Hi Frugalistas! I’m going to Paris very soon. I love going to Paris. For me, there are so many reasons to visit Paris. Almost too many reasons to count in fact. I thought it might be fun to ask some other bloggers about why they love to visit Paris. Their reasons for visiting Paris were very different, and also very personal. I loved reading their contributions and hope you do too.
Photo: Stephanie from http://ladystravelblog.com
Four iconic reasons to visit Paris
Dan went to Paris because…..he wanted to write and drink coffee.
Photo credit: Dan of http://danvineberg.com
Paula went to Paris because…..of the Café Culture. She grew up associating Paris with the bohemian Left Bank. She saw artists painting on the streets, shopkeepers standing at their doors, and people sitting at sidewalk cafes watching the world go by. Paris delivered on all fronts and in fact gave more.
Photo credit: Paula from http://contentedtraveller.com
Stephanie went to Paris because….. of Hemingway. Her favourite author has been Ernest Hemingway for as long as she can remember and on a recent solo visit to Paris she wanted to go walking in the footsteps of this literary giant. From out of the mouth of his Moveable Feast she wanted to linger in his favourite cafes like Café de Flore, soak in the atmosphere of the Latin Quarter and browse books in Shakespeare & Company in the hopes of finding even a scratch of inspiration on the streets of Paris where perhaps Hemingway’s creative energy still lurks. She went to Paris in search of Hemingway and found inspiration to put pen to paper walking the streets he once called home.
Brenda & Andrew went to Paris because…..they were dreaming of Andouillette. It was years since their last visit, they were newly married then, and there were many events from their first trip that they wanted to relive. This time around they were to do it with their daughter. First stop, Notre Dame? No. Eiffel Tower?
No… It was Brasserie Lipp for some Andouillette. The only sausage they know of worth traveling across the Atlantic for.
Photo credit: Brenda from http://dishourtown.com
Four reasons to visit Paris for its sights
Jocelyn & Eric went to Paris because…they were only a 2 hour train ride away. So what if it was only for about 15 waking hours? Eric and Jocelyn got to see the amazing Catacombs and awe-inspiring fireworks set off from the Eiffel Tower.
Laura went to Paris because…..she was climbing the Eiffel Tower with her husband, Nick. When they pick their next destination, it’s usually based on an activity they’ve always wanted to do somewhere. Nick had always wanted to climb the Eiffel Tower and Laura had always wanted to ride a hot air balloon in Cappadocia, Turkey. So their trip itinerary included a stopover in Paris to climb the Eiffel Tower and a week exploring Turkey. A perfect combination.
Photo credit: Suzanne from http://philatravelgirl.com
Hannah & Adam went to Paris…..because of the hype. Paris is one of those cities that ‘you have to see’. It’s the ‘City of Love’, the Eiffel Tower and Mona Lisa live there. Paris is one of those quintessential travel destinations that they just had to see for themselves. Unlike many ‘must-see’ travel spots, they weren’t disappointed by Paris.
Suzanne went to Paris because…..her eleven year old niece Aubrey wanted to see the Eiffel Tower. Traveling with her niece was a way to rediscover one of her favorite cities through the eyes and stomach of a child.
Three reasons to visit Paris for its “joie de vie”
Donna went to Paris because…..it was April. How can “April in Paris” ever be a bad idea? The blossoms were abundant; the scents were heady. The sun was out and so were the people. That song “April in Paris” seemed to reverberate through the very air. What could ever be more beautiful, more lovely, more romantic? And even though she went alone, she fell in love–all over again–with Paris in the spring.
Photo credit: Donna from http://nomadwomen.com
Jacky went to Paris because…..she wanted to receive an impression of the French way of living.
Matilda went to Paris because…..Paris is always a good idea. It was a chance to enjoy the art, the food, the scenery and practice a language she studied for many years.
Seven personal reasons to go to Paris
Eloise went to Paris because…..she was homesick. It had been too long since she last saw her family. She took this opportunity to put on her tourist shoes and explore her home region from a new point of view. A fantastic experience!
Photo credit: Jocelyn from http://thehouseofmaps.com
Sharon went to Paris because…..they wanted to go somewhere with lots of things to do for families!! Paris may be well known for romance, culture and shopping, but it is also an excellent place to visit with kids. There are a crazy amount of family friendly attractions and it is a great place to spend some time as a family.
Photo credit: Sharon from http://wheressharon.com
Roma went to Paris because…..she hadn’t been for over ten years and a lot can change in a decade.
Gemma went to Paris because…..of a girls’ weekend, met her friend Mhairi ‘the expat’, drank wine and ate overpriced cakes! And it turned out to be one of the hottest weekends of the year (in May!)
