Guides
Everything you need to know
before giving flowers.
Short guides, no padding, sorted by theme: which flowers to give and when, what colours and numbers of roses say, what to budget, how to make a bouquet last.
Flowers for every occasion
Birthdays, Mother's Day, a new baby, sympathy, a hotel surprise: which flowers to choose, what tone to give the card and when to have them delivered in Paris.
Surprises
How to decorate a hotel room for a surprise: the guide
Ask the hotel first, set up just before arrival, choose fresh rose petals and LED candles, and keep the other person away from the room until the right moment. Here is how, step by step.
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Occasions
What flowers to give for a birthday: how to choose
For a birthday, give bright, cheerful flowers chosen for the relationship and the person’s character rather than for a symbol. Pink and orange for energy, pastels for softness, a single variety for someone who likes things simple.
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Occasions
Mother’s Day in France 2027: date and flowers to send
In 2027, Mother’s Day in France (la Fête des Mères) falls on Sunday 30 May: the last Sunday of May, unless it clashes with Pentecost. That is well after the UK and US dates, and right in peony season.
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Occasions
New baby flowers: what to send, and are they allowed on maternity wards?
For a new baby, send soft, low-scent flowers in light tones, with no lilies, or an orchid that lasts. Above all, check whether the maternity ward accepts flowers: many refuse them for hygiene reasons, and delivering to the home after the return is often the best option.
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Occasions
What flowers to send for a funeral or sympathy: colours, customs and the card
For a bereavement, white and green are always appropriate: a simple bouquet or a white orchid, sent to the funeral home before the ceremony or to the family a few days later. Before choosing, read the death notice and consider the family’s customs, which come before any rule.
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Occasions
Sending flowers to a hospital in Paris: is it allowed?
Often not, in Paris: the AP-HP, which runs most of the city’s public hospitals, asks visitors not to bring flowers or plants, because vase water and soil contain germs. Rules vary from ward to ward, so call the ward before ordering. The safest option is to have a bouquet delivered to their home on the day they are discharged.
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Surprises
Flowers for a marriage proposal in Paris: which bouquet, how many roses, and when
For a marriage proposal, red roses remain the classic bouquet, but your partner’s favourite flower beats the symbol. The hard part is not choosing: it is not holding the ring box and the flowers at the same time. In Paris, have the bouquet delivered to the hotel or restaurant beforehand, or have the room decorated for afterwards.
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Occasions
Wedding anniversary flowers: colour, number of roses and anniversary traditions
For a wedding anniversary, red roses remain the safest choice: they say love without ambiguity. Mix them with white to speak of union, or choose the flowers from your wedding day if you remember them. For a silver anniversary, go for white and silvery foliage; for a golden one, yellow and ivory. The words on the card matter as much as the bouquet.
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Giving and choosing a bouquet
How to give flowers without a false note, at the office or to say sorry, and which size and budget to plan for in Paris.
Giving flowers
How to give flowers in Paris without getting it wrong
To give flowers without getting it wrong, choose a colour that fits the relationship, a size that fits the occasion, a few sincere words on the card and the right delivery time. Here is each step in detail, from what to write to delivering to an office or a hotel.
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Choosing a bouquet
The perfect bouquet guide: composition, sizes, budget
A good bouquet isn’t a question of price, it’s a question of balance: a focal flower, a secondary flower, foliage, a shape that suits the person and a size that suits the occasion. Here is how to choose, from composition to budget.
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Choosing a bouquet
How much does a bouquet cost in Paris? What sets the price
The price of a bouquet comes down to five things: the flowers chosen, the season, the size, the work of arranging it and the delivery. To compare two offers in Paris fairly, look at the delivered total, bouquet and delivery fee included, rather than the headline price.
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Giving flowers
Flowers to say sorry: what to send (and what to write on the card)
To say sorry, send a simple bouquet in soft colours (white, soft pink or peach), of a modest size, with a few honest words on the card. Flowers do not replace an apology: they go with it, and they mean more the sooner they arrive.
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Giving flowers
Flowers for a first date: good idea or faux pas?
Flowers on a first date can be touching, as long as you keep it light: a single stem or a small format, in a soft colour, that your date can take along without being weighed down all evening. Often, the most successful gesture is a small bouquet delivered the next day, to say you enjoyed the evening.
