Falling in Love With Paris?
We’ve all dreamt about Paris, about the charm in strolling along the River Seine, about marveling at the city’s architecture, about falling in love in and with the most romantic city in the world. Perhaps like everyone visiting Paris for the first time, my heart flutters in excitement as my flight touches down at Orly (Paris’ budget airport) and I brace myself for my first Eurotrip. I haven’t anticipated that now is when I’ll start to think of the city with my marketing hat on.
I make my way to the metro, backpacker-style, without even considering the possibility of affording a cab. As the metro paces underground, we are hit by smells best described as rotten – coming from a developing part of the world, these aren’t alien, but in the world’s most romantic city you expect nothing less than a bed of roses.
Determined to discover a city that has charmed so many people, I check in at my hotel and decide to walk the streets of its suburban neighborhood before hitting the major attractions. I’m compelled to stop and admire the architecture of the simplest of constructions, and the care & precision that reflects in their ancient foundations till date. I’m instantly drawn into a boulangerie, even at this afternoon hour, and delight in my first real French croissant.
Walking the streets of Paris.
Images of the Paris I had dreamed of come flashing back. I make my way back to the metro, this time undeterred by its deteriorating state, and excited to explore the city’s much talked about wonders. Before I know it, I am indeed strolling along the River Seine. Only I hadn’t anticipated the swarms of people who’d be strolling alongside me. I marvel, now at the Notre Dame, now at the Louvre, now at the queues at each, now at the omnipresent flashing cameras, now at the countless stalls selling fake-looking French baguettes.
Oh look, I have my own picture of the Notre Dame.
I grab an ice-cream to cool off from the crowds, and walk to the Eiffel Tower, only to be greeted by more queues & countless Eiffel Tower tours. I strain my neck upward, partly to admire the massive architectural brilliance of the metallic structure, and partly to ignore the persistent street sellers selling key chains and miniature versions of the Eiffel Tower. I fulfill the customary photo-taking criterion and walk away.
The magnificence.
The crowds.
Just like that, my grand illusions of Paris are crushed one by one, like a giant man trampling on little samplings in a garden that everyone dreams about strolling in. Not even a walk down the Champs-Élysées, perhaps the world’s most expensive fashion street, can revive my enthusiasm for the city. My inability to speak the local language adds fuel to my fire, as time and again, many locals look cross for trying to initiate a conversation in English. I begin to think of Paris as a hugely successful PR campaign; if you don’t enjoy sightseeing in Paris, you are not classy or sophisticated enough.
I decide to salvage my next day and leave Paris for Annecy, the next destination on my itinerary. Perhaps I can blame my far-fetched imagination or the lack of a common language, but try as I did, I couldn’t see what makes Paris such a romantic city.
The tourist boat sails along the River Seine.
What about you? Did you honestly fall in love with Paris or did you just pretend that you did?
tThe 1st 3 times I went to Paris, it rained everyday.
Sometimes, it takes awhile to fall in love. You should stay longer and definately come during off season. You will be amazed at the difference. If you can stand the cold you will find no one in line for the Louvre or anything else in January and it’s magnificent all over the city. I hope you give Paris another chance. All famous cities are like this when it’s crowded with tourists and locals can get irritable.
Best to you,
Sonja
I can imagine that the January isolation will be beautiful. But perhaps the point I couldn’t make is that, I couldn’t find anything that makes Paris more romantic than other European cities – they’d be gorgeous in the winter too I assume.
But you’re right. Maybe I should give it another chance
This is a very interesting post.. and goes against all the stereotypes we set for ourselves. On my Eurotrip, I didn’t enjoy Paris much.. it was crowded, touristy and somehow, very alien – whereas I absolutely loved Berlin, a city with definitely not a romantic image like Paris.. Similarly, I didn’t find Venice romantic at all, but loved Florence!
That’s almost a first Abhijit, most people wouldn’t admit to it. I couldn’t make it to Berlin, but I definitely loved Munich and found it much more charming that well, Paris. To each his own, and to the crowds, Paris
I loved Paris when I was there. Almost stayed over longer to be with the waiter I met on the last day of our tour, but–alas!–did not, given no money and boyfriend waiting at home. But the city was a delight.
