We find ourselves in unprecedented times. It has been disconcerting and saddening to see empty squares and shuttered streets around the world, and our hearts go out to all those affected, wherever they are.

For a while, we may all need to stay grounded. One day, piazzas will fill with selfie-takers again and bistros will brim with animated chatter.

While we wait, we reflect on what draws us to the places we love.

Paris is home to some of the world’s most iconic sights. But beyond the Eiffel Tower, the Arc du Triomphe and the Sacré-Cœur, the City of Lights is known for so much more: its architecture, its rich history in art and literature and, of course, its cuisine. Paris’s unique identity is built on its rich culture, running through every vein of the city, criss-crossing between its many landmarks.

I’ve spent many memorable long weekends darting around the city, jumping on and off the Métro to get from one monument to the next. My last trip to Paris was in August 2018. The city was heaving so rather than heading underground and following the well-beaten (and busy) tracks, I opted to explore the area I was staying in on foot, enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of the streets and squares along the way.

I spent a lot of time wandering, without an itinerary or destination in mind, taking in the city on a smaller scale. My stroll took me through flea markets, around the Jardin du Luxembourg, and to a good number of cafés. I also visited the Musée d’Orsay late in the evening, before stopping off for dinner around the corner from the church at Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

There was just one landmark I made a special diversion to see before heading back: Notre Dame. I stood looking up at the famous gargoyles and spires, taking in the view as the queue to ascend the towers weaved its way around me. With the cathedral tragically damaged by fire in 2019, I’m extremely glad I made the detour.

Paris’s identity runs right through the city, from the most famous of monuments to the smallest bistro. I love Paris because it can be experienced and appreciated on any scale – big or small, from the streets to the skies.

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• Alice and the global residential team are available remotely for any questions about the market or to simply share stories about their beloved locations.