Have you ever wanted to escape? To board a train, and visit somewhere new, somewhere you’ve always dreamed of… Well, Paris is the place for you! Be warned, it will steal a piece of your heart and never give it back.
It’s the type of city that gets under your skin and pervades your dreams. There’s beauty everywhere, from the Gargoyles perched atop Notre Dame, to a boat chugging along the Seine full of tourists raising a glass of champagne as they pass. Flea markets full of eclectic pieces whose histories you can only guess at. Swollen novels, its pages fat from the salty river air will call out to you, buy it! Take it home so Paris is never far from you…
Shakespeare and Co on the Left Bank, and old bookshop with a rich history, is a must see. The bookshop is almost a living thing, it hums with memories and the people who’ve inhabited it over generations.
Luxembourg gardens is the perfect place to read and people watch. You might see the ghost of Ernest Hemingway…he used to wander the gardens after a long day of writing.
Find La Pagode, and old cinema, with luxe ornate furniture and a garden that will make you feel you’ve truly stepped back in time.
You could rent a bike in Paris, and make a day of stopping off at the many bookshops hidden around town. All that exercise will make a person hungry so for the best Croque Monsieur head to La Comète up in Montmartre, flush it down with a crisp glass of vin blanc, and then wander around the artists’ square. The wall of I love Yous is close to by too, and another must see.
For the more adventurous you can tour Paris on roller skates! There’s lots of options and maps of which paths to use to explore. Or meet other likeminded souls under the big clock at Montparnasse station at 10pm Friday nights and see the city under slivers of moonlight!
The Eiffel tower sparkles on the hour at nighttime. Take a picnic and sit and ogle the truly magnificent spectacle.
If you’re into spooky, you can visit the catacombs, but like most popular Parisian sights there’ll be a long queue. It’s underground, and full of skulls, so not for the faint of heart.
Find the covered market in the Marais, and hunt for the cheese stalls. Eat, buy, eat.
No matter what you like from museums, to art, to history, literary walks, food, Paris has it all. Plan ahead, and you’ll be able to fit so many memories into a few days in the City of love.
About Rebecca Raisin
REBECCA RAISIN is a bibliophile. This love of books morphed into the desire to write them. She’s been widely published in various short-story anthologies, and in fiction magazines, and is now focusing on writing romance. The only downfall about writing about gorgeous men who have brains as well as brawn is falling in love with them – just as well they’re fictional. Rebecca aims to write characters you can see yourself being friends with. People with big hearts who care about relationships, and, most importantly, believe in true, once-in-a-lifetime love.
Follow her on twitter @jaxandwillsmum
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaRaisinAuthor
Website rebeccaraisin.com
Follow her on twitter @jaxandwillsmum
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaRaisinAuthor
Website rebeccaraisin.com
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Thank you so much Rebecca, for that lovely guide to Paris, you have summed up the city so much better than I ever would, and can tell you really enjoyed your trip there last year.
If you like reading about Paris, then keep tuned to Rachel's Random Reads over the next few days as I focus on books set in Paris, I have other authors sharing their thoughts, as well as some lovely giveaways for you all to enjoy.
Top tips! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteRebecca's Paris is always cosy. Love these tips.
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