Missing Paris
 

No question really; I'm just looking to commiserate with those among you who love Paris like me. A friend just asked me about an apartment in Paris that she is thinking about renting. In answering her questions, I was almost overcome with longing. Considering I just returned from an 8-day stay, this doesn't bode well for making it until my next as-yet unplanned trip. I did okay my first week back (I think I was too jet-lagged), but now I'm going through severe withdrawal. I need a pastry from Gerard Mulot and an hour or two at my favorite cafe STAT.

Any body else out there going through the same thing? Any advice?

Kate

I haven't been back in over a year. OF COURSE I MISS IT! <GRIN>
So? I linger to long on this board; I subscribe to ParlerParis and Metropole and SlowTravel and what not just to hear what's going on and oh-joy see a recently taken snap shot...I read hotel reviews...restaurant menu's online, cook french; buy/rent movies; own to many books (I'm trying Alister Horne's "Seven Ages Of Paris"...and I am not finding it an easy read...)but the books give solid sympathy...

Kate, if you go to www.abcparislive.com you can see the Eiffel Tower and other sights. My favorite: when it opens up click on outdoor sights on the right and then click on the box on the upper left. You can see a closer view and even see the merry go round moving. The sparkle show is at 10 minutes before the hour. It helps me with my Paris fix. I hope this helps! (BTW I will be leaving in a month and don't have a hotel booked yet!! Yikes!)

Well said! All I can say is that I lived 5 years in Paris as a child. Since I have lived in Savannah, Washington DC and now Rome and I still miss Paris in an excruciatingly painful way! And the strange thing is I miss the basics, no specifics, just breathing the air, stuffing my face with all kinds of boulangerie products... Btw the Italians just cannot make a decent croissant!
So I think you start planning your next trip and maybe take in a French class or even a cuisine course!
Bonne Chance!

I hear you :(. I found a french bakery in my town that makes exactly the same style of pastries as over there (and wonderful croissants with almond paste), I also get french TV in my city and I subscribe to a french current affairs mag...but, that's just 'make believe'. I had hope to go this year, but never did

It is a "sickness" you will probably never be cured of, but who wants to! I have a little bit of "Paris" in every room of my home and at the office. I am lucky to be able to play my "Last Time I Saw Paris" CD in the office when times get really bad. There are a lot of good Paris bloggs out there just keep reading and dreaming. Chocolate and Zucchini is one if you like food and L'Atelier Vert is good if you like to garden and Paris.

You can always look at pictures:

http://www.photoworks.com/share/shar...BBBB&cb=PW

I can really relate to this thread. I was just moaning this morning about how I missed Paris and my brother said "You just got back from there a month ago!"

aj: I do the same thing at my house with a little bit of Paris in each room (and what some might call a full-fledged shrine to Paris in my dining room)

Indygirl, so sorry we weren't able to connect in Paris. Things got a bit complicated for us with two sets of friends to meet up with.

We're back less than a week and yes, I miss Paris a lot. It's not even on the horizon for another trip, as we have plans for several other countries. But I think if there's a tempting fare, we might just hop a plane for a week sometime spur of the moment.

How was your hotel? We LOVED the Henri IV.

I miss it all the time but try to make do with my little souvenirs that are around the house. And of course, try to drink French wine everyday while listening to old Edith Piaf and Charles Trenet records (records? does that date me?)

I'm always trying to figure out ways to get there! Luckily, my husband isn't too hard to convince. Paris Notes is a great monthly journal and just keep checking the air prices & save!!! I think it's good to know you are not alone.

earth.google.com
You can zoom in on your favorite quartier!!

I was supposed to leave on 10/18 for a week, but my daughter had to cancel, and I am really bummed. I was there in April, so shouldn't be missing an unexpected second trip in one year, but....I know you all understand. I had things planned already...we are doing Quebec City instead for a shorter period. It will be "french" but not Paris.

I just read about the Paris and Paris breakup. How woeful, I thought for sure it would last. lol

Marilyn, I'm sorry I missed you too but I completely understand. Coordinating with strangers in a foreign city is no easy task. Maybe next time :).

I ended up having a nice Friday night on my own. I went to a concert (solo pianist playing Chopin) at St. Julien de Pauvre. Chopin is very evocative of Paris for me so I loved it. From there, I wandered around until I found a place to eat. I hadn't made a reservation for dinner because I wasn't sure what time the concert would conclude. I ended up at Aux Charpentiers on rue Mabillon and had a very, very yummy roast chicken. The service there is extremely friendly; I really enjoyed it. From there, I had one last gelato at Amorinos before heading back to my hotel to pack (and cry).

I hope your trip went well. Did you end up hearing any live music?

Unfortunately, I haven't had time to post a trip report. Work has been crazy since I returned. If I get a free moment, I'm hoping to cut and paste the emails I sent to friends during my trip.

