There are only two places in the world where we can live happy: at home and in Paris.
Ernest Hemingway
What is it about Paris that has so captured the imagination of artists and writers over the years? Is it the light, the architecture, the culture, the way of life? I am not sure, but I know it has captivated me too.
Generally when I travel I like to discover somewhere new. My husband feels the same, so we rarely return to the same destination more than once. There is one exception: Paris. However many times we visit, there is always good reason to go again. We go to celebrate a birthday, or our wedding anniversary. We go ājust becauseā. And recently we even went for a football match; a match for which we didnāt even have tickets!
So when John asks, for this weekās Lens Artists challenge, what is my go-to place, my answer has to be Paris. A few days there will always refresh me; whether wandering the banks of the Seine or through the Ile Saint-Louis or Le Marais; people-watching while enjoying coffee or a pastis on a cafĆ© terrace; taking in an exhibition or discovering an as-yet unvisited neighbourhood. I canāt wait for this yearās visit, already planned for September!
Iāve shared many photos of the city in recent years so have simply pulled a few favourites out of the archives. Most you may have seen before but I hope youāll indulge me in celebrating the delights of my go-to city. You wonāt see many famous sights in my selection; this is all about the smaller things that give me pleasure on our Parisian trips. And itās also about appreciating how other people enjoy the city.
Hover over any photo to find out where it was taken, or click on any one to open a slideshow of them all. My feature photo was taken on the Ile de la CitƩ.
These photos were taken on several visits to Paris: 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
44 Comments
equinoxio21
Lovely always. Thanks for the trip down Memory Lane. šš»
Sarah Wilkie
I’m always happy to share my love of Paris with anyone who feels the same š
equinoxio21
šš»
JohnRH
GREAT representations of a great great place. I too love Paris.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you John, I’m glad to share these with another Paris fan š
Annie Berger
I think you answered your own question in your intro, Sarah, about why Paris has captured people’s hearts and minds. I hadn’t seen Hemingway’s quote before – perfect! Normally, I read others’ comments but I haven’t this time. I wonder if anyone else immediately thought of Rodin’s The Thinker when they looked at the image of the fellow reading the book? That came instantly to my mind!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Annie š I love that Hemingway quote too (even more than the much more frequently quoted ‘Paris is a moveable feast’). No one else mentioned the Thinker but I do see what you mean!
Leya
Great gallery – I can see your love shining through, Sarah! I am not that much of a fan after my visits. I was there first time when I was sixteen, and the French just did not want to speak anything else than French…I had taken French at school, but I felt they had no patience waiting for me to find the right word. So – that first impression is still with me, even if I feel their patience has improved the last 50 years!
Sarah Wilkie
I’ve heard other people say that but I’ve never had an issue. I try to start off in French (I have some still remembered from school days!) but quite often they switch to English even before I’ve got stuck!
Sofia Alves
Your love for Paris shines through, Sarah. It’s one of my favourite cities, much much more than London, these pictures made me want to go back.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank so much Sofia š London is my home and I love it, but Paris is special!
grandmisadventures
There is just something about Paris, maybe the combination of many somethings, that makes it so special. When we first visited Paris my hubby went in thinking it was a ‘take it or leave it’ kind of place. But then we got there and he loved it far beyond what he expected and now he is the one who wants to go back again and again š
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, I think it’s a combination of things, or at least it is so for me – the light, the elegance, the culture … I’m glad your husband caught the bug after being uncertain to start with š
Image Earth Travel
Great Parisienne street photos, Sarah! Makes me want to return.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you – they make me want to return too!
Leanne Cole
I can imagine how gorgeous Paris would be. I’ve never been there, but from your photos I can see how great it would be. Nice to hear how it refreshes you Sarah. Wonderful photos.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Leanne š Surprisingly (to me) some people really don’t like Paris but for me it would be hard to find a city I loved more!
