Escape to the French Capital Paris - Paris Travel Story

I discovered that Paris was mine when I was seventeen and travelling with two friends. We were at that stage where we wanted to know everything and be angry at it at the same time. On a trip to France we spent a few days in Paris and on the first day we wondered into the magnificent courtyard of the Louvre, dominated by the famous glass pyramid. We sat down on the floor on one side and just talked in the way that only teenagers can. Suddenly, the sun had set and the lights around us spluttered on, welcoming me to a lifetime obsession with fidgety travel.

Recently, I had the boredom that inevitable overcomes the average office worker at least once a year. That panicy claustrophobia that usually either means an expensive shopping trip or an extra two stone of takeaways appearing on your backside. So, a lunchtime internet search, a pleading holiday request form and a week later I was going to Paris . I'd been a few times since my pretentious adolescence and so had nothing but three days of comfortable meanderings to look forward to.

After a rather confusing airport experience (turns out Glasgow Prestwick airport isn't in Glasgow…who'd of thunk it, eh?) I arrived. A grotty hostel in Montmatre, and an unfeasibly big grin for every man, woman and beggar who crossed my path I set out. There's something fabulous about being in a close, familiar city. You don't have to feel guilty about not following the tourist trail or wasting two hours over lunch with nothing but a good book for company.

I love being anonymous, with no-one to explain irrational urges to sit in churches or visit a sordid shop in the red light district. I can wonder round the art galleries at my own pace, scowling at the peasants who chatter too loudly and not feel guilty for just sitting and staring for twenty minutes. Total and utter self indulgence without the guilt or pointlessness of my usual reactions to frustration.

Everyone needs their place. It could be a village in the Lake District , a Kenyan mountain or New York in the height of Summer. Just somewhere that appears to envelope and calm your troubled soul. And if you don't think you've found it yet then don't worry…looking's half the fun.