Haha, now that’s reason enough to find it romantic, Patti
I do love Paris. I have just had a week there. You must go when it is not so busy – please give it another try. Annecy is gorgeous.
Annecy is gorgeous indeed. Maybe if I do plan another trip to Paris, I’ll get some recommendations from you. Definitely avoiding the major attractions this time!
When people come back after Europe tours they go ga…ga over it. Your post is different…..Like the way it is written.
The pictures are good.
I’m ga ga over Europe too. Its countryside is really beautiful and peaceful
But yes, I can’t see why people go ga ga over a city like Paris.
I think the key to Paris is to explore the city itself. Rent an apartment for the week instead of staying in a hotel or hostel. Visit the local markets. You don’t have to go far – just a street or two off the main streets is enough to discover great little restaurants!
Crowds are tough wherever you go, but I think that the sights of Paris (Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre Dame, etc.) really live up to expectations versus other world famous sights. Big Ben & the Leaning Tower of Pisa pale in comparison to the Eiffel Tower. Even the photos you took on a cloudy day are stunning!
Finally, I’ve always found the people in Paris to be quite friendly. Just starting with some broken French cribbed from the “French Phrases” section of any guidebook I’ve found will elicit a smile and a response in English. I’ve been lucky enough not just to get directions & suggestions, but have been personally taken to my destination without asking numerous times! Parisians are friendly – you just have to show you’re trying to communicate in French!
So please, please, PLEASE give Paris another chance – it’s one of my favorite cities in the world and has a quiet splendor like no other!
When you put it like that, I think I should try convincing myself to give it another try. I became so averse to crowds after Paris, that I refused to visit any other European city (except Amsterdam of course). The countryside was worth skipping everything!
I think u didn’t give paris enough of a change to charm u….1 day is just not good enough. I have visited many places in europe but nothing came close to my exp in paris. U need to catch hold f a local nd live in an apartment fr a while nt just a day in a hotel or maybe travel there in off season.
The view f the eiffel tower frm the miniature statue of liberty is one f bes sites i have seen(nt including natural beauty)
basically all im trying to say is that u should give paris another nd this time try travelling there nt just as a tourist
Oh yes, I’ve heard your story about the girl who offered you her couch to crash. That’s an experience that could make you fall in love with any city
I had the same experience when I went to Rome. I had high expectations of the city but I guess expecting too much lead to disappointment. I didn’t feel the “ooohh” and the “aaaahhh” I thought I’ll feel so I decided to leave early.
But again, travel is both about the place and the experience – and it’s often the latter part that counts more.
My advice? Give Paris another chance! Maybe you’ll have a different view point next time!
I’m glad I skipped Rome then
But you’re right Jerick, maybe I’ve been too quick to judge. After reading all the comments on this post, it’ll only be fair to give it another try. Will you give Rome another chance?
I will, definitely! I’m coming now with lower expectations, so I’m sure that what I’ll get to experience will be better than before.
It’s a deal then, we do a second visit to these cities. 
I had very high expectations for Paris and I must admit I too was disappointed. I had dreamed of an immaculate and sophisticated city but I was met with drunken Parisian teens, dirty streets and prostitutes working mid-morning. It shattered the image I had seen in the movies! However, I would be willing to give the city another chance. Maybe now that I know what to expect I’ll be able to get past the underbelly and enjoy the city for what it is.
Yeah… Paris [Hilton] is beautiful.
I’ve been to Paris three or four times and all in different formats. Once when I was young with my Dad on a business trip when all I really cared about was Euro Disney. Then from College I was there with a friend for an extended weekend, exploring Paris backpackers style. I even did a one day car trip to Paris from Germany. So yeah I like Paris, although not so much as a “romance” capital. I do love walking around and just exploring the place and it is a real beauty because of the art, culture, fashion, and overall feel. In the end though, it is also a mentropolitan city like any other major city of the world.