Six reasons to love Paris, especially when you are an introvert!

Love at first sight!

I’ve lived in two different countries, travelled to lots of other places and reveled in their beauty and charm. However, I’ve never visited a city that encapsulates so many of my heart’s desires quite like Paris does. Though I only live a 2 hour train ride away from Paris, it was only in 2013 that I decided to visit the city of light for the first time. I know , I know, what was I thinking?!

My. Oh. My.

How it was an instant coup de foudre that has, since then, grown into a never-ending love story. It felt like homecoming though I had never been there before, at least not in this lifetime.

Six reasons why Paris stole heart:

1. Introvert friendly city

I am an introvert at heart, who doesn’t usually like big crowds or enjoys the hustle and bustle of big cities. Sure, I can see the value of big cities and find them enticing to visit every now and then. But the truth is that I love to live in the countryside, start the day slowly and quietly while walking the dogs without encountering too many people. I don’t dislike people but to me, too much interaction never feels energizing. Quite the opposite really, if it happens too often and too long, I often feel depleted afterwards. And since teaching can be really intense, I mostly crave solitude when I’m not at school. Of course the irony is that I live in Belgium, one of the most densely populated countries of Europe.

Although Paris can be very crowded, as people from all around the world want to see this beautiful gem, it is also a city for introverts. I know, sounds contradictory doesn’t it?! Just hear me out for a second…   

Friendly without being pushy

Parisians are, in my opinion, friendly and polite. For some reason I often hear people say Parisians are rude and unfriendly but that is not how I experience it. Of course it doesn’t help to conclude all people are rude simply because you encountered someone who was. It’s quite exhausting if you take someone’s lack of friendliness personal. People have bad days, years, decades… It rarely has anything to do with you. In general and in my experience, Parisians are friendly and polite without being pushy or too chatty. Which, as all introverts know, is something we highly appreciate. I can sit by myself at a café or on a bench in Les Jardins du Palais Royal (my favorite) without being bothered. If you explore the city and wander through the old and not so popular streets, you will realize how quiet and calm it can be.

2. City of sensitives

Being highly sensitive and very much aware of the environments I am in, I can’t help but feel so much awe and reverence for all the beauty that is scattered around the city. Man made beauty in the form of art, architecture, literature, gardens… that has been created throughout the centuries. This fuels my heart and creativity so much. I rarely overthink when I am in Paris because I am utterly and completely in the moment, enjoying all the beauty that surrounds me.

Glimmers!

It is one glimmer after another. A glimmer is the opposite of a trigger, and it sparks joy and inspiration, it is energizing instead of depleting. Paris is filled with glimmers! Sometimes big, sometimes small and the greater your sensitivity is, the greater your capacity to notice it. If anything, this is the city that will help you cultivate an aesthetic mindset and the art of noticing. Both will enrich your life tremendously and as a consequence, your work in the world as well. It surely inspires me in my writing and teaching.

3. Writers, libraries and charming bookshops

Paris, where writers roam free

Never have I ever seen people writing in their notebooks as much as I do when I am in Paris. Often elegantly dressed and people of all ages. I often wonder what their story is. Why they chose to wear that particular hat? Whether or not the ring they’re wearing is a precious family heirloom that has lived many different lives as it moved through generations. What are they writing? Is their notebook filled with dreams or regrets? Do they carry it everywhere they go, just like I have ever since I was a teenager? Does it give them safety? Maybe solace? I can’t help but feeling connected to them.

National Library of France

The most beautiful library I have ever seen is the National Library of France which is situated in Paris. Not only is it in Paris , it is in the same street as my favorite restaurant ‘Le Grand Colbert’ (more on that later). The entrance is free and there’s a gorgeous garden connected to it. It oozes class and a timelessness. An entire morning or afternoon of writing in this gorgeous library is something that I recently added to my bucket list. I wonder if my words will flow out of me more effortlessly.

Charming bookshops

Countless and beautiful bookshops that often feel like a curiosity shop. Books stacked so high that you need a ladder just to be able to read the title. Old and new books beautifully kept in the most elegant bookcases, of which I’m sure most have been made decades ago. All very cozy, romantic and oozing with old world elegance. Rarely are these bookstores minimalistic! They are, more often than not, filled to the brim, from the basement to the attic. Shakespeare and company is one of the most popular and though it is absolutely gorgeous, it’s not the only charming bookshop of the city. 

