First Impressions

“If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a movable feast.” ~Ernest Hemingway

Experienced folks say that Paris doesn’t typically represent true France; it has a culture and a way of life that is essentially Parisian, and in some sense a bit different from the rest of the country. But at this point of time, I am just a few days old in Paris and France which probably spares me from the burden of having to point out this distinction.

Paris is beautiful, no doubt about that! For centuries, its pristine beauty and romance have nurtured scores of artists, architects and poets. Even today, it’s almost always a compulsory destination of choice for all those who travel to Europe or even think of doing so. Getting proposed by her lover at the Eiffel Tower, followed by a candlelight dinner alongside the beautiful Seine is even today a deeply cherished dream of any girl. No wonder Paris is known more by other popular names like the City of Lights, City of Love, Fashion Capital or the Most Romantic city. There is unique something in every nook and corner, every building and every neighborhood or ghetto that bubbles out romance and mysticism, forcing the beholder to sit back and soak himself in the ambience of this charming metropolis.

Probably I wasn’t sufficiently lucky in having being granted this opportunity of spending some time in Paris, because I did not have the kind of company one needs in such a romantic city. But still, Paris has so much to offer to every visitor that no matter who you are, or who you are with, you will always be awarded with a treat to the eyes and the soul which will make you fall in love with the city and its life very soon. This is exactly what happened to me on the first day itself, and I know I would always miss this city once I go back!

Paris for a traveller!

Premature nostalgia aside, we can now talk more about what Paris has to offer. Undoubtedly, Paris is known more than anything else by its landmark tower, Tour de Eiffel. This Iron and steel structure was designed and built on a temporary basis more than a century ago by an Engineer[:D] who never in his wildest dreams could have imagined that this was going to become one of the most well known buildings of the modern world. The charm of Eiffel at night is certainly among the most beautiful sights that one can ever see in his lifetime!

Seine river flows through Paris in a rather twisted and meandering course. Its splendid embankments and riverside gardens add more to the charm of the city. Just walking along the Seine, especially in the night, and watching whatever Paris offers you, is a truly pleasing experience unmatched by anything else even remotely similar. Along the Seine are some of the most well known buildings and establishments of Paris as well as France, like Eiffel, the Royal Palace, Notre Dame and The Assemble Nationale.

Notre Dame de Paris happened to be the first well known Parisian building I saw, because it was just outside the most easily accessible station of Central Paris on RER-B (RER-B is the suburban railway network of Paris which I generally use while coming from Orsay to Paris and vice versa). It is a huge cathedral with a really impressive architecture and a well decorated interior. It is mostly full of tourists, so it lacks the ambience of a true cathedral where you can rest your mind in silence and pray. Still, I was amazed by the sheer magnitude of the building and its beautifully decorated colored windows, and being a tourist and a non Christian, I was more than satisfied.

Cross the river and you find yourself in front of Chatelet, the city assembly which is housed inside an amazingly huge building with great architecture. Next to it is Hotel de Ville and Rue de Rivoli, a famous shopping street of Paris lined with most well known brands of Parisian fashion and lifestyle. Chatelet is also the hub of Paris metro network and its biggest station too.

In addition to these, there are numerous other places of interest in the vicinity like the Pantheon and some cathedrals. And anyways, in Paris one doesn't need to look around for a sight of interest...the whole city itself is a treat to the eyes! J'adore Paris!