Paris – A few reason why it is my most favorite city.

Paris – A few reason why it is my most favorite city.

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Paris is my most favorite city in Europe. Grand boulevards, boutiques and outdoor cafés, lavish monuments, essential museums and, of course, romance. The home of the Mona Lisa, the Eiffel Tower, and Quasimodo’s cathedral, Paris is a destination in itself, giving the traveler weeks of tourist options.

Notre Dame Paris no roofI was in Paris in April 2019, just a few days after the fire that destroyed the Cathedral Notre Dame. Gone was the jovial mood that, at any other time, would be in the hearts and minds of locals and tourists. It was replaced by shock and a sense of dread. The entire east end of the Île de la Cité, the island upon which the Notre Dame sits, was barricaded and impossible to traverse. Any other time, I would be leading my tour group around the Latin Quarter, Notre Dame, and the surrounding area showing and explaining the sites. But this day, I became a tourist too. Rounding the corner out of a narrow pedestrian lane onto Rue Saint-Jacques, I had an unobstructed view of the burnt-out cathedral. My heart sank as my jaw dropped in awe! And it wasn’t just me, this was the look and feel of everyone on the street.  

Now its been almost a year since the fire, and although there is progress, it progresses painfully slow. Recently, I watched a France 24 video giving a rare look inside the cathedral. The nave has been cleared, the flying buttresses supported by scaffolding, old stones and artifacts collected and cataloged, and debris removed from the interior. There is still no roof, and the interior is left open to the elements of nature. However, I suspect this has become a part of the everyday life of Paris. There is no telling how many more years or decades it will take to bring the restoration along enough to allow worshippers and visitors back in the old building.

Even without the cathedral, Paris has a lot to offer in and around the Île del la Citè. Whether you’re heading here for the first time or the twentieth, you’ll always find something new and exciting. Dive into its ambiance and become an explorer! A visit to neighborhoods such as the Marais, Montparnasse, Rue Cler, St-Germain or Montmartre will give new insights to the cultural diversity as well as a peek into the everyday life of Parisians.

But you may ask why with all the destinations that I’ve been to in Europe, why I chose Paris as my favorite city. Well, it isn’t easy, but I guess the first thing that comes to mind is that Paris is composed of a bunch of neighborhoods where I can get out and get away from the tourist hubbub. Yes, you’ve got to see and experience the big sights and attractions I’ve mentioned above, but there is much more to experience than another museum or another church.  

Canal St MartinOne such destination to get away from it all is the Canal Saint-Martin, a canal built in the early 1800s to help supply Paris with building materials, grain, and other essential items. It is one of several canals in Paris that, after meandering through the city, empties into the Seine. I spent a morning here a few years ago, just walking up one side and back down the other. On my walk, I saw kids enjoying floating boats, balls, and leaves in the water, moms pushing buggies with babies out for a stroll, charming canal-side cafes, and bistros, and nightclubs that, although dead at this time of day, were bound to bring in the crowds late in the evening. It was so peaceful… no honking horns, traffic jams, or tourist crowds. 

I also enjoy walking the neighborhoods around the Eiffel Tower, Champ du Mars, and Pont de l’Alma. Here, sandwiched between Rue Saint Dominique and the Seine are cozy 18th-century neighborhoods that are loaded with the real people of Paris. Some years back, I read Julia Child’s biography, where she speaks affectionately about living in a small upper-story apartment on Rue de l’ Université. I’ve often walked this street honing in on the specific building and wonder what’s going on in that apartment now.  

food3Finally, at least for this article, Paris is a wonderful destination for dining. It doesn’t matter if you want a picnic on the banks of the Seine, a quick coffee and croissant for breakfast, or a full-blown dinner, there is no better place than here. On a recent trip, I’ve enjoyed dining at Constant Café on Rue Saint-Dominique. Owned by a locally famous chef who has several high-end restaurants on the same street, Constant Café is approachable and unpretentious. There is a small bar and a few tables on the ground floor. A steep stairway leads to a 1st-floor dining area that is always loaded with people. The menu varies and is rather small, but the food is perfectly Parisian, affordable, and yummy.

So, go Climb the Eiffel Tower, stroll the Champs Élysées, marvel at the architecture, see the grand parks or sit and enjoy the ambiance from a café window. But, whatever you do, slow down and experience Paris! It is one of the most memorable destinations in the entire world. Dig in, become a part of it, and go with the flow!