My hotel was fine for my tastes. I stayed at the Hotel Saint Pierre on rue de l'Ecole de Medicine. It was a real bargain so I wasn't expecting much, believe me. The room was a little worn and very small (even though it was a so-called double), as was the bathroom. It was clean and relatively quiet and I had a great view from my itty bitty balcony of the Eiffle Tower to one side and the Pantheon to the other. The gentlemen at the reception desk were exceedingly helpful and friendly. I really liked the location. It's not overrun with tourists. I always feel like I'm in the thick of "real life" in the Odeon neighborhood, and all the students add a great "buzz" to things.

Well, that's all for now. Admittedly, I haven't been to many of Europe's other great cities, so I look forward to my future travels. My heart, however, will likely always belong to Paris! Sigh.....

Kate

I have a Paris calendar in my office, I listen to French music and I use my goodies from Fauchon sparingly (what items I cannot buy in the US). Scenes of Paris serve as my computer wallpaper. I read books like "Living on Rue Tatin" (not Paris exactly but I love all things French) and devour articles on Paris travel. Funny thing is, I have yet to learn the language.

Need to warn you, I took a couple of LONG Eurovacations (almost a month long) and upon returning home I was severely depressed for a very long time. So now I take my vacations in 2 week bites to lessen the severity of my sadness. Not sure if that happens to everyone, but I think that is my problem!

I feel your pain, Indygirl!

I, too, dream/daydream of Paris at least a part of everyday! I visit lots of websites, listen to Paris CD's, am mesmerized by any movie that comes on TV with Paris views (and watch them everytime even if I've seen the movie 100 times). I study and drink French wine several times a week. I keep taking French classes, but have no ear for it (maybe I'll try Rosetta Stone next).I've been visiting Paris once a year but always make the trips less then 12 months apart. For instance, I was there Oct 2004, then June 2005 and I'm booked for April 2006. I stay the maximum number of days that I can swing-never less than a week and hopefully two+. Oh, and I've started flying Air France to other Europen destinations so that I can change planes at CDG (silly, I know, but a psychological boost). I booked a trip to Paris for my husbands' birthday some years ago because he always wanted to see Paris - well, he of course loved it but I've turned into the family francophile!

Kate, I feel your pain.

I was there for a week last year around now - my first trip renting an apartment and I loved it.

I have been trying to watch the news in French on france2.fr - the same as I saw when I was in Paris.

Plus today a co-worker said he was going next week and I sent him a bunch of my favorite websites.

I have been looking at fares and they are averaging around $500 (from JFK). I would really like to take a quick trip before the end of the year even though I just got back from a week in Switzerland.

I also frequent bonjourparis.com and metropoleparis.com as a previous poster said.

Mara

Indygirl, the Chopin sounds lovely. We never did manage to hear any live music, although there were several clubs, one highly recommended, just around the corner from our hotel. Dinner always seemed to be a higher priority, and then we were exhausted.

There's always next time...

This is certainly the right place to commiserate with people who miss Paris. The city just gets under your skin in a most agreeable way. I relax at the computer researching Paris apartment rentals, so I'm ready for the next opportunity to sample la vie parisienne. Unfortunately, it's never soon enough. ((#))

You have plenty of company. In 1995, I received my new passport and the first place I went was Paris. The last stamp was Paris, too. And the first trip when I renewed? Paris. I'll be there again in a month and I find myself in Paris at least twice a year; sometimes more. I never get tired of it and I guess I'd better book something for February so I don't become depressed upon my return!

p.s. now that I've fallen into that "Paris depression" many times, sometimes I start feeling it even before I leave Paris! On my last trip, as I was bidding goodbye to the lovely check-in agent and baggage guy at CDG, I nearly started weeping as they waved to me while cheerfully saying, "Bye bye, Meleeesa! 'Ave a nice treep!"
<i>(I know, I must tell that story a hundred million times as I relive my misery.)</i>

We just returned from Italy Saturday, transiting through Paris. On takeoff from CDG, we flew practically over the Eiffel Tower. It was all I could do to keep myself from leaping from the plane. Right now, I am talking about going to Paris in April even if I have to go on my own. That helps a little. Otherwise, I read threads like this on Fodors, eat delicious croissants from Patisserie Poupon near home, look at the postcards of Paris I have on a small easel on my desk and keep a long list of the things I have yet to do after 8 trips to Paris.
And, eternalburg, even though I agree that the Italians can't make a great croissant, the marmalade croissants in Sicily are an admirable substitute in a pinch.

I understand completely. We had planned to go in February but are waiting for our house to be completed (it is being built). It was supposed to be done by now but due to delays, it will now not be until March or so. So I have wait...ugh.

Hi All,

I just got back two days ago after 5 days in Paris. It was cold, but still beautiful. I want to go again in spring/summer next year, and since I've seen the important sites already, next time I want to buy a sandwich and read a book in the small garden in front of the Notre Dame.

