Paris, the Most Romantic City ?
Jul 3rd, 2009, 07:59 PM
#21
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My wife has a slightly different view of Ste. Chappel. We arrived for the concert a little early. The time was September and the sun was beginning to set. She recalls that the glow of the stained glass walls and windows was very pretty.
I agree with the others; the person you are with has a lot to do with it, and my wife is an ideal traveling companion.
I remember Mozart an Vivaldi more than the stained glass; my wife remember the beautiful colors very vividly even after several years.
Paris has some fascinating places to visit, particularly if you like art and art history. Certainly the Rodin Museum and Musee d'Orsay rank at the top of the list. (The Louvre is in a special category; I never have known quite where to place it. It is more of a black hole of a museum. The last time I was there, I just about did not emerge. When I did I had the museum staggers where one's eyes turn glassy, all paintings begin to look alike, and passing in and out of galleries is done in a semi conscious trance.)
Paris also seems to have a way of presenting interesting human interactions. I think if you will look for interesting street scenes and conversations you will find them.
I can recall three such incidents. One was in the Rodin Museum Gardens where some of the largest of his sculptures are presented. A woman was holding forth at the sculpture of Honoré de Balzac. I am sure it was supposed to be a very informative presentation but it sounded like BS to me. Besides, she kept referring to the famed writer as Prozac.
Well she got the last 3 letters correct.
The second incident was also at the Rodin Gardens. I stumbled upon some of Rodin's marble busts which are kept in a glass case toward the left rear of the gardens reletive to the entrance. (I hope I recall correctly.) Most of the busts were what I would call Rodin-routine, which is to say that they were all masterpieces but to me they were nothing extra special, except one. The one exception to my eye was the bust of Clemenceau, nicknamed "le Tigre" and twice prime minister of France. Rodin captured Clemenceau in the form of a Mongolian warrior, complete with a hair topknot. I must admit I can see why Clemenceau hated it, but as Rodin said, he had captured the inner man.
The third incident was a street scene. We were walking along the edge of Champs de Mars when a young hotshot on a skateboard recklessly collided with a middle aged woman.
She took possession of the skateboard and delivered a blistering scolding of the young man. I did not understand much of what she was saying, but the meaning was perfectly clear. At the climax of her tirade, she gave the skateboard the best kick she could muster and sent it sailing down some steps towards the Seine. (I hope she did not hurt her foot.)
Had Michelle Akers or Mia Ham delivered the kick, the skateboarder might have had to swim the Seine to recover his board. As it was, the board stopped short of a splash landing.
I will sign off by telling you about one place I found to be intriguing: Vaux le Vicomte which was built at the behest of Nicolas Fouquet, finance minister for a short while to Louis XIV. It is the masterful creation of its designers and architects: Louis le Vau, André le Nôtre, and Charles le Brun. I found it to be an incredible place to visit.
I agree with the others; the person you are with has a lot to do with it, and my wife is an ideal traveling companion.
I remember Mozart an Vivaldi more than the stained glass; my wife remember the beautiful colors very vividly even after several years.
Paris has some fascinating places to visit, particularly if you like art and art history. Certainly the Rodin Museum and Musee d'Orsay rank at the top of the list. (The Louvre is in a special category; I never have known quite where to place it. It is more of a black hole of a museum. The last time I was there, I just about did not emerge. When I did I had the museum staggers where one's eyes turn glassy, all paintings begin to look alike, and passing in and out of galleries is done in a semi conscious trance.)
Paris also seems to have a way of presenting interesting human interactions. I think if you will look for interesting street scenes and conversations you will find them.
I can recall three such incidents. One was in the Rodin Museum Gardens where some of the largest of his sculptures are presented. A woman was holding forth at the sculpture of Honoré de Balzac. I am sure it was supposed to be a very informative presentation but it sounded like BS to me. Besides, she kept referring to the famed writer as Prozac.
Well she got the last 3 letters correct.
The second incident was also at the Rodin Gardens. I stumbled upon some of Rodin's marble busts which are kept in a glass case toward the left rear of the gardens reletive to the entrance. (I hope I recall correctly.) Most of the busts were what I would call Rodin-routine, which is to say that they were all masterpieces but to me they were nothing extra special, except one. The one exception to my eye was the bust of Clemenceau, nicknamed "le Tigre" and twice prime minister of France. Rodin captured Clemenceau in the form of a Mongolian warrior, complete with a hair topknot. I must admit I can see why Clemenceau hated it, but as Rodin said, he had captured the inner man.
The third incident was a street scene. We were walking along the edge of Champs de Mars when a young hotshot on a skateboard recklessly collided with a middle aged woman.
She took possession of the skateboard and delivered a blistering scolding of the young man. I did not understand much of what she was saying, but the meaning was perfectly clear. At the climax of her tirade, she gave the skateboard the best kick she could muster and sent it sailing down some steps towards the Seine. (I hope she did not hurt her foot.)
Had Michelle Akers or Mia Ham delivered the kick, the skateboarder might have had to swim the Seine to recover his board. As it was, the board stopped short of a splash landing.
I will sign off by telling you about one place I found to be intriguing: Vaux le Vicomte which was built at the behest of Nicolas Fouquet, finance minister for a short while to Louis XIV. It is the masterful creation of its designers and architects: Louis le Vau, André le Nôtre, and Charles le Brun. I found it to be an incredible place to visit.
Jul 3rd, 2009, 09:11 PM
#22
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i have been to paris twice and neither time has it been with a romantic partner.
the 1st time i fell in love with paris and thought it was the most romantic place ever.
23 years later on my 2nd trip i continued my love affair with paris and still think it is the most romantic place ever.
i think it is the air.
the 1st time i fell in love with paris and thought it was the most romantic place ever.
