"Is there really that much to see?"
For me, it's like a huge dessert tray...so many places and they are all different.
As I have mentioned before, Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements; each is it's own unique neighborhood. There is something interesting and unique in each one. This is one reason why I return again and again.
Then there is the architecture! Paris is an old city and it has a long and tumultuous history. Despite wars, fires, pillaging and uprisings many of the medieval structures remain. Napoleon III gave Paris a real "facelift" in the 1800's.
These beautiful sites were all built for the Exposition of 1900.
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| Grand Palais |
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| Petit Palais |
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| Pont Alexander III |
Window dressing and window shopping is art and pleasure combined. Shop windows is a favorite photo theme. You don't have to spend a dime to be awed and amused by the beauty, quirkiness and creativity of the windows and the items on display. (Sometimes it is the prices that take your breathe away.)
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| eyewear |
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| exquisite home decor |
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| hat shops are very popular |
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| a tonsorial shop |
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| Chanel |
The boulangeries and patisseries are heaven. I don't think I can say anything more about the bread, pastries and desserts; they are a major topic in every travel article or guidebook on Paris. The bread, beignets, croissants, pain au chocolat and profiteroles (decadent cream puffs) are my favorites.
Charcuteries (somewhat like a deli, though the French would be insulted by this comparison) are great for creating your own 'take out' dinner with freshly prepared, tasty and tempting choices.
One of the great pleasures is to go to a restaurant or cafe the second time and be greeted like an old friend. I have really come to love the ritual of eating in Paris. We love that you aren't pressed or hurried to make a choice. When you are ready to order, you close the menu and place it on the table. The waiter will be there instantly. You place the knife and fork at 4 o'clock on your plate when you are finished with your meal. And, don't expect to be given your check until you ask for it. You don't have to know a single word of French either, just make the gesture of signing the check when you catch the waiter's attention. Dining is to be enjoyed and you can stay as long as you want.
Museums. There are over 150 museums in Paris (that's a museum a day for 5 months!)~ and there's something for everyone;art, photography, wine, stamps, magic, counterfeiting, puppets, Paris history,etc. It would take 3 months just to see everything in the Louvre. What's even better, many (some of the best we've seen) are free.
There are so many churches with beautiful architecture, carvings, statuary and stained glass windows;sometimes you will be lucky and hear the organist practicing. We never pass up a church.
Parks and gardens, both large and small, are retreats. There is always a park close by if you need to get away from the crowds, rest your weary feet or just need some shade to cool off. The Tuileries and Jardin du Luxembourg are my favorites. Both have beautiful ponds, lovely flowers and statuary and lots of chairs and benches for enjoying a picnic or people-watching. The French "live" in their parks. They will relax at lunch hour, sun-bathe, exercise and jog, take the kids for a walk or pony ride and have picnic meals at the end of the day.
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| Jardin des Tuileries |
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| Jardin du Luxembourg |
Etiquette adds a formal informality when meeting and interacting with the French~they are so civil. Do not go to France without learning the 5 most important words/phrases; bonjour (madame, monsieur), merci, s'il vous plait, au revoir, pardon. Speak softly. Loud and demanding is so "un-French".
The Seine is the heart of the city. I love the river. There is a peace that flows with the river. There is a lot of life on and near the river. It is very accessible by walking paths and quais.
The 37 bridges, too, are all different; some are even pedestrian only.
The French culture and Parisian lifestyle are so different from what we know. Living in Paris is not particularly easy. You become acutely aware of the many amenities that we enjoy. Space~especially. After 5 visits we are very comfortable in Paris. Knowing how to maneuver through the Metro, use the ticket machines, order a meal, have favorite restaurants eliminates much of the stress of travelling. Staying in an apartment instead of a cramped hotel makes an enormous difference as well. We relax, spread out, sleep in and frequent the neighborhood patisserie. I enjoy making friends with the shopkeepers.
And to answer "Wouldn't I like to go someplace different?" Sometimes we will be watching a travel show on TV and see someplace really interesting (Istanbul comes to mind and New Zealand) but then I think of La Perla (4 cheese ravioli), feeding the pigeons in the park, walking along the river, watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night, exploring the Louvre, wearing scarves, trying to speak French and I still want to see a ballet. There's no doubt where I'll go next....
"Paris is always a good idea."
Note: Most of the subjects mentioned in this post are covered in other individual posts~please check the 'archives'.
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