking even more commitment, lovers are encouraged to plant trees to symbolise their love. As the tree grows, so will their love for each other. 

For romantics, getting married in Saint Valentin, the Capital of Romance, is the ultimate dream. However, as Mayor Rousseau explains, French law is very clear on marriage.  

“Lots of people want to get married in Saint Valentin, but one of them must be a resident of the village to be married in the commune,’ he said. But Mr Rousseau found a solution.  

The mayor introduced the ‘Certificate for Lovers’, a unique ceremony, performed by the mayor himself, as a way to seal their love and available for newly married couples as well as visiting married couples. 

People from many regions of France apply for the “Diplôme d’Amour, but they must register before 6 February. “It’s a real pleasure to make couples happy,” he adds. 

Ceremonies will take place at the Town Hall on 14-15 February this year. Couples can also receive a special blessing at the Église de Saint Valentin, with blessing ceremonies taking place on both days. 

During Valentine’s weekend, the town centre will be draped in garlands, with lots of exhibitions, displays and local food to enjoy. According to the Town Hall, some of the exhibits will have local crafts, handcrafted soaps, jewellery, pottery, and ceramics.  

The gourmet market will include jams, honey cakes and chocolate. Lunch and dinner, complete with musical entertainment on Saturday, will draw crowds from abroad, the town and nearby villages. This year, the Champs d’Amour Tourist Office, responsible for tourism in the region, has organised a two-day free interactive game for adults.  

Consultant Fanny Chauffeteau explained: “By correctly completing the challenge, participants will be entered into a prize draw for a chance to win several exceptional gifts. One of the top prizes is a meal at the gourmet restaurant ‘Au 14 Février’ in Saint-Valentin.”

This Michelin-star restaurant is another good reason to visit Saint Valentin. Masami Kimura, the 63-year-old Japanese owner, and his staff have been serving a refined blend of French cuisine and Japanese influences for 20 years. Diners like the intimate, cosy atmosphere: with only 10 to 12 tables, reservations are a must here. 

The village of Lovers has a unique connection with stamps–a special postmark associated with Saint Valentine’s Day. 

The idea of a Lover’s Stamp began in 1980, when the mayor contacted and persuaded the French cartoonist Raymond Peynet to design a stamp featuring a distinctive motif for the village. The legendary cartoonist produced a postal marking showing two entwined hearts.  

The village now had its own stamp: a heart with two lovers, Les Amoureux. In 1985, the French Postal Service, La Poste, created its beloved theme ‘cancellation postmark’, the first commemorative stamp featuring the artist’s work. 

The tradition continues with a new stamp every year. The village post office gets very busy around Valentine’s Day. The new stamp is already out, and avid collectors aim to get the official Saint Valentin postmark on their envelopes, proving that it came from the Capital of Romance. 

While many rural communities in France are declining as young people move away, Saint Valentin, though small, stands strong, quietly preserving its romantic tradition and continuing to thrive. 

It encourages people to plant trees and invites them back to see how their love has grown.  No grand gestures here. In Saint Valentin, the capital of Romance, the village offers something more intimate, more sincere, and more rooted in community. 

In Saint Valentin, love isn’t a day; it’s a way of life. 

Lead photo credit : Saint Valentin MairiePhoto: Champs d'Amour Tourism Office ©