From Paris to the moon

My love affair with the most romantic city in the world began back in 1998 after watching a movie called ‘French kiss’ starring Meg Ryan. I watched wide-eyed while she fell in love with Kevin Klyne, stereo typed as a typical French man, sexy accent and all …that kinda explains it all, eh? Then came a bite of the real Paris, through Adam Gopnik and Sarah Turnbull. Both ex-pat writers living in Paris, one American and the other Aussie. 

‘From Paris to the moon’ and ‘Almost French’ became my bible’s for the year I lived there. A bit like the old and new testament, two extremely educational views on a string of events that came to epitomise this beautiful city and its supremely elegant dwellers. 

Even though it was a long time ago, there are some sights, smells and sounds that will be etched in my memory forever. For all you francophile’s out there, here’s a little taste of ‘my’ Paris.

In a city where form determines function, it took a bit getting used to imbibing the French ‘savoir fare’ for …everything. I mean, where else will you get a manual in the box when you buy a scarf? 

There’s a richness in everything. Picnics on the banks on the Siene watching the sun set over the Notre Dame cathedral are complemented with a wonderfully frivolous beaujeaulous noveau, a rarity in this side of the world. Fabulously simple meals enjoyed in neighbourhood bistros while Michelin starred restaurants make combining tastes an art form. Walks through street markets relishing the musty sock odours of mouldy cheeses whilst joking with shop keepers in badly accented French, the highlight of most Sunday mornings. Jardin Luxemborg with the merry go round which kids would ride while trying to spear a ring. Henri Cartier Bresson and his lovers kissing outside the Bon Marche. Place de la Concorde and its gruesome history. Marianne in all her beauty, the gasp of astonishment seeing Paris spread out before you, as if illuminated by candle light when the lift opens to the top floor of the Montparnasse building. Nutella ice cream at Amarinos. Art deco light fixtures, rude waiters, fluffy omelettes compete for attention with people watching sitting cheek to jowl with fellow voyeurs. Breathing in the air in the lobby of The George the V hotel, with its exquisite flower decorations. Mont Marte with its bohemian memories, the mecca of people watching, the Champs-Élysées. The Arc de Triumph, paying tribute to all the men and women who gave their lives in the name of Liberté, égalité, fraternité, and the art of Gallic driving. Finally my piece de resistance  the Tour Eiffel at night sparkling with a million fire flies…every 30 minutes. 

This friends, is the stuff that dreams are made off…. welcome to Paris!

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