Powell

I did not get to Paris until I was 54 years old.

Several occurrences come to mind:

-When I first visited the Musee D'Orsay and viewed the impressionist painters particularly my favorite Alfred Sisley.
-When I sat with my wife at Berthillon and listened to a pick-up violin trio play romantic music--then see a young couple on rollerblades skate by them on the Bridge Phillippe,suddenly stop and return to make a donation to the musicians.

-Hearing Vivaldi played in St. Chappelle by "Les Violons de France" with young maestro Moreau.

elle

You know, it's corny, but I still get a little thrill everytime a street musician comes onto the Metro and starts playing the accordion.

Byrd

What a beautiful day it was! The yellow leaves were falling and covered the path along the Seine. We weren't young, but we felt like we were.

One of those leaves (a ginko, I think)fell into my tote bag and came home with us. It is now encased in plastic and propped on the bookshelves in our den.

Byrd

sandi_travelnut

On our first trip in 2002 it was after we got settled into our hotel on rue de bac and started walking the streets. It began to effect me like Italy had. The quaint narrow streets where people actually LIVED, in that I mean having the butcher, bakery, wine shop etc.. right at your door so you could get what you needed in your own neighborhood. That's what thrills me about Paris. We went on a second visit in Dec.'04 and my love was cemented forever.

Jolie

It must have been the third day of my first trip to Paris. We had been taking the metro (very convenient) but thought we were missing something by riding instead of walking. So we spent the whole day just walking, with no real objective in mind. The city just seemed so beautiful. It was spring and the trees were blossoming.

Parrothead

It was my first trip there, in October 1999. Hubby and I had just done a 3 week road trip through Ireland. At the time Ryan Air had $40 flights Dublin to Paris so we added it on to our trip.

After 3 weeks of bad food we arrived in Paris and couldn't believe the food offered as you just strolled down the streets. Our first day there, we ate 4 times, I loved it. Of course, we got serious and visited Louvre, Versailles, E Tower--but I fell in the love with Paris on my very first day. I look back on it very fondly.

Since then, I have visited 2 more times. I made a vow that if ever on a trip through Europe, I will add Paris as a stopover at least.

travelday

What a fun question! I've been to Paris more times that I can count, and each time was different, in both bad and good ways. The last time I was there, however, was when I truly fell in love with the city. I was traveling around Europe by myself for four months - the first time I had ever travelled alone - and I arrived in Paris after a rather lonely and pensive stay in Dijon (which was beautiful but I was mid-trip and in a mood). This was February, so it was raining of course, but despite the weather and the horrible cold I contracted while there, it still felt like I had just come home. I stayed at a hostel with which I was familiar, which made it easier. I spent the next week (had originally planned only for a few days but couldn't leave) wandering the streets aimlessly, with no agenda and no expectations. Before I got to Paris, I had considered going home early - I missed my fiance and I was sick of sightseeing - but Paris breathed new life into my trip, and I carried on for eight more weeks. I love Paris with all my heart, and can't wait to go back.

nytraveler

We had driven from the black forest in the german equivalent of a deux chevaux - and it had taken all day. I was lulled to sleep by the tedous drive along the highway and was still asleep when we actually got to Paris. Since the car was so slow - apparently powered by chipmunks - it was already dark when my beau woke me - and we were already circling the Arc.

Waking after dark in that place and time - and with that person - was so magical - and my love affair with Paris that started at 19 has never ended. (Unfortunately the beau didn;t last nearly as long - incredibly romantic - but way too impractical!)

Betsy

This is an easy one: We had a house exchange in Luxembourg and took the train into Paris for the weekend. I walked out of Gare de l'est and promptly burst into tears when I saw the beautiful Parisian architecture of the buildings across from the station. First trip.

lyb

Oh, no! I'm going to Paris in October and I'm scared I'll fall in love with Paris as well. Why am I scared? I'm totally in love, ready to marry, in love with London. I'm also in love, as I keep wanting to have an illicit affair with Venice, now if I fall in love with Paris, like you all did, what will I do? I'll missing another city every day of my life! Oh, it's such a tough life being a traveler!

toni

Walked up the stairs from the Metro for the very first time. As my girlfriend and I emerged, two Gendarmes offered to carry our bags to our hotel! That was thirty years ago, and after 6 visits I still haven't met a rude French person. J'adore Paris.

Scarlett

First time to Paris, early 90s..got off Eurostar from London, walked out into the sunshine and there she was! Paris~
The next morning, waking up on the Ille St-Louis and looking out the hotel window, over the rooftops of Paris.

Everytime we go back, I fall in love: The Luxembourg Gardens when the sun peeped out from some very black clouds, shining on the Palace.
Walking on a cold November morning to the Seine, and seeing it almost completely enshrouded in fog.
Having a cab driver laugh with me when <b>I</b> told <b>him</b> how to get to our hotel..in French.
When we had an anniversary dinner at Allarde and the waiter brought us a new menu with the date on it to keep.
When I walk out on to the streets in the morning and the shop keepers are sweeping and washing the sidewalks and the air smells like coffee.
Listening to the bells on the churches ring.
I will be there again in, very soon

parisnow

First trip to Paris. My friend took me to see Sacra Coeur at night. It was typical rain/misty Paris weather. While walking up the hill after exiting the metro, my friend intentionally distracted me to keep me from looking forward/up. Once we reached the foot of the hill to Sacra Coeur my friend spun me around and said &quot;Look up!&quot; There in front of me was the church illuminated by the lights. Because of the mist/haze you couldn't see the hill or most of the steps. It appeared as if the church was just sitting in the clouds. Words can not describe the sight. Unfortunately, it was one of those once in a life time moments that can't be duplicated because of the weather.

PatrickLondon

Oddly enough, not until nearly 40 years after my first visit.

I did the school exchange thing as a teenager in 1963, stopped off briefly on return from a long stay elsewhere in France in 1965, and went back in the aftermath of 1968, and found it very hard going. Hot, exhausting, and the Parisians strung out both by August weather and the politics, no doubt. The contrast with people I met in other parts of France was really marked.

I went a couple of times in the late 80s but never really felt comfortable until someone I was very close to at the time stayed there for a month a few years ago. I went for a couple of weekends, staying in a studio on rue de Turenne. I can't now recall if it was just strolling around the Marais, or up and down the Canal St Martin or Sunday morning in the Place des Vosges - but somehow it was no longer just a place to visit. Now I have a regular homeswap partner just east of Bastille and go at least once a year.

bardo1

immediately

mazuka

the moment I arrived and saw the Seine, with the Isle de Cite and Eiffel!! Love it.

MyriamC

&lt;&lt;Oddly enough, not until nearly 40 years after my first visit.&gt;&gt;
OK, that leaves me some extra time to try to appreciate Paris. I'm sorry, but upto now it's not MY city, nor is London. It's even more sad because I live so close (only 1.5 hrs by train) while most of you have to travel for so many hours ...

MelissaHI

I didn't fall in love with Paris on my first trip, either. I had fallen in love with London instead. On my second trip to Paris, somehow the chemistry clicked and I've been head over heels ever since. Oh, Paris, you had me at 'Allo!

Grasshopper

So Myriam, What is your city? You're so lucky to be close to so many wonderful places!