Au Revoir Paris
by habituallychic
08 . 19 . 14
Today is the day I say au revoir to Paris. Or maybe I should say à bientôt since I will definitely be back again soon. Time really does fly when you’re having fun. I am sad to be living the City of Light but I am also excited to get back to New York. I can’t wait to get a proper manicure and pedicure and sleep in my own bed. I look forward to seeing my friends and getting a burger with them at JG Melon. It’s funny that it feels like autumn here now and I’ll be going back to hot summer temperatures. Thank goodness New York has air conditioning unlike Paris.
But there are so many things I will miss about Paris. I was buying a few last minutes gifts for friends yesterday and watched as the salesperson slowly and carefully wrapped each cadeau. The attention to detail over little things is always amazing and the biggest lesson I’ve learned in Paris is patience. In New York, I’m used to someone throwing your item in a bag and flinging it at you. In Paris, everything is a production from buying gifts to dining out. The city forces you to slow down.
The French have slowing down and relaxing to a science and I will miss watching them do it.
I will miss all the cobblestone streets and limestone buildings. There is something beautiful around every corner.
I will also miss all the small house museums like the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature above. I visited this unique museum with Tommy Smythe last week and highly recommend visiting if you are traveling with outdoorsy men and boys. It’s devoted to hunting and nature.
Anyone who follows me on Instagram will know that I will miss all the great old cars in Paris like this Citroën.
If I had it to do all over again, I would probably not buy so many books. And even after I said this, I bought a old catalog from this bookseller in the Galerie Vivienne. My bags are most definitely going to be overweight at the airport.
I’ll miss looking up to see marvelous things like the ceiling of the Opera Garnier.
You also have to look down in Paris. I’ve walked though the Palais-Royal hundreds of times but never saw this mosaic until a few days ago.
I’ll miss catching people on their terrasse, especially when they’re wearing striped shirts.
Most of all, I’ll miss living next door to Le Bon Marché and seeing their sign from my windows. And shopping for groceries at Le Grande Epicerie. And speaking French with the sweet boys in the boulangerie. Le sigh.
À bientôt Paris !
HC
18 Comments
Love reading about Paris. Things I take for granted (being french) come to life through someone else’s eyes.
I will be off to paris in September with my husband this time whose misssion is to take photographs of Paris for my website…
I totally agree about everything being a production in paris. Their packaging always amazes me and the care they do it with. Such a beautiful detail. Thanks for sharing your trip with all of us. Really enjoyed all the images. Safe travels.
And I will miss your posts from Paris. I enjoyed starting my day with them. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.
Heather, I was welled up a little at your au revoir to Paris. If I was there I would buy you one of those, in a New York minuet, hamburgers and a mani and pedi as a thank you for coming along on your amazing Summer. It will be fun to hear how Paris living, now effects your New York living. You know, seeing NY through rose colored glasses. All the best, Rié
Thank you for (virtually) taking us with you! Habitually Chic has become a tres magnifique Paris travelogue!
Heather – Thank you for sharing your impressions of Paris and for giving so many good recommendations. I am headed to Paris in November and will definitely be referring to your blog! Best – Kirsten Honeyman
http://www.ladolcevitacalifornia.com
Hi Heather. One day, some day, I’ll visit Paris, but in the meantime, I’ll appreciate your lovely photos! Have a safe trip back to New York.
Glad you enjoyed your trip, and definitely hope we can get coffee for real next time you’re back in Paris! 🙂
I already miss you. Who am I going to eat chocolate caramels with or roasted chicken with potatoes with? Who am I going to go to the flea market with? Who am I going to laugh and cry with in Paris? You always have a home here with me. Love you, my Heather. XO XO Eleanor
Such magnifique pictures of Paris, I never tire of Paris photos. Thanks for sharing her with us all. Merci – Shell – A Darlings Nest
I have loved reading about Paris! I’m headed there to study abroad in about two weeks, so I love hearing about other people’s experiences. Thank you for taking us on the journey to Paris!
xo,
Zoe
To bad you are leaving already, for you and me both. It was fun reading your posts on your stay in Paris, to see Paris thru the eyes of a New Yorker. Next time plan a few days visiting Holland. Enjoy the experience of coming back home after a longer stay abroad. It is so different compared to coming home from a short holiday. Safe flight.
Once again, thank you for sharing your time in Paris with us so generously and beautifully. I very much enjoyed seeing the city from your perspective. Leslie in Portland, Oregon
Heather, you inspire me! It has been wonderful to follow you on your fantastic Parisian experience. I have an opportunity to visit family in Cambridge, England, this fall and because of your courage to travel alone, I plan to make a solo excursion into Paris while there, using your pointers as a guide.
I’ve never been to Paris and I will definitely miss your posts for/from it..
Really enjoyed your posts from Paris. What a great trip! You will get back to NYC revitalized, refreshed and with a fresh perspective. Safe travels home!
One voyager (and hughe book and magazine buyer) tip is when you have lots of overweight items as books etc you can go to a post office and send them in a box to your address. It´s usually mucho more cheaper than paying overweight in airports!
Hi Heather! At first when you are back I suspect you’ll be living in two worlds. I have so enjoyed your posts from Paris! Welcome home.