Oh Paris, what can I say about you?
Paris – the ultimate dream destination for hundreds of millions of people around the world, the city of love, the city of lights. But Paris – a city that has never called out to me.
I’m not sure why but I’ve never felt a huge desire to visit Paris. When asked where I’d like to go in the world, I can come up with dozens of places I’d like to see ahead of Paris. I want to walk through the Costa Rican jungles, cruise down the Amazon, see lions on a safari in Africa, drink wine in the rolling hills of Tuscany, and swim in the pristine clear waters of Thailand.
But not Paris. Not to see a hundred churches or a cold, steel tower.
But of course, when planning a summer tour of Europe, especially as a 1st timer on the continent, it’d be a shame to skip over Paris. And besides, D would never hear of it, as Paris is one of his favorite cities. So we booked a little apartment for 5 nights.
It’s been hard for me to come up with words to describe my Paris experience. First off, Paris had the misfortune of being followed immediately after London. More precisely, only 3 days in London. But 3 days where I fell madly in love with the city and wasn’t ready to move on. (But seeing how London was seriously draining our wallets, it was probably for the best that we had to go.)
“It’s ok, we’ll come back,” D tried to cheer me up. “And we’re going to PARIS!” But as I sat on the bullet train speeding towards Paris, I kept on waiting for the excitement to hit, but it never did.
And then as we stepped off the train to change lines, a massive sea of people engulfed us. We were dumped off the train right into the madness of a Parisian rush hour. The crowd felt suffocating as I wheeled my luggage (over people’s feet) through the maze of narrow underground corridors, while struggling not to lose D. And oh, the entire train station reeked strongly of urine. I immediately missed the super clean and orderly London Underground.
After we found our apartment and dumped off our luggage, we ate dinner at a local cafe (on a recommendation from our host), where the prices weren’t all that affordable, the food wasn’t all that amazing, and the service wasn’t all that smiley. First impressions can account for a lot, and I wasn’t getting a great one.
Oh, and it was raining. I know that’s not Paris’s fault, but still.
Later back in our apartment, D asked what I’d like to do for the rest of the evening. I couldn’t come up with anything.
“Great, we’re in Paris, and we’re spending our first evening inside.”
So yep, that’s how we spent our first night in the City of Lights. But by the next morning, I was ready to explore.
Could my first impressions of Paris change in the next 5 days?
For my first time in Paris, I had hoped that I would just simply BE in Paris and soak up the magic. I envisioned sitting in a cute little sidewalk cafe, whiling away hours people-watching. Or grabbing a baguette and cheese block, and picnicking in front of the Eiffel Tower. Or just simply getting lost through windy cobblestone streets. But it turned out that my first time in Paris was spent much like any other tourist’s… rushing from site to site, and battling the crowds at every attraction. (But I did get to experience the awesomeness of a freshly made crepe and had more baguette sandwiches than I can count, so I’m not complaining.)
It was hectic, busy, and quickly drained the energy out of me. I had to constantly remind myself that I’ve finally made it to PARIS! – the place of everyone else’s dreams – and that we were spending big money to be here, so it wasn’t acceptable to NOT run around like a madwoman, hitting up as many sites as we can. Quite honestly, I really hate to travel this way. I feel like it takes the joy out of traveling to be simply ticking off a checklist of must-see’s. But somewhere in between my third Nutella crepe and seeing the Notre Dame light up at night, the magic finally happened.
As we sat at the far end of the plaza (the first time we’ve relaxed since getting in) and watched Notre Dame slowly light up one tier at the time, the light transforming from at first a ghoulish green to a light softwash yellow, until the entire cathedral is awash in a golden glow against an indigo sky, I finally understood.
This is the magic of Paris. This is what hundreds of millions of people come to see and experience. This is what they hope to feel, when basking in the glow of a beautiful ancient building.
And I knew that this would be a sight that will be forever ingrained in my memories also.
Paris, I may not love you still, but I get you now.
This post is part of #SundayTraveler with Pack Me To and others, and don’t forget to support all the other participating blogs (links at the bottom of post)!
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It was the opposite for me. I actually had my Europe Tour first, Paris being the last leg, before going back to England to check London out. And I thought London was disappointing after the magnificence of Paris.
Well, looking back now, I think they both have their “point”, it just takes the right perspective to appreciate them.
It’s funny seeing what different people prefer, for sure. For me, London was my 1st European city, and I thought it was just magnificent at every turn. And I didn’t fail to notice the little details like flower pots hanging at every streetlight. :) I think a lot of places are just victims of timing. I would like to go back and experience Paris through different eyes again!
