Breathtakingly beautiful, energetic, and chic; Paris is one of the few places on the planet that actually exceeds the hype. The only rule to traveling in Paris is to be open to seduction because all of your senses will be teased. Your taste buds will be tantalized by fine food and wine, your vision dazzled by the stunning architecture and stylish residents, your ears will buzz with the musical sound of French, and luxury is at your fingertips in the form of a fine silk scarf or a crusty artisan baguette.
The famous "Love Locks" on the Pont des Arts. Hopeless romantics proclaim their undying love by writing their names on locks, attaching them to the bridge, and tossing the key into the Seine. Litter conscious lovers opt for padlocks.
My last trip to Paris was in 2007, so my recent visit there was akin to a reunion with an eternally chic friend. Unlike last time, I took this journey to Paris with a friend of 20+ years and sharing the experience with someone dear to me made it even more special. Together, we sought out familiar places and new experiences.
The very ornate Pont Alexandre III is now one of my favorite bridges in Paris - it is adorned with many stunning statues and gold accents.
The first new experience was our lodging: instead of booking a hotel, we rented a Paris apartment on Airbnb. I'll admit to being a little apprehensive about this process, but it enhanced our trip in countless ways. We gave up hotel amenities like room and maid service but we gained our very own stylish pied-à-terre in Paris. Also, renting an apartment was much less expensive than a hotel and we had more space. There are many Paris apartments available on Airbnb, from luxurious to modest, and the site has many protections in place to make sure that you don't get scammed.
Our Paris rental apartment was in the Rue Montorgueil neighborhood. Located in the 2nd arrondissement, it had a lovely pedestrian walkway lined with cafes, bakeries, and shops.
Paris is, without a doubt, one of the world's great walking cities and a comfy (but cute) pair of shoes and an excellent guide book are indispensable. I highly recommend the Michelin
Paris Guide from their Green Guide Series - it was in my bag everywhere we traveled in Paris. We used it frequently to
learn interesting facts about the sights and the maps
helped us to navigate our way around by foot and Metro. For example, as a Hemingway fan, sipping a café crème at Les Deux Magots was on my must-do list. The Michelin guide
confirmed that the cafe was in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood, provided a
map of the area, walking directions to the cafe, and a brief
description of Les Deux Magots as a long time gathering place for Left Bank intellectuals and artists.
Perhaps the most magical thing about Paris is how history surrounds you at every turn. Yes, it is a bustling modern metropolis but the roots of Paris go way back to 30 BC. It is impossible not to feel the pull of the past in winding cobblestoned streets and the soothing rhythm of the Seine.
One of the many winding paths in Père Lachaise cemetery.
Paris's past is strongly felt at the serene and beautiful Père Lachaise Cemetery. Easily reached by Metro, it is the final resting place of Edith Piaf, Jim Morrison, Colette, Richard Wright, Chopin, Balzac, Oscar Wilde, Isadora Duncan, and many others. Navigating the 99 acre cemetery can be very confusing and the map & legend in the Michelin guide were much needed companions to the free, but not incredibly detailed, maps available for free in the cemetery office.
After a quiet morning with the silent residents of Père Lachaise, the energy of Paris is especially intoxicating. I spotted these newlyweds walking towards the famous pyramid, and their future, in the Louvre courtyard.
