Paris: The Seine In Paris, France

I love Paris, France. That's no great secret to anyone that knows me. However, the fact that I truly enjoy floating down the River Seine in and through Paris on a Bateau Mouche might not be public knowledge. (I have done it 5 times.)

Why do I love being on the Seine in Paris? I enjoy the river for numerous reasons. These include its beauty, history, the lovers on the banks, the tour itself (seeing much of Paris) and the knowledge that I am seeing what thousands of famous people from the past have experienced both on and around the water. 

How many artistic masterpieces (paintings, books, poems, short stories, and plays) has this body of water inspired? How many relationships have begun or ended around this river? (Think Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron in An American In Paris.)

The Seine is the heart and soul of Paris, France. It has been a main water source (needing very much purification), a water home (people and artists living in boats atop it, especially near bridges), for centuries was the main mode of long-range transportation, a reason for 3 dozen bridges (most beautifiul), and people have often caught its numerous small fish for food (not that I would care to eat from it now). What's not to like?

Being on the River Seine at night is an instant flashback to centuries ago, and the tales (both true and false) of the tens of thousands of bodies the river has claimed or been used to hide. Yikes!

The dark areas place you in the time of Charlemagne or the French Revolution, or before or after each. Think Heloise and Abelard! The lights and spotlights of the bateau mouche often really do capture lovers practising their craft against the walls of the quais. The golden lit buildings along the quais are almost undescribeable. Lovely. Notre Dame owns you at night. The islands call.

Virtually every square foot of area you see is a place of history or significance, once occupied by countless famous and not so famous people from the city and nation's incredible past. This is the real Paris, where milleniums of events have come and gone. 

Every step along the banks is significant in one way or another through ages past. Tribal people defended and fished these banks over two thousand years ago.

In my mind's eye, I am there again now, as I sit near Atlanta, Georgia. For now, I guess my books will have to do. Still, one day I hope to return again, and to stand atop Pont Neuf - the last place I was ever with my late mother in Paris....

Jimmy Hall/ MS/BBA owns a writing service (404-580-1501) and develops business plans, resumes, web content, and literature.

Paris, France: Visiting Paris

I love Paris, France. Even as a child the notion of the French Capital enthralled me (and it did not hurt that my late mother was a high school French teacher). Paris represents history, nostalgia, sentimentality, art, music, writing/literature, fashion, fragrance, and most of all - the Western World and its people.

It should be of no surprise that I have visited Paris many times, and feel special while I am there. Though American at heart, I want to be Parisian. Gertrude Stein and the others were right when they said that every person should have two countries, their own and France.....

Paris, France is personal. I walk the rues, quais, boulevards, garden paths, museum hallways, tunnels, old hotel lobbies and bars, sit on cafe terraces, and cruise the river from atop bateaux mouches almost as if I own the place. But, I certainly do not; the world does. yet, it doesn't hurt to pretend.

The French Capital is a feeling. As I walk the arrondissements my mind is back in time, and my breaths are those of Hemingway, Napoleon, Charlemagne, Thomas Jefferson, Henry Miller, Abelard, Anais Nin, Joan d' Arc, Ben Franklin, Mark Twain, da Vinci, King Louis, and even Voltaire. 

I look down at the pavement on certain Parisian streets and sidewalk terraces, remembering all of the famous people that have been where I stand. Amazing. However, without research, I never would have known. 

My body is mysteriously drawn into particular places for drink, writing, and thought - such as the Cafe de la Paix, Aux Deux Magot, Le Procope, Cafe de La Mairie, Closerie des Lilas, Harry's Bar, Le Select, the Falstaff, and the Dome. Montparnasse, Saint Germain des Pres, the Grands Boulevards, the Boul' Mich, and the Champs-Elysees are my playground and my work stations.

If you love Paris and plan to go, do a few weeks of fun research. buy books, tour guides, and especially art and literary guidebooks. Paris is worth an investment, and it takes a number of resources to know about this great big town. Almost every block holds secrets, and tales of famous inhabitants that few people today even know about....

~ Jimmy Hall owns JIMMY HALL WRITING SERVICES (404-580-1501) and does all types of web content writing, resume writing, business plan writing, and virtually everything else except grants......