Bienvenue a Paris
Bonjours!
Welcome to Paris, what I believe to be one of the most exciting cities in the world. Only in Paris can you eat great food, drink good wine, see some of the best art the world has to offer, and wander through the streets where some of the world's better known authors gathered their inspiration.
For me Paris is wonderful. The first time I went to Paris was when I was seven and I was in love before my aircraft had even started flying over the Atlantic. We were on our way to Europe to spend time with my grandparents. We flew Air France. All children received an Air France gift bag. The bag was full of goodies, however all I can remember were these chocolates wrapped in beautifully colored paper with ribbons as only the Parisiens do. They looked too beautiful to unwrap. Here we are almost forty years later and I still can remember those chocolates. To me this was fascinating, any national airline that gave out chocolates to the petite enfants (little children) had to be fascinating and worthy of a visit.
We did not stay in Paris, in fact I never left the airport but I vowed that I would one day return. What other country could prompt a desire to return and explore from a box of chocolate and a change of planes in the airport. Most airports have me wanting to depart as soon as possible.
Fourteen years later, Paris was the first city on my summer of backpacking through Europe sorjourn. With my bright orange backpack I would not be having any custom fittings on Rue du Fauborg St. Honore, but it was fun looking.
I was enthralled with everything the city had to offer. So much so that we celebrate Bastille Day (July 14) in our house.
I have returned back to Paris many times since. While my days of backpacking may be over, I still enjoy staying in the 6th arrondissement off of St. Germaine des Pres. An arrondissement is a subdivision of a city. Paris has twenty arrondissements. There are only two other cities in France that have arrondissements, Lyon (the gastronomy capital) and Marseille.
Without a doubt the 6th district is one of the more exciting arrondissements in Paris. Located on the left bank, it is home to Deux Magots, Blvd. St. Germaine des Pres, Eglise (Church) Saint Germaine des Pres, Saint Sulpice (the church from the DaVinci Code), Jardin Luxembourg, many wonderful restaurants and boutiques.
Let me know what you would like to know about Paris and I will attempt to answer your questions.
Every time I visit the city there is something new to be discovered. I hope you enjoy discovering the city as much as I do.
Women and her dog. The dogs in France are the happiest dogs I have ever seen.
Au revoir et bon nuit.
Good bye and good evening.