Vicki
Wonderful images. I think the French really know how to balance life. They know how to be social and relax just as much as working. I loved the history of the architecture and creativity of the artists. It’s fascinating and there’s nothing like a bit of people watching while outdoors enjoying wine/coffee and fine food. I wish I could go back to Paris, but viewing your images is a welcome compromise.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Vicki š I think you’re right about the work/life balance of the French, for the most part at least. And I totally agree about the pleasures of people-watching there!
restlessjo
Lovely! And not one in the rain. Like Margaret, I’ve only been once xx
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Jo š It’s deceptive perhaps but the one of the Wallace fountain by the Tuileries WAS taken in the rain!
restlessjo
Oh, good! I’d hate for you to never get rained on in Paris…. Laughing! xx
Sarah Wilkie
We’ve had all weathers, from a heatwave in 2023 to rain last year and back in 2017 (but the latter was a later visit, end of October rather than early September)
Tina Schell
Well Sarah, your post this week really took me back.I loved every one of your images, each one speaks volumes about life there. The French really know how to enjoy life, even in such a big city. I spent a semester in France many moons ago because I was a French major in college. There was not one single moment that I was not enthralled with the city, its environs and the people. Have since been back several times (but not quite as often as you have!) and so far my language skills have not abandoned me LOL. As Bob Hope would have said, thanks for the memories!
Sarah Wilkie
Oh, I’m so pleased to have stirred such great memories Tina š Spending an extended period of time in Paris is something I’ve often dreamed of but (so far) haven’t managed to do. However our frequent visits would certainly add up to something like that long I reckon š I think if you visit often enough to brush up your language skills, they do stay with you to some extent at least.
EgĆdio
Sarah,, your beautiful photos epitomize what Paris looks like. Excellent!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Egidio, I’m glad you enjoyed them š
photobyjohnbo
Beautiful photos, Sarah! Paris is still on my bucket list. We may still make a trip there, but it won’t be via a cruise ship. The bus ride from the port and back is too long, and the time in the city too short.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you John š No, Paris isn’t a place to visit from a cruise, it deserves several days of your time (ideally a week if a first visit imho)
Monkey's Tale
A lovely trip to Paris today Sarah, your love of the city comes through in your pictures. Maggie
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Maggie, glad to have taken you along š
Anne Sandler
Beautiful images Sarah. I can see why it’s your “Go to place.”
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you very much Anne š
bushboy
I share your love of Paris Sarah. I stay in the burbs and have a great time exploring
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Brian š We tend to stay in the centre (St Germain-des-Pres for preference) but avoid the big sights – although a visit to see the rebuilt Notre Dame will be a must!
Anonymous
You’ve captured the essence of Paris so well Sarah. I’ve only been a few times. When you visit a place so often it’s nice just to be there and not feel the need for any sightseeing
Sarah Wilkie
I’m not sure who you are (please leave your name in the future if not logged into WP!) but I really appreciate your comment – thank you š
thehungrytravellers.blog
We share your love of Paris, as you know. In fact Iām suffering Eurostar withdrawal symptoms as I write this comment!
Sarah Wilkie
I get those symptoms whenever I find myself at or near St Pancras!
Anonymous
Ah, Paris, and the smaller things noticed…. I loved my visits, and it pains me to think that I will never return
Sarah Wilkie
I understand that Sue, and sympathise š¤ I would miss Paris too for sure.
margaret21
Would you believe we’ve only been to Paris once? But if and when we go again, it’s these small details of the kind you’ve shown us here that we’ll be keener to explore. I think the Louvre, despite my interest in Art History, will be given a miss. The nuggests of street art you’ve show us will fill the bill.
Sarah Wilkie
I’m always happy to make suggestions about the less visited parts of the city etc. On the topic of ‘would you believe’, would you believe that in eleven (I think) visits to Paris I’ve never been inside the Louvre?!! I keep saying ‘one day I really should’ but there are always more interesting (to us) things to do!
margaret21
I can’t imagine elbowing my way round the Louvre. We had that experience once at the Uffizi, and pretty soon abandoned Botticelli, Raphael etc. in favour of lesser known artists. Which was fine. We enjoyed them in peace.