My top 5 in Paris
By: Tjorven Denorme
Tags: Running, Top 5, To Do List, Opera, Paris

I’m still in Paris when I write this. My last moments here. There is something strange going on in my head. It’s hard to already look back at something while it is still going on. I have been 5 weeks. Things that happened 5 weeks ago are still not a memory yet. The thing has to end first to become a memory. So for everybody curious about if I’m sad that the end is here. No. The end of this month is the start of new and fantastic memories.

In that memory what are the 5 things that stand out. I give you 5 in no particular order. There is no ranking, that’s why I don’t number them.

A partager

Pick a terrasse, pick a seat for two and order food and share it. Pick things that are specifically on the menu ‘a partager’. Pick things that are not to share and share. A pasta, a pizza, typical French dishes like escargots or a cheese plate. It doesn’t matter what. Enjoy the French cuisine. Even the burgers are great. Absolute favorite place after have tried many : Le Mary Celeste.

Opera Garnier

Go to Opera Garnier. We went to see ‘Play’ by Alexander Ekman. I’m still not sure what impressed me more the play or the building. The building, the grandeur, the lobby, the stairs, the seats. The play was fantastic on that really big white stage. 40 ballet dancers and 40.000 green balls. Google it. The place and the play.

Opera Garnier

Travailler

I actually enjoyed working in Paris. Not only because of the commute (my bike rides through the city), or the lunchbreaks I filled up eating and walking the neighborhood, but the actual work. Being in a new office space. In a fantastic building, mostly with great views, surrounded by coworkers. Coworkers were all strangers. Some in teams, some lone wolves like me. I was able to get a lot of work done. Focusing on the work and the getting a coffee while looking out of the window at the buildings of Paris.

WeWork Rue Lafayette

Flâneur

A flâneur : ”(noun) Person who roams around deliberately aimless, just observing life.” I took two afternoons off to walk the city. I did have an end goal, but no itinerary. It was fantastic. Walking streets I never walked, passing things I never passed. Stopping for coffee, looking at people I never saw. In one of my first post I said I preferred biking over the metro. Here I say I would pick walking over biking. Warning : it’s a big city, your steps counter will go ballistic.

Courir

In total I ran more than 100 km in this month in Paris. Getting lost in the small streets, running past famous statues and through well-known parks. Next to the Seine surrounded by other runners. I was never the fastest, nor was I the slowest. I didn’t care. I enjoyed every meter of it.

La Seine

Ticking of things on my to do list.

Like I mentioned in a previous post. My to-do list got longer, the longer I was in Paris. Things were ticked off but more were added. Things I advise to put on your to-do list : Go for a Sunday morning walk in Jardin de Luxembourg and enjoy the miniature boats in the fountains. Go for a brunch in Treize Le Jardin afterwards. Drink an union soup at Place de Vosges. A place where Jim Morisson used to write. Do a picknick in Jardin des Tuileries. Go to the Louvre or Pompidou or Orsay. Eat at restaurant Kong. Not so much for the food, but the view and the overall feel…

I know I have more than 5 things in my Top 5. Hey, it’s my blog. I can do what I want. Let that be my biggest advice to anyone visiting Paris. Do things nobody has done. Be a flâneur. Enjoy the small things you encounter. Pas past terrasses and be seen. Sit on other terrasses and return the favor.

Enjoy Paris, I know I did.

A la prochaine.