My Favorite Season
April in Paris. There are songs about it. Yes, April in Paris is a breath of fresh air. That is true but it’s hardly as romantic as the songs and poetry suggest. It’s like the early stages of life. When things have just been born. It’s moist and damp, covered with a film and not very cute. April is okay, May is better. June is better yet. Now it’s July. July is my favorite. Beside it being full of national holidays, it is also my and my granddaughter’s birthday month. It’s tourist season. Summer in Paris is my favorite season. Why you may ask? There are several reasons. Aside from the handful of ugly tourist that just don't get the Parisian vibe, its lively and fresh. It can get hot but I don’t mind that. The streets are filled with people wandering through the eclectic neighborhoods. The cafes are buzzing and we always have friends popping in town from all around the world. Paris is now the number one tourist destination in the world. As long as you can avoid spending too much time at Charles DeGaulle Airport and avoid all of the tourist traps, the city herself isn’t at all a bad place to be.
Tourist season arrived early this year. It began in May. Perhaps its the pending Olympics next summer that has people intrigued. Or the ever popular Netflix program Emily In Paris and the movie Amelie. I’m inclined to believe it’s one of the later because we see the tour takers lined up on the corner of our street dressed like court jesters and listening to the heavily accented stories about our street’s history as part of one of many themed tours. It’s quite entertaining. I love that our neighborhood is popular but it is bittersweet. Luckily we do not live on the main drag in our area. Our small street is like a hidden gem. We live in the center of Paris. My husband, Pierre, calls it the center of the universe. I suppose in a way it is.
Any given day something magical will happen. I can wake up with absolutely no plans for the day but end it with an amazing time making new acquaintances or stopping by a favorite pub or cafe and enjoying the company of whomever wonders by that evening. Sometimes Pierre and I will take a walk in any given direction and discover something new. There will be street performances or outdoor dancing that anyone can join. There will be a new pop up market or a gallery or display that we haven't seen before. There is so much here that even after 11 years I am still surprised by it all. Just the other evening after spending the day cleaning and then grocery shopping, I decided to head over to our local Scottish pub, my husband’s favorite by the way, to meet a friend for a drink. My husband decided to meet another friend elsewhere. Now mind you, this friend does not speak English and my French is well… basic. I’m still learning. Let’s leave it at that. I love that my friend lets me struggle and practice without judgment. I understand much more than I can say but she knows when my eyes glaze over that I’ve missed something. While we sat outside in the sunshine chatting several neighborhood regulars stopped by for bisous and a quick chat. There was a famous jazz musician, a singer, a neighbor from Australia and her friend that is visiting, and the gallery owner from just down the block. Her petit ami is a chef and a regular. In fact there are at least 3 chefs that frequent said pub. Paris is a city where you can walk by famous or well known people on the daily and never know who they are. In Paris it’s not a thing. Almost everyone that lives here has a fascinating story. I love that. Our apartment building is filled with characters as well. We have many expats in our building and joke about starting our own reality tv series. The restaurant and wine bar on the corner was a pub during the time of Napoleon. Our street was popular before it became tv famous.
Paris is not for the faint of heart though. If you aren’t comfortable navigating crowds or being brave enough to step out of your comfort zone, either by trying out your French or taking the metro, Paris may not be the place to visit your first time in Europe. Paris is not for the timid. Paris has all the flavor and grit of New York without the gruff exterior. The metro is a bit cleaner and some of the stations are like mini art museums. Of course its a big city so keeping your head on a swivel and you’re personal belongings tucked away is a must. Taking the time to learn proper French etiquette and a few key phrases is essential for a smooth and positive experience. I suggest you not arrive with a tight agenda but allow the streets of Paris to speak to you. Paris is so much more than the tourist hot spots that you see in every photo of Paris. She is more than the museums and architecture, the bridges and magnificent restaurants. Paris is its people and its energy. And 3 days is not enough. If you dip your toes in for a 3 day trip ala Las Vegas, plan to be thirsty for more. She will captivate you if you allow her.
