Today was one of those perfect Sundays that made me smile and think, man I love living in Paris.
One of those days where nothing extraordinary happens — but little things like sunshine on your face, a smile from a stranger and a walk through a quiet park leave you feeling overwhelmingly content and joyful.
One of those days you wish you could hug your life — because it is good, and people are good, and the world is good.
You know, one of those days.
I actually believe an Italian pizza joint had a big part to play in that. The day started quite ordinarily; Carin and I met at Jacques Genin to try their famous millefeuille and caramels. But it was sugar overload — so we made the spontaneous decision to walk to Grazie for lunch, lauded by many of our friends as the best pizza in Paris.
The Italian staff there completely changed our day. They were so passionate and full of life, and so playful and goofy with each other, their energy was contagious. Carin and I couldn’t stop smiling; we were infected with overwhelming happiness.
From there on, the rose-colored glasses were most definitely on. Afterwards we walked through the Marais, chatting away, people-watching, window shopping while enjoying the sun on our faces.
I’ll let the rest of the photos do the talking. No, nothing extraordinary happened today — it was just the sunshine on the buildings, the caramels at Jacques Genin, the Italian staff at Grazie, a walk with a friend, and the perfect cusp-of-spring weather.
Sometimes, that’s all it takes.
The following are in chronological order of our walk. None are edited (save the watermark).
Which photo is your favorite?
26 Comments
Hannah
February 18, 2013 at 03:50This post really cheered me up. I’ve spent most of the weekend failing at deciphering the IRS’s instructions on filing my foreign income and I’m in a terrible mood. Pictures of Paris, however, always make me happy, and I know exactly the feeling you are describing. As for a favorite photograph, I have to choose the one of the outdoor diners under the colonnade. The internal framing of the columns, and the way the frosted glass frames the group of diners, is perfect. I love the gold light shining on the red brick of the ceiling, too. Looks like a perfect day to me!
erica
February 18, 2013 at 05:01my favorite is probably that you specified that they haven’t been edited ;)
Also, what a great day! I love it when someone makes your day, simply by the way they treat those around them :)
Hayley
February 18, 2013 at 05:56I think my favourite photo is the last one – I love the hustle and bustle of people, hopefully enjoying their Sunday as much as you x
Paris in Four Months
February 18, 2013 at 10:23Yay! Thank you for such an amazing day Edna :) I really had a great time! And oh, that staff. I miss the atmosphere already! We have to go back soon.
xx Carin
(www.parisinfourmonths.com)
Jemma
February 18, 2013 at 13:05Paris is really lovely every day… I wonder what it’s like to live there… :)
Bob Weisenberg
February 18, 2013 at 15:25So happy to have found your blog. My wife and I are going to spend some time living in Paris in a couple of years, and your blog is a great way to get a feel for what it’s like. Thank you.
Bob W.
Julika of Sateless Suitcase
February 18, 2013 at 15:34Aww, I adore this feeling you described here!
Beautiful photography – I love that this gorgeous Parisian winter light didn’t need any editing!
Olivia
February 18, 2013 at 17:14Just divine! Isn’t this sun just divine? I am loving it! Went for a stroll before and thought just how excited I am for Spring
Thanks for sharing xo
Olivia
http://www.oh-la-la-livia.com
Sara
February 18, 2013 at 19:08Looks like a wonderful day! I love Grazie as well – the pizza is my favorite so far in Paris. Glad you enjoyed the sunshine this past weekend!
Nicole @ Suitcase Stories
February 18, 2013 at 19:31What a lovely post. I would LOVE to experience living in Paris (one of my favorite cities)! And these photos remind me of how beautiful Paris is.
I love days like these – The simple things in life are often the ones to give you the most pleasure.
Camels & Chocolate
February 18, 2013 at 22:39This is so gorgeous–sending to my family as they’re going there in May!
Milsters @ Little Pieces of Light
February 18, 2013 at 22:44OMG I HAD THE EXACT SAME SUNDAY. LOL! My sister, best friend and I spent all of Sunday afternoon wandering around the Marais. We even took the same photos (including that of the band!). I’ll post about it later this week though. :)
xx Milsters
(http://www.littlepiecesoflight.com/)
Daisy
February 19, 2013 at 02:26Oh, you make me miss Paris, Edna! But keep posts like these coming. I will live vicariously!
Jay
February 19, 2013 at 16:43I love those days Edna – completely unexpected but perfectly lovely!
Gabriel
February 19, 2013 at 16:49I really like how this street connects two different districts to each other.
RBJello
February 19, 2013 at 16:54Sunday was such a gorgeous day because it was actually sunny! It looks like you had a fabulous time and I love the photos. How was the pizza at Grazie? It’s on my list of places I want to try. :)
Sofie
February 19, 2013 at 17:47Although I’d already been to Paris three times, it was only on the fourth time that I truly discovered Le Marais… and loved it:-)
These pictures take me back!
Anne
February 20, 2013 at 05:13I love days like this!! When everything goes right, you get this infectious happiness from somewhere, and you look around and just love how your life and everything is at that moment and place :). It happens to me a lot where I am now, and I love getting that feeling.
Lauren @ roamingtheworld
February 22, 2013 at 15:36what a beautiful day. I love it when I have those moments.
Great job capturing it in words!
karablythe of somewhere i have never traveled
February 22, 2013 at 18:15I totally know what you mean when you say it was “one of those days.” The thing I love about traveling is that your life is filled with days like that. Those moments when you realize you can’t stop smiling because the reality of your life is just so overwhelming…in a good way :)
My favorite is the 4th one down, where you can see the people’s backs through the clouded glass. Such an artsy shot!
travellingmo
February 23, 2013 at 08:27You have such a way of making a girl jealous! That does look like the perfect Sunday!
Erica
February 23, 2013 at 10:47I love the first and the last images where you can really see how light and sunny it is outside. Your writings from the day reminds me of the lyrics in one of India Arie’s songs. “It’s the little things. And the joy they bring.”
Christine&Paris
February 25, 2013 at 14:58I absolutely love Grazie! And I agree about the staff, so great :)
Jessica
February 28, 2013 at 01:34I love this post. Weather that’s on the cusp of spring always makes my days a little bit brighter too.
Chelsea
March 9, 2013 at 11:34I love this post. I’ve had similar days, a beautiful feeling. My favorite photo is actually the one of the two mannequins, I LOVE the trench on the right. What store is this?
Life in Paris: February roundup - Expat Edna
March 11, 2013 at 19:32[…] A Sunday in the Marais […]