I'm convinced, when in Paris, sleep is non-essential.
After all, who wants to waste one precious Paris moment snoozing
when you're in the city where dreams come true.
That's why I wake early, sip a quick cup of caffeine
and head out the door at first light.
Paris is special in these early morning hours,
just lifting her sleepy head from last night's festival of self-indulgence.
Just imagine.
You can walk around Place de la Concorde without dodging traffic.
The Louvre is picture-perfect without the crush of anxious
art lovers queuing up to see The Masters.
At this hour, the Champs-Elysées is nearly deserted.
And that's exactly how I like it.
After all, who wants to waste one precious Paris moment snoozing
when you're in the city where dreams come true.
That's why I wake early, sip a quick cup of caffeine
and head out the door at first light.
Paris is special in these early morning hours,
just lifting her sleepy head from last night's festival of self-indulgence.
Just imagine.
You can walk around Place de la Concorde without dodging traffic.
The Louvre is picture-perfect without the crush of anxious
art lovers queuing up to see The Masters.
At this hour, the Champs-Elysées is nearly deserted.
And that's exactly how I like it.
Sometimes my early morning walks are a bit frustrating.
- A trip to the 12th brought me to the still-locked doors
of the Marché Beauvau, a bit of a let-down at first sight.
- There are no books for sale at Shakespeare & Company.
- Place du Marché Sainte-Catherine is nearly unrecognizable -- no
remnants of the merry-making hilarity of yesterday evening.
But so often, this is a blessing in disguise.
Forced to peek through the locked gates of Luxembourg Gardens
and Place des Vosges, I notice fresh details
I may have missed when loitering in the park.
Without the typical crush of people, it's like visiting for the very first time.
There are many rewards at this early hour.
- We early-birds get to greet the baker as he opens his shop doors.
- The Metro is a virtual banquet with a king's choice of seats.
- The last of the die-hard late night party crowd slink by,
unshaven and achy just as you're picking up the pace,
fresh as a lily-of-the-valley in Spring.
This Paris doesn't remember last night's blow-out bender.
It's quiet time, the daydreamer's way to ease yourself
into the remarkable feast of this great city.
Paris doesn't even sound like a big bad metropolis at this hour.
You can actually hear pigeons coo and the wind rustling through the trees.
Haussmann architecture is easier to admire, slowly, thoughtfully,
without dodging heavily peopled boulevards.
Whether you choose to walk the heart of Paris or get lost
in the unmapped back streets, you're sure to find
something -- a beautiful window display, a funny moment,
a rooftop garden, a face to remember for a lifetime.
- A trip to the 12th brought me to the still-locked doors
of the Marché Beauvau, a bit of a let-down at first sight.
- There are no books for sale at Shakespeare & Company.
- Place du Marché Sainte-Catherine is nearly unrecognizable -- no
remnants of the merry-making hilarity of yesterday evening.
But so often, this is a blessing in disguise.
Forced to peek through the locked gates of Luxembourg Gardens
and Place des Vosges, I notice fresh details
I may have missed when loitering in the park.
Without the typical crush of people, it's like visiting for the very first time.
There are many rewards at this early hour.
- We early-birds get to greet the baker as he opens his shop doors.
- The Metro is a virtual banquet with a king's choice of seats.
- The last of the die-hard late night party crowd slink by,
unshaven and achy just as you're picking up the pace,
fresh as a lily-of-the-valley in Spring.
This Paris doesn't remember last night's blow-out bender.
It's quiet time, the daydreamer's way to ease yourself
into the remarkable feast of this great city.
Paris doesn't even sound like a big bad metropolis at this hour.
You can actually hear pigeons coo and the wind rustling through the trees.
Haussmann architecture is easier to admire, slowly, thoughtfully,
without dodging heavily peopled boulevards.
Whether you choose to walk the heart of Paris or get lost
in the unmapped back streets, you're sure to find
something -- a beautiful window display, a funny moment,
a rooftop garden, a face to remember for a lifetime.
It's easy to feel the history of a place when it's just you
and the distinctive stone walls and cobbled streets of Paris.
