My Beautiful Paris

Romance in Paris

Thursday October 20, 2011

Every inch of Paris has romantic potential. If this city does not bring about even a little romance then something is drastically wrong.

Then again, perhaps I am biased; the most romantic thing that has ever happened to me happened while in Paris.

My commitment phobic Mr. Bachelor boyfriend and I decided to go on a European trip. Having never been to Paris before and knowing of my adoration for the city he was more than happy to oblige. So off to Paris we went.

Reservations were made at Hôtel de Vendôme, a beautiful and quaint boutique hotel located in Place Vendôme:  the Louvre is around the corner, Jardin des Tuileries is right down the road, Place de la Concorde is only a few blocks away and the famed Rue St. Honoré runs directly alongside the hotel. Location perfection!

Our first morning, my boyfriend woke me up at 6 a.m., eager to get an "early start" and watch the sunrise. Annoyed, I grumbled something and went back to sleep. But moments later, my eyes popped right open as it hit me: Why an early start and what's with the sunrise?! I bolted out of bed, hollering: "I'll be ready in ten minutes!"

It was dark when we left the hotel. We hopped into a cab and told the driver that we wanted to watch the sunrise from Montmartre. We were dropped off at the very top. Once out of the cab my boyfriend started walking straightaway and kept walking ahead of me like he was trying to beat a crowd. I was irritated; why rush? There wasn't a soul in sight! Little did I know that my commitment phobic Mr. Bachelor boyfriend was a little nervous and looking for the perfect spot.

A few minutes later we found ourselves speechless at the view, standing in front of Sacré Coeur looking out onto Paris. He grabbed my hand and we started to descend the many steps. Halfway down I stopped to look at the sunrise to my left. I remember it being so beautiful. When I looked back he was gone! What?! I looked down and there he was, my precious Scott on his knees holding a pretty box with a pretty ring… and then came the most beautiful words I have ever heard: "will you marry me?"

After two years in I guess I had finally started to tug at his heartstrings. A ring was purchased only a few days before our trip and picked up en route to the airport, almost making us miss our flight. That is a whole other story!

Full of excitement, we made our way down the steps.

As we were approaching the bottom we were hit with the mouth-watering aroma of fresh croissants. Hearing the scraping of bistro tables and chairs moving around we noticed a café just opening up. The waiter waved us over, served up two hot café au laits and fresh croissants while we started to call our friends and family – at 1 a.m. their time! What a morning.

That night we celebrated with an incredible dinner at Lasserre followed by a night cruise on the Seine. As we sailed along we marveled at the sites and mused over the exciting future.

I asked several friends to share their most romantic moments in Paris and the response was wonderful.

For Craig it was New Year's Eve in the lounge at the glorious George V with his lovely Lil. Just the two of them, enjoying champagne over a club sandwich and frites. Then it was off for a walk to the glittering Eiffel Tower and a big kiss when the clock struck 12.

For Joanne it was on a pedestrian bridge with her husband Steve. About halfway through a bottle of wine, who shows up? La Police! She spotted them approaching and quickly tossed the bottle into the trash can, while still holding the awesome hotel plastic glasses.  As they walked over wagging their fingers and scolding them en Francaise, Steve pretended not to understand and tried to convince them it was grape juice! Though they were booted off the bridge and had to move along, it is one of her fondest memories.

It is also the perfect place to rekindled old friendships, like I did with Orla and meet new ones, like I have with Lynne.

I fell in love with Paris long before my engagement, but I have to say that after this little life-changing event my heart is now forever planted.