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Giving flowers
Sending flowers to someone at work: when, what and how
Sending flowers to someone at work is a lovely idea for a birthday, a promotion, a leaving do or a thank-you, as long as you choose a compact, lightly scented bouquet and give a complete address. Here is when to do it, what to choose and how to make sure the bouquet reaches the right person.
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Giving flowers
I cheated on my girlfriend: which flowers should I send to say sorry?
After cheating, send her favourite flowers or, failing that, white or soft pink roses in a simple bouquet, with a card that owns what you did without excuses. Send them after you have talked, never instead of the conversation: flowers do not ask for forgiveness on your behalf, they show you are sincerely seeking it.
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Giving flowers
Flowers for a man: which ones to choose, and how to give them
Yes, you can give flowers to a man, and many men have never received any, which makes the gesture all the more memorable. Choose flowers with a clean silhouette (sunflowers, dahlias, anemones, amaryllis) in a bold or deep palette, or a potted orchid if he has no vase. In Paris, Hanaé delivers to his home or office in under 2 hours, or within 1 hour with express.
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Giving flowers
What to write on a flower card: example messages by occasion
A good flower card message fits in one or two sentences: the person’s name, a thought that only applies to them, and your signature. At Hanaé, 94% of paid orders carry a card message, with a median length of 9 words (measured on 24 October 2026 across 109 orders). Short and specific beats long and general.
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Giving flowers
Which flowers to give to say thank you: colour, size and what to write on the card
To say thank you, give a light, colourful bouquet rather than red roses: yellow, orange, white and green say thanks without ambiguity. Size S or M is enough. After a dinner, have the flowers delivered the next day rather than bringing them: your host will not have to hunt for a vase while guests are arriving.
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Giving flowers
Which bouquet to give a friend: colours, occasions and what to write on the card
For a friend, give a bouquet that suits her rather than one that tries to impress: her favourite flower if you know it, otherwise yellow, pink or orange, the colours of friendship. Avoid red roses, which speak of love. Size M is almost always enough, and a personal line on the card matters more than the number of stems.
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Flower language
What colours and numbers of roses say, so the bouquet says exactly what you mean.
Flower language
Flower colour meanings: the guide
Every colour has a meaning in the language of flowers: red for love, white for purity and mourning, yellow for friendship, pink for tenderness. Here is the guide, colour by colour and occasion by occasion, that keeps you from sending red roses to your boss.
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Flower language
Number of roses meaning: how many roses to give?
By the most common convention, one rose means love at first sight, three roses “I love you”, twelve roses commitment and a hundred and one roses being madly in love. These are customs, not rules: sources do not always agree, and the colour of the roses often says more than their number.
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Seasons and care
The flowers of each season in Paris, and the simple habits that keep a bouquet going for a week.
Flower care
Bouquet care: 7 rules to make it last a week
A well-cared-for bouquet lasts 7 to 10 days; neglected, 3 days at most. It all comes down to 7 simple rules, plus a few tips specific to roses, tulips, peonies, hydrangeas and orchids.
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Seasons
Seasonal flowers in Paris: what to give month by month
Every month has its flowers: mimosa and tulips in winter, peonies in May, dahlias from July to October, chrysanthemums for All Saints’ Day. Here are the ones at their best in Paris, season by season, and why the season matters.
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Frequently asked questions.
- How do I give flowers without getting it wrong?
- Choose a colour that suits the relationship, a size that suits the occasion, a few sincere words on the card and the right delivery time. In Paris, a bouquet delivered around midday brightens the whole day.How to give flowers in Paris
- What do flower colours mean?
- Red for love and passion, best kept for a partner; white for purity, new babies and mourning; yellow for friendship and joy; pink for tenderness.Flower colour meanings
- How long does a bouquet last?
- Well cared for, a bouquet lasts 7 to 10 days; neglected, 3 days at most. As soon as it arrives, cut 2 to 3 cm off each stem at an angle, and change the water every 2 days.Bouquet care: 7 rules
- How much does a bouquet delivered in Paris cost?
- The price depends on the flowers, the season, the size, the arranging and the delivery: compare the delivered total. At Hanaé, delivery costs €5.90 anywhere in Paris, free from €100; 1-hour express costs €18.How much a bouquet costs in Paris
Delivery in Paris
Hanaé delivers bouquets in Paris in under 2 hours, or in 1 hour by express, 7 days a week.