Les bouquinistes de Paris

Les bouquinistes de Paris are also worth visiting. They are the booksellers, selling antique and used books on the banks of the Seine. What I love about these booksellers is their knowledge and the fact that very often, they too are ferocious readers. You can easily spot one quietly reading while people peruse their collection. I just love them! They seem to have come from another time.

4. A natural habitat for romantics

Okay yes, for couples in love too but that’s not entirely what I mean in this case. By romantics I mean, the seekers of beauty and softness. The ones who see, feel and taste the nuances of their environments. The ones who master the art of noticing. Paris with it’s beautiful parks, gardens, well cared for Haussmann facades, simple yet deeply luxurious café’s and bistros, the countless flower shops, fromageries, buildings and monuments that have graced Paris for countless years if not centuries… And don’t get me started on the Art Noveau  ( which originated in my little Belgium by the way!) All of this and so much more is why romantics truly revel in this city.

5. The ultimate city for women

Like I mentioned earlier, I can sit by myself on a park bench or café without being bothered by anyone. It’s not that men don’t notice women. French men and Parisians in particular are known for being masters of seduction and flirtation but in general, they are very respectful of women. In fact, it was in Paris that I first noticed how men can be so in awe of women without being intimidated by them. I’m generalizing here of course but in my experience, this is something that really jumped out for me. It’s not just young women that are treated gallantly, it’s older women as well. As a writer, I love to observe people and I have seen many interactions that have confirmed and fortified this particular conclusion. So yes! The city of light is also the city of women.

What I also want to add to this is that dressing in a feminine manner and being fully embodied in your femininity has never felt safer than in Paris (in my experience). There’s no staring or the palpable silent judgement that feels a lot like a ‘who-does-she-think-she-is’ kind of energy. Women take up space there and they are celebrated for it, not shamed.

6. The place to be for cooks and foodies

Le Grand Colbert

At this moment, my favorite restaurant in Paris is Le Grand Colbert. You might have seen it too if you saw the Nancy Meyers’ movie ‘Something’s Gotta Give’ with Diane Keaton, Keanu Reeves and Jack Nicholson. The first time I went there was in July and we had a simple yet very luxurious seafood platter for dinner. We felt so welcome and well cared for. It was truly an unforgettable night, especially because we were seated at the exact same table where the scene was shot for the movie 20 years prior. Although we never asked for the table and the place was packed so we were absolutely delighted about that. I went with Haike, one of my oldest and best friend since we were 14 years old.

Atmospheric and intentionally decadent

The second time I went there was with my mother and we had a delicious three-course meal for a late lunch (we didn’t want dinner that night). I had the escargots as a starter, the roasted chicken as a main course and delicious profiterols with the most decadent chocolate sauce for dessert. The food is divine, the waiting staff are so kind and friendly and the restaurant itself is absolutely gorgeous. Very atmospheric and intentionally decadent. The most timeless Parisian interior! I can see why Nancy Meyers chose this restaurant for her movie.

Un croissant s’il vous plaît!

But of course, there are countless fabulous cafés, bistros and restaurants. Don’t even get me started on the fromageries where it is nearly impossible to only choose one or two cheeses. The decadent and beautifully styled boulangeries that have their windows displayed with freshly baked croissants, pain au chocolat, macarons and éclairs. Countless baguettes and delicious bread being baked on the spot, a whiff of it will surely make you weak in the knees in a heartbeat.

Parisian markets and more

And the markets with so much fresh produce which would inspire any cook to prepare an exquisitly flavorful meal. Simple but high quality ingredients are key in French cuisine and no better place to go shopping for those ingredients than in Paris. Well actually, all of France has heavenly produce and products that will make any dish feel divine. In Ina Garten’s cookbook ‘Barefoot in Paris’ she mentions E. Dehillerin which is a typically French cookware and kitchenware store that was founded in 1820! I repeat, 1820! How crazy is that?! They sell French, high quality products and I recently added a visit to it, to my bucket list. More information on that later.

The truth is that I could write an entire book on why Paris makes my heart so happy.

In fact, if cities could be soulmates, Paris would be mine!

I hope you enjoyed this blogpost.

What do you love about Paris?

Have a beautiful week!

Love,

Wendy