"Debunking Myths in Paris" Paris by bpacker

Paris Travel Guide: 22,192 reviews and 53,983 photos

At the Notre Dame - Paris
At the Notre Dame
Tales from a Coporate Wife on a Semi-Solo Trip

You know the saying, there's a silver lining behind a dark cloud? Well, I've always thought that this was a dumb line used only by sods like Chicken Licken until recent events in Paris made me change my mind...

Hubby and I had a weekend in Paris and while we were there, we experience the warmth of a city notorious for its folks who love nothing more than to rebuff foreigners. Yes, we heard the horror stories. And to make things worse, hubby had a fall . Make that a bad fall, on blades, that made his knees go 'pop' like the weasel. Yeah, he had surgery to repair the weasely knee. Undeterred by all these, we had a rendezvous one weekend in Paris. Hubby flew in from Frankfurt and I, from Singapore. The good news was, the bad leg did not get in the way. No siree, ZE BAD LEG milked lots and lots of sympathy points. Many kind Parisians went out of their way to help us and ze bad leg even gave us priority in museum queues. You should have seen the looks on the faces of the other tourists when the security guards at the Lourve went straight to my husband and kindly ushered him to the front. I could have sworn many of them shot that evil look at their partners as the desire to kick them in the shin grew strong. Can't blame them, afterall, Paris was blazing hot at 32c ! Same crazy temperature as Singapore.We must have downed many bottles of Evian that day but it was worth it. We saw the Mona Lisa, dined at a chic little cafe in Rue Cler, toured the Notre Dame and saw the Eiffel Tower when it was sparkling like a glow bug at night. Lovely.

Yeah, because of ze bad leg, I saw kindness coming out from the people who were rumoured to be nasty and unkind. It can't be further from the truth. Parisians are, on the whole, nice. It warmed my heart each time a local gave up his seat in the Metro for my limping husband, helped him with his luggage or even moved aside for him. Even when I was alone without ze bad leg, I was treated no differently, many kind souls helped me when I lost my way and personally walked me to my destination even though my French sucked. I had a great time here and the experience made me believe in silver linings.

Love, Lights and Culture
Cruising down the Seine - Paris

Cruising down the Seine

After spending a weekend with Hubby, I stayed behind alone in France while he went on to Germany. Glad I did, I indulged in the arts, the lights and every hedonistic delight I could think of in Paris. What gave me the greatest joy, I discover, wasn't shopping in Champ Elysee, looking at Art at the Lourve but just sitting still and looking at the splendour of Paris at night. I had the chance to do so while on a night cruise on the Seine River.

Trips out of Paris
Versailles Palace - Paris

Versailles Palace

I always had a burning zeal to be like my hero....LANCE ARMSTRONG! Though I didn't do the Tour de France, I did a night cycling tour of Paris, a day cycling tour of Versailles and Giverny. It satiated my desire to some extent and gave a whole new meaning to sight-seeing.

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:World class museums, Divine Architecture and Good, really Good Food
  • Cons:Stuffy subway trains in summer
  • In a nutshell:This place is MAGIC !
  • Last visit to Paris: Sep 2004
  • Intro Updated Feb 20, 2006
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Reviews (42)

Explaining Monet's Déjeuner sur l'herbe in Detail - Paris Musée d'Orsay: My Favourite Museum! Things to Do (19)

This may seem a little odd but the best Impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings are actually housed in an old... more travel advice

Protected Smile - Paris Warning to all Mona Lisa Groupies Warnings and Dangers (2)

Mona Lisa Groupies, be forewarned that your idol is encased at the Lourve in a bulletproof box with triplex glass,... more travel advice

Le Baiser, The Kiss by Rodin - Paris The Kiss by Rodin Things to Do (19)

Recognise this lusty couple? I'm quite sure you do. Well, even if you do know the name of this erotic artwork, you would... more travel advice

Mansion-turned-hotel-turned-museum - Paris My Favourite Museum - Musée Rodin Things to Do (19)

While you're in Paris, try not to overlook Musée Rodin and flock to the more famous Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay to join... more travel advice

Comments (25)

  • Reply
    bpacker's Profile Photo
    Aug 22, 2008 at 3:22 AM

    Still supporting Lance;p He's now into marathons just as I am!

  • Reply
    Scotty1023's Profile Photo
    Aug 17, 2008 at 3:28 PM

    Absolutely wonderful tip!!! This is the kind of experience that new travelers need. Thank you so much for the tip. Well written and very clear. THANKS!

  • Reply
    vinc_bilb's Profile Photo
    Feb 18, 2008 at 12:31 AM

    Hi Glen, Interesting to feel how my country is perceived by foreign tourists. Thanks for your page, full of sensitivity and humor. I hope hubby's knee is now OK :) PS: Sorry, but Lance Armstrong is no more so popular, based on doping high suspicion.

  • Reply
    parismumsie's Profile Photo
    Jan 19, 2008 at 6:46 PM

    What a beautiful photograph from La Tour at night!

  • Reply
    Jan 16, 2007 at 7:59 PM

    Hi , any cheap hotels and what did you mean by self image stamps on thursdays. I forget where it was the page. Also, are there any out of the way like country area antique shops there ? thanks for the tip on the Eiffel Tower lights Joyce

  • Reply
    Luchonda's Profile Photo
    Nov 24, 2006 at 2:08 AM

    Excellent B/W picture of the notre dame - thx for the memories

  • Reply
    Aug 18, 2006 at 1:48 PM

    Love Saint Chappelle. It is, to me, the most beautiful chapel in the world.

  • Reply
    Nemorino's Profile Photo
    Jul 20, 2006 at 1:59 AM

    Lots of fine updates to this page since I last looked at it! I spent ten days in Paris in June and had a great time touring by bicycle and going to all the opera houses.

  • Reply
    holly39's Profile Photo
    May 5, 2006 at 7:35 AM

    nice page, i will be in paris alone in end of august. any suggestions for a girl on her own

  • Reply
    robertgaz's Profile Photo
    Apr 21, 2006 at 12:21 AM

    Glen, this is your Page de Triomph! bpackers best is here... Eifel Power to you!

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