23 years later on my 2nd trip i continued my love affair with paris and still think it is the most romantic place ever.
i think it is the air.
Jul 4th, 2009, 09:34 PM
#23
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I love this photo gallery, chock full of history, art, beauty...
http://www.pbase.com/ronhrl/paris_in_october
and this blogger's food photos...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roboppy...7600012736187/
http://www.pbase.com/ronhrl/paris_in_october
and this blogger's food photos...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roboppy...7600012736187/
Jul 4th, 2009, 11:47 PM
#24
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dont know that any place creates romance
i guess there is ambience that lends to romance but for us it is simply the mood we are in
and thank heavens the mood is usually gooood!
we loved moscow
the flowers the atmosphere round red square the fountains and other couples
natural beauty creates the mood for us - when our breath is taken away and we feel humbled just by what we see...that is romantic for us
then theres the type of accommodation we are lucky to score
little cabins by the water
gorgeous hotel rooms
a cosy bed and breakfast
anything really... as long as OH is by my side!
i guess there is ambience that lends to romance but for us it is simply the mood we are in
and thank heavens the mood is usually gooood!
we loved moscow
the flowers the atmosphere round red square the fountains and other couples
natural beauty creates the mood for us - when our breath is taken away and we feel humbled just by what we see...that is romantic for us
then theres the type of accommodation we are lucky to score
little cabins by the water
gorgeous hotel rooms
a cosy bed and breakfast
anything really... as long as OH is by my side!
Jul 5th, 2009, 06:12 AM
#25
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Paris was the destination of my frist solo trip and I loved it that way. Maybe it was the fact that being by myself I was more observant of people but I have never seen as many couples arguing as I did in Paris. Young couples with the girl pouting and sulking and the boy completely bewildered, a couple in their 30's having a screaming match in the middle of a bridge over the Sein... you catch my drift. Straight, gay, young, old... I observed as many couples being unhappy as I saw dreamily looking into each other's eyes.
I think that people come to Paris with unrealisticly high expections and that often leads to bitter dissapointment.
But yes, I think that many places in Paris are very, very romantic.
I think that people come to Paris with unrealisticly high expections and that often leads to bitter dissapointment.
But yes, I think that many places in Paris are very, very romantic.
Jul 7th, 2009, 06:40 AM
#27
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thanks again everyone for all your great info and words of encouragement.
I think we will get this apt. I will know by the end of the day if it works out..
http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_100.htm
My romantic husband is even looking at guidebooks and maps
He wants to make sure we are near Luxumburg for romantic picnic and there are a few bridges he wants to kiss on.
He has told traveling companions that we will only go to d'Orsay and St. Chappelle with them. otherwise we are on our own to stroll, eat, drink, and kiss ..
I think we will get this apt. I will know by the end of the day if it works out..
http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_100.htm
My romantic husband is even looking at guidebooks and maps
He wants to make sure we are near Luxumburg for romantic picnic and there are a few bridges he wants to kiss on.
He has told traveling companions that we will only go to d'Orsay and St. Chappelle with them. otherwise we are on our own to stroll, eat, drink, and kiss ..
Jul 12th, 2009, 06:11 AM
#29
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this is what Im dreaming of while I work.
this is the area my husband and I will be staying in Paris.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0W2CeToYOJ8
this is the area my husband and I will be staying in Paris.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0W2CeToYOJ8
Jul 12th, 2009, 06:48 AM
#30
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jetsetj, go there on Sunday afternoons for the dancing:
http://images32.fotki.com/v1060/phot...PIM1929-vi.jpg
http://images8.fotki.com/v145/photos...30A8126-vi.jpg
http://images32.fotki.com/v1060/phot...PIM1929-vi.jpg
http://images8.fotki.com/v145/photos...30A8126-vi.jpg
Jul 12th, 2009, 06:53 AM
#31
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Based on the wonderful feeling I get down deep inside, while walking hand-in-hand (or arm-in-arm) with my beautiful wife, while strolling around the beautiful city of Paris makes it one of the most romantic places in my world.
There is something about being with someone so beautiful to me in a city that is beautiful to me that makes it romantic.
Bernese Oberland is beautiful and we love it, but it doesn't generate the same romantic feelings as Paris does.
There is something about being with someone so beautiful to me in a city that is beautiful to me that makes it romantic.
Bernese Oberland is beautiful and we love it, but it doesn't generate the same romantic feelings as Paris does.
Jul 12th, 2009, 07:57 AM
#34
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11am to 2pm according to this site: http://www.petitbal.com/fr-prestations.htm
Jul 12th, 2009, 08:03 AM
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Much like New York City, I fell in love with Paris on my first visit many, many years ago. Unlike StCirq, I stopped counting visits after I co-invested in a Place des Vosges apartment. What a steal that was back in the day.
If beauty leads the way to romance then Paris sure can deliver, with or without the right companion. I think Paris is a beautiful city but I'm an esthete: my blood tends to percolate when I'm in the company of extraordinary beauty.
In order to succumb to the romantic wiles of any destination, a certain amount of sensitivity is required. Hopefully, jetsetj, your DH is in touch with his feminine side. If so, you may be in for the ride or should I say trip of your life.
May and October are my favorite months in Paris. October is more mysterious, therefore, it may be a sexier time.
If beauty leads the way to romance then Paris sure can deliver, with or without the right companion. I think Paris is a beautiful city but I'm an esthete: my blood tends to percolate when I'm in the company of extraordinary beauty.
In order to succumb to the romantic wiles of any destination, a certain amount of sensitivity is required. Hopefully, jetsetj, your DH is in touch with his feminine side. If so, you may be in for the ride or should I say trip of your life.
May and October are my favorite months in Paris. October is more mysterious, therefore, it may be a sexier time.
