The word love in paris

Among the long list of things the city of Paris is known for, its nickname as the City of Love is the most romantic. But is it because it is the perfect honeymoon destination for the newly-weds and the escape place to commemorate long-term love?

Just as it did with lots of artists who settled there years ago, Paris inspires millions of visitors every year. The capital has been the spot for many romantic books and movies, but is the media responsible for the nickname?

Many Lovers Propose In Paris

It is not quite clear if people usually propose there because Paris is the City of Love or that Paris is the city of Love because people often propose there. In any case, the Eiffel Tower is the second most popular place in the world where lovers propose after Central Park In New York. It is not hard to tell if you see the shining in the evening- absolutely gorgeous.

Many Romantic Movies Have Been Shot In “The City Of Love”

The sense of a place, geography, culture, and climate determines the texture and flavor of a thing. Movies like Amélie, Before Sunset, Moulin Rouge, Forget Paris, Sabrina, Hotel in the Afternoon, Midnight in Paris, among many others are romantic movies that are set in Paris.

>>Also Read: Paris Travel Blog

Artists Often Depict Paris as the World’s Most Romantic City 

As earlier noted, the city was and still is a muse for lots of national and international artists. Therefore, all the romanticism and inspiration is somewhat shown in their works. When people come across such artworks, it reinforces their idea of Paris in such a way.

Paris is The City of Light

An evening walk along the River Seine will let you in on why the lit-up monuments and buildings make Paris the City of Light. Like gems in the French night, the Musée d’Orsay gleams at night. The popular Eiffel Tower also shines over 20,000 lights bulbs every night.

The museum and the tower are only a few of the many great French buildings that are lit up every night, giving the French capital an additional allure. But it has to be said that the real reason Paris is called the City of Light is that the city was the earliest in the continent to adopt wide lightning on its streets.

>>Also Read: Why Is Paris Called The City of Light

The French Language 

Known as the sexiest language in the world, French is part of why Paris is the City of Love. The language is a syllable-timed one rather than stress-timed, like English. This means all the syllables take almost equal duration to pronounce, making is sound symphonic.

In addition, native French speakers have a type of husky voice that people find attractive for both men and women. The language is just pleasant to the ear. And with “Je t’aime” sounding in streets and shops, it is not difficult to feel the spirit of love in Paris.

Of all languages for phrases expressing affection and love, France is the most translated. This owes to a buzzing community of lyricists, writers, and artists that have settled in the city since the 4th-century.

French art, music, and romantic cultures have shaped nearly every other language in terms of “l’amour”. The French capital has been the paradise for poets with the proclivity for beautiful lyrics, and the play between vowels and consonants is like proper music made by the tongue.

Normally, phrases of love like “Avec amour” (with love) or “mon chérie (my dear) would follow writers to their destinations after a creative pilgrimage to the French capital.

>>The Most Romantic Hotels in Paris

The Food

Marked with great delis, restaurants, and cafes, the city of Paris is a haven for food lovers. From scrumptious crepes to tasty cassoulets, macarons, and cheese, Paris will impress you. The wine is a must-try too. When you visit, you will meet chefs who believe food is as important as love. You can watch them make delights showing what they know how to do best.

>>Featured Category: Food

The city is Romantic and Incredibly Pretty

It might be pretty clear, but the general beauty and style of Paris with its massive buildings blending architectural styles give the city a distinct atmosphere. The palaces, monuments, and churches are all exquisite and imposing. Without an ounce of hyperbole, the streets of the city are very inspiring.

Paris Has a Wall of Love 

As an incredibly romantic city, it is vital that Paris has a spot that shows the pure emotion of love. That is why the city has a Wall of Love. You will see that “Le Mur des Je t’aime” has more than 310 sentences written if various languages on 616 nice, blue tiles to interpret one emotion: I love you.

The phrase ‘I love you’ is written on the wall in many languages than you can imagine. While there, you can attempt to spot your own language. It is located on Square Jehan Rictus, Place de Abesses, Butte Montmartre, close to the Abbesses metro station.

>>10 Ideas For Valentine’s Day In Paris

Locals are Flirty

You might have heard this before. Parisians are flirty, not in a bad way, though. In French culture, flirting is a feature, and it would not be surprising to see men and women flirt without the intention of sharing a bed together. Parisians just find it delightful to flirt.

Therefore, do not be upset when someone eyeballs you or stares briefly than normal. That could happen on the train, or someone might even walk up to you in a restaurant.

