Not a man? Not to worry.
Thank goodness times have
changed and women can embrace
being urban explorers and flâner
with style. What better way is
there to truly see a city than to
slow down, wander aimlessly, and
fervently witness life?
But how does one undertake
this Parisian art of the flâneur/
flâneuse?
Curiosity is key. Embrace
that curious spirit
unencumbered with a list
of “must see” places. Step
into this adventure with
all senses attune and in
receptive mode.
Slow right down. Walk like
the Parisians. I am constantly
reminded to slow my fast-paced
Canadian stride. Every day I am
stuck behind meandering couples
in narrow streets with no place
to pass. I get frustrated for a
minute. Then I grin, remember
to embrace this generous pace of
life, and decelerate.
Amble out the door and turn
in the same direction with an
eagle eye. During confinement
I had a one-kilometre radius
within which I could roam. I
often walked the same streets
and every day I noticed
something new. Often it was
a new face called a mascaron
watching over the doorway
of an ancient mansion. I often
wondered if the mascarons,
originally placed there to protect
the families, could perform their
magic against the coronavirus.
Weeks later I am still delighted
by yet another captivating face
glancing down from above.
Follow the locals. Or,
deliberately meander in the
opposite direction. I have been
known to take the métro or fly
along on my bike until I reach
one of Paris’s neighbourhoods
that is new to me. I know where I
want to start but what I discover
along the way is unknown.
Undimmed by familiarity, there
is a heightened excitement about
what I may encounter.
There is an immeasurable
amount of joy in witnessing the
beauty of the simple things in life.
Perhaps today it is the poetic
strains of a flute drifting out an
open window that greets my
heart.
Maybe the scent of violet
wisteria draws me down a side
street where it cascades over a
stone wall.
Maybe an intimate gathering
is in full swing by the Seine
where not far away Parisians are
immersed in the dynamic and
elegant sway of the tango.
Perhaps I will push open a
doorway to reveal an elegant
staircase.
The man sitting at the café
table catches my attention
24 | arta.net