Oh my gosh, Paris is my DREAM. I’m obsessed with everything French. It’s such a fantasy to me that I’m chickening out and not even going there on this trip. I’m so afraid that this perfect, perfect world that I envision – where I can wander along bridges, sit at cafes & scribble in a journal all day – won’t be a reality there at all. I mean, I don’t even have a journal. Lol
I say you get yourself a journal and go to Paris and make your dream come true!! I hope it’ll be everything you imagine it to be!
So glad the magic finally happened! I totally agree though – I hate to travel rushing around from place to place. We made a huge mistake of that our entire first visit to Europe, and I found out the hard way – haha! Paris has never really been that high on my list either, but maybe I should give it a shot after all!
Thanks Katie! I was afraid our Europe trip is just going to be rushing the entire time too, but we’re actually relaxing a lot more now. :) As for Paris, it does have a lot really beautiful things to see, so if you can get past the crowds, you can appreciate the beauty!
Paris… it’s as much a concept as a place. I remember my first visit there being very similar to yours – wandering from tourist highlight to tourist highlight, battling crowds and not knowing what the heck was going on. But then I gave it another chance, by moving there for design school. And I fell head over heels in love with the place. She doesn’t open herself to her true nature as London does (I lived there previously), but once that initial wall is gone, she’s magical. :)
I would really like to go back someday and just experience being in Paris (since I’ve already seen mostly everything now, lol)! I bet it’ll be much much better, and I still envision doing all the things I thought I would be doing!
What a wonderful description of Notre Dame being lit up at night. We went to Paris a year ago, and I’m still wistfully dreaming about it. I’m glad that you had a chance to “get it” or at least not come away regretting that you’d wasted time there. I can’t imagine finding Paris cheap, so I’m guessing that London must have been mighty expensive.
Ha! Paris was only “cheap” in comparison because you can get 3 euro baguette sandwiches and 5 euro gyro pitas!! And that’s seriously what we ate 80% of the time!!
I felt the same about Paris, my 15 yr old sister was more excited than me! Haha
I’m glad I’m not the only one who never dreamed about visiting Paris! Did you end up liking it? :)
Yes I did, it’s nice!
I’m glad that you started to see the magic of Paris! It is sometimes hard to enjoy a place if you’re rushing around, especially if that isn’t your style at all. It is hard to find that balance sometimes of seeing everything and relaxing to take it all in! I think I can go into that rushing around mode sometimes, whereas Justin is a relaxing type of person, so I need to let him pull me into relaxation mode sometimes :) Because sometimes the best parts of a trip are enjoyed in those relaxing moments!
I agree that the best part is just relaxing! Maybe I’m just saying that because I’m lazy, haha! I always have visions of hanging out in a cafe or a park for hours, writing and people watching. I can do the rushing thing sometimes, but what really puts me off is CROWDS. I feel like it totally ruins the experience when there’s 1000 other people there. But I can’t really complain because I’m one of them lol.
It’s hard when you don’t LOVE a place that everyone else loves. I struggled to enjoy London, but I always think it was related to my jet lag. By time I hit Paris, I was acclimated, the sun was shinning, and I was in love. I think, maybe the next time I go to London, it will be better.
Yeah sometimes a place is really just a victim of timing. Or weather, haha! I hope you do enjoy London if you go back. I really loved it a lot, but then again… is that just because it was my first European city ever, so I thought it was AWESOME?
Oh I’m totally with you – it’s not high on my list either. It’s on the list, but my list is long :) but your post has definitely made it sound just a little bit magical! Great piece.
Thanks Penny! I have to say that Paris does have a lot of really beautiful and grand buildings. And for me, it’s a city that’s definitely better at night than during the day, haha! :)
I absolutely feel the same way as. I get that Paris is supposed to be some travel ideal but I’ve got a million other places I’d rather get to first. I suppose, though, I’ve never been to Paris so maybe I’d change my mind too!
I hope if and when you finally make it to Paris, you’ll find your magical moment too!
I too fell in love with London (and did Paris after it as well last summer). I traveled to Paris alone so it was a little sad with all of the lovey-doveyness around me, but the moment for me was when the Eiffel Tower sparkled at night; that was my magic moment :D
I bet the Eiffel Tower at night is a glorious sight. But I was so fed up with running around that I didn’t even care about seeing it, lol! I’m so glad you found your magical moment too!
I know EXACTLY how you feel because I experienced the same thing with our trip to Rome a few weeks ago. I’ve dreamed about visiting since middle school when I first started learning Latin and reading about the ancient Romans. I imagined all the wonderful sites I’d see, the things I’d do, the food I’d eat, etc. And, well, when I got there, it was not as magical as I thought it’d be, and I didn’t like it as much as I love Germany and adore London. But you know what? It’s ok. Traveling isn’t just about having magical moments or falling in love with a place to the point where it’s all you can gush about. It’s about seeing places that you don’t click with, but if you can come away with a better understanding and a broader horizon, it’s worth it.
