Being Parisian

I wanted to experience living like a Local

Besides being an American tourist in a European city, I wanted to belong. I practiced my French, studied Metro maps, and googled favorite stores, restaurants, and parks. I envisioned walking their ancient paths, shopping in their local favorite stores, and relaxing in their most beautiful gathering places. The result was the trip of a lifetime.

Carrying on a conversation where I was understood AND I could respond back to their comments, opened so many doors. From the correct postage for cards going to the USA, to ordering from the ‘carte’, the French love that you try. Interesting that they then would ask if I parlez German, or Dutch, but not English. Our clothes, our quiet approach, left nothing to distinguish us as coming from any specific place. Excellent.

I felt like Dr. Who flying through the tunnels of time, as we flawlessly Metro-ed from one station to the next, often switching trains multiple times, but never getting lost! We explored the farthest south Luxembourg Gardens, where pond yachts race, friends gather, and the Secret Service lies underground. Taking the hike to the Pantheon and the truly mysterious below ground crypts was a highlight. It’s a field trip destination for students to learn of Marie Curie, Voltaire, and Victor Hugo. Onto the Latin Quarter with the amazing medieval Musee Cluny, of the Unicorn Tapestry and Roman Baths fame. We rode to the far north to walk the ancient cobblestone streets of the artists of Monmartre and view Sacre Couer. Finding the famous Le Consulat cafe was like discovering a precious jewel in a treasure chest of gold.

Alternate days, as a breather from Museums and Churches, we hunted down the famous neighborhood Boutique shopping centers to really get a feel for the rhythm of neighborhood life. On the Left Bank in the St Germaine area, Rue Buci holds a maze of quaint clothing shops, wonderful cafes, and wine shops. Across the Siene, just north of the Obelisk, lies Rue de la Madeleine, a fashionable area of many stores surrounding an ancient church. Most famous here is Fauchon, ‘the’ place for the best chocolates, pastries, and a downstairs ‘Cave’ wine cellar! A little farther north, behind the Opera House, sits the elegant Gallerie Lafayette. Gaze up at its art nouveau dome, or over 7 floors of ornate balconies, with clothes becoming more affordable the higher you go. Finally Downtown, the Champs-Elysees is a must see experience. From the great Arc de Triompe, holding it’s own little museum inside of military dress and history, down to the Egyptian Obelisk, treasures abound. Down the street, Fouquet’s is a cafe that served the WWI bi-plane fighting aces, as well the rich and famous. Golden plaques honor the French actors & actresses who still frequent this elegant cafe. Great bathroom, by the way. Then huge Black & Gold gates open to a path of tall, trimmed hedges leading to the entrance of Aberchrombie & Fitch, French style!  It’s simply an incredible experience from the 2 story black & gold doorway to it’s many levels of dim lit, dark wood balconies, as a steady beat of music guides you on. Farther down the street, The Petit Palais offers a free museum and wonderful courtyard garden for lunch or rest.

All these pieces came together to fill me with a deep feeling of knowing, loving, and belonging in the City of Love. I feel I now have Paris in my heart.