PARIS - Je t'adore

Paris - Have its splendour and charm been sufficiently sung?

"Its not a city , its a world" marvelled a Renaissance admirer. To me, it was the world of my dreams, the embodiment of history culture and grace, of gastronomie ( despite my vegetarianism), of fashion and beauty, of lovely old tree lined avenues and quiet charm of the numerous eglises.
From the hustlebustle of Charles de Gaulle- Roissy to Central Paris ,you catch a few glimpses of the Parisian suburbs. I even found a Saree Palace en route; it's amazing how you look for signs of your own country in distant lands as well.

My first real tour of Paris- was a "Paris By Night" on a Vespa. Verily Parisien and truly a delight. Its a different world at night, from the hum of the vehicles , to the quaint little sidestreet cafés all with samovar lookalikes radiating a glow that warms the alfresco atmosphere. Picturesque; and every avenue seems to be a window to another world that lies ahead. From gilded statues to the world's most magnificient square and the inimitable Champs Elysées,la Seine and the bateaux-mouches ,ah in Paris ,there are fleeting pleasures that must be seized instantly.

A solitary visit to the cathedral of Sainte Chapelle left me quite awestruck. Dating back to the 13th century it is a masterpiece of Gothic art . Its immense stained glass windows in rainbow hues leave you spellbound. And you walk out with a sense of unparallelled peace.

Next, the famous museums of Louvre and Orsay. There is something about French history and the love of art that is quite marvellous . Connoisseurs and patrons over the centuries have collected works of art of unimaginable worth and beauty. Housing the relics from the temple of Zeus at Olympia, Egyptian antiquities, Roman and Greek sculptures that emanate vibrance and Renaissance Paintings that speak to you ,the museums are a realm of rarity and a celebration of human creativity.The nocturne at the Louvre was an unforgettable experience that shall remain etched in my memory. From the crystal clear pyramid that reveals the starry night sky, to the depths of the Eqyptian crypt and the mystique of the Mona Lisa ,I drunk in every moment.

Dinners at the ancient cafés are a must-do. You never know when you might bump into an artist or a writer. Crêpes , soufflés , fromages, truffades and the wines are a delight to be savoured. There could be no better place than Paris to celebrate my first Champagne. And oh la la ! the desserts are as sinful as they can get, undoubtedly my greatest indulgence. Not only does Paris take your breath away , it also keeps you wanting to stop the sands of time.

My last 2 days were at La tour Eiffel and the Notre Dame, one a rising grace in steel and the other a Gothic tale in stone. As you rise to the dizzying height of the summit of the Eiffel , the experience is exhilirating. Built as a model for an engineering exposition, the Eiffel wasnt meant to tower over Paris for the years to come.But ,the citizens loved it so much that it became their favourite monument. It was never torn down and today no one can imagine Paris sans la tour Eiffel .

How long does it take to build a magnificent masterpiece? Notre Dame de Paris took 200 hundred years to build and its every stone exudes grace and solemnity. The treasures of the church, the 480 step climb to Emmanuel ( the bell) and the mellifluous mass at the cathedral , to be here and to feel it changes you intimately. And the most beautiful sight, is that of a silvery old couple walking hand in hand into this ancient cathedral ,with the certainity of a moment that they have long awaited to cherish.

Ah , its a city that leaves you as an incorrigible romantic for days to come. But the perfect blend of magnificence ,glamour, harmony and quaint charm is unmatched. Its a city that would live up to any one's dreams , a city where any heart's desire is met, you only have to discover it and unbridled joy is yours in Paris!!