Another Parisian Sunrise

April 10, 2017

Metisu dress (c/o)
Le Chateau boots (c/o)
Celine sunglasses
Keltie Leanne Designs ring (c/o)
Keltie Leanne Designs earrings (c/o)

Most mornings in Paris, we are up well before the sun. Both Parisians and tourists like to stay out late, which means that they are mostly still in bad after sunrise. If you’re out before 8am, you can almost feel as though the city belongs to you alone. Very little opens before ten o’clock, so aside from stopping at a bakery to pick up a baguette, or pausing for a cup of coffee (which, I admit, I do drink here, with lots of cream and sugar, because tea in Paris is an outrageously expensive luxury – think $7 a cup, unless you’re at McDonald’s – that I save for very special occasions) at a sidewalk cafe, there is little to do by stroll, admiring the quiet streets as you pass through them. Early mornings are the best time to see tourists attractions, especially the Eiffel Tower – in the early morning, the views from the Trocadero are nearly unfettered, since tour groups carrying flags and brandishing selfie sticks have yet to descend on the square. I remember the first time I saw the Eiffel Tower when I was fifteen, I sort of wondered what the fuss was all about – and then felt guilty for wondering, knowing so many people never have the chance to see it. But that was a rainy night when the tower was packed with visitors. In the early morning light, it is a sight to behold and, half a lifetime later, I’ve finally realized why so many people fall in love with it. I know it’s the last thing anyone wants to do, but if I can give one piece of truly meaningful advice, it’s this: if you’re lucky enough to come to Paris, do not waste a moment of your trip on sleeping in. Believe me, you won’t regret it. (And packing a suitcase full of beautiful dresses won’t hurt, either. I lugged fifty pounds worth of mostly maxi dresses from Vancouver to Paris, including this one from Metisu, and I have no regrets.)

La bonne partie des matins à Paris, nous nous réveillons bien avant le soleil. Les Parisiens et les touristes aiment se coucher tard, et donc ils sont tous toujours au lit après l’aube. Si vous sortez avant 8 h, vous auriez l’impression que la ville vous appartient. Très peu de magasins s’ouvrent avant 10 h, donc à moins que vous passiez dans une boulangerie ou que vous vous arrêtez pour prendre un café en terrasse (eh oui, je bois du café à Paris, surtout du café crème avec beaucoup de sucre, car le prix du thé en France n’est pas du tout abordable, outre chez McDonald’s), vous n’auriez rien à faire à part balader et admirer les petites rues tranquilles. Le matin, c’est le meilleur moment de voir les lieux touristiques, surtout la tour Eiffel – le matin, la vue sur la tour depuis le Trocadéro est quasiment sans entraves, étant donné que les groupes de voyageurs avec leurs petits drapeaux et leurs perches à selfie ne sont toujours pas arrivés. Je me rappelle la première fois que j’ai vu la tour Eiffel, à mes quinze ans. Je me suis demandée pourquoi tout le monde en faisait toute une histoire et puis je me suis culpabilisée pour cette pensée, car tellement des personnes n’auront jamais la chance de la voir de leurs propres yeux et au moins j’avais la chance de la voir. Mais là, c’était une soirée pluvieuse et la tour était bondée. Tôt le matin, avec la belle lumière du soleil qui se lève, c’est une scène à ne pas manquer et, une quinzaine d’années plus tard, je comprends enfin pourquoi le monde l’adore autant. Je sais que personne n’en a envie, mais si je peux me permettre de vous donner un conseil important, c’est de ne pas gaspiller un seul second d’un voyage à Paris en faire la grasse matinée. Je peux vous jurer que vous n’allez pas le regretter. (Mettre un tas de belles robes dans votre valise ne fera pas mal, non plus. J’ai trimbalé une valise avec vingt-trois kilos de robes de dedans, y incluse celle-ci de la marque Metisu, et je reste fidèle à ma décision.)

6 comments so far.

6 responses to “Another Parisian Sunrise”

  1. Kim Alston says:

    Very smart of you Cee! The earlier the less people. You can enjoy locations more 😀 I love that dress. It is so pretty. I love the details of it and your accessories. You look pretty.
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

  2. I’m a ridiculously early riser when I travel for the precisely the reason of not wanting to miss a thing – especially in cities where there are just so many magical things to do.

    Courtney ~ Sartorial Sidelines

  3. Packing your suitcase full of beautiful dresses sounds like the only way to travel to me!! 😉 And this dress was a fabulous choice, Cee! Love it with your hair swept up + the booties add the perfect amount of modern edge!! As for waking up before the masses?! When I ran my photography biz, it was my favourite time to take photos… the light is absolutely magical and the quiet streets are more than ideal too! Happiest Tuesday!! And BTW, yesterday’s dessert snaps were amazing, plus still thinking about those donuts. YUM!! xo

    http://www.girlandcloset.com

  4. lyddiegal says:

    I can see how paris would feel so much more magical early in the morning before the crowds take over, not to mention that gorgeous light, and I’m with you on only wanting to pack pretty dresses. This one is especially gorgeous, the sheer panels add just the right amount of midriff exposure.
    http://www.iamchiconthecheap.com/

  5. Your photos just get more and more beautiful… I’ve seen the Eiffel Tower twice, and both times were packed with tourists. While I know I am incredibly lucky to have been able to experience it, I think, as you said, I’d appreciate it more in the early morning. I’m glad I have this tip to utilize the next time I get to go back.

  6. joli look, j’adore ta robe et les photos à Paris c’est top, encore faut-il être sur place pour se lever tôt 😉
    bisous
    Aurélie – Les petites bulles de ma vie

Cee Fardoe is a thirty-something Canadian blogger who splits her time between Winnipeg and Paris. She is a voracious reader, avid tea-drinker, insatiable wanderer and fashion lover who prefers to dress in black, white and gray.

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