Paris is always a good idea

As I was leaving Paris, my driver told me, “Paris is a magical place, you will be back in Paris next year.” I smiled and answered, “Oui, but maybe not next year.” After all, Paris is halfway around the world and not exactly the cheapest place on earth. My driver took his eyes off the road, turned around, gave me a stern look and said firmly in his French-accented English, “Non, You will be back next year, Paris is magique”

Almost exactly a year later, I found myself back in Paris. My original plan was to travel to Greece, but the Greek protests had shut the airports. My plane landed in Paris instead – as if by magic.

Think of Paris and one conjures images of the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre Musuem, Notre Dame Cathedral, Moulin Rouge, Champs-Elysées, couples strolling hand in hand down the Seine River….

Paris has probably more familiar landmarks than any other city in the world. It is no wonder that 45 million tourists flock to Paris every year, making it the world’s most popular tourist destination.

My time in Paris was spent strolling down its many quaint little streets, biking on the Velib, navigating the Paris Métro (one of the densest metro networks in the world), peering into bakeries and enjoying good French food. After all, Paris is the gastronomical poster child of the culinary world having collected the most number of Michelin stars in Europe.

My very tattered map of the Paris Metro

The Louvre

Of course, there was also the duty free shopping to do. Dubbed the Capital of Fashion, my friends had tasked me with a long list of Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Longchamp, Christian Dior etc to purchase.

These are some things I learnt about the French and Paris.

Not all Parisians are rude. The occasional Parisian was there when I needed help navigating the Metro. Some even hazarded to speak in English after realising that I was not a francophone.

Elevate your sense of casual. The Parisians are notoriously fashionable. Parisian women are picture-perfect fashionistas and the men are, well, not very much different. On my first trip to Paris, I felt like a sore thumb sticking out walking down Champs-Elysées in my sneakers.

It is impossible to eat dinner in less than 3 hours. There is L'Entrée (Appetizer), Le Plat Principal (Main course) , Le Fromage (Cheese) , Le Dessert (Dessert) and just when you thought dinner ought to be over, following the dessert is Le Café (Coffee) and Le Digestif (Digestif) signifies the end of dinner.

Contrary to popular belief, not everything in Paris is expensive. There are plenty of free activities to enjoy. Entrance to Notre Dame Cathedral is free and strolling down the Seine River does not cost a cent. Many museums, including the Louvre, do not charge admission on the first Sunday of the month. Also, the department stores hold a fashion show once a week for all to enjoy without paying a cent.

In the words of Audrey Hepburn as Sabrina in the movie of the same name – Paris is always a good idea, and it will forever remain a magique place in my heart.

Your Travel Beacon,
Cindy