Paris. Renowned for it’s cliché-lined cobbled streets, this ‘City of lurrve’ has long since held the title of being THE go-to romantic getaway destination. And this summer, Online Lifestyle Editor, Emma Brisdion, was lucky enough to have the chance to dive in and experience the Parisian way of life for a wonderful weekend away.
For years I’d heard many things, and like so many others, had a perfectly formed image of Paris in my mind, with inspiration clearly taken from rom-coms and well-loved social stereotypes. The weeks leading up to the trip were filled with fantasies of afternoon saunters along the River Seine, of a rich coffee aroma pouring out of quaint cafes, and of cigarette and baguette wielding locals who were too busy being chic to be polite.
I was definitely not disappointed. While London is an eclectic tapestry of old and new, the heart of Paris showcases its stunning, almost uniform, pale stone architecture, whose buildings and bridges feature sculptures and carvings inspired by the city’s rich history. The relatively low skyline of which, is broken only by France’s iconic mascot; The Eiffel Tower.
There are endless possibilities of how to spend your weekend, and in a city riddled with culture, it’s often hard to know where to start your adventure, so I’ll share with you just a few of the things I picked up along the way:
First of all, surviving the taxi ride to the hotel is always a bonus; with local drivers seemingly inventing their own paths through the 4 lanes of traffic at 60mph around the city, chances are you’ll want to walk after you’ve seen your life flash before your eyes a few times.
And luckily plenty of things are within walking distance! Be sure to take a wander through the gardens of the Champs Elysees, working down from the Arc de Triumph, sampling the fruits of the local markets, until you reach The Louvre and prepare for a cultural afternoon (or a quick nip in to see the unexpectedly small Mona Lisa). Just keep your eyes open for pick-pockets…
Use the Velib and hire a city-bike (the Parisian equivalent of Boris-Bikes) and explore the city at a slightly faster pace; cycling along the river bank past the many ornate bridges that decorate the Siene is a romantic idea worthy of any rom-com, until you hit the cobbles… Be prepared for a VERY sore bum when you eventually reach the Notre Dame, as these bike seats are not padded!
It would be almost criminal not to visit the Eiffel Tower, and you certainly wouldn’t be worthy of the title ‘Tourist’ if you managed to avoid the city’s biggest landmark. But here’s a thought, instead of joining the crowds and wasting a few hours queuing during the day, spend that time soaking in the atmosphere in a little café on a lesser known side-street, watching the day-to-day life of Paris roll by. Then, cobble together your best pre-GCSE French, to spend dinner with a bottle of wine as the sun goes down.
Only then, when the bottle is empty and you’ve enjoyed your sea-food platter, are you ready to see Paris in its most truly spectacular fashion, at night. Do it properly, and CLIMB the Eiffel Tower. Sure, there’s plenty of steps between you and the top, but the stunning view of the city lit up below is beyond worth it. Plus, you’ve had enough wine to think the walk is a fantastic idea…
No matter how you feel about The Tube, or how much you may be regretting last night’s Vin Rouge, get up early and hop on The Metro until you reach the Moulin Rouge. And while it may still be open for shows, I’d say just take a peek, then head uphill, towards the Sacre Couer and take a few moments to sit on the steps outside and take in another breathtaking view of Paris unfolding below.
The square found just to the right was then possibly the perfect place to spend our farewell lunch before we returned home. We sat outside in the sunshine amongst local painters illustrating their hometown, enjoying moules-frites with yes, you’ve guessed it, more wine, and were serenaded by an old man sporting a beret and a violin. How beautifully cliché.
Emma Brisdion, Online Lifestyle Editor
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