I currently find myself in France, where I will be staying for most of the current month. I have the pleasure of staying with a host family who couldn’t be nicer, and am in close proximity to Paris. After a few days of settling into life in France, my host father offered to drive me to the city, as he would be working there that day and knew I wanted to go. Not one to miss a good opportunity, I once again set my mind to have an adventure in a new place. Destination: Paris!

When we arrived to the city, I was dropped off by the Place Saint-Michel, near the 5th and 6th Arrondissement (Paris is divided into 20 different administrative districts known as arrondissements). The first thing that struck me about the city was, of course, the architecture. It really does show off the ancient styles over the course of French history, and there is always something interesting to see everywhere you turn. After some walking, I noticed the river Seine, the famous river that flows through Paris. I approached it and took a moment to admire it from a nearby bridge. It seemed like a fine place to stay and reflect for a bit, as it offers a calming atmosphere. To the sides of the Seine, I noticed two walkways where some people were having their morning jog. I had no intention of running, but I was interested in getting a better view of the river. Proceeding down a set of stairs, walking alongside the stone path aside the river, admiring the architecture of the bridges I passed by, it was a very peaceful scene.

The only thing that took away from the experience was the graffiti and littering that were present in abundance, which brings me to the second big thing I noticed in Paris. Although it is quite beautiful, it is also very dirty. I do not mean to try and take away from the appeal of the city, but I feel that it is important to know for newcomers. Even with the filth, it was still an enjoyable walk. Once I had my fill, I ascended a nearby set of stairs to continue my adventure.

In the distance I could clearly see the towers of the Notre Dame Cathedral, and I knew that would be my next stop. Upon getting close to the structure, I saw that is was much larger than photos had led me to imagine. The arches surrounding the main entrance were adorned with carved images of different saints, and the doors themselves were beautifully decorated with a multitude of spiraling branch patterns.

Entering the cathedral, the sheer size of establishment amazed me even more. With ceilings stretching far above the ground, arches lined up along the hallways, sunlight peering through carefully crafted stained glass windows, it was truly a sight to behold. Breathtaking.

Along both walls inside of the Notre Dame are several chapels, each dedicated to a different saint. Some are accompanied by a stained glass window, many have statues, but each is unique. There is also an area dedicated to describing the history of the cathedral, and goes into detail of the different stages it took to construct the establishment that took centuries to build. The sound of a religious sermon underway could be heard throughout the place, and offering boxes were scattered throughout. Although it is a famous spot for tourists to come and admire, It is also a legitimate place of worship, and some areas are restricted except to those wishing to pray and practice their beliefs. After making a walk around, I lingered for a bit, taking in the image of it all once again, before deciding to continue on.

Along the street I spied a souvenir shop, catered of course to those from out of town. What caught my interest was a small set of shelves to the left of the door (almost hidden away) containing various different music boxes. Each had a different tune, ranging from French classics such as ‘Hymne à l’amour’ to American classics such as ‘What a Wonderful World’. I took some time to play a few of them, appreciating the simple joy each tune offered.

My next big stop would be the Louvre, the world’s largest art museum. Though I didn’t go inside, I was able to marvel at the outside structure. First the courtyard just before the entrance, surrounded by large stone buildings, each as detailed and well crafted as one would expect of France. Through one of the archways I could clearly see the iconic glass pyramid where the entrance was. Were I to enter, I would be taken underground where the museum lies. I decided to pass on entering (there was a long wait to get in), but perhaps another time.

Continuing to walk along the boulevards of Paris, I admired many pieces of art. Among these were statues that honored famous figures from the United States, such as Thomas Jefferson, reflecting the connection held between the two nations.

I also came across many bridges with an astounding amount of locks attached to either side. The idea is that two people in a relationship attach the lock to the bridge together, and it becomes a symbol of their romance. Most (if not all) of the bridges in the area were covered in locks. It’s an interesting way to express one’s commitment, and obviously it’s quite popular.

Towering over the residents further down was the Luxor Obelisk, which used to reside in front of the Luxor temple in Egypt (another other Obelisk still resides in front of the Luxor).

Having walked quite a bit, I found my legs becoming tired, and I decided to take a rest at a nearby bench. From here I was able to admire to foliage around me. There is a lot of green to see in Paris, and that fact aids to the number of people who choose to find a nice bench, sit, and simply take in the view before them. I stayed for a while, allowing my thoughts to slow in order to adequately appreciate my surroundings, feeling a calmness pass through me, quelling the stimulation I had experienced up to this point. After recovering, I set off once again.

Advancing through the streets, I eventually noticed the Eiffel tower in the distance. It was easy enough to take a picture from my location, but I knew that I would want a closer look as well. I had my sights set and proceeded forward, stopping only to see other smaller things that caught my eye, which as alluded to earlier, can happen quite a lot in Paris. For example: the Liberty Flame, which is an exact replica of the flame on the Statue of Liberty. Beneath the flame were offerings in memory of Princess Diana.

Eventually (after being sidetracked several times), I was in front of what many people consider the most iconic structure in Pairs.

I know I said I was impressed with the size of the Notre Dame cathedral, but the Eiffel tower is absolutely massive! Securing a good photo from my close proximity proved to be tricky, but not impossible. I took some time to appreciate the structure, reflecting on the journey I took to get to Paris (and France in general). Soon after, I headed back towards the Place Saint-Michel, where I would rendezvous with my host father.

Though I saw a lot in the city, it only scratched a small percentage of what the area has to offer. That being said, I did feel the effects of what walking well over 5 miles in a single day will do. Satisfied with what was accomplished, but determined to return, I said farewell for now to Paris. Until next time! (very soon)