Growing up in many movies I indulged in as a youngster, so much emphasis was placed upon the city of lights and romance. Paris was like this beacon of romantic expectation. I imagined being proposed to on top of the Eiffel Tower, overlooking the entirety of the metropolis beneath us. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one. And I’m certain that I’m not the only one who once pictured sauntering by the banks of the Seine, eating un pain au chocolat and sipping un café, and admiring artwork in museums like the Musée d’Orsay. Needless to say, finally arriving in le Havre gave me goosebumps.
My eleven year old self didn’t know a lick of French at the time and merely had expectations of the country from all the movies I had seen. But it was far from what I’d seen on the big screen. Every country, I can confidently say, is just about the same. People all want the same things, do the same every day tasks, and experience the same human emotions. It comes down to what you’re surrounded with in whichever country you’ve landed in. For France, the scenery was vastly different from that of my hometown roots in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin barely has hills, unless you count the mounds that crops cover nearly half of the year. France, on the other hand, was abundant in beautiful hills, beaches, and views that took my breath away. We started our French journey off with a piping hot cup of chocolat chaud that probably was enough sugar to last me all weekend before we trekked to the coast. Sinking our toes into the beaches Omaha Beach, the sea breeze sprinkled our skin as we took in the history. German bunkers are tucked into every nook and cranny on the hills behind the shoreline. As a history buff, that was one of the more memorable moments of my time in France, second to Versailles. Nothing tops the gold in that place. Nothing.
After learning about World War II, we embarked for Paris. For July, the weather was pretty nice. It wasn’t too hot, even though we spent the majority of our time touring indoor palaces, museums, and such. Versailles was everything you’d expect and more. I long to go back, just to take it all in again. I’d imagine if I went back again, I’d feel the same amount of awe as the first time I stood staring up at the gold trimmings and the hallways lined with paintings, mirrors, and colors I thought only existed in my wildest dreams. It was outside of Versailles that I honestly would not want to experience again.
I’m not quite so sure now what the situation is, but back then, France was known quite well for street vendors. People who come up to you with various trinkets and try to sell them to you, no matter the cost. They get in trouble, but you don’t for buying them. This is the opposite as in Italy, which I learned in the following year. Italy doesn’t allow unregistered vendors on their streets. But that’s a story for another day, another post.
Long story short, outside of Versailles, I had twenty euros and ended up with none left. But I walked away with a Paris silk scarf, one that has been passed around my family for the last thirteen years, and a couple small Eiffel Tower trinkets. In hindsight, those trinkets made good gifts, even if I didn’t plan on buying them. It was in that moment in the courtyard, swarmed by vendors, that I decided I would learn French. And I did, for eight years.
Laying eyes on Paris for the first time, my expectations were surpassed. There’s a bit of a nostalgic feeling to the city. Maybe it’s in the architecture, the pace of the city, the lights at night, or even the smell of fresh baked goods and coffee that seems to sweep its way through the city at any given hour. Either way, those days spent in Paris were among my favorite on that entire trip. By far, one of my favorite evenings was spent up in Montmartre.
Montmartre is in the eighteenth arrondissement (district) and it’s best known for the ascent to the top. From the very top of the steps you have to climb to get to most of the attractions, you have a very clear view of the city below. Artists line the streets, offering to draw you a portrait of yourself, and little restaurants and cafes are tucked into the little alleyways if you venture further into the district. From the top of Montmartre, I felt a sense of wonder that I didn’t feel on the Eiffel Tower. At the very tip top of the steps of Montmartre, I saw the world at my feet as the sun went down. It was in that very moment that I knew travel was one of the great loves of my life, and always would be.