Preserved Landmarks

In Paris, there are landmarks preserved through romantic traditions. Whether the old or new traditions of love, Parisian landmarks embody romance. That is why it is quite easy for lovers to be into it easily. In essence, the city resonates with lovers’ emotions. Below are some of the most memorable monuments where couples propose and have a lovely time:

The Bridge of Arts: Also known as Le Pont des Arts, this popular bridge is where couples vow their eternal love. You will see cozy couples looking out onto the Seine. Though people hardly do the lock tradition these days, you can revive it with the turn of a key on a special time that you will remember long after.

>>Most Beautiful Bridges In Paris
>>Most Famous Monuments in Paris

The Eiffel Tower: This tower is all about romantic lighting. It is the place where couples go not only to propose a lifetime together but to look onto the lights that cover the city after dark. The Eiffel Tower has every special element; the 20,000 sparkling lights every 5 minutes making a romantic atmosphere, the strong iron tower with impressive design, the gorgeous view of Paris from the tower top, and the amazingly designed landscape.

>>Eiffel Tower Facts

Why is Paris the City of Love? – Summary

Perhaps you are at home admiring some romantic things unique to Paris, reflecting on your time in the French capital or planning a trip the next Valentine’s Day, it is certain that love and Paris will evermore be synonymous.

Paris is a romantic place, no doubt, and for you to enjoy it, attempt the unusual. For once, avoid the touristy areas and discover charming spots and chic streets where you can experience why Paris is called the ‘City of Love’.

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Paris, love and the reputation of a city

For as long as I can remember, Paris has been described, as the city of love and romance.

This reputation has been built on a social, cultural and political history, that has earnestly stoked this opinion and fanned international flames of desire, for the capital city of France.

When I think back to when this idea of Paris, as en ville de romance, entered my consciousness, the first thought that came to my mind was an old song I used to hear on the radio called Je t’aime. I recall that it was quite a shocking entry to the UK charts at the time, partly due to the fact it was French (and not many French songs crossed international boundaries). But what was most memorable about the song, was its sexual and explicit nature, which had the nation of Britain collectively clutching its pearls! Although, it did go to Number one in the charts!

The song was a breathy duet between Serge Gainsborough and his partner at the time Jane Birkin. Over a matter of minutes the song morphed from a sweet exchange of loving verbiage, to a rather heavy, intense explicit sexual encounter. It left so little to the imagination, it was banned from the shores of many conservative European countries.

It wasn’t a shock to the French though. They just rolled their eyeballs and embraced this crude portrayal of love and sensuality, hailing Gainsborough as un artiste magnifique. However, it laid bare, in my opinion, the free and liberal nature of the French, when it came to things of a sexual nature.

Interestingly, it was this unrestrained attitude and behaviour to sex that led to the evolution of the term, French Kiss. No other country had a gesture of romance named after it, as far as I know. This most intimate and romantic bisou was given the name French kiss because at the beginning of the 20^th century, the French had a reputation for adventurous and passionate sex practices. The French called it ‘un baiser amoureux ‘ (a lovers kiss) or ‘un baiser avec la langue’ (a kiss with a tongue). In 2013, the word ‘galocher ‘– to kiss with tongues – was added to the Petit Robert French dictionary, the first time a single word had been used to describe the practice.

Speaking of kissing, this iconic image (below), that adorned the bedroom of so many “cool” students in the 70’s and 80’s and probably even today, could not possibly be ignored. This photograph alone oozes romance, and its location outside the famous Hotel de Ville in Paris, further reminds us of why Paris has the reputation as a city for lovers.

Robert Doisneau, who captured this image, was a famous French photographer in the 50’s and was commissioned by Life Magazine to take shots of couples in Paris. He saw this couple and snapped them instantly.

But all this, is just surface fluff and tickle! A rich history tells of many an informative ode with regards to Paris, France, and its unbeatable amorous reputation.

French literature is littered with tales of romance going back centuries. Many an epic tale of love, steeped in a moral maze of social and economic challenges, illustrate the art and skill amongst the French literati to conjure up the image of  Paris as a city of romance. Victor Hugo brought us the unrequited love of Quasimodo and Esmerelda. Cyrano de Bergerac set in France in 1640, had the protagonist delivering romantic prose of love for a handsome but unpoetical friend; and of course there is the love story of Cosette, Marius and Valjean from Les Miserables, located in Paris in the 1800’s – arguably one of the most romantic stories ever written. And so many more, too many to mention.

