Postcards From Paris: No. 4

Bonjour! It's been a sunny, spring-like week here in Paris; the perfect combination for long walks and exploring the city!

All the Paris Things: Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, and Daydreaming in the Jardin des Tuileries

After last week’s fashion adventures, I was desperate to go back into tourist mode and check off some very important boxes on my Paris to-do list: the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Élysées. The Arc de Triomphe lived up to its expectations, and the Champs-Élysées reminded me that my current status as a college student does not support my expensive taste. While I didn’t bother to go into any of the stores, the luxurious atmosphere was enough for me, and the fact that the sun was shining was a bonus.

One of the best parts of walking around the city is you get a feel for how small Paris really is. Although I’ve turned into a fan of public transportation, the views from the metro certainly don’t compare to everything happening above ground. After visiting the Arc de Triomphe, I walked to the Eiffel Tower and got caught in a surprise rainstorm while strolling along the Seine; without an umbrella or hooded jacket, I was fully embracing my ‘Paris in the Rain’ moment.

I’ve adopted the mentality that every minute of daylight not spent experiencing Paris is a minute wasted, and this week’s weather certainly fueled my need to get out of the apartment. As such, I took several trips to the Jardin des Tuileries where I basked in the sun, read my book, and people-watched alongside the other Parisians and tourists looking to take advantage of the beautiful day.

Montmartre: It’s a Climb, but the Views are Great

On Friday I ventured to Monmartre; Paris’s 18th arrondissement and home to the famous Sacré-Cœur. The basilica sits at the top of the Butte Montmartre, the highest point in Paris – which I didn’t learn until after the fact, but based on the many stairs I climbed to get to Sacre-Coeur, it makes sense.

Montmartre has officially replaced the Latin Quarter as my favorite district in Paris. Of all the neighborhoods I’ve been to so far, Montmartre is the most unique. Although not quite as rural or timbered, the village ambiance of this arrondissement reminds me of scenes from Beauty and the Beast. Like many of the other districts I’ve fallen in love with, Montmartre offers an escape from the city scenery; cobbled streets, very few traffic lights, vines ascending the front of houses, and people keen to linger.

One quality that distinguishes Montmartre from other areas with old-world charm is the perceivable affection for art. The colorful houses and gorgeous views of Paris fuel creativity, and Place du Tertre is famous for being an artists’ square. Just as it was for van Gogh, Picasso, Renoir, and Monet, Montmartre continues to be a workplace, home, or muse for many Parisian artists.

And not to be forgotten, the views from Sacré-Cœur are incredible; it truly makes you feel like you're on top of the world!

Fashion Museums: Museums for Classrooms and Vintage Gowns

One of the best parts about studying abroad in Paris has been the frequent class excursions to museums. Particularly exciting is the experience of studying fashion in the international fashion capital because there are a host of exhibitions and museums dedicated to this topic. This week, my Haute Couture in Paris class took two museum excursions; one to the Azzedine Alaïa Foundation for the Alaïa Afore Alaïa exhibition, and the second to the A History of Fashion exhibition at the Palais Galliera. Unlike last week’s fashion escapades, where I didn’t get to see much of anything, I was able to some beautiful dresses and haute couture creations in detail.

I particularly love the old court dresses and ballgowns displayed at the Palais Galliera. Although the dresses certainly don’t look comfortable, the craft that went into handmaking these garments is astounding.

Of all the designs I've seen this week, this gown (pictured above) was by far my favorite! I love the silhouettes and style of 1950s fashion, and for me, this dress is the epitome of elegance and glamour.

Saturday Scenes: Palais-Royal and Lunch at La Favorite

Saturday started with an early morning walk to the Palais-Royal for photos and turned into an entire day of sightseeing and window-shopping in the Le Marais. I was exhausted by the end of the day, but I'm not going to pass up the opportunity to run around Paris with friends and take spontaneous trips to the Eiffel Tower; it felt like filming a travel movie.

We also had lunch at La Favorite, a gorgeous restaurant completely decked out in shades of pink and florals (also, the food was delicious)!

Reflecting on My First Month in Paris: Feeling at Home in a Foreign Country

This installment of Postcards in Paris marks the end of my first month living abroad. With so much of the city left to explore and so many more experiences to be had, in many ways, it feels like I just got here; however, at the same time, I feel like I’ve lived in Paris my entire life.

Before embarking on this adventure, I desperately hoped that Paris would be everything I dreamed of and that the city would love me as much as I was prepared to love it. Although I probably haven’t been in Paris long enough to be disillusioned, I can say that this is the happiest I’ve ever been. Although I’ve been content in other cities and have an amazing network of friends and family in the places I call home, I often struggle with feeling like a misfit. Here, there is a greater appreciation for the aspects of life that are important to me, and I feel like Paris suits my personality.

Yes, Paris is visually beautiful, and I just so happen to like beautiful things. However, I have also fallen in love with the pace of life. Since it’s a city, there is chaos and excitement, but there is also an element of calm. Here, there is more emphasis on enjoying the simple moments, and being in Paris makes you recognize the benefits of time spent not being productive.

Whether it be a mundane aspect of everyday life in Paris, or upon seeing a famous attraction I’ve only previously seen in pictures, at least twice a week, something triggers an overwhelming sense of gratitude and disbelief (and admittedly, I get a bit emotional). I'm just so grateful for this opportunity and to be in a mental space that allows me to enjoy every moment of it!

I've also realized that I will likely experience my first real heartbreak when the semester ends and I'm forced to go back home...but that's a problem for later.