I love the way you put it.. that it’s about coming away with a better understanding. And I so agree! I always hope to love every place I visit, but it’s OK if I don’t… even if I spent a lot of money to go!
I’m glad you fell in love with Paris. It simply looks amazing at night and I can’t wait to make it there soon!! :D
I didn’t quite fall in love with Paris this trip… but maybe on another trip, when I can just sit in cafes and parks and take long walks, I will fall in love! I hope you have a great time when you go soon!!
LOL yah… Paris is known for the rudeness, crowds, and the iconic subway smell. But generally they ease up if you don’t stick out too much as a tourist and somewhat try to speak french. Look for “The Layover with Anthony Bourdain” Paris episode, I think it was on Youtube also. It gives you another perspective on the city.
Surprisingly, I really thought the people there were pretty friendly and helpful (except for that first server, lol)! That subway smell though.. yuck, haha. We did watch a Anthony Bourdain Paris episode, but can’t remember if it was The Layover series or not, hehe. I’ll have to check it out again!
Anna, you and I sound so alike! I too, for some reason, had never been all that intrigued by Paris especially being a Londoner and then I went (only been once) and after initial uncertainty, I started to see the magic of it! I love the way you’ve written this, like a story unfolding :)
Thanks Shikha! I can’t believe you’ve only been there once, being so close! For me, Paris was definitely more likable at night than during the day. But I really hope to go back and just relax and do all the stuff I wanted to do, and let Paris grow on me. :)
Hey, on behalf of Christa, Host of The Sunday Traveler, I was stopping by to check out your article. Very cute and totally relate-able! I couldn’t agree more how traveling with a jam packed agenda is so mechanical and sucks the life out of it. My hubby is from Sweden and makes some pretty good Swedish pancakes (which I surmise are pretty close to those crepes) and he loves Nutella. Yeah, Paris as iconic and notorious as it may be never seriously beckoned me either but that whole description of “basking in the glow of an ancient building” with a beautiful indigo sky and how you “get” it now,, I get it. Well put! :)
Thanks so much!! I hope you’ll experience your “getting it” moment too in Paris! And omg, homemade Swedish pancakes sound so good!! I’ve never been a fan of american style pancakes, but I’m really loving pancakes here in Europe!
Paris has never been a must-see for me, either – maybe because it’s just supposed to be SO magical and amazing that I kind of feel like there’s no way the real thing wouldn’t be a bit of a letdown.
Though with enough crepes and baguettes, I’d feel the magic anywhere.
I love that there’s so many like-minded girls on here who don’t really care about Paris too! I think too many people just romanticize it so much and then they’re surprised when the city smells like pee or there’s thousands of other people at the same attraction blocking your way. So like everything else, if you don’t set expectations too high, it won’t be a letdown. :)
I adore Paris for exactly the reason you describe it. Small moments, watching the magic unfold. Taking in the sites, breathing in the history. I don’t mind the rudeness – I don’t even see it to be honest. Sigh, I wish I was in Paris!
I honestly didn’t think the people were rude either! Except for that first server girl we encountered was kinda aloof. But really, I thought most people were very helpful and friendly. I do want to go back and experience more of those small moments!
Your first dinner with bad service and average, over-priced food is what I experienced in Paris at first. I think it takes more effort to find those ‘wow’ moments because it’s such a hyped up destination you expect to be wowed from the start, and it can be even more disappointing when you’re not! I found that attempting to speak a little French goes a long way here, they’re proud of their language!
Too bad my French doesn’t extend beyond bonjour and merci! lol! Anything else I attempt to say is just butchering their language. Paris is hyped up, but now I do get why everyone wants to visit. :) It’s true though… sometimes the reality isn’t the same and it takes more effort to see the special-ness!
Ah Paris. Yeah I didn’t enjoy it when I went either. I too had visited after being in London (who I also LOVED!) and I really wasn’t overwhelmed by Paris.. I couldn’t see what all the fuss was about. I let thinking I would.not go back.. in hindsight I will, just to give it another chance. ( my first meal in Paris was actually really good.. the complete opposite to what you experienced)
Sounds exactly like my feelings! Except my first meal was bad, hehe. But the food did get better and better! I think compared to London, Paris feels dirty and not as grand. I would go back too to give it another chance, and when I’m not rushing from one site to another. :)
So true Anna, it’s just being there in the moment, soaking up the beauty in the city that is so special. I hope you got to experience some of the Parisian nightlife? I think the nightlife in Paris is so unique compared to anywhere else in the world, but it can be some of the hardest in the world to find. I’ve written some tips in my guide to nightlife in Paris here: http://www.tripchow.com/paris-nightlife-where-to-drink-dance-party/