Paris is a top 10 destination that everyone should see at least once in their life. The culture, the people, the food, and the views are one of a kind. It’s nothing but beautiful, romantic and peaceful. The streets feel like a classy, clean New York City. The fashion and tourist spots are truly mesmerizing, who wouldn’t want to go?
I visited Paris in August of 2022 with my family. The flight was around 8-9 hours overnight. When arriving the weather was perfect. 75 degrees with a pleasant breeze and low humidity. We had a car service pick us up from the airport straight to our hotel.
When driving in the city of Paris, it was magical. The streets were so clean and everyone looked so put together and elegant. The streets were flat with classical facades and many trees laid out in front of the buildings. The buildings and roads are lined with cobblestone with cafes on every corner. The locals drink their coffee every morning and the smell of fresh bread and baked goods fills the air.
The cuisine in Paris was to die for. Many of the same baked goods that we have in the U.S. taste different. Everything tastes fresh, not too sugary, and clean. The food was soft and real. You could tell the difference between here and America. Nothing has added processed chemicals, the food was alive. The coffee was deep with a rich texture, a perfect balance between sweet and bitter.
Paris had a broad selection of things to eat. I had many different kinds of pasta, pizza, salads, steak, and chicken. The superior dish was the pasta. The pasta was sauteed in butter and mixed with all different kinds of sauces. The chicken Caesar salad was lovely. I know that Caesar salad is nothing fancy but it tasted so different. The sauce was freshly made, the chicken was perfectly crispy and juicy, and it was finished with fresh tomatoes and slices of parmesan.
Tourist places that are a must: The Palais Garnier was breathtaking. It is Paris’s most famous opera house. The entrance has a sweeping staircase with chandeliers and Renaissance artwork covering the ceilings. It is a golden dome filled with sculptures from the 18th century of angels and horses. It felt like I was living in the Renaissance period surrounded by magical architecture, candles, and chandeliers.
The Luxembourg Garden is an elegant masterpiece. It was built in 1625 for Queen Marie and her royal family. The garden has a grand palace right in the center. In front of the palace is a beautiful pond surrounded by pink and purple flowers. In the pond, there are mini sculptures and statues with fountains of water spewing. It looks straight out of a movie. The garden has lively green grass with many straight rows of tall trees.
The Eiffel Tower was historic and monumental. I am beyond grateful I got to see something so beautiful and iconic at a young age. What’s funny is that close up it’s not as beautiful. My family and I climbed up the stairs from the bottom to the middle section. Inside it looks very industrial and is covered with construction. When you get to the middle there is a restaurant and pastry shop. It is windy but radiant. You can see the whole city from it. It’s amazing to see Paris from a different perspective.
The people and culture is a major change. The French are not rude or mean as many Americans say, they are just straightforward and blunt. There is no sugarcoating and being overly friendly, they just like being real. It’s a very different approach. They are very self-aware and hold themselves with elegance and class. Manners are a big part of the culture and their free time and leisure is how they live their life. Americans live to work and the French work to live. They enjoy alone and silent time. It’s quite beautiful and glamorous.
I strongly believe Paris is a must-see destination that has so many things to offer to anyone from anywhere. The culture, views, people, and food are very alluring. It’s something everyone in their life has to experience at least once. It’s a great place for families of older ages and teens. Paris has so much passion to offer and will leave a lasting unforgettable experience.