“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” – Paulo Coelho
This spring, I’m risking my job, waistline, and bank balance and moving to Paris for four weeks to follow my dreams. What started off as a fascination for the French language, culture and way of life has snowballed into an obsession over the years. There are/will be many regrets in life that I will have to live with, but not moving to Paris is something I can’t stomach. Ideally, I’d love to move for a year or more. But for the moment, four weeks will have to do. 😉
“Four weeks in Paris? What will you do? All by yourself, are you bat crazy? Won’t you get bored? Traveling solo in the city of love?”
If I had a penny for every time I heard that. Well, I probably won’t be able to do much, but let’s say these concerns have been echoed quite a few times, especially the part about me being cuckoo.
For me, Paris isn’t just about the Eiffel tower, chocolate macarons or lovelocks on a bridge. It is a city that is steeped in history, where each crumbling wall and each narrow alley has a story to tell. It is a city that begs to be discovered by having as much free time as possible, to stroll around its cobblestone squares, people-watch at the jardins (or gardens), to picnic along the Seine, while listening to the sound of accordion players right outside in the Parisian metro. I crave to uncover the true heart of the city, where the tourists do not stray. I want to immerse myself in the traditions and culture in a way that makes me feel like I have truly experienced and witnessed a glimpse of Parisian life.
Unlike most of my other trips, the chance to do this snuck up on me, and everything was just so “gone on a whim”. I applied for my visa two weeks before my departure. Funny story actually… I got all my documents ready the midnight before my appointment and showed up at the French Consulate five minutes late (of course! Apparently being fashionably late is a very Parisian thing to do, so you know, that’s how I roll). But luckily (or not) for me, there was another struggling applicant ahead of me, so my tardiness went unnoticed. Since getting my French visa had been a cakewalk the previous time and I was hoping for a similar situation. The applicant ahead of me, a student who wished to move to France for a semester, was almost in tears at the end of the interview. When it was my turn, I anxiously walked over to the officer and submitted my documents. He asked me – “Why do you wish to go to France for four weeks?” For some reason, this perfectly appropriate question took me by surprise and I stupidly stuttered in response “I’m going to learn French at the Alliance Française in Paris”. “What, what, what?!” As I heard myself say that, I wanted to kick myself because that was not what I was planning to do, I wanted to go to France to travel, plain and simple. While I had certainly contemplated registering for French classes at AF Paris, I had dropped the idea almost immediately because of how insanely expensive the classes were. The officer then replied, “Where is your registration letter? I will give you your visa when you show me your registration letter”. All my further clarifications were shot down and I was sent back.
To get out of this self-induced predicament, I ended up enrolling myself in two weeks of AF’s cheapest classes. I consoled myself by saying destiny had struck a pretty good bargain with me. Visa in exchange for a chance to better my French and make some new friends. Quelle bonne chance, oui?
Fast forward three weeks and here I am, day 2 in Paris, stumbling my way around daily life and living the dream, looking forward to improving my French, ordering baguettes and losing myself in the Parisian metros.
Two days before landing here, I found a charming apartment in the 18th arrondisment through Airbnb. I am sharing it with a French girl, who works as a freelance graphic designer. She and her boyfriend received me when I landed and they seem like jolly nice people. Her boyfriend works as a graphic designer too, for Louie Vuitton. (Oh la la!) When I landed, it was the Easter long weekend and all restaurants were closed. My roommate offered me some, wait for it, Dal soup for dinner. Hahaha! I couldn’t believe my luck. I had been on the road for over a week and I was craving for some comfort food and Voila! How uncanny! It was actually a lentil soup with carrots, but close enough. 🙂
I have not done much since I landed; I went to AF Paris to take up a test, so they could determine which level to put me in. The professor who evaluated me, was very impressed with my French accent, and told me it was very Parisian. While my French is still quite basic and I have a long way to go, hearing him say that, I was as the French say “sur un petit nuage” or “I am so happy, I feel like I’m a on a little cloud.” All those hours obsessing over nuances finally paid off.
Once that was done, I walked around aimlessly in the 6th arrondisment, a spring in my step and a soppy smile on my face. Suddenly the whole world seemed a brighter place.




C’est tout!
P:S Thanks to Elena, for proofreading my post.
