The Eiffel Tower is a must-see location in Paris. (Adolf - stock.adobe.com)
Editors Note: Zoe Brown is a student writer in Dr. Wiedemer’s and Ms. Ireland’s class at Spangdahlem Middle School (SY 24-25). Read this middle-schooler’s incredible description of Paris’s best sites.
Over the many years of living in Europe, I’ve traveled a lot. But the one I’ll remember for the rest of my life will be Paris, France. From the large stretching River Seine to the calm grasslands, Paris has a landscape that will make you think that the place has been frozen in time to capture its beauty from centuries ago. While in Paris, I was able to experience the vibrancy of its architecture, foods and fashion. Alongside being in the city, I also got to go to Disneyland Paris, which felt otherworldly. Overall, when I look back on that trip, I can never recall a moment of boredom or disappointment.
You can never truly experience Paris without going to see the Eiffel Tower. The landmark can be seen from far distances away, but its size was shocking once I got up close. My family chose to walk up some of the Eiffel Tower, and as we passed every step, I could see how time had aged the metal. Even though the tower had an extraordinary history, when you reach a certain point there is a modern lounge area looking over the city. At the edge of the lounge were railings that allowed people to gaze out on the stretching view of the city below. We weren’t able to go up the entire tower while we were there but that didn’t make the experience any less extraordinary.
Later in the trip, my family also saw the Arc de Triomphe. This 164-foot-tall arch made out of limestone was an interesting landmark because, as opposed to the Eiffel tower, you can only see it from on the ground. It was the perfect time of day to see the landmark because the sun was being blocked by the view of the arch, but the warm colors of the sun-setting sky were still visible. Accompanying my family was a crowd of what I could only assume to be tourists and Parisians, also taking a bite out of the wonderful monument. I call this feat of architecture a monument because it was built to honor soldiers who had lost their lives during wars in history. Did you know? Under the arc lies the body of ‘The Unknown Soldier’ who was buried on Armistice Day 1920.
Paris is known for its food and outdoor cafes. (Ekaterina Belova - stock.adobe.com)
The food in Paris was diverse and flavorful; with local flair in their dishes as well as many different cuisines. My family chose an outdoor restaurant which, although had a nice view, I can’t say anything positive about the nearby insects. The food that we ordered wasn’t really French, but that didn’t stop it from being delectable. Technically, our starter was French as we had a baguette with an olive oil dipping sauce. The restaurant was just a flicker on what food in Paris truly was. On every street I walked by, there was a bakery to fit into its selection of stores. In each bakery I could feel my muscles relax and my nostrils flare. My eyes took photos of the golden croissants and the soft crepes that sat in their display cases waiting for someone’s hunger. I could say so much about Paris’s food, but we would be here all day.
One of the more modern aspects of Paris was the shopping. Its culture is fast-paced and luxurious with the stores being as tall as giants and filled to the brim. In almost every store, you could take elevators up to multiple floors above, making shopping hauls feel like adventures. From my experience, people tell you that movies and real life are different; but as I walked down the bustling streets, the stylish citizens holding multiple bags from big brand names remained in my view. For example, we walked into Louis Vuitton, where glasses could cost up to over $500 euros, and heels could be over 1,000 euros. But what I loved most about shopping in Paris was not the grand stores that were out of my stratosphere, but the small stores filled with whimsy and childhood innocence that brought me back to the simpler days of princess dresses and rainbow magnets.
The Pont des Arts bridge is known as the love-lock bridge and crosses the Seine River. (immigrant1992 - stock.adobe.com)
My favorite memory from being in Paris would be walking over the Pont des Arts bridge. There was something that made me feel so alive knowing that a river that had been around for thousands of years was flowing beneath my feet. That was not the only reason why this experience was my favorite, for this bridge is also known as the ‘lock bridge’. The lock bridge is the place where couples come to write their initials on padlocks, which they attach to the bridge. After that they throw the key into the river promising eternal love. I was truly captivated by this mere fact, because as someone who has heard of the stories and seen images and retellings of this bridge, finally being able to see it was like filling an imaginary photobook in my head.
Disneyland Paris was another place that gave me memories that I will always cherish. All my life I heard my classmates around me constantly talk about how much they loved Disneyland, and when I would say “I never been,” they would look at me like I was insane. Now they never will, for if I could talk to them, we would both be able to talk about the food, rides, stores and the hotel. On my family’s first day, there were so many rides to choose from, but for some strange reason we knew we had to go on Hyperspace Mountain. While waiting in line I pushed back my fears and embraced what I was about to do. I loved it! The lighting made me feel like I was actually flying in a spaceship across the stars. The ride was also the fastest rollercoaster I have ever been on, and I was constantly screaming.
Disneyland Paris was a highlight for youth writer Zoe Brown. (Saturnino Perez Garrido)
Across the three days that my family went to Disneyland, I experienced true magic from rides like The Haunted Mansion, It’s Small World, and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril. Other experiences included watching “The Lion King” musical which gave me goosebumps, and seeing the parade where I swore Tiana waved at me. The food was cute, and I loved watching my childhood favorite characters in treat form. I couldn’t help but revert into a toddler when I stepped into some of the stores. Every detail in every nook of the buildings came to life with vibrant colors, adorable toys and happy cheers. Speaking of buildings, the hotel my family stayed at was comforting. The design of the interior made me feel close to the park itself, even though it was a ten-minute bus ride away. If you were wondering, of course we got the Minnie and Mickey Mouse ears to wear in the park.
One thing that I wish I could’ve done while in Paris is go to the Louvre. I have always been interested in art and have chased that spark in me for years. The way that the paintings, sculptures and more tell a story about each art period is inspiring and I would love to see how the Louvre formats it. My favorite artist is Mary Cassat, an American painter during the Impressionism period. She is well known for her art depicting children with their mothers, and I would love to know if her work is displayed at the Louvre. Of course, if I could go to the Louvre my main focus would be to see the Mona Lisa, but I could learn about so much more.
After going on that trip, I learned, I lived and I felt true happiness, and if you give it a chance, you can too.
Au Revoir.
