There is nothing like Paris, France. I have had many happy times in my life, but I do not know if any can compare to the way I felt when I was in Paris. Why? Because it is truly the City of Love, the City of Lights, and everything else wonderful that people say about it.
photo via startupbootcamp
Going to Paris and seeing the Eiffel Tower ha been at the top of my bucket list for as long as I can remember. One is hit with the sight of at least fifteen Eiffel Tower decorations when he or she walks into my bedroom. I get Eiffel Tower gifts for every birthday and Christmas, as well as anything else having to do with Paris. Paris is a trending decoration theme at the moment, but I have been in love long before that trend came about.
photo via votejessehamilton
I’m sure every common white girl has a bazillion pictures of the Eiffel Tower on their Pinterest boards—whether it is a picture during spring with beautiful flowers blooming in the foreground, or perhaps just a simple picture of the Tower lit up at night. And why not? It’s beautiful, right?
I wish I could have seen it in person at night. Unfortunately, I was not able to, but it is beautiful in the day as well.
photo via angel on call
From the top of it one can see almost the entire span of Paris. It is a humbling and extraordinary sight to see, and one that I hope everyone can experience in their lifetime.
photo via Louvre Tours
The Eiffel Tower is not the only magical thing about Paris. A river cruise on the Seine was an experience like none other. It is a ride down the Seine in a boat full of people who are loving life and are tied together by one thing in common: the fact that they are thrilled to be in Paris. On a river cruise one goes under most of the major bridges in the city. Each bride has its own name and unique story, including the Pont des Arts, a bridge sometimes known as “the bridge of love”. This bridge has become a symbol of love to many people. For years, couples have gone to this bridge and put a padlock on the sides and thrown the key into the Seine, signifying their love. Sadly, the locks have recently been taken off of the Pont des Arts due to safety reasons. Every bridge, no matter its name or story, is unique to Paris and its tourists love to travel down the Seine and see these famous bridges.
photo via New York Magazine
I don’t know about anybody else out there, but the music from The Hunchback of Notre Dame kept going through my head as I walked through the ancient, holy cathedral that is Notre Dame. It is not the only beautiful cathedral worth seeing, there are many smaller ones all over the city that are just as beautiful and reverent that are worth a peek.
photo via Sacred Destinations
The Louvre is fascinating to go into just purely to look at the architecture. It is quite stunning, and much more impressive than the Mona Lisa, which sits behind a glass wall and ropes keeping everyone at least fifteen yards back. Oh yeah, it is also the size of your average picture on the wall. Talk about unimpressive. The Louvre and its many buildings and sections, however, that is impressive.
photo via Hotel Paris
Lastly, the Arc de Triomphe is across the busiest traffic circle I’ve ever seen. I have never been more nervous for other drivers in my life than I was watching people drive around the Arc de Triomphe. There are a million traffic lights and crazy Parisians driving in every direction at a fast speed that it is difficult to pay attention to the Arc de Triomphe across the street, but it is still magnificent in and of itself.
photo via European Trips
Paris is a city that is filled with so much history, beauty, and culture that it should be at the top of everyone’s travel list. It was one of the best experiences of my life, and I cannot imagine what my life would be like if my aunt and Nana had not taken me to Paris. Au revoir!
