If you read the title of this blog post and you’re expecting a travelogue of Paris…where to go, what to do, where to stay, where to eat…well, you may be a bit disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, I had fully intended to write about Paris in all its perfect splendor. But my trip was canceled due to the state of the world right now. So, my three-week trip to France (Paris, Burgundy, Champagne, Provence, and any other places I happened to explore) has been postponed. I can’t even explain how disappointed I am.
Instead, I’ll regale you with the tale of a trip to Paris I took during this month 15 years ago. I was there for two days but they were two very special and enlightening days for me. Even though I didn’t do all that I wanted to do, everything I did do and see was spectacular!
I took the Chunnel from England to Calais, France. Then it was off to Paris. It’s one of those cities that is so romanticized by literature that my heart was beating with the anticipation of actually being there and immersing myself in the city’s life. I arrived at my hotel; a quaint hotel close to a market with a flower cart overflowing with flowers of every color…very Parisian.
As I wandered down the narrow street and into the market, I could feel Paris taking its hold of me. In the market, every kind of fruit you could imagine was out on display. I knew a few words in French and because of my acting background, I figured that could do a passable French accent. The gentleman behind the counter offered, “Bonjour, madame” and I answered with “Bonjour, comment-allez vous?”. He responded with much more than the “Très bien, merci” that I expected. A look of panic came over my face, he smiled. I nodded and quickly headed for the door. He tossed me a plum and I smiled back, “Merci”.
The flower cart outside overflowed with all the most beautiful blooms, including luscious lavender. What an aroma…everywhere. As I passed by the cart, I closed my eyes and breathed it in. I felt as though I was in Provence in June walking through the lavender fields. And all of this, just walking down the street? Magical!
There were several vendors along the street selling all kinds of trinkets and food including a crepe maker. Who could pass up a chance to have an authentic French crepe in Paris? Délicieuse!
There were so many things I wanted to do and see but had to pick and choose since I’d only be in Paris for two days. I wanted to sit at a Parisian café and people watch. It’s amazing how much you can learn about a city and its culture just by watching the people. I was fascinated. I actually saw a very Parisian looking woman walking three French poodles! Somehow, I thought that was some kind of myth or something from a bygone era. But there she was, dressed in black with black heels, black sunglasses, fire engine red lips, and three small white poodles. It was so chic…. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. I found a table outside and ordered a French café and a croissant…. trying to be exceedingly French. The waiter brought my café and then actually ran across the street to the boulangerie for the croissant. Totally blew me away. I LOVE this city!
I still hadn’t seen the Eiffel Tower. This is one of the things that I had to see and experience in all its magnificence. I was somehow reminded of those scenes in movies where the main character looks everywhere to see the Eiffel Tower and then just misses it every time through the window of a taxi or bus or train. But I wasn’t going to miss it. That evening, after a lovely dinner at a quaint restaurant, I was walking back to my hotel. As I went around the corner, a surprise awaited me. There it stood in all its splendid perfection! The Eiffel Tower lit up the night sky! It was so exciting it actually took my breath away. It was definitely something I will never forget.
The next day, the plan was to go back to the Eiffel Tower and up inside so that I could see the Seine and the city below. Then, head to the Louvre. As planned, I made it back to the Eiffel Tower and ascended up into the structure so that I could look out at the city and the Seine and take it all in. It was fantastic, beautiful, breath-taking. All I could think was, I NEED TO COME BACK HERE!
What made that fact even more evident was that I made my way to the Louvre that afternoon and to my disappointment, it was closed…. a Monday. I could have cried. It was then that I vowed to return.
It’s taken me 15 years to plan my trip back and it may take a few more depending on the world situation but I’m going back. You can count on it. I need to do all the fantastic things that I missed the first time and immerse myself in the culture once again. I am going to spend three weeks exploring the city of Paris, the vineyards of Burgundy, the Champagne houses of Reims, the lavender fields of Provence, the art and music, the ambiance of this country. I feel a special connection to this place. My heart wants to go and so I will.
Paris et la France, j’ai hâte de revenir vers vous!
À votre santé!
Tres bien!
I can wholeheartedly relate.
I visited Paris twice; both in my teens.
But even at a young age, I still appreciated its vitality and spirit.
I hope to return one day, now that I am slightly older, and create new memories.