A friend once told me that I must be Parisian at heart. These exact words came to exemplify my feelings towards the City of Love after my most recent trip. I visited in January and not even the dead of winter, which I normally hate, could deter me from casually strolling the quaint streets and exploring the cities many cafes and restaurants, bottles of wine in tout. My partner and I spent 8 magnificent days in the city,. absorbing the vibrancy, energy and belonging we immediately felt.

What I perhaps found the most intriguing, and what this post hopes to address, was the ease. There was no running to catch the Metro or the Bus, no rushing out from a restaurant after finishing, or even rushing to have your food served in the first place. Savoring the moment, enjoying time and being conscious of ones needs, such as relaxation and quality time with family and friends, is a priority. This reminded me very much of one of several New Year’s Resolutions I had made for myself, namely to slow down and savor the moment. And so in this first post of 2019, I hope to address these ideas in a series on my travels throughout Paris, addressing the comfort and ease found in the Parisian culture. Below, I discuss these notions found in my two favorite neighborhoods, Montmartre and Le Marais.

Montmartre

My partner and I stayed in Montmartre, a hilly neighborhood in the 18th arrondissement. Our place was located just below Sacre Coeur, a beautiful basilica that overlooks the entire city of Paris. A quaint area with plenty of restaurants and shops, I genuinely came to enjoy the people even more. When getting off the Metro at Chateau Rouge for the first time after arriving in Paris, I was greeted with ample beauty supply stores, while also receiving various calls to get my hair braided; it was Saturday afternoon, and the salons were full. The area of Montmartre, once a village, has a large population of African immigrants. Within the span of two blocks, each store is teeming with shelves full of natural hair products that I often do not see when traveling throughout Europe. I felt at home, as if back in Brooklyn. This feeling, one that I did not expect to find in France, helped acclimate me to the environment as soon as I arrived.

Market Stall Displays.

Each morning, my partner and I made it a point to climb the stairs to Sacre Coeur ( the view and the Basilica are seen above). It’s central location, as well as position overlooking the city, made for the perfect backdrop for early morning excursions. Although we were unlucky to only have one sunny day, we came to appreciate the built-in surroundings that promote activity and movement. This well rounded lifestyle we found echoed in many other Parisians, but the particular neighborhood of Montmartre indicated just how important these values are. Plus, the view is pretty spectacular.

Le Marais

Le Marais, a former predominantly Jewish and Gay neighborhood in the center of the city, is where the Paris of postcards and old movies can be found. We visited three days in a row, which is quite a lot for someone only staying in Paris for a week. Yet, we were drawn to the quirky side streets and abundance of vintage stores, where everything from shearling and leather coats, to scarves and boots can be found. My partner had previously visited Paris 9 years ago and stayed in Le Marais; although the area has significantly changed since then (more designer stores, less mom and pop stores) it is still possible to find outlets of the thriving community that once inhabited these streets.

I came to appreciate the central location of Le Marais; easily accessible by the Paris Metro, several sites are nearby as well, such as Centre Pompidou. Designed by Renzo Piano, the building is home to significant modern works of art. As an exhibition designer, the scale of the building, as well as the exhibits, was a bit intimidating. All the less, I welcomed the enjoyment of people watching; the first floor cafe offers views of the entrance, where it is possible to savor a coffee and entertainment of those strolling by.

Photos by Joshua Broadway at Centre Pompidou.

As I continue to reflect on values I find important, I find myself referencing more and more the various travels and countries that I have visited. Each place has afforded new memories and momentos, snapshots that I carry with me at every step. In this case, Paris, my first trip of 2019, offered plenty of hope for what the rest of the year holds. As I close out this post, I hope you begin to understand the ease and comfort I felt while staying in Paris. Thank you for reading! to be continued….