Even as an experienced traveler, Paris remains my first love.
For me, the city of lights bubbles and explodes like champagne and fireworks.
Paris, how much do I love thee…let me count the ways.
1. Le Tour Eiffel
But of course. Iconic. Expected. But never disappoints. Any which way you see it, the infamous entrance to the 1889 World Fair excites and satisfies many a fan who catches a glimpse or stares in awe. Whatever your vantage point, whether from slow river boats, lazily in surrounding grassy knolls, beneath the tallest Parisian tower itself, through openings three stories high, or, at best, from across at the Trocadéro, the iron lattice phe-nom somehow elicits a sense of comfort and peace in a city that impresses every time. Soooo, the lady at the ticket counter yells at you rudely, the restroom shuts down with no alternate in sight and lines are three hours long...the Eiffel Tower remains, still, très, très magnifique.
2. Moulin Rouge
Wowzers. What in the hell is the Moulin Rouge?! Fantastic. Neon lights, flashy costumes, feathers, sequins, wild music and craziness. Walking into the 19th century red velvet, candlelit, large yet cozy cabaret theater proves magical. Originally housing courtesans, this slightly questionable establishment soon became the hotspot for fashionable French society and is now well-received and well-respected by most. Although still a bit risqué and provocative, depending on whether you excite, find normal or panic at the appearance of many topless women, the Moulin Rouge, through music, dance, musicians and comedians, delivers significantly more than expected. One ticket price, one included bottle of champagne. By all means G-rated and yet, still, a happy ending.
3. Basilique du Sacré Coeur
It may be out of your way to Montmartre but the white stone church high on the hill coupled with awesome panoramic views of the city of love provide ample reason to trek up to the church of the sacred heart. Work off your lunch of French delicacies by choosing to climb your way to the virginal alter rather than tramming it up by street car. Celebrate your effort with a long, lazy afternoon détente on the front steps listening to artists sing, activists pontificate or acrobats and entertainers liven up the Parisian backdrop. Post spiritual cleanse, leisurely stroll the quaint boulevards de Montmartre and thank God for the surrounding trendy boutiques and cute restaurants.
4. Jardin Louxemberg
Aaahhhh, trifling days in the French breeze. Maybe a bit lazy, but I love a good lay in the park. Have I ever carved out the time in my hectic American schedule? No. But, during any stroll in this green esplanade , it seems as though Europeans excel at this wondrous pastime. The Jardin Louxemberg provides ample room to cozy on up to your sweetness, platonically sit with a friend or quietly rest solo with a good book, an iPod or some munchies. Toss your watch in the flower bed and hang casually amongst the tall trees, flowers and summer clouds for utter rest and relaxation. The Jardin Louxemberg is ideal as it seems less touristy, more local and surrounded by perfect ambiance: a castle with statues no less. Its the atmosphere plus the encouraging Parisians who entice you to play hooky from whatever it is you were doing and just play in the grass.
5. Crepes and Cream
Ooooh la, la, how the French perfect their desserts. Nothing fancy, nothing elegant. Simply crepes and ice cream on the streets. Oh, but how rich it is. My preference leans towards a double scoop of caramel and dark chocolate ice cold cream coupled with a hot, fresh nutella crepe. Grab that park bench a la # 4 above and let your tongue savor all that delicious french sucre. Sooo, you might invite a belly ache post consumption but how scrumptious it was in the moment. C'est la vie.
6. Vélib' Bikes
Well, the idea is grand IF you can figure out how to actually rent one. All over Paris, this progressive city hosts approximately 20,000 FREE, public bicycles waiting to be picked up at 1,639 automated rental stations. [And we query why French women are so thin? Hmmm.] As a casual adventurer myself, the idea of a riding along the streets of the city, catching the sites and details of Parisian life, as I pleased and with efficient speed, seemed divine. YET, aaa-parently, credit cards [needed as collateral] require a very special EMV chip [which American cards do not possess] in order to access these 1,000s of Vélib' stations from which others so gaily rent bikes and fly by on. The rental stations do, however, take American Express cards. So...I guess..don't leave home without it. If you can manage to rent one of the quaint '50s styled grey two-wheelers, kudos to you and bon voyage as you traverse this vibrant metropolis cheap, fit and hip.