Just wanted to add my name to this list here. Oh, Paris... :)

Melissa, I too had a few weepy moments on my last day in Paris. It started while I enjoyed my last Mulot pastry while sitting in the morning sun at Place Saint Sulpice. Then I got choked up again as I walked across the Seine toward the Marais for the last time. Finally, I had small meltdown while typing my last email to my friends at home as I described how sad I was to leave. This may sound really silly, but I feel like I leave a little bit of myself there at the end of each trip and that I'm not &quot;complete&quot; until I return.

Wow, Indygirl2! A girl after my own heart. I swear I could have posted that. I recently described being 'Paris sick' as a feeling of being seperated from a young romance. I have listed the thread below which is titled: Pariscope: Mundane Fascinations. Believe me, you are not alone. I also started another thread about &quot;things you find in your travels you can't duplicate at home&quot; Mine was the croissants in Paris. I am really jealous of anyone who can find those pastries here in the US. Does anyone know of a good French bakery in the Atlanta area?????

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34681087

Oh, and for my advice. Try to plan another trip, even if it is a year down the road. Take a French class. Better yet, next time you are in Paris try to make a friend. Get their email or AIM address. I have an IM buddy that I have talked to for almost 2 years now and I get a bit of Paris weekly!

I forgot to mention that my biggest comfort right now is looking at the fabulous shoes and clothes I bought in Paris. I didn't break the bank (no designer names), but I sure did have a good time! Were you all drooling at the shop windows like I was?

Just got back, and I am so depressed. I did buy an Eiffel charm for my necklace and it's a great reminder of spending my days wandering around the Seine. Also, bought some books at Shakespeare and Co. can't wait to read them.

I, too, am in withdrawal from Paris and Provence. Having savoured the last cookie bought in that wonderful cookie store in Aigues-Mortes and looked at my 550 photos a zillion times, I long for the opportunity to pick up a baguette or stroll over the bridge to Ile Saint-Louis, listening to the accordian player and his Piaf songs. Corny, but those are good memories. Going back in '08.

Indygirl2,

There is no complete cure for the longing. One way I handle the longing for Paris and Provence is to plan my next trip. We have gone to Provence for the last 13 years and to Paris for the last six or seven years (same trip-God bless the TGV!)

As a francophile, I understand your feeling. You are not alone. Many of us who correspond on Fodor's are in similar straits.

Start planning for next year. Delight in the fact that Paris and Provence will be pretty much as you left them - waiting to be further explored, savored and loved.

Anthony

We left Paris two weeks ago tomorrow and I am suffering from withdrawal! Like Marilyn, I get some comfort from the great shoes that I bought, and the lovely new drapes from BHV that grace my entryway - but still, it's not Paris!!

Every trip to Paris is fabulous, but this last one was extra fun since we had the great opportunity to meet up with Marilyn and Phil Flash.

I'm sure we'll be back soon, but in the meantime, I do what many of you have mentioned - French movies, books about France, French CD's, and French cooking (mades baguettes yesterday and they were pretty decent!).

I miss Paris all my waking hours. It's a city that just gets better and better with every visit.

Bonjour, Kir! It's about time you came back to fodorville. There's a whole generation here that doesn't even know you!

This morning I am going to photograph the shoes I bought and email the pix to Scarlett. How sick is <i>that</i>?

We too suffer from Paris withdrawal and as well as Provencal withdrawal. We already have our tickets for March 2006 for a trip to Provence and Paris. It doesn't seem strange to me to miss France that much. What does seem strange to me is the people who say &quot; but you went to France last time?&quot; Obviously they don't get it.
I have photos from our last trip as my screen saver slide show and sometimes I find myself just staring at it. Especially those days where work seems to be tortuous.
My question for you, Indygirl2, is where is Gerard Mulot now? I had heard that his shop on the rue de Seine was closed. It is our custom to take a picnic to the airport and with that a goodie (or two) from Gerard Mulot. I need to know where to go for next March.

Bon soir Marilyn!!

I absolutely LOVE the fact that you are sending shoe photos to Scarlett! Not sick at all - just the sign of a proud shopper!

Wish we were back there now. I'm kicking myself over a couple of pairs that I didn't buy. Oh well - next time!

AGM you are so right, some people do not understand. After my family visited together in 2003 my sisters finally get it.

Indygirl, photos may help. My wallpaper right now is a photo from the rue des Rosiers.

When it gets bad I watch &quot;French Kiss&quot; or the remake of &quot;Sabrina&quot; and drag out my photo albums.

After a trip in 1998 I painted Eiffel Towers on my bathroom walls (my version of Janeygirl's shrine) and hung photos I took in Paris around my house.

I miss the macaroons and bread the most. And just walking, walking, walking everywhere. Parc Monceau. Two years until we return . . .

I leave in three weeks for Paris and I am so excited I can't stand it. I posted earlier in this thread, but I am so excited I get on here everyday to read about Paris. Can't wait to sink my teeth into a croissant! Staying 11 days this time. But, soon enough I will once again be going through withdrawals right along with you!