Buildings of Paris 2

I just realized that every time I visit a place, I land up taking a zillion photos of the architecture, design and symmetry of the buildings and neighborhoods. If I visit a place again, I make it a point to revisit some of the neighborhoods I previously visited, to keep the memory alive. This time, the only neighborhood I could revisit was Chatillon, where my sister was previously living and which I had walked around a lot in last year. It was surreal. Seasons had changed, foliage had shrunk, everything felt damp from the incessant drizzling, but the magic remained.

I landed up walking an average of 15k steps every day for more than week. I was able to discover churches, parks, gardens, commercial centers/shopping malls, quiet residential areas, quiet lanes filled with quaint art galleries, busy tourist areas, small lanes that open to main roads along the river Seine - but I probably would have only seen 1/10th of the city of Paris.

Some of the areas that I got to walk by this time - Montparnasse, the Latin quarters, St Germain des Pres, Chatelet, Faubourg St Germain, Montrouge, and of course, in and around arrondissement 1 and 7.

I also sat by the river and read, every now and then a gust of wind would blow, and I would adjust my scarf around me.

I've heard so often that Paris is the romantic city, and I always thought of this as a love between couples. But I now wonder, I think it's more than romance. Love for one's city, to walk the same lanes every day, with your dog, cat, friend, lover. Love for the centuries old buildings, an architecture and a soul that you just can't ignore. 

While in Paris, a friend asked me if Dubai had a soul. I think yes, having lived here for so long the city grows on you. For a first timer, someone who spends only a couple of days and views only glass, steel and concrete, the soul will not be evident. But in Paris, even for someone who has only a long layover in Paris and decides to walk an hour along literally any route, the soul could be felt - buildings 200-300 years old standing poised in neighborhoods filled with similar buildings, churches dating back to the 17th century and some universities even older.

Even the newer buildings built in the last few decades blend right in, not changing a thing.

The iconic Louis Vuitton building, this was right by the Seine.

I bought some real cute souvenirs from here, not the usual magnets.

So many perfect bricks and chimneys.

The rain added a very interesting backdrop to the already beautiful architecture, it all looked like a scene out of a 60s movie, with little color. But then you see a Yamaha motorcycle whooshing by, and you're brought back to the present.

That pink building.

As you go walking, every time you think, ah this is good spot for a groceries store, you will find one - most likely a franprix. Every corner in every neighborhood.

As you go towards the periphery of Paris, the buildings with their lovely-to-walk in lanes give way to homes and charming narrow lanes with tiny almost indiscreet gardens. The view of these rooftops in the forefront with the backdrop of taller buildings captures the city well in my eyes.