I often hear people use Audrey Hepburn’s famous quote: “Paris is always a good idea”. After visiting Paris 2 times before I lived there for 3 months and 2 times more after leaving, I don’t only deeply understand the meaning of this quote, but also agree with it.
I didn’t go to Paris so many times because I had to, but simply because I wanted to, because I craved for it and because there is something about this city that doesn’t let me get enough of it. That being said, this week I started thinking about the reasons that always makes me want to return to the city of lights, and of course, I gladly share them here with you.
French architecture
Look at these buildings, who doesn’t love them? Every time I am in Paris wandering around the streets, I wonder how these buildings might look on the inside, what it is like to live there and to sit in those pretty French balconies. They really do deserve appreciation and surely are one of the things I love in Paris.
The busy Champs Elysées
It doesn’t matter how many times I visit Paris, the Champs Elysées continues to be I must stop, and I tell you what: it’s impossible not to buy something there, not to want to sit in one of its cafés and not to spend hours walking its almost 2 km length back and forth. The busiest street of Paris is also where I feel like I am a part of this world, a little part, but yes!
Trocadéro
See that famous tower made of iron over there? Well, for me there is no better way to appreciate the Eiffel Tower than sitting at the Trocadéro. I could lie on this grass for hours and take millions of pictures in every possible angle, and I would do it again every time I go to Paris. It was also the place I once spent my only New Years Eve alone, freezing my a** off.
Seine Quaysides
Ahh the Seine! Crosses the entire city and its quaysides can take you everywhere and under the most beautiful bridges of the Paris. Walking or by boat, it will be the most charming promenade you’ve ever seen. On one side or the other something will catch your attention, that being the Musée D’Osay, the Eiffel Tower or the Notre Dame.
Macarons and Pain au Chocolat
Now, I don’t know about you, but French Macarons and Pain au Chocolat are the first things I buy when I arrive in Paris (after the Metro tickets). Sometimes I even daydream about them and their smell in the air running through the metro stations and streets, all coming from the best Pâtisseries of the world. The colorful Macarons and its innumerous flavors make it even harder to make a choice among them. And what about the Pain au Chocolat melting in your mouth? Hmmm, divine!
A walk in Montmartre
I don’t know why, but Montmartre is my favourite place in Paris! Maybe because when I’m there I feel like I went back to the 1920’s or even to the 1800’s, where Picasso, Monet and Dali used to sit and discuss their creative ideas. Wandering around Montmartre surprises me in many ways, every time I’m there I find a new nice view of the city, or a new café and restaurant, and I end up sitting somewhere nice watching the people buying souvenirs at the tiny shops; and of course, relax and think of my life over a glass of wine.
Crossing bridges
The bridges of Paris… who doesn’t love crossing them from one side of the Seine to the other? Or who never thought about hanging a pad lock at the Pont des Arts for an eternal love? Each of these bridges has its own history and meaning to the city. They all take you to different amazing places in Paris, they provide you unique photo angles and they make you fall in love… I meant, with the city.
Les Grands Magasins
There, the shopping paradise for women and the worst nightmare for men (at least for my hubby). Printemps and Galeries Lafayette: these two department stores are places to get lost among the most wanted brands in the world, to probably eat the most expensive macarrons in your life, and to daydream about leaving it full of shopping bags. Oh, sorry! Some people don’t just daydream, they do it… not me though, I wish!
The view from the Arc du Triomphe
I will leave you with my favourite view of Paris. The view from the Arc du Triomphe is enough to make me climb its stairs to the top every time I go to Paris… its worth it isn’t it?
What do you think? Aren’t these reasons enough to make you want to go back to Paris? Well, they certainly make me want to, and they are no doubt reasons for me to write many more posts about the most romantic city in the world; so don’t miss a post!
Tell me, if you’ve ever been to Paris: what makes you think Paris is always a good idea? And if you still haven’t been there, would you go for the reasons above?
For more Paris, follow Packing my Suitcase’s Pinterest board: Paris is always a good idea.