Hello Divya. It was so lovely meeting you today at Du Pain et des Idees, and sharing the spectacular treats with you in the rain! I found you on instagram and I look forward to following your adventures. (I’ll email the pic of you looking at the book). After we left you we went to Izreal, the spice shop, and met the owner and his sister who are the most generous pair! I came away with their signature in the book and a spectacular selection, including two bags the sister gifted me with of signature blends that she mixed to send with me. I was almost in tears! It was a perfect day, filled with beautiful scenery, lovely people and more memories than I can count. Maybe we will meet again!
Salut Arlene! This message makes me so happy 🙂 It was so serendipitous and delightful meeting you and your husband. I love it that you had a great time at the Israeli spice shop, travel is all about experiences like that, right? Too bad I didn’t have time, it’s definitely on my next Parisian bucket-list of hidden wonders.
After gorging all the good food from Du Pain et Des idées, I set out to drink coffee in Paris’ small coffee shop Cordonnerie, which also happens to a shoe-repair shop. But I ended up in the wrong Cordonnerrie, a not-so-pleasing bar. I was sorely disappointed about punching in the wrong address and going in the opposite direction in my last few hours in Paris. But luckily for me Paris is full of surprises and every ‘wrong address’ has its own charm. While sulking away, I stumbled upon the most beautiful covered passage / ‘passage-couvert’ called ‘passage du grand cerf’ and I ducked in to get away from the rain. This passage had rows and rows of red, yellow and blue umbrellas hanging upside down from the glass ceiling and many cute and quaint shops inside. It was the perfect rainy afternoon, “filled with beautiful scenery, lovely people and more memories than I can count.” I couldn’t have said it any better.
I got your email with my pictures. Because I was mostly traveling solo, I barely took pictures of myself, save for a few selfies, so the picture you took is very special and it reminds me of all the good times. Sincerely hope we cross paths again.
À bientôt.
Great post! I loved reading this because I will be doing something similar in just a couple of weeks. I’ll be heading to Colombia for two months in hopes of improving my Spanish and just experiencing a different culture! I couldn’t have read this at a better time! Merci 😉 (I literally know zero French)
Beautiful pictures! I’ve always thought about going to Paris, but was hesitant because it cost so much. Looks like I should go anyway!
I’m Irish, so heading to France for me wouldn’t be all that difficult…I still haven’t managed it though! I learned Spanish in school and don’t know an ounce of French, but I love to hear it spoken! Paris has long been on my list and I would have the exact same leisurely attitude to visiting, I wouldn’t want to wait in queues for any of the main attractions…I’d be up and down side streets getting lost! 🙂
Wow!! Paris for 4 weeks???! Omg i’m so jealous 🙂 I love Paris… i could live there…. its seems you had an amazing time there <3
I didn’t really like Paris when I went there in 2012, but I really enjoy reading your blog post 🙂 I think Paris has so much to offer that everyone will experience it in a different way. That’s the coolest thing about this city.
This is so exciting!! I would love to try this. I’ve only been to Paris briefly and that was years ago — clearly, it is time for me to go back. Though my accent is terrible and my language skills were rusty even when I went the last time. Still, it’s such a wonderful idea to really jump into the experience.
France will always be my first love. Where i discovered me while study abroad. it is a great place to venture out and definitely has great history.. cool bike 🙂
Have you found love?
I have a friend who now lives in Paris, found love and recently just got married. It truly is the city of love for her. One day, probably when we are able to save more (haha!), we might get lucky and head over there too.
You also look so pretty on that pink scooter 🙂
What an amazing adventure! I went about my trip to Thailand the same way. Also 4 weeks and no plan at all. And I had an amazing time. Of course there will be haters, but I think you are making the best choice for yourself. Also The Alchemist is such a great book <3
I absolutely adored this piece! Paris is one of my favorite cities in the world and you describe it so well. I also enjoyed people watching in the gardens and picnicking along the Seine. They have the most amazing culture. So glad you enjoyed.
Super jealous! I’ve always wanted to go to France, but the chance to live there would be amazing! I’ve been in love with everything French forever and somehow will make my way there someday. Looks amazing…
OMG you sound exactly like me! I have wanted to do this. I’ve been dying to go to Paris my whole life. Hopefully next year! You’ve inspired me to try it!
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OH MY GOD! What a dream come true for you!
Paris is beautiful! Sadly, I traveled there when I was young so I hardly remember it in detail. You know I’d love to go and explore the wonderful place again now that I’ve grown up into my travel-loving blogger-photographer-obsessed crazy self 😀
I’d love to see Paris through your camera’s lens on your blog though!
LOVED THIS POST!
Good luck and have an awesome four weeks!
~ Saraallie
Sara Writes ~ The Crazy Life of a Silly Little Sister