PARIS HAS NEVER been so enticing. Like everyone else, I have spent the past two years vicariously visiting the city by watching French films or the latest series set amid its breathtakingly scenic streets and monuments, immersing myself in the seduction and culture of Paris from afar. When we could finally travel again, Paris was my first destination.
I touched down in November 2021 and the city was vastly different to what I remembered. The streets were quiet, there were no long lines of people waiting to enter the famed cafes, and not a tourist in sight. While it broke my heart to think about what the city, like the rest of the world, had endured throughout the pandemic, it quickly became apparent that Paris's je ne sais quoi – that authentic, nonchalant Parisienne style – was now distilled into its truest form. Being in Paris that November was like nothing I have experienced ever before, and I'll savour that locals-only vibe forever.
Fast forward five months and I was back in the magical city for an extended stay of eight weeks. On arrival in spring, the air was crisp, the city vibrant, and
