By: Isabella Angeles

The truth about my month in Paris is that it left me with a love for the city that I fear may never leave me.

It was the summer before my fourth year and I realised that I had no plans after graduation. The boredom of my summer at home made me realise that the comfort of St. Andrews would soon pass and it would be time for me to move on. But to where? Back to the US? In New York or California? Or maybe London, where most of my friends would end up? But none of these options truly excited me. And I’ve spent most of my life in places I didn’t want to be, so why continue?

So without the consultation of my friends or family, I booked a one-way ticket from South Carolina to Paris with the intention of staying for two weeks. With the exception of a few friends who lived in Paris, I was alone– mostly. I was alone on the plane. I was alone speaking to the cheerful taxi driver with my intermediate-level French. And I was alone in my charming little studio right where the 17th and 8th arrondissements meet– just a few steps away from the extremely underrated Parc Monceau– where I proceeded to visit nearly every day.

The warm days at the end of August allowed me to wear my summer dresses and relax while sitting outside and people-watching. I balanced my days between iconic sights and quieter moments– after all, the best thing to do in Paris is nothing at all. It was the end of the Olympics so Paris looked much different than I remembered. Streets were closed off and there was a huge torch display in the middle of Jardin des Tuileries. I would often walk near that area to get a good view of the Lourve.

My favourite thing about Paris was the people. Luckily, despite the stereotype, I found everyone to be kind and warm. From the old lady who laughed when we absentmindedly crashed into each other at the market to the man who chased me down at the metro to give me the lipstick that had fallen from my bag.

Maybe it was luck, fate, something in between, or both– but the friends I made at the bars or the people I met through mutual friends made the trip worthwhile. I was often alone, but I was never truly lonely. I found that Paris was, in fact, full of love and filled with people willing and wanting to make friends.

I spent the two weeks reading, writing, laughing with my friends, eating good food, and exploring the city. And it wasn’t until 3 days before my flight back to St. Andrews that I thought, “Why leave?” So I stayed.

Every now and again I would do something touristy. One of my favourites was the Yves Saint Laurent Museum which was small, but equally interesting and filled with many of his designs, dresses, sketches, and even a room of his preserved workspace. When leaving the museum, there is a small gift shop where you can buy (relatively) cheap notebooks, postcards, posters, etc.

If you’re looking for a larger and underrated museum I would recommend the Musée Rodin which is an art museum located in Rodin’s mansion in the heart of Paris. The best part about the museum are the extensive gardens which are extremely well-manicured throughout the year and feature amazing views of his sculptures including The Thinker and The Gates of Hell.

In terms of shopping, I would avoid Galleries Lafayette or Les Champs Élysées, as they are far too crowded and touristy. I would instead recommend Le Marais– a neighbourhood in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements that is home to many local boutiques, vintage shops, as well as high-end designer stores, and a large, beautiful department store– Le Bon Marché. This neighbourhood has a local feel with all the shops, restaurants, and cafes you could hope to find in Paris.

On my last day in Paris, I finally sat by the Eiffel Tower– something so obvious that I had been avoiding.

And when I finally left Paris, one month later, I knew with absolute certainty that I loved it. The city, the sights, the people I met, and the person it made me.

All of this is to say that there will be times of uncertainty– especially when graduating from university. But I believe you should try your luck in a city that you love– you never know the home you might find.

My Month in Paris

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