The Palette of Paris

The streets of Paris fill me with wonder and awe as I wander their secret passages and wide corridors. No matter where you look, high or low, there is immense beauty in even the smallest detail. My eyes are inspired by the endless monuments that adorn this city like lights on a Christmas tree. My ears listen intently to the whimsy of the French Language as my mouth stumbles trying to replicate it. My fingers hold tightly onto the pole of the metro, clinging as it careens through an underground world. My nose smells the fresh baked bread and croissants as I walk into our local cafe on the way to school. My mouth waters as I crack the sugar surface of a creme brûlée and take my first bite, my taste buds overwhelmed with flavor. Although all of my senses are stimulated in this wonderful place, what amazes me the most is the vibrant colors, lines, and textures found throughout these moments. Above all, I adore the Palette of Paris.

Paris is the color of stone. From high ceilinged museums to expansive parks, this material is everywhere. You can practically feel the texture of the brick and stone buildings outside my kitchen window. The spokes of the Tuileries ferris wheel create a linear halo around a marble statue that has seen the test of time. Pillars line the long passages of the Palais Royal, a place where many monarchs have spent their days. The Notre Dame sits looming on over the city, its beautiful stone exterior now damaged by fire and smoke. Stone is the backdrop of this city, painting a beautiful scenery for all who explore.

Paris is the color of gold. It is in the details of the Ponte Alexandre III bridge, where gold details you can touch are fake and ones you can’t are real. It is the lighting that cascades over the art at the Musee D’Orsay, bathing the statues and paintings in beautiful golden light. Gold is atop iron fences around beautiful green spaces where a man sits on a bench, immersed in his book. Gold is in the brilliant sun setting over the Seine. It is the color of the Eiffel Tower at night, its lights sparkling as crowds cheer for this architectural wonder.

Paris is the color blue. It is the blue striped awnings that top cozy cafes serving delicious food to all that stop by. It is the color of the sky filled with clouds, making every Parisian day a good one. It is the blue tiles lining out balcony floor, accenting our cozy apartment in the 16th arrondissement, a place I have quickly adopted as home.

Paris is the color green. It is the line of trees in the park, creating a safe shady haven for a group of students seeking refuge from the torrid sun. It is the color of the Seine which winds through the city, embellished with groups of teens picnicking along its edge. It is the ivy walls around our neighborhood, adding beautiful texture to the otherwise flat exteriors. It is the color of Shakespeare and Company, a beautiful bookstore that smells of old pages and reminds me of my theatre roots.

My love affair with Paris didn’t happen all at once. It took time to develop, but now I find the allure of Paris to be addicting. I would be content exploring the city of love forever. There’s something about Paris that feels like home, despite being thousands of miles away from what I know. Cities all have the same energy, the same hustle and bustle. Paris gives me the same thrill that New York, Washington D.C. and Boston do. This city wasn’t exactly what I expected. However, it still maintains the surreal quality I always imagined when I dreamed of coming here. The colors, textures, and lines of the city create stunning images; every corner of Paris is absolutely beautiful. I am excited to continue to capture the colors of Paris, cultivating a palette that will continue to inspire me for years to come.