There has been a street expo electronically plastered throughout Paris , extended to September the 3rd, offering images capturing the everyday lives of those living in Paris. All were exquisitely illustrated by the very gifted Japanese artist Kanako Kuno, who came here in 2005, became love struck like me, and started sketching Parisians for My Little Paris website.
Most have english subtitles, and for those without I added my translations. Enjoy the tongue in cheek poke at Parisians in their day-to-day hassles, pleasures, frustrations,, and so forth living in the city of light. Clicking on images will increase their size.
Getting an apartment to rent in Paris is always a real challenge and a test of nerves to exhaust anyone. Frankly I found buying in Paris actually easier than the combat of trying to rent one. It is always one’s first initiation into the many immense frustrations of moving here.
Whereas in the states, it is a fairly straight forward task to rent with proof of a job or money in the bank; not so in Paris. Not only do you need proof of employment, but a work contract stating you will be gainfully employed for an indeterminable time, aka forever. Since most people are hired on a trial period, you have to resort to either sub letting, an expensive short-term rental, have a whole years rent blocked off at the bank and a co signer.
Competition is fierce for any half decent place that is affordable and you literally have to compete with many others who might have a more secure financial record that has to be presented. Below is a cute, if not very improbable illustration, of a Parisian dream apartment and the ideal fellow inhabitants.
Your dream place is located on the fifth floor; that being traditionally the choicest spot, as the maid’s rooms were typically reserved on the top. Today with the majority no longer having need to house their personal servants, most of these top rooms have been converted to adorably chic apartments with great views.
On to the “ideal” neighbors! The first caption to your left, for the top floor, states “couple above that never makes love”. In the same vein of thought, for the apartment below, the third caption on the left says: “an old deaf lady”. The one on the right says: “a sex friend who is always available”.
The fourth on the left says: ” a retiree who loves to do plumbing”, because if not you are practically guaranteed to end up paying high prices for one! On the right, we can all use “a helpful geek”.
The fifth on the left, “a lady who loves to water plants and make cakes” as having someone to water your plants when on vacation is a must. On the right “a single fun going friend who always has champagne on hand”. A real plus!
Bottom floor, “a bakery that won the best baguette of Paris” and “a staircase without strollers”.
Good apartment views, especially of monuments or wide open picturesque views are the most sought after, and command increased prices. Some proprietors really stretch their descriptions sometimes, when you have to practically fall out a window or balcony, to have a decent view!
After settling in, you will have to master the subway system and get use to be nearly knocked down on the stairs from those always rushing, or often jam-packed tight like sardines in the subway car, especially at rush hour. If you are a woman, having some perverted male pressing his body against you happens more often than you would believe. I was recently a victim of an exhibitionist male exhibiting his erect genital hidden behind his satchel yet directly in my view. Not the first time either! Life in the Paris metro!
Quaint bouquinistes lining the Seine specialise in old books, etc, so only a newcomer would ask such a silly question. Likewise, you would have to be a newbie here to make such an absurd lie that they are only 2 minutes away from Abbesse metro station, when they are at Châtelet!
Making sure you do not turn into a pumpkin, after a night of the town means keeping track of time and the last metro, otherwise it is an expensive taxi or a long walk! Paris is quite hilly is some areas, which I love walking up for cardio, but a real hardship if you are pedaling! Yeah, how many of us women can relate to the girl on the right! It always seem to happen!
Eating out is one of Paris’s most enjoyable pursuits, but woe to the risk takers, who do not reserve ahead for popular restaurants.
Good Parisian bakeries will dazzle you beyond belief in their varieties of breads and pastries. Despite the myriads of loaves to choose from, sometimes you just can’t please everyone!
It doesn’t take long to realise that sunshine here, is as precious as gold. When it finally comes out, you learn quickly to take full advantage of it immediately, before it goes away!
Don’t ever try to set up a date with someone to meet at Bastille, Nation, or Étoille without being very specific to exactly where, or you could be circling for quite some time! Same goes trying to meet someone at Châtelet metro station!
This usually happens to me every free museum Sunday, but oh well, it is only a small price to pay to see such beauty for free!
Lingerie here is the best bar none, but sooo expensive! On Valentine Day though, obviously concern for costs goes out the window! Flower shop lines will also be long for guys, but at least at a lesser cost!
I know many women can identify with the one below! If you can’t decide, bring it just in case, right?
Paris has been the destination for lovers for ages. Now, love struck couples are coming in droves to pledge undying love to each other by placing love locks on the Pont des Arts and Pont de L’Archevêché, then throwing the key in the Seine. For a coeur brisé (broken heart) it then means pulling out some pliers in hope of wrangling it off, otherwise be painfully reminded of your foolish lovers pledge each time you pass in front.
Life in Paris, despite somewhat petty frustrations we all endure, makes up with her supreme beauty that is really everywhere, At night, Paris takes on such magical energy and brilliance that it is easy sometimes to miss the last metro!
Interesting to read an “insider’s view” and perspective about life in Paris. You’ve obviously become a Parisian at heart. Life in Paris must be uniquely interesting in so many ways. In south Florida we have an abundance of sunshine and terrifically beautiful days; and “the maids don’t live on the upper floors” . . . those condo “pent house” units go for $4 – $7+ million or more in south Florida. (Don’t they have elevators in those Parsian condos and apartment buildings?) I’ve read about how difficult it is to rent an apartment there; it must be almost as difficult to buy an apartment/condo there also. It all sounds likea rather uniquesly interesting and perhaps an envious life style there. The “flavor of life in Paris” is undoubtedly unique unto itself.
Thank you Dave for your interesting comment! Paris is full of really old apartment buildings that don’t have elevators! My second rental here was in a building dating back to 1750 without an elevator, extremely solidly built with very thick walls and floors. Guaranteed cardio, especially carrying up groceries! Old fashioned minuscule wrought iron elevators in a cage were added later to a number of them and are still gracefully working!
What Paris lacks in sunshine, she makes up in her tremendous splendid beauty, monuments, fountains, parks, history,art, architectural splendors, gastronomy, cultural and intellectual offerings non stop.
As Hemingway said, Paris is truly a movable feast!
Thanks for the great article Cherry! I ESP enjoyed the cartoons 🙂
I love reading your writing about Paris, you find the best about things that others find annoying or frustrating. After 7 yrs in Paris working in the fast paced work world it’s easy to get stuck on the things that we lack from our American lives before, like a washing machine or an oven, but outside the small expensive flats and outside work, there are beautiful things to enjoy in Paris.
For me, Paris is a city to visit for a few weeks where you can have time for museums and long walks. Or if you’re lucky enough to be an expat and have your company organize everything for you then go for it! On your own, it’s a bit more difficult…ok alot more difficult. Paris definitely works better with 2…maybe that’s why they call it the city of lovers?
But regardless its still a rewarding experience.
Thank you Ella for your very truthful and detailed comment about being an expat in Paris! On your own, as you very well pointed out, it becomes a true challenge of nerves and perseverance! Passion is blind for those of us who love Paris to its core, and are willing to take the knocks in order to live here. The thread can run bare with the normal frustrations inherent in finding an affordable place to live and deal with all the others obstacles awaiting us. I agree that it is far easier to do with two, than totally by yourself, but all is possible depending on the vision that we see ourselves living here.
Paris for me remains the ultimate source of beauty, cultural, and intellectual stimulation that is available on a daily basis, mostly for free!