Paris is often described as the most romantic city in the world, so when I went there to research locations for my romantic suspense novel Spy Babe, I thought it would be fun to discover why.
I was traveling without a boyfriend, and not being a woman who’s comfortable picking up men, I had to do my most-romantic-city-in-the-world research as a platonic tourist.
Paris did not disappoint.
I lucked out being there on the first day of summer.
In the U.S., the official first day of summer, in June, is three weeks already into the summer season that kicks off on Memorial Day weekend, so except for those who celebrate the summer solstice or Midsummer, the day passes away without special notice.
In Paris, it is a day of music.
Music among the statuary in the Tuileries Gardens. Music on the Pont Saint-Louis.
Music in Notre Dame.
There’s something magical to being in an eight-hundred-year-old cathedral, with sunlight streaming through gorgeous stained-glass windows, and incense wafting through the air, while soloists sing arias on the first day of summer.
Magical. Soul-touching.
Romantic.
What’s your favorite romantic place?
Sharon Louise is a world-traveling hiker, a spy story and romance novel fanatic, and the author of the romantic suspense novel Spy Babe, in which MI-6 agents and U.S. Marshals fall in love while battling the bad guys.
And here I thought you were going to write about Paris, Texas my hometown!
Good job on the post. I would love to go to Paris, France, now I know which day to go.
Thanks, Shellie. It really is a great day to spend in Paris. Music everywhere, in the parks, the cafes, on the street corners.
Didn’t know there was a Paris in Texas, too!
I got to spend a summer in Paris, training horses. It’s a magical, beautiful place. Not to mention, a guy could read a phone book to me and I’d swoon!!!
Thanks for the memories.
(and I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE the travel post idea)
Thanks, Jen, and wow, a whole summer in Paris! That must have been amazing.
Oh, I want to go to Paris! Looking forward to more posts!
I love Paris – so sexy and romantic. I’ve been there a half dozen times and got to spend a week there with my husband just before the kids were born. Now my son is in a French immersion program so we’re going again next summer. I wonder if it will feel as romantic with kids…
Love the travel Monday post! Great job
Love the post. I’ve never been to Paris. My parents, though, have traveled there several times–dad’s an artist–and I’d love to visit. I lived in Haiti for three months during college and by the time I left, was dreaming in French . . .
LOVE the blog, Sharon!! That misty morning picture of Paris up top is just awesome. I can’t wait to come see more but it’s clear, engaging and has perfect colors. You go girl.
It sounds a bit weird but I think driving through the mountains of North Carolina is romantic. The sheer majesty of them is overwhelming and gives a sense of intimacy that driving on a country road would not. Plus there’s all those trails you can pull over and walk or climb through. It is romantic to be thoroughly kissed with misty mountains as a backdrop.