Me and Paris have had a pretty “interesting ” relationship. Let me explain to you quickly why.
I lived in Paris for 3 months to do my final year internship in a PR company and at this time I really lived my experience there. I was working in a cool company, discovered Japanese food (well the French version of Japanese food – where you can find sushi cheese and sweet soy sauce) and this is also where I met my best friend Charlotte đ
After that, I decided to go to England to learn English, and gambled on finding a family to au pair – which was one of the best decision I have ever done (I am still thanking the 19 years old me ^^) Long story short, I just feel in love with London and I started to really dislike Paris …
I ended up comparing London and Paris for a very long time, and pretty much hated everything about Paris for a while… I only saw all of negatives, and every time I was going there, I never felt comfortable, couldn’t get myself to want to go back and so I didn’t for years.
Last year, one of my best friend Mathieu took me on the back on his motorcycle and drove me around Paris … It was a rainy day but it didn’t stop us from going from street to streets, driving around the beautiful Haussmannian avenues, some popular areas and finally back to Gare Du Nord to catch my Eurostar. I started to see again why people describe the city as the “most beautiful city in the world” or how “romantic” it can be.
The end of the story is that I stopped comparing Paris to London and that was for the best! They are two completely different cities, different people and different atmosphere, and of course it is normal and a must! We are sadly starting to see our Capital cities turning into “Global” capital cities. Same high street brands, more and more “instagramable” places, which are similar from cities to cities and that’s a shame.
Paris, please keep your bistros and your Parisians.
Places I love
Café de la Poste: for delicious brunch with Frites and charcuterie and Cheese platers, 124 Rue de Turenne, 75003 Paris
Wild and the Moon: Cute coffee shop, with healthy and vegan options for food, 25 Rue des Gravilliers, 75003 Paris
Poilâne Boulangerie: Delicious Bakeries around Paris!
Quais de Seine from Pont de Art to Notre Dames : I just love walking down the Seine, where you will find a lot of nice places for a drink/ food.
Le Marais: my favourite area in Paris, lots of little shops, little coffee places, restaurants ect … just very lovely to walk around.
Ah Manon !!! Quand jâai vu que le The Great British Bake Off allait avoir une Française jâai Ă©tĂ© ravi et surtout quand jâai vu que tu Ă©tais trĂ©s douĂ©e en patisserie !!! Trop triste que tu sois parti mais maintenant je suis ton insta et ton blog.
Câest marrant ton article, jâai eu exactement le mĂȘme ressenti que toi, au pair Ă Londres (il y a 10 ans) et jamais vraiment adorer Paris, les choses Ă©taient toujours mieux Ă Londres, mais on grandit et on voit les choses differemment. Paris câest sympa aussi mais Londres reste ma ville coup de coeur.
Merci pour ta joie et bonne humeur et tes recettes !!! Bonne continuation jolie Manon â€ïž Bises
Loved this post! This is exactly how I feel about London (where I live now) and Los Angeles – both cities I’ve lived in at different times which I’ve both loved and hated, and that I’ve come to love now as two, totally different, totally amazing cities. Also, thanks for the recommendations – should be popping over to Paris the beginning of next year – I’ve never really explored it much, spending most of my time in Brittany!
Hi Manon,
I’m about to move to Paris and live in London currently. I think your post is pertinent, especially with what is happening politically. Many people blame the migrants but this has only enriched culture. It is the globalisation, the Starbucks in Monmartre, the same shops that dilute community identity. I loved Italy for this reason, barely a chain in sight!
Thanks for your post!
“this is also where I met my best friend Charlotte”
yeaaaah best thing I got from this internship in Paris.
This will always remind me when we were seriously advocating for London, how safer it feels than Paris and you got your phone stolen 2 seconds later hah
Stunningly beautiful pictures and thank you for sharing your past history and experience of London and Paris. Very interesting to hear what you had to say…
Great post. You are right, just enjoy the best of both. Two amazing cities, but two completely different world. Toying with the idea of another day trip to Paris fairly soon (hooray to the Eurostar) đ
I will be visiting Europe (Paris specifically) soon for the first time soon and am quite nervous about the whole experience. I do not want to stick out as a disrespectful American tourist! Hopefully I can experience many non-tourist restaurants and things to do as possible! Any recommendations?!
Hi are using WordPress for your blog platform? I’m new to the
blog world but I’m trying to get started and create my own. Do you require any coding knowledge to make your own blog?
Any help would be greatly appreciated! https://hyperflexno2.net/
Author
Hey! Yes I am indeed!
No I don’t think you need any coding knowledge! It is all click and move! I am hosting mine on a private host service though đ
Hope that helps!
Take care,
Manon xx
Wohh precisely what I was searching for, appreciate it for posting.