Ever since I’ve first came to Paris, the city hasn’t stopped inspiring me. I’m not sure what it is exactly. The art it has, that beautiful architecture or how dreamy it becomes when it’s rainy. I’ve got so addicted to that boost of inspiration I’m getting there, that I’ve started to go on a pilgrimage to Paris every single year.
My yearly pilgrimage to Paris
Art – Museums of Paris
Paris is a home to some of the best museums in the world. Being able to see some of my favourite painters at the same place is one of the things I love the most in Paris. My favourite museum is Musée de l’Orangerie. Sitting there in one of the oval rooms surrounded by Monet’s ‘Water Lilies’ is always inspiring to me. Looking to the colours and the light he captured, together with his brush strokes, makes them one of my all time favourite pieces of art.
Musée Marmottan Monet and Musée d’Orsay are places to go and see more of my favourite Impressionists paintings. Feeling that melancholic bohemian Paris of the second half of the 19th Century transfers me to that time immediately.
Beauty – Jardin du Luxembourg
Whenever in Paris I always love to stay close to my favourite city garden – Jardin du Luxembourg. Once I walk through its metal gates the every day busy life stops. And some other beautiful world begins. You can almost feel the Paris of some past time, hear the baroque music playing and see some of the strollers dressed in the historical clothes pass next to you.
I love sitting on one of the chairs in the garden and just feel that different world. The one in which there is no hurry, problems or errands you have to solve quickly. It makes you feel you are a part of that world. And that this beautiful garden was built for you to enjoy it.
Creativity – The streets of Paris
Not only the old Paris is intriguing and inspiring, but the contemporary city is as well. It’s so avant-garde and often in front of its time. If it would be a person, Paris would be a charming confident lady with a strong beautiful personality.
Probably the best place to observe today’s Paris is at a terrace of one of its cafés. While sipping the coffee there it’s hard not to feel the art of living in that beautiful city. By looking to people passing by, the life on it’s streets, trying to recognize some of the faces I’ve seen earlier on the Impressionists’ paintings… It’s one of that rare moments when I can just daydream and enjoy the moment.
It’s quite inspiring to see all that people who lived or are living now in Paris. How the city shaped them. How it affected the way they see the world around them. And how are they influencing the city Paris is today.
Freedom – Eiffel Tower
Paris is also a symbol of freedom to me for so many reasons. Freedom of being who I want to be. Freedom of living the life I want to. And freedom to travel. The most significant symbol of that freedom to me is the Eiffel Tower. It’s almost like a medieval cathedral pilgrims were once aiming to. That tower is my relic. Something that reminds me to stay grateful. But also to be a proud on everything that’s behind me.
I’ll continue coming back to Paris. Maybe not every single year. But often enough to stay inspired.
