This isn't a love story. Well, not a traditional one, anyway. After fulfilling a decades-old dream of visiting Paris earlier this year, I fell in love. So much so that I booked a second trip in the same year. (There's a very good chance I'm wandering the cobbled streets as you read this.) Here are five reasons why I think you could do with a little solo Parisian romance in your life, too.
1 DISCOVERING THE JOY OF FLÂNERIE
Defined as 'the act of strolling, with all of its accompanying associations', flânerie was perhaps what brought me the most joy in Paris. Ear pods in (with a carefully curated Parisian Spotify playlist, bien sûr), this simple act turned into an absolute highlight of my day.
Paris is much smaller than you might think. You can walk from Notre-Dame to the Louvre in less than 20 minutes, or from the Eiffel Tower to the Champs-Elysées in less than 25 minutes. I would intentionally plan my day and Métro route to ensure that I could walk as much as possible. The saying 'A city is best explored on foot' has never been truer than in Paris. I loved the freedom of wandering, following any alley or path that caught my eye - combined with gorgeous architecture, cafés, and people, everywhere you looked... Unsurprisingly, I ended up walking over 150 km over the course of 10 days.
Tip: Comfortable shoes are an absolute necessity - and while Parisians frown at the concept of athleisure, sneakers are widely worn and acceptable. Try to choose an understated, plain white pair to blend in with the locals and avoid disapproving looks.
2 YOU'RE ALONE, BUT NOT REALLY
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