Alors! We are in the city of love for this blog although I’m not quite sure if I’m feeling love in the air or if it’s just the lack of AC. In fact, Paris’s infrastructure in general seems to lack most modern conveniences like elevators and hot water. Not that I’m complaining, I did just live in USC dorms for a year. I think that this aspect of Parisian lifestyle intrigues me because its not just the apartments, but the city itself that feels like it missed the last century. Yellow limestone buildings with black rounded roofs seem to line every inch of this city. Modern buildings and those of before the 19th century are harder to find in the central areas.
In my isolation I looked out onto the view of a city that lacks much modern infrastructure, yet doesn’t feel old fashioned at all. In contrast to London, which did feel like it was paying homage to the past, Paris gives the effortless feeling of being “in fashion” regardless of what century it is. The people are dressed in pleasing aesthetics from head to toe with each accessory adding to the ensemble. They walk at casual paces, eat for hours, and go through life as if they are taking in every moment and savoring it. Part of the magic of visiting Paris is understanding this feeling and being able to “flâneur” through the streets. More than anything, it seems hat French people do not work or at least do not work in public. Every person seems focused on their leisure activity of choice, be it reading or biking. Cafe’s are places to sit back and have a cup of coffee with some nice conversation rather than a place to use your phone or focus on work.
I have found this to be a more relaxed way of living. Often in the US and other parts of the anglo-saxon world, we are immersed in a society that values work and productivity over enjoyment. Spending time not being productive is instead sometimes seen as a waste and the value of it is truly lost on many Americans. Things don’t need to be the most efficient or convenient. AC is not a comfort that Parisians need because they find happiness with the current state of things.
The enlightenment and its idea that every person has value was propagated during the French Revolution. It is interesting to compare what the French were fighting for in comparison to what Americans fought for. While the “no taxation without representation” model was heavily based on property and money in America, France wanted rights to allow every person to enjoy life. Yes, the constitution does grant rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, but it feels like these rights are saved for those who work or have money/property. The lack of strong capitalistic influence in Paris furthers the representation of its values. Most restaurants and bakeries remain owned by citizens mastering their craft. They do not have the abundance of fast food and chains on every corner that eventually put family-owned spots out of business.
Moreover, the French find British and American societies to lack culture because we do not focus as much on the finer things in life or the simple pleasures. Unlike New York, where it feels like most things to do are centered around spending money, Paris’s beautiful streets are a joy to walk on their own. Sitting in a park, picnicking, and just strolling represent the true Parisian lifestyle. Edmund White explored this idea in his excerpt “The Flâneur”. In London, I was planning out things to do for every second I had of free time. I was finding myself maintaining a schedule and trying to fit as many things as possible into my day. In Paris, I started out wanting to achieve this, but it just became exhausting. My Anglo-Saxon tendencies didn’t fit the casual vibe within the city. As I spend more time here, I am adjusting to really enjoying the moments and soaking in all of the wonderment around me as my main method of tourism.
France operates on a more socialistic system today where people use their liberties to progress their society. It feels like the people in France are all part of one identity, whereas Americans seem more focused on individual economic liberty. Fighting for liberty was the center of Les Miserables, and the giving nature of Jean Valjean is something that shows the ideals that were respected or made to be respected in French society. It is apparent that the French have worked together to create a political system in which living is valued over working and many people are able to enjoy life. The right to live and flâneur about is something that is very valued by French society though it may be seen as a “waste of time” by someone of a more Anglo-Saxon mindset.
There were several gardens and open spaces in which I found French people to be relaxing and enjoying their time. They were enjoying each other’s company, snacking, or reading a book. It was impossible to find anyone on their phone or trying to complete work. This was especially true in the Luxembourg gardens, where Cosette and Marius met for the first time. As I walked there, I caught glances with other strangers flaneuring about, but unlike Marius and Cosette, I did not find any true love. The location shown for their connection felt rather magical though, and I could picture how one would find the love of their life in those gardens.
Overall, I have learned from my strolls in Paris to take in the beauty of the world and particularly the French architecture. Rather than be disappointed by the absence of certain modern luxuries, I am delighted to adapt into the French mindset and just appreciate that which exists.