1. To eat dessert and pastries!
Chocolate croissants, crepes, strawberry tarts, chocolate mousse cake…I could go on and on!
The French know how to do sweets, oh yes they do! I know you can find a plethora of French bakeries here in the states, like the Eric Kayser bakery in NYC. It’s delicious, yes, but it’s just not the same. French sweets taste better in France!
Let me explain. You’re sitting in front of the Eiffel Tower one evening with that special someone, or by yourself, you bring along strawberry tart and chocolate mouse cake. As you begin to partake of said dessert, a French musician starts to serenade their special someone…it doesn’t matter that you don’t understand the words, you understand the sentiment perfectly! You then gaze up at the Eiffel Tower as it begins to dazzle in front of your eyes. I will never forget how that dessert tasted. Why? Not just because it tasted wonderful, but also because the mood set there at that very moment was unforgettable!
What are your favorite French sweets?
2. To visit Musee d’Orsay
When I visited Paris years ago with my husband, we spent half a day in the Louvre. Loved it! Many people say viewing the Mona Lisa is overrated, I don’t agree. Even though it’s a lot smaller than I imagined it to be, there is something about it that captivated me. Maybe it was the way her eyes followed you around the room, like she was getting to know you somehow, like she was alive.
I regret not visiting the Musee d’Orsay, museum that houses the world’s largest impressionist and post impressionist art collection. I love impressionist style paintings. Degas is my favorite, mainly because of his famous ballet paintings and sculptures. I’m not a painter myself, but if I were, I would definitely get inspiration from dance.
I not only want to see artists work like Monet, Manet, Van Gogh, and Dagas. I also want to gaze inside the beautiful building these amazing pieces of art are housed in. The Musee d’Orsay was an old train station. You can read about the history and details here on their website Musee d’Orsay.
3. To see a ballet at the Paris Opera House
My husband offered to take me to see Sleeping Beauty at the Paris Opera House while we were there. I turned him down for no particular reason…what was I thinking?! I regret my decision 100%. I hope my husband is still willing to take me next time.
4. To window shop down and around the Champs Élysées, the most beautiful avenue in the world!
I love to shop, but when I don’t have the funds there is always window-shopping! Once a visual merchandiser, I can always enjoy and appreciate a good window display! I loved walking down this avenue. I would love to save enough to buy the pair of Chanel earrings I have been wanting…and purchase it at the Paris location right around this avenue. A girl can dream, right?!
5. To enjoy the view
Someone once asked me if Paris looks the same in real life as it does in the movies. One can always have a different perspective and see things in a negative or positive light. I choose the positive! Yes! Yes, Paris is as beautiful as it is portrayed in the movies. For me, it was even better. Gazing up at the Eiffel Tower, taking it all in as you take a boat ride down the Seine River, walking in majestic building after building, people watching as you sip your cappuccino at a cafe…all of the views are just amazing! No wonder some of the most famous authors and artists chose to call Paris home, the beautiful views and inspiration that comes from there are endless!
6. To experience it with my kids
I was so glad that I experienced Paris for the first time with my husband! I can’t wait to take my girls there to experience it next time! Our family has had the privilege of traveling together to many places, one of which was Hong Kong. We grew together so much as a family and loved learning about another culture and place. History comes alive, and when you can experience it with your kids, it adds a whole other level to the experience. We decided to school our children at home through online school; this gives us the liberty to travel when we want to. I can’t stress enough to take time to travel with your kids if you can. They will only be young for a short time. The memories we make traveling and times we spend together will always be treasured.
7. To see the Eiffel Tower Twinkle at night
I mentioned it before, but seeing the Eiffel Tower for me was a life long dream of mine. It might sound cheesy to you, but I literally started to tear up when I first laid eyes on it. I wasn’t sure if I would ever go to Paris. At that moment, I was inspired to see more of the world and to dream more! My favorite time of the day visiting the tower was at night when it first lights up and the lights start to twinkle…magic!
8. To watch Parisians do what Parisians do
I loved watching Parisians live life…walking their dogs while carrying a baguette and coffee, enjoying a glass of wine with friends and family at a cafe. Parisians definitely have a preferred way of doing life. It fascinated me. I would love to live in a place like Paris one day! I could definitely get used to their way of life…well, most of it anyway! For now, I’ll just have to settle with watching them from afar or close up when I have the chance to go back for a visit.
9. To drink French wine
I’m not and never have been much of a wine drinker. I know, I know, I could literally imagine most of you reading this sucking all of the air in dis-belief just now! I was given a sample of wine when I turned seventeen. I was excited, but then let down when I finally was able taste it.
Later on in life, I can enjoy a glass here and there. My first ever enjoyable wine tasting was in Paris! It was a dessert wine. We bought a few bottles to enjoy in Paris, then a few more for friends as a gift. One of the bottles never made it to our friend…it was delicious! Sorry, not sorry;-)! Maybe next time it’ll make it back to them?
10. To walk, possibly dance, along the Seine River
There is a picture I found on Pinterest that made me smile. It was an old vintage picture of a couple enjoying a dance along the Seine River. It makes me happy to see people take advantage of special moments or to even make special moments out of nowhere! The Seine River is a fabulous place to enjoy a walk with friends or family…or even by yourself. Maybe, you’ll even be inspired to dance!
Thank you for taking the time to read some of the reasons I want to go back to Paris! Au Revoir and remember Travel’s A Dance Away…TADA!
