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One night in Paris

lindaglamour
May 28, 2016
3 min read

What does one girl alone do in Paris with only one night (albeit two days) to explore and experience the city? My starting point was checking into the Hotel Brighton. On the Rue de Rivoli its central location made everything I wanted to see an easy walk away. The Hotel is delightful and its friendly concierge became someone who pointed me in the right direction, literally at times! and also made recommendations and reservations so that I could relax and truly enjoy my time in Paris.

I could rave about the hotel room. Its spacious interior upon entering led to the sweetest juliet balcony which overlooked the Tuileries gardens and at night, one could see the sparkling Eiffel Tower. The Louvre could be gazed upon and the bustle of city life walking the streets admired from up above.

My planning had ensured I had a couple of 'must do's' on my list for Paris. Firstly to walk the Champs Elysee, then stroll the banks of the Seine along the Tuileries garden to Notre Dame. A wander past the renowned Shakespeare Book Co. and numerous tastings of food and drink along the way. Despite the rain, I managed to achieve it all and more. It is often the 'more' that is unplanned and unexpected that becomes the true highlights when you travel.

For example: Around the corner from the Hotel Brighton was a sweet parisian bar - it's traditional black and white awnings covered a small number of tables and chairs on the pavement. Late afternoon and the poor weather ensuring that it felt like early evening, it was time for a glass of something truly nice and here I sat with a delicious glass of Sancerre admiring the location and passing traffic.

A complimentary plate of sliced meat and olives was placed before me. The store next door was taking a delivery and I admired the unloading of large baskets of flowers and plants as they filled the path.

At the Hotel Le Meurice I sat amongst rococo splendour and sipped my inordinately expensive glass of Champagne. As I was ushered to a seat the Maitre d' asked if I was alone and I said yes, "How could this be so? he asked.... I laughed my response "I'm not sure, I ask myself the same thing."

Visiting Notre Dame was overwhelming. Firstly the queue to get in - even on a rainy day there seemed to be hundreds of us milling about in line waiting for entry. Once inside, though beautiful, the interior seemed cold and intimidating to me - far from the warm and personal churches I had explored elsewhere. My mission was to find Quasimodo! Walking the long interior galleries of Notre Dame I discovered it is not at ground level that you find meaning but by looking up - up to the gallery where Quasi no doubt would look down and ponder the humans below.

To escape the crowd I paid the entrance fee for the Treasures of Notre Dame exhibit. Under carved vaulted ceilings lies some of the Church's treasures - a gown warn by a martyr, a relic of a Saint (so small it was hard to determine whether it was bone or just dried blood) and a alter piece glittering with innumerable diamonds.

It takes stamina to make the most of only one night in Paris. Regardless of the weather,one must walk! Walk past the couture houses of Dior and Chanel, past plaques that claim Victor Hugo and other luminaries lived there; walk past chocolatiers and coffee shops, past bistros and through gardens.

My day in Paris was also the day of the Monaco Grand Prix and I was keen to catch the race and watch with the locals. Across the Seine from Notre Dame there is a truly authentic, local corner of Paris. Here as I wandered the streets I discovered by chance a local bar. With eclectic style reminiscent of the '30's with swirling mosaic tiles across the sinuous shaped bar, I sat with my coupe et frites and watched the race. How pleasurable to while away a couple of hours, a general chat with the bar keeper who spoke a little English, watching the race on a rainy day with a plate of salty fries and wine!.

Another day I shall return to France and perhaps visit Paris once more. I should like to stay in an apartment in Montmarte and buy from the local boulangerie and visit the Opera. There is a very good reason why one shouldn't try to do everything in one visit - for if you did, you would not have reason to return.