A Trip To Paris and A Stop By Lille

Paris had a way of slowing me down from the moment I arrived. The mornings started quietly, with the soft hum of scooters and the smell of fresh croissants drifting from corner bakeries. I found myself at Carella Café, tucked on a quiet street, where the espresso came strong and the pastries looked too perfect to eat. Sitting outside, I watched the city wake up, people weaving through the streets like they had somewhere important to be but were in no hurry to get there.

From there I wandered toward Montmartre, a hill that feels like its own little village. Cobblestone streets wound around painters’ stalls and small shops filled with handmade art. Climbing to the top was worth every step once I reached the Sacré Coeur. The basilica stood bright against the sky, and when I turned around, Paris stretched endlessly below. Musicians played guitars on the steps, couples shared crepes, and the sound of laughter drifted through the air. It felt like one of those moments where the whole city seemed to breathe together.

Later that day, I walked through the Galeries Lafayette and made my way up to the rooftop terrace. From there, the Eiffel Tower rose in the distance, perfectly framed by the city’s rooftops. The view made everything feel smaller and grander at the same time. I stayed until sunset, watching the tower glow as the lights came on across Paris. That moment felt like something you keep with you long after you leave.

Before heading north, I made a quick stop at the Arc de Triomphe. Standing beneath it, you can almost feel the history in the stone. The traffic circles endlessly around, but inside the arch it’s calm, almost silent. It’s the kind of place that makes you realize how much of Paris lives in the balance between chaos and beauty.

A few days later, I boarded the TGV and sped toward Lille. The train ride was smooth and fast, cutting through fields and villages until the city came into view. Lille had its own rhythm, different from Paris but just as full of life. The first thing that caught my attention was the architecture, with colorful facades and narrow streets that seemed to tell stories from another time.

I spent one afternoon exploring Euralille, a modern shopping area where glass buildings and wide walkways gave the city a lively energy. Later, I headed to Stade Pierre Mauroy to catch a match. The crowd was electric, singing and waving flags long before kickoff. You didn’t need to understand every word to feel the excitement.

That night, I ended up at Slalom, a local bar hosting Latin Night. The place came alive with music and movement. People danced like they had nowhere else to be, and I joined in, laughing with strangers who quickly felt like friends. Lille had a warmth that surprised me, a mix of French charm and down-to-earth friendliness that made it easy to feel at home.

When I left the next morning, I thought about how different Paris and Lille were, yet how naturally they fit together. Paris was the dream, the postcard, the place that reminds you to slow down and look up. Lille was the surprise, full of energy and people who made the night last a little longer. Together, they made the trip feel complete, a balance of calm mornings and lively nights that left me already planning to return.