Paris

:: Frances | 03 Mar 2008

I have just finished 6 months as a stagiaire living in Paris and working in the suburbs and I am completely in love with the city. I spent my time in Paris commuting (I decided to live in the centre but I worked in the suburbs), arguing with banks (don't open an account with LCL), drinking (Pub. St. Germain, Corcoran's, Coolin, Café Mabillon, La Mercerie, Rula Bula, The Thistle, The Highlander), eating (Le Fin Gourmet on Ile St. Louis, Le Piano Muet on Rue Mouffetard and Café de l'Industrie on Bastille are my favourite restaurants), walking (many a Sunday afternoon on the Ile St. Louis trying to spot Johnny Depp), dancing (La Fleche d'Or on Wednesdays, Showcase on Fridays, Dupleix on Tuesdays, La Favela Chic on Thursdays), shopping (Galeries, Printemps, Sonia Rykiel......).

There is always something to do in Paris, even if you just fancy sitting in a park and reading a book and doing some people watching, and if you are missing home then a pilgrimage to WHSmith at Tuileries will cheer you up. There's always a new exhibition opening (check the free papers for details) and be sure to make the most of free museum entry on the first Sunday of every month (also Friday night after 18h00 at the Louvre for under-26s). If you're worried about not improving your language then Atelier9 at Grands Boulevards do reasonably priced, small group classes and some friends of mine recommend them, also, make friends with people, your local café owner, have a "the usual" at the bakery, have a crémaillère when you move into your apartment to get to know your neighbours, invite colleagues/other students round for l'apéro...if you don't make an effort to learn and make friends then you won't.

I highly recommend Paris as a city to spend your Year Abroad in, as with anywhere, your time will be what you make of it, but there's so much going on and so much to see and do that you'll never be bored.