If you want to see Paris in a day, you will need to make an early start. What better way to start than to watch the sunrise behind Paris’s most recognizable landmark? First, head to the Trocadéro and watch the sun cast a pinkish glow over the distinctive Palais de Chaillot. As it rises, the sun backlights the Eiffel Tower on the other side of the River Seine, turning this iconic monument into a shadow theatre.
Every day in Paris is a good day. Rain or shine, it’s a beautiful life. Everyone knows that Paris is a lovely place to be, but what is a day in the life of a Parisian really like?
Paris is also often criticized for its stressful life, its transportation, its hectic lifestyle, and all the people everywhere all the time (making it hard to find quiet places or not to queue when you enter something). It is also criticized for its traffic congestion, its grumpy inhabitants (or even rude, sometimes), its high prices, and so on.
The delicious croissants—yum. Or the chocolate bread, raisin bread, and all these delicious French pastries. Well, people do not eat those every day, but still, it’s pretty regular to buy pastries at the local bakery for breakfast in Paris, especially on weekends. They are a real pleasure to enjoy with a coffee/tea and a glass of orange juice (ideally freshly squeezed).
The Eiffel Tower, the Trocadero gardens, the Sacré Coeur, the Montmartre district, the various parks and gardens (the Buttes Chaumont garden, for example), the Sunday markets, the Haussmann-styled apartments, and the small streets full of details (street art, shops, restaurants of all kinds).
There would be so much to say about the richness of Parisian life. About all the discoveries there are to do and the city’s constant renewal. Living in Paris means having the opportunity to go out and discover new things every day. It never ends! And this is magic!
Always full, often late, filled with people in a lousy mood that jostles you, public transport isn’t very fun in Paris. But most of the time, people have no choice but to use them. Paris is a big city – extremely big – so you have to take public transport every day to get to work (unless you are lucky enough to find a job near your home or vice versa). Is it possible to drive instead? Yes, it’s an option! But it’s not better because it is very often blocked on the road during peak hours.
Paris (and France in general) have a perfect culinary wealth. Many specialties, whether in dishes, but also in cheese (France being one of the largest producers in the world). And the delicious wine. If you like food, you’ll enjoy being in the French capital, since there is something for everyone.
And all the other cultures are represented, Paris being so big. It’s simple; you can find everything. “Apéro,” meaning going to have a drink with someone. It is widespread in Paris to disconnect from the work day with friends or a colleague after work. What’s great about Paris is that there are cafes/restaurants everywhere, with beautiful terraces and a great atmosphere.
No matter where you are in Paris, the surroundings are beautiful. From the elegant architecture of the never-ending stream of apartments to the aesthetic charm of the streets, you will be in awe of every neighborhood.
And while you may find Parisians turning up their noses at you for going to “les Galeries” (where the store intercom announcements are made in Russian, Chinese, and Arabic, among others, and there are bouncers at the Longchamp, Dior, and Chanel boutiques), no one in Paris will blame you for loving BHV.
Paris has a dazzling selection of flea markets perfect for a Sunday afternoon spent rooting and rummaging for a treasured find. The city has the world’s largest flea market, Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen, plus smaller ones like the Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen, where you can find designer vintage items like racks of Hermès scarves if you’re lucky (and up early enough!).
“Just add three letters to Paris, and you have paradise” – French author Jules Renard
Well, enough said for today!
