Some cities you visit. Some cities stay with you. For Lisa Hannam, Paris is more than a destination. It is a collection of memories, milestones, love, independence, and the person she became along the way. In this deeply personal reflection, Lisa shares why, through every chapter of her life, she’ll always have Paris. — By the Editor
“Why Paris Will Always Have My Heart”
By Lisa Hannam
“We’ll always have Paris.”
When people say that phrase, what they mean is, “I’ll always have Paris.” And not “they, singular.” I mean me. “Me, Lisa Hannam will always have Paris.” Paris is personal for me. And while I will share it occasionally, I will not give it away.
I feel like I grew up there. I was in my 20s when I lived there for an academic year. I had a long-distance relationship with my first (and last) love. I missed my friends and family dearly that I cried when they came to visit and cried again when they left. But I learned how to truly be alone there. I liked myself and enjoyed my own company—even at a table pour une personne.
I learned to have fun on my own and how to get in a good mood. I traveled by myself by plane, train, metro, car, and I walked around this city aimlessly, familiarizing myself with shops, restaurants and bars that I would go to every visit in my 30s and 40s just to see if it was still there.
My best shopping was in Paris. I still have two 100-franc sweaters (about $20, pre-euro days) I bought on my own when I first lived there, along with my first-ever trench coat. On my last two trips (I’ve been at least 20 times since I lived there originally, including my mini-moon), I picked up covetable bottle of L’Officine Universelle Buly À Paris perfume that smells like a smile (or at least the uplifting citrus notes make me sourire!) and a Saint Lauren Sac de Jour that my mom convinced me to buy.
I’ve traveled with my partner, friends, colleagues and even strangers who became lifelong friends.
I made memories with my sister-in-law, my niece and my mom. Paris has also shown me when friendships should end. While it showed me that my boyfriend was the easiest travel companion, I thought to myself, I could live with him for the rest of my life.
I’ve written about some of my experiences for work. It’s easy to sneak in a Paris anecdote.
- Health Editor Hit List in Paris: Check!
- What To Do in Paris On Your Own: Check!
- Work Out Like A Parisienne: Check!
- The Toughest Paris Gyms with My Best Amie: Check!
Also, as someone with a Bachelor of Arts in French literature, I get to flex my French language muscle.
One good memory: My husband and I landed, dropped off our luggage at the hotel and went to a bistro for lunch. We were seated and ready to order from our French menus. I ordered in French for myself, but my husband was pointing his way through the carte (he did go to French emersion school so he can read French). The waiter asked me in French if I would like a menu for my tourist friend. I was the Parisienne, and he was the tourist! I’m also complimented on my French in hotels by reception, asking me where I learned to speak so well. Paris, I always exclaim.
All this said, I don’t look at Paris through rosé-coloured glasses. I see Paris’s grit, too. I’ve witnessed its strange conservatism that is even more strangely juxtaposed against its fashion, arts and culture.
I was shocked when I accidentally walked into the middle of what I thought was performance art but was actually a protest against gay marriage. And there is visible racism and bigotry. Paris breaks my heart, too.
The reason I love Paris isn’t its complexity. It isn’t the good food, although the best meal I ever had was a three-Michelin-star vegetarian luncheon at L’Arpège when I met famous chef Alain Passard. Nor the fashion, despite being a global fashion capital. It’s my memories. And every time I step off the plane, walk through Charles de Gaulle to pick up my luggage at the carousel, I’m immediately brought back to my 20s.
It’s like an elixir for youth. You know when you go back to a childhood home or visit your grand parents’ place? It’s just like that. I’m emotionally transported to feeling energetic, excited, in love, appreciative of the beauty around me, or a stranger in a comfortable place. I did one tour, where our guide walked the group from bakery to chocolatier to confectionery in search of local treats. She described the puff Tropezienne pastry as her “Madeleine de Proust”—the idea that seeing, eating, smelling or touching something can take you back to your youth.
Well, that’s what Paris is to me, my Madeline de Proust.
About the Author
Lisa Hannam is a journalist and founding editor of fleetstreetmag.com. To contact, email lisahannam@yahoo.ca.
