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The Lang-Lit Mocktail

ELTIS-SIFIL Blog:

Paris: The City of Love



PARIS = LOVE! Disclaimer – If don’t like the concept of love, romance, or ‘’la vie en rose’’ do not read any further because this can get too heavy and ‘’rosy’’ for you but will maybe make you look at life through rose-tinted glasses!

Let me start this blog by mentioning the new Netflix series ‘’Emily in Paris’’ that everyone is talking about, a comedy-drama centering around a 20-year-old marketing professional from Chicago who gets an opportunity to work in Paris for a year! It goes without saying that the best part of the show is that it is set in Paris – a city that has it all – seductive sights, high fashion, thrilling romantic adventures, and timeless magic in the city of LOVE!

When you visit Paris everything about it will make you feel like you are in a movie, ready to fall in love any minute! In a city where people openly display their affection to their partner is considered a norm, French people’s passion naturally adds to the ambiance of Paris. Be prepared to see several lovers cuddling or kissing through the city’s arrondissements {districts} or the manicured gardens that add to the charm of Paris. You might spot couples dining at candlelit wine bars enjoying some famous French red wine and strolling along the river Seine arm-in-arm at sunset. An evening walk along the river Seine will let you know why Paris is also called the city of light. Like jewels, the ‘Musée d’Orsay’ gleams at night along with many other great French buildings. The popular Eiffel Tower shines with over 20,000 light bulbs every night. The real reason why Paris is also called the city of lights is, it was the earliest in the continent to adopt wide lighting on its streets.


Speaking of the Eiffel Tower, many lovers propose in Paris. It is not quite clear if people usually propose there because Paris is the city of love or because they want to follow that trend! In any case, the Eiffel Tower is the second most popular place in the world, after the Central Park in New York, where lovers propose.

Art and Romanticism are deeply rooted in the Parisian culture. Out of all the artistic styles that have emerged from Paris, one of the most famous one is ‘’Romanticism’’. Romanticism is a style that captures the artist’s emotions within the paintings. Anyone who has studied French literature like me will agree that many of the famous French poets often wrote about beauty, love, and romance! My favorite poem would probably be ‘’Mignonne allons voir si la rose’’ by Pierre de Ronsard where he pays tribute to the beauty of a woman comparing it to a beautiful rose!

The wall of Love ‘Le Mur des Je t’aime’ in Montmartre is a wall where the phrase ’I LOVE YOU’ is written in 250 languages! This is another reason why Paris is called the city of love! It is a monument dedicated to love, to lovers, and to the lovers of love. A simple yet powerful dedication that is meant to be understood by every lover who sees it!


There is a museum dedicated to romantic life! The ‘Musée de la vie Romantique’ – (Museum of romantic life) is situated at the foot of Montmartre hill. It is a 1830’s townhouse that also features a courtyard and a garden. It is the perfect little sanctuary for lovers who want a relaxed and a peaceful date, sans the hustle bustle! There are permanent collections that celebrate love and romance in drawings, paintings, jewelry, photography and literature.


Last but not the least, French language is known to be a very romantic language, the reason being: it is a syllable-timed language rather than stress-timed language like English. This means all the syllables take almost equal duration to pronounce, making it sound symphonic and melodious. Of all languages for phrases expressing love, French is the most translated one. French sounds extremely musical to the non-native ears. Let’s not forget the strong cultural context which lends French the status of the most beautiful spoken language in the world. Who can resist Édith Piaf’s song ‘’la vie en rose’’ that makes French sound so enticing?!


Next time you visit Paris, make sure to lock your love at the famous love lock bridge – ‘’Pont des Arts’’ where you can put a love lock with a sentimental message and seal the deal by throwing the key into the river Seine below. Even if you don’t believe in loving someone, Paris will at least make you fall in love with its charm one way or another!



Snehal Walia

French Trainer


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