There are only two places in the world where we can live happy: at home and in Paris.
Ernest Hemingway
What is it about Paris that has so captured the imagination of artists and writers over the years? Is it the light, the architecture, the culture, the way of life? I am not sure, but I know it has captivated me too.
Generally when I travel I like to discover somewhere new. My husband feels the same, so we rarely return to the same destination more than once. There is one exception: Paris. However many times we visit, there is always good reason to go again. We go to celebrate a birthday, or our wedding anniversary. We go ājust becauseā. And recently we even went for a football match; a match for which we didnāt even have tickets!
So when John asks, for this weekās Lens Artists challenge, what is my go-to place, my answer has to be Paris. A few days there will always refresh me; whether wandering the banks of the Seine or through the Ile Saint-Louis or Le Marais; people-watching while enjoying coffee or a pastis on a cafĆ© terrace; taking in an exhibition or discovering an as-yet unvisited neighbourhood. I canāt wait for this yearās visit, already planned for September!
Iāve shared many photos of the city in recent years so have simply pulled a few favourites out of the archives. Most you may have seen before but I hope youāll indulge me in celebrating the delights of my go-to city. You wonāt see many famous sights in my selection; this is all about the smaller things that give me pleasure on our Parisian trips. And itās also about appreciating how other people enjoy the city.
Hover over any photo to find out where it was taken, or click on any one to open a slideshow of them all. My feature photo was taken on the Ile de la CitƩ.
These photos were taken on several visits to Paris: 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
19 Comments
EgĆdio
Sarah,, your beautiful photos epitomize what Paris looks like. Excellent!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Egidio, I’m glad you enjoyed them š
photobyjohnbo
Beautiful photos, Sarah! Paris is still on my bucket list. We may still make a trip there, but it won’t be via a cruise ship. The bus ride from the port and back is too long, and the time in the city too short.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you John š No, Paris isn’t a place to visit from a cruise, it deserves several days of your time (ideally a week if a first visit imho)
Monkey's Tale
A lovely trip to Paris today Sarah, your love of the city comes through in your pictures. Maggie
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Maggie, glad to have taken you along š
Anne Sandler
Beautiful images Sarah. I can see why it’s your “Go to place.”
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you very much Anne š
bushboy
I share your love of Paris Sarah. I stay in the burbs and have a great time exploring
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Brian š We tend to stay in the centre (St Germain-des-Pres for preference) but avoid the big sights – although a visit to see the rebuilt Notre Dame will be a must!
Anonymous
You’ve captured the essence of Paris so well Sarah. I’ve only been a few times. When you visit a place so often it’s nice just to be there and not feel the need for any sightseeing
Sarah Wilkie
I’m not sure who you are (please leave your name in the future if not logged into WP!) but I really appreciate your comment – thank you š
thehungrytravellers.blog
We share your love of Paris, as you know. In fact Iām suffering Eurostar withdrawal symptoms as I write this comment!
Sarah Wilkie
I get those symptoms whenever I find myself at or near St Pancras!
Anonymous
Ah, Paris, and the smaller things noticed…. I loved my visits, and it pains me to think that I will never return
Sarah Wilkie
I understand that Sue, and sympathise š¤ I would miss Paris too for sure.
margaret21
Would you believe we’ve only been to Paris once? But if and when we go again, it’s these small details of the kind you’ve shown us here that we’ll be keener to explore. I think the Louvre, despite my interest in Art History, will be given a miss. The nuggests of street art you’ve show us will fill the bill.
Sarah Wilkie
I’m always happy to make suggestions about the less visited parts of the city etc. On the topic of ‘would you believe’, would you believe that in eleven (I think) visits to Paris I’ve never been inside the Louvre?!! I keep saying ‘one day I really should’ but there are always more interesting (to us) things to do!
margaret21
I can’t imagine elbowing my way round the Louvre. We had that experience once at the Uffizi, and pretty soon abandoned Botticelli, Raphael etc. in favour of lesser known artists. Which was fine. We enjoyed them in peace.