What makes Paris so Romantic?
Written as part of Paris Romance Week for our Love Paris giveaway
Back in college I had the fortune of living in Paris as a foreign exchange student.
I lived there for six months with a French family – and the experience altered my life in the most profound of ways. The city is so haunting and beautiful- the people so different and enigmatic, the food so decadent, the art so rich and the activities (even the mundane ones) so romantic…
And that is it really… That is what makes Paris so unforgettable – the romance of the city…
It’s been a few years since I’ve visited Paris but the romance of the city has stayed with me every day of my life. Paris is a feast for the soul and for the heart- one that feeds you long after you’ve left it.
Some might think that Paris would be best to visit with someone you love. This always helps and generally makes things more romantic but when I speak of Parisian romance it is not of the tangible, human variety. It is in the intangible nuances of the city… and if you look carefully and are in the present moment you will know what I mean when first your foot alights from the underground metro.
I tend to be somewhat of a solitary person so my favorite things to do in Paris were usually done by myself. A walk by the Seine checking out the vintage books for sale – a jaunt down the Champs Élysées for a spot of shopping and a cup of rose tea – sitting in the Jardin des Tuileries reading a book, catching some sun and watching the toy boats floating in the fountain… and mainly sitting in cafes with un petit espresso watching all of the chic people – the gentlemen with their flippant hair, tucked up collars and smoldering eyes and the ladies with their insouciant wardrobes, their mysterious glances and their ‘le no makeup’ looks.
Even relatively mundane activities would take on a romantic edge in Paris – going to the outdoor market – being seduced by the smell of fresh roses in the outdoor florist stand (and often times being seduced by the vendors, who tend to be rather romantic and brazen themselves!) or catching the aroma of the season’s first batch of strawberries…
Yes life in Paris is mysterious and romantic and the longer you stay there the more this magic rubs off on you. But whether you can only allot a weekend sojourn or a more substantial stay, you must go… allez. Go for the art, the fashion, the history, the food- and most importantly… go for the romance that you will inevitably carry with you long after you leave.
Want to win a trip to Paris? Like us on Facebook to enter our Love Paris giveaway (to September 30th 2011). The prize includes a Paris hotel stay for two and a tour of Monet’s gardens from Fat Tire Bikes, plus £150/€170 travel vouchers to make the return journey. (UPDATE: competition now closed: Like us on Facebook to discover our latest competitions first)
About the author: Jennifer L. Scott is the writer and editor of The Daily Connoisseur. Her book, Lessons from Madame Chic: The Top 20 Things I Learned While Living in Paris, will be out this winter. For more information, visit her website www.dailyconnoisseur.com
Flickr image, with thanks: 1
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- How to Bike around Paris and Monet’s Gardens
- Win a Paris Trip with a Dessert-making Class – it’s our ‘Love Paris’ Food Week!
- Paris Holiday Reads: Best Books set in Paris
