Wow! Not the best articulation of my feelings for Paris I know, and whilst I could use every superlative I can think of – words like magnificent, exciting, beautiful, overwhelming, awe inspiring, amazing, unique – not one of these words does justice to all of the feelings that being here invokes, so for now, a simple wow will have to do.
Paris is known as La Ville-Lumiere – roughly translated as the city of lights. Whilst its easy to think this is due to its brilliantly lit boulevards and bridges, not to mention the 40km of sparkling lights that light up the Eiffel Tower each night, its true translation is actually the city of enlightenment. Paris was known as the centre of education and ideas in Europe, inspiring poets, philosophers, engineers and scientists alike, and standing here now, I understand.
Having lived in a regional area for quite a few years now, I love the quiet life, finding cities only interesting for a day or two before longing to escape the hustle and bustle. Paris however, is different. Its certainly got the hustle and bustle, but there is something else here, an indescribable vibe – this city is alive! From its endless cafes, restaurants and bars, to the hundreds of friendly bonjours you hear every day, to the traffic that flows smoothly regardless of the apparent lack of rules, it never sits still and awakens your soul.
Majestic old buildings line every avenue and the palaces, oh the palaces – whilst vast and elegant, they still loom over the city with an almost malevolent eye as a reminder to Paris’s quite violent history. There is so much beauty here, the architecture, the food, the wine, examples of the city of love with people still attaching love locks to the Ponts De Arts regardless of it now being disallowed, but in amongst all of this beauty, Paris,
like every other city, has its ugly side – the graffiti, the dirty back streets of Montmartre, the homeless population, and its all on display. Nothing is hidden here and this city seems to be saying, this is who I am, take me or leave me. For me, I will gladly take it for every second that we are here and I am hoping in upcoming posts, that I can convey just how special the feeling is to be part of it all, albeit for a short time.
What a wonderful description of beautiful Paris
What wonderful writing you talented thing! If you get bored with cooking that amazing food, consider writing. If you do make sure you talk to me, you could start with a few food stories/food blog articles. Hope you are having the time of your life. Annabelle xx