PS the cakes were good
Photo credit: Gemma from http://twoscotsabroad.com
Mia went to Paris because…..she wanted to revisit her past. In 2003, she went to Paris for a month but she fell deeply in love with the city and decided to make it her home for nearly a year. In 2014, she went back with her husband and had the opportunity to show him her old neighborhood, apartment and hang outs.
Living in Paris was a turning point in her life and she was happy to revisit a part of her past that made her who she is today.
Photo credit: Mia from http://travelwithmia.com
Margarita went to Paris because…..she wanted to show her daughter ‘her Paris’. In the spring, she took her daughter to Paris for a few days after a lengthy trip to Barcelona. She had lived in Paris for a year when she was almost 18 years old. Margarita took her daughter to her old stomping grounds at the University of Paris IV – The Sorbonne. She had not returned since she participated in a foreign student program in French Language and Literature in 1981-82. She was taken aback at how beautiful the buildings still are. Some sort of ceremony had taken place on that spring evening but they were allowed to walk the courtyard and go up to the lecture rooms. It was wonderful to be back to show her 19 year old daughter ‘her little bit of heaven’ in Paris. She loved it and Margarita loved showing it to her.
Michela went to Paris because…..she turned 50 last year and realised that she hadn’t been yet to Paris yet! What a shame she thought! After spending 12 years in Munich and postponing her visit from year to year….
So it was a special occasion to celebrate in a special city. Couldn’t be a better birthday present to herself, and religiously travelling solo! yay! 🙂
Five reasons to go to Paris for its romance
Carole went to Paris because…..she had a grand wedding to attend. It turned out to be grander than could possibly be imagined. The afternoon ceremony was in an ancient stone church, and the first reception for photos was in a very old historic rose garden. The next day they partied on in the groom’s back yard, huddled in tents with blue ceilings that protected us from a downpour and feasting on an entire roast lamb prepared on site.
Photo credit: Carole from http://berkeleyandbeyond.com
Cacinda went to Paris because…..she is a hopeless romantic and wanted to sit in a Parisian cafe and stare at the stunningly chic French people walking by with their perfectly manicured dogs and elegantly wrapped scarves. She knew she could never be so extraordinary, but liked to dream that she could be.
Photo credit: Cacinda from http://pointsandtravel.com
Gia went to Paris because…..of art and romance. She was drawn to Paris by the charm of Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and came back with an appreciation for Monet and Van Gogh. She shared a memorable kiss with her lover at the Eiffel Tower at night. She walked with him, hand in hand, in the palaces of Versailles.
Photo credit: Gia from http://mismatchedpassports.com
Alice went to Paris because…..it was Valentine’s Day. For many, the Brits especially, a quick hop on the Eurostar transports you into the romantic world of ‘Ooh La La’ with delicious wine, exquisite food and beautiful art.
Complete with red roses, walks along the river and sentimental whispers under the Eiffel Tower, it was a memorable weekend.
Simone went to Paris because……on her first anniversary she was surprised with a trip to the City of Love for a weekend of romance, luxury and relaxation. Paris is such a wonderful city and they spent their days marvelling at the sites, strolling the beautiful streets, dining on fine food and relaxing in luxury at beautiful Hotel Napoleon which is located next to the Arc de Triomphe.
Every time I visit I fall a little more in love with its charm and beauty. It was the perfect destination for our anniversary.
Photo credit: Roma from http://roamingrequired.com
Two reasons NOT to go to Paris
Yes, unfortunately it’s true. Not everyone had an amazing time in Paris………………..
Alouise went to Paris because…..she watched the movie Amelie. She wanted to eat crème brûlée, walk along The Seine, meet quirky people, and get swept up in the magic of Paris. When she did go to Paris it was very brief and she was sick. There was a very brief walk along The Seine, but no crème brûlée, no meeting quirky people, and unfortunately no magic. C’est la vie. Perhaps there’ll be more magic and crème brûlée the next time she’s in Paris.
Tracy went to Paris because…..she thought she should. She was turning 30 and had never been to Europe, and Paris seemed like the place to start. So she saved up for a year, spent ten months planning the perfect trip, printed out her ambitious itinerary and packed a backpack for a three week trip to London and Paris. She spent ten days running around Paris, trying to tick things off of boxes. She had an absolutely miserable time. She will never again go anywhere just because she thinks she should.
Photo credit: Roma from http://roamingrequired.com
And as for me?
Well, Jo went to Paris because…..she could!
How about you? What are your favorite reasons to visit Paris?
