The first time I made it to Paris didn't count, although the stamp in my passport proved otherwise.
It was over a year ago during a layover in Charles de Gaulle Airport and the closest I got to experiencing the flavor of "The City of Light" was a lemon macaron from the mobile Ladurée cart that was conveniently situated at my departing terminal--it was simply divine and not too shabby for my first quasi-genuine french connection if I do say so myself.
But last month, I wanted to redeem my previous quick rendezvous for a lengthier stay and so I ended up in Paris on a solo jaunt for a few days after galavanting in Frankfurt and Amsterdam with a friend. From maneuvering my way through the metro--and getting pretty good at it, to people watching from Cafe Les Deux Magots on Saint-Germain-des-Prés, to finally learning how to correctly pronounce The Champs-Élysées and actually feeling like a true parisian while saying it, I definitely enjoyed my experience.
All things considered, Paris is everything you recollect from seeing the city's most iconic architecture flash across your television screen or from thumbing through your favorite glossy travel magazine. I spent nearly 72 hours aimlessly wandering through this pristine city and here are some of my snaps I captured along the way--just enough to make you fall in love if you've never been or reignite the flame if you've experienced this Parisian love affair once before:
Statuesque sculptures, regal buildings and the like set against dramatic skies is a recurring theme in Paris. No matter if it's a clear sunny day or a bit overcast, the beautiful drama is always there.
A classic residential street scene is all about the angled positioning of the buildings. They "point" out into the streets almost as if trying to reel you in and tell you a secret. I'm listening Paris...I'm listening.
The Seine River flows throughout Paris and the abundance of bridges around the city provide ample opportunity to take in the scenery, especially the multi-colored trees that scream "fall has arrived". Autumn looks amazing on this place.
If you want to see the Eiffel Tower by day, then you have to see the Eiffel Tower by night.
Views from atop Montmarte.
Love locked down on the Pont des Arts...
The Louvre Pyramid and Museum in all of its splendid glory.
Makes you wonder if the grass really is greener on the other side doesn't it?
This post originally appeared on Jaimee's blog, This Way North
Photo Credit: WhatJaiSees