Paris n’ attend plus que vous (Paris is waiting for you). This phrase greeted me in the arrivals area as I stepped into the City of Light for a fleeting yet transformative visit. With only an 11-hour layover, my journey began at the Charles de Gaulle Airport at 10 p.m. and concluded in the early hours of the morning. Despite the short time, the experience left me with a deep sense of reflection on human triumph, art, and the enduring spirit of freedom.
The night carried an air of anticipation, blending exhaustion from travel with the thrill of being in Paris; the city that has inspired countless thinkers, writers, and lovers of life. Moving toward immigration, my mind wandered to L’Étranger (The Stranger) by Albert Camus, the first book by a French author I had ever read and admired. Determined not to let the brief duration limit me, I boarded the RER train to central Paris, eager to experience as much as I could. By the time I arrived at the Eiffel Tower, it was close to midnight. This iconic marvel of French engineering, constructed for the 1889 Exposition Universelle (World’s Fair) to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution, stood as a proud testament to the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
As I approached the La dame de fer (Iron Lady, the tower’s nick name), its shimmering lights illuminated the night sky, casting a golden glow over the Seine. The grandeur was overwhelming. Though there was a modest crowd, a sense of solitude lingered as I stood before the awe-inspiring structure of the Eiffel Tower. In that moment, my thoughts naturally drifted to the French philosophers whose profound ideas have shaped the world.
Voltaire, with his sharp wit and advocacy for reason and freedom of speech, seemed to echo in the air. The Eiffel Tower, though constructed long after his time, felt like a tribute to the values he championed. Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s ideas on individual freedom and social contracts resonated as I stood amidst people from diverse backgrounds, all united in their admiration for this symbol of democracy. And Simone de Beauvoir’s existential musings on freedom, feminism and responsibility seemed particularly poignant as I pondered my place in this vast, interconnected world.
As I walked along the Seine, I encountered a young couple who were also exploring the city. Strangers in the dead of the night, yet their warmth and willingness to guide me reminded me of the simple, universal kindness that connects us all. Together, we strolled along the river, sharing stories and marvelling at the beauty of Paris at night. Their companionship turned a solitary journey into a shared celebration of human connection, a reminder that even in a foreign land, we are never truly alone.
Our conversation naturally turned to the literary greats who had immortalised Paris in their works. Victor Hugo, whose Les Misérables (The Miserable Ones) captured the spirit of revolution and humanity, seemed omnipresent in this city that had witnessed so much history. Marcel Proust’s reflections on memory and time came alive as I realised how vividly these fleeting moments would linger in my mind. And Charles Baudelaire, with his poetic celebration of Paris’s beauty and complexity in Les Fleurs du mal (The Flowers of Evil), seemed to whisper through the night breeze, reminding me of the city’s artistic soul.
By the time I reached Notre-Dame Cathedral, it was past midnight. The sacred structure, still undergoing restoration after the devastating fire of 2019, stood as a symbol of strength and renewal. The sight brought a sense of hope, a reminder that even in the face of destruction, humanity finds a way to rebuild and preserve its heritage.
Returning to the Eiffel Tower for one last look, I stood under its towering presence, reflecting on the spirit of freedom and humanity that Paris embodies. The city has inspired great men and women for centuries, and standing there, I felt a connection to that lineage. The hill of arts, Montmartre, is a testament to this legacy, where countless artists and thinkers found their muse.
As I took the night bus back to the airport, I couldn’t help but think about the Indian concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam; the world is one family. Paris, with its celebration of art, history, and human connection, felt like a living embodiment of this idea. In its grandeur and complexity, the city reminded me that we are all part of a great human story, enduring challenges and celebrating triumphs, creating and enjoying art for art’s sake.
Though my time in Paris was brief, it left an indelible mark on my soul. The city’s beauty, its spirit of resilience, and its ability to inspire reflection are unparalleled. As I ascended into the skies toward Helsinki, my eyes were fixed on a wall at the boarding gate displaying the message Paris vous aime et Paris ne vous oubliera jamais (Paris loves you and Paris will never forget you), and a wave of nostalgia washed over me.
ananth.kattam@gmail.com
Published – February 23, 2025 02:31 am IST