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I feel for Alouise and Tracy, as this is why have never been to Paris. I’ve been going where my heart wants to go (Vienna for the novelists, Bosnia for the countryside and the people, so on). Some day, perhaps I will feel the call to go to France. For now, I can get a pretty decent creme brûlée in Colorado. 🙂
Paige
I tend to agree Paige. I don’t believe anyone should every go anywhere just because they think they “should”. You never have a good time – which makes it a waste of time and money. Wasting time and money is never a good idea regardless of where you are going
So many lovely stories! Thanks for including mine, Jo! My first visit to Paris on my 50th Birthday! well my second visit will not be in 50 years time, haha 🙂
You’re very welcome Michela – better late than never!
What a wonderful idea Jo, and thank you for including us. I love all of the reasons why people have gone to Paris. I know that sometimes we also build up expectations of a place and sometimes it doesn’t deliver. I can safely say that Paris over delivered.
I did enjoy my time in Paris, when I wasn’t sick. I got to see The Eiffel Tower and I went to Notre Dame and The Louvre for a few hours, but I definitely need a do over for Paris at some point.
And yes never go somewhere ecause you think you should. Paris isn’t always a good idea, especially if you don’t really want to be there.
I go to Paris for the food….a city of fabulous restaurants, cafes and patisseries and there’s always a new one to try. I also go for the shopping although with the dollar dropping it is more window shopping than buying! Have fun in Paris!
It’s the food for me too! I love everything about traditional French cooking. Going to a boulangerie, for example, and buying a baguette and a croissant that are the best in the world… which is why I could never live in Paris, or anywhere in France, for that matter, because I’d end up as big as a house!
There are many places in Paris that I love. I think Musee D’Orsay has to be one of my favourites. There is never enough time to see all that you want to see in Paris. You just have to lower your expectations because it can be noisy, busy, dirty, bustling, overcrowded and unfriendly.
It can also be the place that you had the most romantic walk from the Eiffel Tower to the Trocadero Palace on the first night of your honeymoon. It has it all but you need to take it in slowly, I think.
Thanks for including my ‘little piece of heaven’.
I am in love with this post, Jo, and so proud to be included in it. What a fun idea! There are so many wonderful reasons to go to Paris and love reading all of them.
Thanks Donna that’s very kind of you and thank you for such a wonderful contribution!
I agree so much Margarita -I’ve been eight or nine times and there are still places I’ve never been!
I agree so much Rachel – going for a croissant and baguette at a Paris bakery is such a fab “local” thing to do – and it’s cheap too!
I try not to shop too much in Paris too Jenny – far too tempting, especially when you see all those impossibly chic women on the street
I’m pleased you did get to do and see something Alouise.
Your welcome Paula. I always worry about waxing lyrical about any of my favourite places because taste is always so personal isn’t it? But I’m always delighted when someone tells me they love where I told them to go or do.
I love all of these stories about reasons for visiting Paris. How very clever! My reason for visiting Paris was to celebrate our daughter’s 18th birthday as she was living in the UK at the time and we wanted to make it special. I would like to return to Paris again one day and see the things we missed.
Love the post, you put it together in a unique and interesting way. I’ve been to Paris a couple of times in my early 20’s and didn’t like it that much. I’m sure I’d like it much more if I was to return now.
There’s always so much to see…..I’m sure you missed a lot!
Thanks for your kind words Jan. Paris has definitely changed over the years, so it is certainly well worth a second try if it is a while since you have been
I’m always putting off Paris for some reason. I’m a warm weather girl and I’m making my way through Southeast Asia but after reading this post I’m thinking I better get myself out there! If nothing more than the food! Great post, thanks for the inspiration.
Great piece and some fantastic reasons to visit Paris! Just goes to show you there are so many reasons that inspire us to travel!
Paris is certainly very different to South East Asia, but if you are chasing the sun there’s always summer!
You’re so right, Stephanie. There are so many reasons to visit any great city – it’s what makes them great. And thank you for your wonderful contribution!
I studied in Paris for a year and lived a block from Notre Dame in the 5th arrondisement. That was 1972/1973. It took me till 2013 to return. I went alone after traveling with my two cousins in. Italy. I stayed in a hotel right near where I lived. I visited my old foyer, which is now a souvenir shop and even my old school, which is no longer a school. I dreamed of returning, though it was, 40 years before I could. It was everything I dreamed about. I love Paris. I want to go back again. But, I’m 63 now and don’t think I will ever get to return. At least, I can die happy knowing I did get to return once.
Fingers crossed you do make it back Debra!
My reason to visit Paris is that it’s romantic. The sense of collaboration in this post is awesome, Jo.
Thanks so much Agness, yes, and that’s an excellent reason to go (even if it is on your own I think)