History never fades from places of great glory and anguish.
Did the king really walk this path??
Is this the Metro station where Audrey Hepburn ran away from Cary Grant?
Could this be the actual spot where Nazis worked their evil?
Did Victor Hugo feel the walls talking to him like I do?
This is when and where you let go of traveler's angst
and the to-do list and just let Paris happen.
and the distinctive stone walls and cobbled streets of Paris.
History never fades from places of great glory and anguish.
Did the king really walk this path??
Is this the Metro station where Audrey Hepburn ran away from Cary Grant?
Could this be the actual spot where Nazis worked their evil?
Did Victor Hugo feel the walls talking to him like I do?
This is when and where you let go of traveler's angst
and the to-do list and just let Paris happen.
Paris is a rush from start to finish so sometimes it's good to choose the slow lane.
I like fresh starts best and perhaps that's why
I love my Paris mornings so much.
The genesis of a new day.
No one to tell me where to go and what to do,
it's just me and my imagination wandering 'round & 'round the city.
I've always thought making love in the morning is the best,
the most rewarding time to let go.
It's like that with Paris, the beautiful lady that's ready for anything.
No matter if you're a "night person" or a "day person".
Get to know Paris in early daytime at least once.
I guarantee you'll discover a new beginning at first light,
a different slant on the city you think you know.
I like fresh starts best and perhaps that's why
I love my Paris mornings so much.
The genesis of a new day.
No one to tell me where to go and what to do,
it's just me and my imagination wandering 'round & 'round the city.
I've always thought making love in the morning is the best,
the most rewarding time to let go.
It's like that with Paris, the beautiful lady that's ready for anything.
No matter if you're a "night person" or a "day person".
Get to know Paris in early daytime at least once.
I guarantee you'll discover a new beginning at first light,
a different slant on the city you think you know.
There's an advantage to all these empty, wide-open spaces.
It's not CIA or even Nosy-Neighbor territory --- but a chance
to poke around everyone's business and see a more real side of Paris.
Whatever that is.
The subtle shades, the softer sounds, the fresh smells as the city
awakens, that's what I call happiness, your just rewards.
It's not CIA or even Nosy-Neighbor territory --- but a chance
to poke around everyone's business and see a more real side of Paris.
Whatever that is.
The subtle shades, the softer sounds, the fresh smells as the city
awakens, that's what I call happiness, your just rewards.
The edges are softer in the morning -- or maybe your eyes aren't as focused.
Either way, look for The Paris Effect,
the truth behind the very real feeling that
there's no such thing as too much Paris.
It's all around --- ready for your embrace.
Either way, look for The Paris Effect,
the truth behind the very real feeling that
there's no such thing as too much Paris.
It's all around --- ready for your embrace.
Paris locals are more likely to look you in the eye.
Street sweepers busy themselves erasing yesterday's celebration.
Cafe workers unstack the terrace chairs and brew the first cup.
A firefighter offers a welcoming smile and a "Bonjour, Madame."
It's enough to make my day.
Street sweepers busy themselves erasing yesterday's celebration.
Cafe workers unstack the terrace chairs and brew the first cup.
A firefighter offers a welcoming smile and a "Bonjour, Madame."
It's enough to make my day.
In the early light of morning, you can shop without spending money.
Louis Vuitton is all yours.
Ralph Lauren is at your beck and call.
Feel free to make a face at those long and lanky idols in the window
who just stand around looking gorgeous all day.
Parisian mannequins may look flawless 24/7 but with your just woke-up
coif and yesterday's clothes, you've got the edge.
Absorbing the culture of a city looks good on everyone.
Who needs bling when Paris gives you bang.
Louis Vuitton is all yours.
Ralph Lauren is at your beck and call.
Feel free to make a face at those long and lanky idols in the window
who just stand around looking gorgeous all day.
Parisian mannequins may look flawless 24/7 but with your just woke-up
coif and yesterday's clothes, you've got the edge.
Absorbing the culture of a city looks good on everyone.
Who needs bling when Paris gives you bang.
Find another city to sleep in.
Good morning, Paris!
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