I was in Paris for 4 days. It changed me. I saw what life should be like. It should take 3 hours to have lunch. You should walk everywhere you go. You should only build buildings worth building. You should have the largest and most beautiful of those buildings dedicated to showcasing art. The people have a leisurely way to them, while also having a definitive style. It’s remarkable. It’s a remarkably beautiful place. It’s the new gold standard for cities for me. I’ll return.
they let the modernist architects into paris exactly once https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/skyscraper-paris-makeoverYou should only build buildings worth building.
Yes! They all refer to it as "Paris' middle finger." I didn't reach the article you shared, but our guide at the Eiffel Tower told us they had commissioned 14 of these buildings but after building the first people essentially rioted and demanded they never build another. Interestingly, there was the same such fervor after the Eiffel Tower was built. A famous artist, whose name escapes me, said that he always took his lunch at the Eiffel Tower because it was the only place in the city where he didn't have to look at it. lol. It's a remarkable city.
Love your perspective of the city :) I have a few questions! - Where did you go to eat ? Did you find anything worth mentioning/sharing ? Did you like the food ? - What did you visit ? What stood out the most ? - Where french people that you interacted with "nice" ? How was their english ? If you have some pictures, I would love to see what caught your eyes.
1. We ate here: Le Meurice and Antoine and had champagne at the Krug bar at the hotel [Shangri-La](http://www.shangri-la.com/paris/shangrila/press-room/press-releases/le-bar-ciel-ouvert-by-krug/ ) which is where we stayed. But my favorite meal was at a little Brasserie over near the Mussee D'Orsay called Cocorico. We ate one big meal a day and the rest of the day walked it off. 2. What stood out the most was the Cathedral Sacre Couer in Monmarte. It was a beautiful walk to get there and the cathedral itself is stunning. When we entered they were just starting a mass. We sat and participated. (neither of us are catholic or even religious). A nun began to sing. It was like hearing the voice of an angel. It impacted me. I began to pray. No joke. I had a spiritual moment. Only minutes before, I was walking up the hills of Monmartre and my wife pointed out a woman that looked just like my recently deceased grandmother. It was all very romantic, other-worldly and unique. We also visited the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Musee D'Orsay, and walked all over the city. We sat on the steps of the modern art museum and watched all the local skateboarders do tricks on the steps of that beautiful building. NEVER could you get away with this in the US. 3. English is a second language there. Never did I experience an issue communicating. The French people I interacted with were very kind, but to be fair most were service people; waiters, drivers, etc. We spent most of our time together. I'll try and post photos when I can. Onward!
Sounds like a lovely holiday. I'm really happy that you enjoyed your time there ! Thanks for sharing.