Living The Life Of A Parisian

When in Paris, do as the French do. RITZ gets invited by Atout France India for an exclusive coverage of offbeat Paris and to soak in the sights, sounds and experiences of the exotic kind.

- Vanaja Banagiri

Oscar Wilde had said, “When good Americans die, they go to Paris!” Thankfully, I am an Indian and I had the good luck to go there while I am still walking on my two feet in this planet! But guess what? I did leave my mind behind in Paris. Days after I returned, visions of Paris continued to haunt me every time I shut my eyes.

Known throughout the world as the “City of Light,” Paris is celebrated for its beautiful city plan, its architecture, museums, bridges, cathedrals, parks, shopping, flea markets, sidewalk cafés, wide and luxurious boulevards, elegant cuisine, and numerous monuments. Once confined to an island in the middle of the Seine River, the Ile de la Cité, Paris, founded more than 2,000 years ago, quickly spread to both banks of the river—the rive droit (right bank) and the rive gauche(left bank). The right bank is known for being the commercial heart of the city while the left bank is home to the University of Paris and all that is intellectual and artsy. Paris has always been known to have the aura of romance and mystery and has been the setting for many novels and movies. Lucky us, we get to experience the unusual all thanks to our gracious hosts.

The trip is beautifully and meticulously planned with the right doses of French cuisine, experiences and familiarization with the culture.

On the first day, after a delicious lunch at the hotel’s restaurant, we set off for an exciting side car ride.