7. Live Music on the Seine
On every walk along the famous river Seine, especially around dusk, musicians serenade your stroll as if in a Hollywood movie. Guitars, saxophones, live singers...whatever is your fancy some one is playing it on the Seine. To add to the milieu, cultured French and tourists alike sit along the banks engulfing the musicians to offer support and encouragement and to take out the time to enjoy the moment. Sand, fit into playboxes for adults, edge parts of the Seine river bank sometime providing a beach like celebratory atmosphere enhanced by the cigarettes and spirits. Free concerts on the french riverside - what a wonderful life.
8. European Cafes
Call me romantic, naive or delirious but I always envision every European languidly sitting hour upon hour in street side cafes sipping cafe, nibbling on baguettes and cheese without a care in the world. So, do as they do...or as I fantasize. Put up your feet and eat and drink until you are belly-filled and hopefully high. Whether its truly Parisian or not is actually quite irrelevant...chit chat aimlessly, read your magazine and newspaper, or intellectually ponder your relationship with the city. Whatever you do, just sit in the sun, for 3 or 9 hours, without a care in the world.
9. The Louvre
Tried and true, it never fails. The one and only. Everyone knows it, everyone's heard about it: La Joconde aka the Mona Lisa. So, she ends up being smaller, less attractive and hard to see once you actually meet her. But the Louvre in all its grandeur awes and inspires even the most art ignoramus. There proves much beauty and past time in the infamous triangle glass, the exquisite Venus de Milo, the expansive and detailed murals, as well as in the aches and pains from navigating the halls and halls...and halls. Learn a little something, appreciate art and infuse yourself in the history lesson that is the Louvre. The least you can do is brag that you arrived at one of the most famous museums in the world.
For me, the city of lights bubbles and explodes like champagne and fireworks.
Paris, how much do I love thee…let me count the ways.
1. Le Tour EiffelBut of course. Iconic. Expected. But never disappoints. Any which way you see it, the infamous entrance to the 1889 World Fair excites and satisfies many a fan who catches a glimpse or stares in awe. Whatever your vantage point, whether from slow river boats, lazily in surrounding grassy knolls, beneath the tallest Parisian tower itself, through openings three stories high, or, at best, from across at the Trocadéro, the iron lattice phe-nom somehow elicits a sense of comfort and peace in a city that impresses every time. Soooo, the lady at the ticket counter yells at you rudely, the restroom shuts down with no alternate in sight and lines are three hours long...the Eiffel Tower remains, still, très, très magnifique.
2. Moulin RougeWowzers. What in the hell is the Moulin Rouge?! Fantastic. Neon lights, flashy costumes, feathers, sequins, wild music and craziness. Walking into the 19th century red velvet, candlelit, large yet cozy cabaret theater proves magical. Originally housing courtesans, this slightly questionable establishment soon became the hotspot for fashionable French society and is now well-received and well-respected by most. Although still a bit risqué and provocative, depending on whether you excite, find normal or panic at the appearance of many topless women, the Moulin Rouge, through music, dance, musicians and comedians, delivers significantly more than expected. One ticket price, one included bottle of champagne. By all means G-rated and yet, still, a happy ending.
3. Basilique du Sacré CoeurIt may be out of your way to Montmartre but the white stone church high on the hill coupled with awesome panoramic views of the city of love provide ample reason to trek up to the church of the sacred heart. Work off your lunch of French delicacies by choosing to climb your way to the virginal alter rather than tramming it up by street car. Celebrate your effort with a long, lazy afternoon détente on the front steps listening to artists sing, activists pontificate or acrobats and entertainers liven up the Parisian backdrop. Post spiritual cleanse, leisurely stroll the quaint boulevards de Montmartre and thank God for the surrounding trendy boutiques and cute restaurants.
Aaahhhh, trifling days in the French breeze. Maybe a bit lazy, but I love a good lay in the park. Have I ever carved out the time in my hectic American schedule? No. But, during any stroll in this green esplanade , it seems as though Europeans excel at this wondrous pastime. The Jardin Louxemberg provides ample room to cozy on up to your sweetness, platonically sit with a friend or quietly rest solo with a good book, an iPod or some munchies. Toss your watch in the flower bed and hang casually amongst the tall trees, flowers and summer clouds for utter rest and relaxation. The Jardin Louxemberg is ideal as it seems less touristy, more local and surrounded by perfect ambiance: a castle with statues no less. Its the atmosphere plus the encouraging Parisians who entice you to play hooky from whatever it is you were doing and just play in the grass.
