Welcome to Citizen Femme’s new series, The Take (Off), where each month our managing editor, Katie Silcox, shares a personal opinion – hot take, you might say – about travel.
We know not everyone will agree – but we also know that some of you are thinking the same. First up, is Paris really that romantic?
Now that Valentine’s Day is out of the way, can I offer a personal opinion without being frowned at by Paris-obsessed lovebirds? It’s just not that romantic. Especially during February.
Countless couples search for romance in the French capital each year. Many of them visiting during the often dreary days of February – the month when the so-called ‘City of Love’ and the ‘Month of Love’ merge.
I can appreciate café-hopping on a sunny day – stopping for a croissant here, an espresso there, a few glasses of wine thrown in for good measure – as much as anyone else. But is that the reality of Paris during February? Probably not.
I’ve visited Paris during February a few times over the years (thanks Eurostar, direct from London) and, while I’ve had a good time in the city – shopping and hanging out with friends in packed bars – it’s always been a far cry from a romantic experience.
Let’s look at the reality of the so-called romantic experiences on offer in Paris during February:
Champagne at the top of the Eiffel Tower? Good luck seeing much further than 20 feet away in the often foggy February weather.
A Seine river cruise by night? Ok, if you want to bundle up in 10 layers and still lose all feeling in your extremities.
Walking hand-in-hand along the Champs-Élysées? Have fun dodging all the crowds (and keep a close eye on your wallet, too).
Wandering through the cherry blossoms in Montmartre? Sorry, you’re at least a month too early.
Hopping on and off the metro to get to all these places? Well, like any big city, some scenes on the Parisian underground network are the absolute antithesis of romance.
Sipping wine in a small French wine bar together? Ok Paris, I’ll give you that one.
Do so many people really ‘j’adore Paris’, or is it more the idea of the city – you know, the Paris we see in movies – that gets the heart beating? I’d waver its the latter – and some experts agree. There’s even a term for it: ‘Paris Syndrome’, which reflects the feeling of disappointment people sometimes feel when the city doesn’t meet their expectations.
None of this is to say that I dislike Paris. At the right time of year, with the right things to do, it can be a fun city to explore. But romantic? In February? I’m not convinced. I’ll take a sunny beach, or a rooftop restaurant that’s actually guaranteed to keep me warm, over a dull winter day in Paris.
Sorry Paris, it’s not you. It’s me. I think.
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Any Questions or Tips to add?