Ah, Paris. Where to start…
I love the city for so many reasons, and I loved it long before I visited as an adult. I love the food, the wine, the fantastic beauty products, the sights, the language, the history. I love the laid-back culture, that je ne sais quoi, that perpetual shrug, as if to say, no worries. It’s hard to truly pin down what makes the city so special. It is, as many artists have tried to show, not a city so much as a character, always evolving, always calling the other characters to action.
I can’t quite say when the obsession began. My childhood certainly played a part. My mother was French, and we visited the country several times when I was much younger.
It’s not the vacations I remember, but the way I felt when I came home from those trips, like I was part of something important. I was in France when their soccer team brought home the World Cup, and I remember wearing my champion scarf and bedazzled Eiffel Tower t-shirts to school with pride.
I was proud to be French, even as I grew older and realized how many of my classmates thought poorly of the French, calling them cowardly or rude or downright unpleasant. People who were basing their opinions off of stereotypes and ancient history, having never been to France themselves.
My love for Paris itself probably began in high school, when I enrolled in my first French language class. I was so excited to celebrate my heritage, and being around other students who adored the French lifestyle and language encouraged me to keep digging. Paris was a natural target, the dream destination of so many teenage girls. Only I never outgrew that love.
I’ll admit, I took everything I knew about the country of France; latched onto every painter, writer, designer, chef, and musician inspired by its beauty. I rolled it up into one very chic, very desirable package, and called it Paris. I wanted so badly to be a part of the city that had inspired so many before me. In a way, I already felt connected to it; that it, like my brown eyes and brown hair, was simply a part of my DNA. And yes, I realize that there is so much more to France than its capital city. I have so much love for France as a whole, but until I visited the city of my dreams for myself, nothing else would satisfy.
Of course, we all know that’s what led me to start this blog. I did visit Paris, in the summer of 2014, and despite my fears, the city was in no way overrated, underwhelming, boring, or cliched. Packed with tourists, yes, but many of the best places are. Visiting with my family did nothing to dampen my love of Paris. If anything, it intensified the feeling that I belonged in the city of lights. I like to think of it as pilgrimage, a family trip to the place of our heritage.
So I went back. It took nearly two years of saving, planning, and dreaming, but I returned to Paris in May, accompanied this time by my boyfriend Dan. Of course, my French grandparents played a huge role in the planning process, and I cannot thank them enough for all the assistance they offered along the way. I probably would not have been able to return so quickly without their help, not to mention, the trip would have been much less luxurious. Thank you Mamie and Papy for a true holiday, and for hosting us in Chaumont before we went off to Paris.
You can meet Mamie and Papy and read all about our trip to Chaumont here.
Returning to Paris with Dan was like a dream come to life. Sure, there were plenty of bumpy moments (like our apartment being next door to a construction site), but that’s life. And I loved it. Just looking at our vacation photos and prepping future posts fills me with joy, and I am so excited to return to the place that inspires my writing more than anything else. I hope you’ll join me as I relive the adventure one day at a time.
Follow Along:
Day One: Notre Dame, the Louvre, Tuileries, Musee d’Orsay
Day Two: Notre Dame, Opera Garnier, and the Eiffel Tower
Day Three: Versailles and a dinner cruise on the Bateaux Mouches
Day Four: Sainte Chapelle, le Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower
What is your “Paris?” Comment below and tell me about the city that makes your heart race.
kirkhsmith says
Feeling safe late at night, walking from the 18th to the 6th where I was living at the time (not quite sure I’d feel as safe today). The quiet apartment courtyards in the middle of the city, the rooftops, the creative shop windows, the parks, and so much more….
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
Yes, exactly! It seems like a place to really LIVE, rather than just exist.
Tammyonthemove says
I love Paris to and have visited three times now. Every time I seem to discover other parts of the city and every time I am surprised that I don’t get bored with it. I love it!
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
That’s exactly it! It feels like Paris always has more to discover, so it never gets old. 🙂
arzotravels says
Ohhh, I am also so in love with Paris. But I had to visit several times before I finally fall in love. I still think that the people in Paris are not very friendly and my most fave persons in the world but the beauty is unique <3
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
I’m glad you kept going back and giving it a chance! It really is a beautiful city. And as for the people, they don’t seem as laid back as the people in other French cities I’ve visited, but I imagine it gets kind of annoying living among so many tourists, hah!
blissmersion says
I’ve only been to Paris once and I was fairly young. I long to return! I want to return to France, in general, because it such a beautiful and romantic country. There are many European countries I long to visit.
But Paris is Paris. I’ve long had an interest in France, though I don’t have French heritage. My mom was a French teacher, so she also loves France.
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
I hope you make it out there soon! I know how you feel. I want to visit most if not all of the European countries, but France is the one place I’ll return to over and over again. And that’s so cool about your mom! My favorite teachers were always the French ones; they always made class fun!
Alison Abbott says
Paris certainly instills a deep love for all you fall for its charms. I would love to return soon and reacquaint myself with this beautiful city. I’m sure it will cast a spell again, even after so many years have passed and I spent part of my honeymoon there.
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
Ah man, that sounds like a honeymoon to remember! Paris will always be special to you for that reason. 🙂
Danielle says
It really is incredible that you had such a connection from such a young age. I will learn to love trough your article as I didn’t have that passion visiting at age 5 and 15. Then for you to love taking french class. I feel as if I really missed out. I think another trip to Paris is in my future. Thank you for the inspiration.
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
Awww, thank you for saying that! It’s such a gorgeous and special city. Maybe the third trip will light a spark for you!
Natasha says
I also have a love affair with Paris! I spent a birthday there and danced around the eiffel tower. Your post makes me want to revisit right now!
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
I love it! A birthday to remember. 🙂
ADAM DOOLITTLE says
Nice article. Paris is a spot I’ve always wanted to visit. One day 🙂
joseyphina says
Cool photos ☺
Lisa Sell says
I’ve never been to Paris but it’s certainly on my to-do travel list. It’s lovely when you have a place that holds memories and you can make new ones every time you return.
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
Agreed! There are so many other destinations that I have yet to visit, but there are certain places I never feel guilty about revisiting. Paris is one of them! I hope you see it soon!