Ooooh la, la, how the French perfect their desserts. Nothing fancy, nothing elegant. Simply crepes and ice cream on the streets. Oh, but how rich it is. My preference leans towards a double scoop of caramel and dark chocolate ice cold cream coupled with a hot, fresh nutella crepe. Grab that park bench a la # 4 above and let your tongue savor all that delicious french sucre. Sooo, you might invite a belly ache post consumption but how scrumptious it was in the moment. C'est la vie.
Well, the idea is grand IF you can figure out how to actually rent one. All over Paris, this progressive city hosts approximately 20,000 FREE, public bicycles waiting to be picked up at 1,639 automated rental stations. [And we query why French women are so thin? Hmmm.] As a casual adventurer myself, the idea of a riding along the streets of the city, catching the sites and details of Parisian life, as I pleased and with efficient speed, seemed divine. YET, aaa-parently, credit cards [needed as collateral] require a very special EMV chip [which American cards do not possess] in order to access these 1,000s of Vélib' stations from which others so gaily rent bikes and fly by on. The rental stations do, however, take American Express cards. So...I guess..don't leave home without it. If you can manage to rent one of the quaint '50s styled grey two-wheelers, kudos to you and bon voyage as you traverse this vibrant metropolis cheap, fit and hip.
On every walk along the famous river Seine, especially around dusk, musicians serenade your stroll as if in a Hollywood movie. Guitars, saxophones, live singers...whatever is your fancy some one is playing it on the Seine. To add to the milieu, cultured French and tourists alike sit along the banks engulfing the musicians to offer support and encouragement and to take out the time to enjoy the moment. Sand, fit into playboxes for adults, edge parts of the Seine river bank sometime providing a beach like celebratory atmosphere enhanced by the cigarettes and spirits. Free concerts on the french riverside - what a wonderful life.
Call me romantic, naive or delirious but I always envision every European languidly sitting hour upon hour in street side cafes sipping cafe, nibbling on baguettes and cheese without a care in the world. So, do as they do...or as I fantasize. Put up your feet and eat and drink until you are belly-filled and hopefully high. Whether its truly Parisian or not is actually quite irrelevant...chit chat aimlessly, read your magazine and newspaper, or intellectually ponder your relationship with the city. Whatever you do, just sit in the sun, for 3 or 9 hours, without a care in the world.
Tried and true, it never fails. The one and only. Everyone knows it, everyone's heard about it: La Joconde aka the Mona Lisa. So, she ends up being smaller, less attractive and hard to see once you actually meet her. But the Louvre in all its grandeur awes and inspires even the most art ignoramus. There proves much beauty and past time in the infamous triangle glass, the exquisite Venus de Milo, the expansive and detailed murals, as well as in the aches and pains from navigating the halls and halls...and halls. Learn a little something, appreciate art and infuse yourself in the history lesson that is the Louvre. The least you can do is brag that you arrived at one of the most famous museums in the world.
10. Notre Dame
The last item to make this list was a toss up between a hallowed church and well...french men. Figuring that hot, European bucks do not excite everyone, I played a numbers game and decided on a more neutral and compromising caboose to this tourist train in order to appeal to the masses...albeit and noted that religion may also not necessarily be every one's cup of tea, particularly when cited TWICE in one blog. But. No true tourist to Paris should avoid the Gothic architecture and stained glass glory of "Our Lady of Paris" cathedral on the quaint Île de la Cité. As it's a working church and maintains a strict rule to remain silent, there is no choice but to enter this divine home to reflect and pray. Never one to claim seriousness as a virtue, I beg the lords to understand that the Hunchback is really not my type and thank them for all the men outdoors.
The last item to make this list was a toss up between a hallowed church and well...french men. Figuring that hot, European bucks do not excite everyone, I played a numbers game and decided on a more neutral and compromising caboose to this tourist train in order to appeal to the masses...albeit and noted that religion may also not necessarily be every one's cup of tea, particularly when cited TWICE in one blog. But. No true tourist to Paris should avoid the Gothic architecture and stained glass glory of "Our Lady of Paris" cathedral on the quaint Île de la Cité. As it's a working church and maintains a strict rule to remain silent, there is no choice but to enter this divine home to reflect and pray. Never one to claim seriousness as a virtue, I beg the lords to understand that the Hunchback is really not my type and thank them for all the men outdoors.
For me, Paris always, is love.
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