Paris incites the senses, asking to be seen, heard, touched, tasted and smelt. From romance along the Seine to landscapes on bus-sized canvases to the pick-an-ism types in cafes monologuing on the use of garlic or the finer points of Jerry Lewis, Paris is the essence of all things French.
In the great local tradition of the flâneur, or considerate boulevard-stroller, Paris is a wonderful city for aimless moving about. Relaxed quarters such as the vibrant Marais, elegant St-Germain and romantic Montmartre are ideal for street-browsing, shopping and café-sitting, and the city’s lack of open space is making up for by beautiful formal gardens, by the pathways and pavements that run beside the River Seine, and by endless hidden or unexpected havens. Wherever one goes historic landmark buildings and contemporary architectural wonders reminds one of the city’s pride and grandeur.
The lovers should bond with nature, and each other. Paris is filled with beautiful gardens, and all make an extraordinarily romantic setting. Luxembourg Gardens, in particular, is a great spot for couples, and is adjacent to the breathtaking Luxembourg Castle. French kissing is a must here. One must have seen the scene in almost every romance set in Paris – a couple embraces for a deep kiss on a bridge overlooking the Seine River. Take one’s honey to the nearest bridge, walk to the center and get smooching. Wine and dine – There are few things better to savor in Paris than a wonderful meal, accompanied by a delectable bottle of wine. One can go in anywhere in Paris to find this. Wander along the Champs Elysee until a sidewalk cafe captivates one’s attention.
Walk arm in arm. Venture to the Ile Saint Louis (near Notre Dame) for a great neighborhood for walking. The tiny island within the Seine has cute boutique shops, nice restaurants and nightclubs filled with locals. Try Berthillon which is a delicious ice cream that can only be found in this small neighborhood. Jazz it up. This is one of the best cities in the world to listen to jazz, whether it’s at a smoky hole-in-the-wall or a popular club. Hit any jazz club, snuggle, sip wine and listen to the sounds of Gay Paris.
Long famed as the city of lovers, it’s easy to see why Paris still holds interest to couples looking for a little romance. It can be walking hand in hand along the quails of the Seine, or sharing a Bertillon ice cream in the Ile St Louis or even kissing in front of the Sacré Coeur in Montmartre, lovers of all ages can absorb themselves in the same romantic Parisian atmosphere that has inspired centuries of novels, paintings, photographs and films.
It is known that the best things in life are free and one of the most romantic things about Paris is the ability to walk for hours finding one’s own special corner. Certain areas lend themselves beautifully to this form of exploration, from the winding streets of the medieval Marais to the overgrown cemetery of Pere Lachaise home to Oscar Wilde, Chopin and Jim Morrison. It is certainly a City for lovers.
By: Anil Gupta
Posts Tagged ‘Landmark Buildings’
City Of Lovers
December 7th, 2009Art Deco Makes a Comeback in Architectural Doors
September 17th, 2009Doors are becoming less of an afterthought in modern home design and more of a focal point. In fact, many homeowners today are choosing custom-designed architectural doors for their home’s exterior. Sometimes an entire home design is planned around a customized architectural door. Doors are being recognized as an important part of the aesthetic value of a home’s exterior. An artistically-designed and professionally-built exterior door can raise the value of a home while providing enormous curb-appeal.
One of the fastest-growing trends in architectural doors today is the art deco door. The art deco style of design first emerged in the early 1900’s. It was an international design phenomenon in the 1920’s and 1930’s. It was during this period of time that a number of famous landmark buildings were erected, the design of which has become a part of pop culture and history. Though many people can’t put a name to the style, they will instantly recognize buildings created during the art deco trend. One such example is the distinctive spire of New York City’s Chrysler building, built in the mid 1920’s. Other renowned examples include New York’s Empire State Building and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Like most trends, art deco faded from construction history for a time in favor of more modern, streamlined designs. But also like many trends, art deco has re-emerged throughout the last century in various manners. Today, this includes architectural doors.
Art deco designs are based on mathematical, geometric shapes. Chevrons, sweeping curves, sunburst motifs and multi-tiered steps are characteristic of art deco. The Chrysler Building is a prime example of a curve and sunburst theme with steps that become smaller until they reach the spire at the top.
Architectural doors take the best of these geometrical designs and add modern twists, like sharp, uneven lines, mirrors and contemporary colors. The result is a door that is truly a work of art. These works of art become the focal point for the design of the new home. They often inspire other elements of the home, like windows, exterior colors, and even the shape of the roof. Like someone who purchases a loved work of art and then paints and designs the room it hangs in to match it, homeowners and builders start with a custom-designed architectural door and then look to it for inspiration for the entire exterior.
Art deco architectural doors can be designed to fit any type of home. They can be standard size, or can be crafted to fit unorthodox door frames for truly individualistic style. They don’t sacrifice functionality either. They can be built to accommodate high-security features, and can even be built to mask multiple locks and other security mechanisms. This results in an architectural door whose artistic quality hasn’t been sacrificed for the sake of fortitude.
By: Jenny Schweyer