Fun facts: The Eiffel Tower was built a couple years prior to the 1889 Exposition Universelle to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. It’s no secret that initial reviews of Gustave Eiffel’s innovative design were mixed; and by mixed I mean that many Parisians, including several famous artists and writers, sent hate mail to the newspapers calling it an eyesore (and worse! — “this truly tragic street lamp”). Cue two million people who showed up to the Expo to see it and before too long, the Tour Eiffel became the architectural icon of Paris.
I don’t know about you, but the je ne sais quoi of the French imagination has invaded my summer. First, there was the trip to Normandy to pay homage to the 80 years that have passed since June 6 became known by another name. After the D-day celebrations, a GORUCK contingent spent two days in Paris to take in the sights. I can tell you as the French major daughter of a high school French teacher, I’ve never seen Paris look better. Like one who is preening their appearance in preparation for a high school reunion, the city was sparkling.
Speaking of Michelin rated dishes, the deconstructed take of the Opening Ceremony of the XXXIII Games could only have come from the French. They pride themselves on making things gorgeous with a cool confidence, and (seemingly) effortless simplicity. Why bake baguettes with anything but scratch ingredients? Sacré Bleu.
By abandoning the constrictions of a stadium, we were able to witness people tight-rope walking over the Seine, dancing while suspended off the side of a construction site, and following what looked like an Assassin’s Creed character do parkour over the Haussmannian rooftops. The Ceremony did a fantastic job of documenting our recent trip by leaning in hard to the quintessential stereotypes of what Paris has come to represent to the world. My children shrieked with glee/terror to see Zidane get Metro tickets and then pass the torch to kids who ran through the same underground catacombs that continue to haunt my seven year old. In early June, our Seine boat tour captain may have given us a hot tip of his involvement in a top secret riverine operation. The boat parade of countries may have been dampened by the rain, but then we wouldn’t be able to tell our grandchildren that LeBron is General Washington crossing the Delaware.
As a closing gift for reading this far, I offer you a short-list of Paris recs for your present or future enjoyment. It’s not quite as neat as an Olympic medal with pieces of the Eiffel Tower melted in, or as funny as this reel, but it does have a surprise, grâce à friend and GRT Mark Wiltshire. A little something to let your imagination run wild.
Paris Recommendations:
- Do a walking tour of Paris and play Flash Invaders
- Boat ride on the Seine
- Catacombs of Paris
- Les Invalides (Napoleon's tomb) + Musée de l’Armée
- A classic French restaurant nearby Les Invalides is Le Florimond. Small, local spot so make a reservation prior.
- Walk then ride up the Eiffel Tour
- The Louvre is wonderful but super crowded (except in cold weather months post-holidays); try Musée d’Orsay instead.
- Jardín Des Plantes (don’t miss the dinosaur exhibit!)
- Montmartre (sunrise at Sacré Coeur)
- Notre Dame will reopen on Dec 8 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception)
- Explore Le Marais (try a “cramique chocolat” Aux Merveilleux de Fred)
- Secret spot (don’t look it up prior, just go to this address —46 Rue de Bac — between the hours of 10am-7pm (closed on Fridays and Sundays) and go to the 2nd floor.
P.S. Shout out to this brilliant capture (and wave riding) at the Olympic surf competition in Tahiti.
Amusez-vous bien,
emily