But in real life also, the romance between Napoleon and Josephine, Louis and Marie Antoinette, Eloise and Abelard, continue to capture the imagination of lovers of love.

But what appears to set France apart from more Anglo societies, is its openness with regards to sex, sensuality and any public displays of either. And this is evident in the French attitude to things such as nudity for example. The French have a very laissez-faire response to such things. Recently a nude restaurant opened in the city; and a nude theatre show along with a nude audience, was widely reported! They are pretty laid back and accepting of expressions of self in this way compared to the Brits and Americans, who certainly over the years (less so now) have responded with a moral guilt trip or public shaming. Could this be to do with the religious history of these countries? The Puritan takeover in Britain and the USA maybe? Some scholars think so!

Perhaps this is why so many people flock to France and its attractive capital city, as they know that here, they can express themselves freely, without judgment. Paris is all too willing to set the scene for such open self expressionism and purposefully provides the back drop, actively encouraging the perception, through as many outlets as possible.

In film and in the arts Paris plays up to her reputation, making her more alluring than ever.

Aphrodite, otherwise known as, Venus de Milo is probably the most famous ancient Greek statue in the world. Created around 100 BC, it is believed to depict Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty (Venus).

No prizes for guessing where the most romantic sculpture in the world can be found! The Louvre in Paris.

Even the memoirs of Casanova (arguably the worlds greatest romantic), who was Italian but spent many years in Paris were bought for over $9 million, and reside in the French capital. ‘The original versions of Casanova’s erotic memoir has achieved the status of a French relic” said, Tony Perrotet of Smithsonian Magazine.

France is the country where cinema was born and there has been many romantic masterpieces created by the French and enjoyed by millions. Breathless, Les Enfants du Paradis, Amélie, Paris Je t’aime, The Artist, Blue is the Warmest Colour, to name a few. Most of which extol the romantic virtues of Paris.

And was not the sexiest bombshell actress at one time, a Paris native? Bridgette Bardot.

Add to this the scents that massage the senses  from Chanel to ummmmm Chanel? Ha! I know there are many perfume houses here but, who can forget Marilyn Monroe’s unabashed admission that the only thing she wears to bed, is Chanel No 5!

In addition to all of the above, you have the exquisite setting in Paris: The Eiffel Tower, Montmartre and Notre Dame. Cobbled, winding narrow streets, hugged by picturesque apartments and illuminated by the ‘city of light’ lamps. The gorgeous  glistening River Seine (where reportedly David Bowie asked Iman to marry him), and those stunning bridges. Bridges made even more famous by the love locks craze that first started in the capital, leading to thousands paying homage every year to ‘immortalise’ their romance with a lock that sealed their relationships!

Oh how tourists lamented when the love locks were pulled from les ponts a few years ago. But the French showed no anguish when the locks were wrenched from their hinges. To them, the whole idea of how this ritual symbolised love was antithetical. In France, love has a freer spirit, there is no lock or force. The French didn’t just find the locks physically ugly but the idea behind them, was at odds with what they truly believe. Nonetheless,  the ‘love-lock’ concept added to the romantic image of Paris.

It’s also important to note that the French do place marriage as a top priority. It is the key relationship in the family. In other cultures the children tend to dominate, at the expense of the relationship between the parents, but the French try incredibly hard to maintain the romance in their marriage. But this too comes with an understanding, widely accepted it seems, that infidelity can play a role even without compromising a marriage. It seems loosely accepted that certain needs may need to be fulfilled and those caught doing it – even publicly sometimes – are rarely vilified (Remember the François Holland sex scandal? The French hardly raised an eyebrow). Which is not the case in most other cultures like in the UK of America. One may not agree but its appears to be a cultural thing but this tide may be changing.

Paris is famously and unashamedly romantic. Even the thought of a quiet dinner here, with the distant sound of an accordion playing in the background, conjures up images of love and romance. The city appears to captivate once romantic intentions,  with a love strike rate unmatched by any other city but why? Because they have that delectable secret weapon – the French language.

The French accent is literally romance served, period! It is charming, beguiling and mesmerizing and can have, even the most unromantic pragmatists quivering like jelly. It is verbal seduction.  Someone  French could merely be giving you directions and even at that point, you are unwittingly melting. There’s just something about it!

With all these things in her favour, you can see why it will always be her intention to ensure that, ‘Vous avez un coup de foudre!’  You fall in love with her at first sight!

Love MLP

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Happy Valentines Day, Paris love x