Paris, France: A Midnight Walk Through the City of Lights

the city never sleeps, they say. but in paris, it's more like it takes a nap between 3am and 4am. i found myself wandering the streets of the 18th arrondissement, not quite sure why i was there, but definitely sure i was going to write about it.

i just checked and it's 6.37 degrees feels like right now, hope you like that kind of thing. my fingers are freezing, but my heart is warm from the glow of the street lamps. the city is wrapped in a blanket of humidity, 65% to be exact, and it feels like the air is holding its breath.

if you get bored, london and brussels are just a short train ride away. but why would you want to leave? the streets here are alive with the sound of laughter and the smell of fresh bread. i overheard someone say that the best croissants are at *Du Pain et des Idées, but don't tell anyone i told you.

i heard that the Louvre is overrated, but then again, i heard that from a guy who only visits museums for the gift shop. speaking of which, the gift shop at the Musée d'Orsay is surprisingly good. someone told me that the Monet water lilies are worth the hype, but i'm more of a Van Gogh guy myself.

and then there's the Eiffel Tower. i mean, it's just a big metal thing, right? but at night, when it's all lit up, it's like the city is giving you a wink. i've heard that the best view is from the Montparnasse Tower*, but i haven't checked that out yet. maybe next time.

the streets are quiet now, but they'll be buzzing again soon. the city is like a living thing, always moving, always changing. i'm just a tiny part of it, a blip on the radar. but for tonight, i'm content to be here, in the heart of it all.

check out TripAdvisor for more on what to do in paris, or Yelp for some local eats. and if you're feeling adventurous, Lonely Planet has some great guides.

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