Paris, a city that still smiles

After almost two months after the terrible terrorist attacks that shook the capital city of France and the world, Paris, a city that still smiles, tries to forget the trauma and find new motivations to move on and to return to a state of normality, to feel safe and to enjoy the coming of the new year. So what does Paris look like today?

The city is quiet and Christmas this year brought about spring-like weather and urged the people to come out of their houses or to leave their offices to eat outside, in the terraces and cafes that line the main boulevards, in the Champs Elysees area or in the Montmartre quarters.

There are still tourists – although the enthusiasm is somewhat blighted by the slight tension in the air. There are police officers and soldiers with riffles and guns guarding – quietly, yet vigilantly – the greatest tourist attractions that make Paris the center of European culture, the capital of lovers. There are still lovers walking hand in hand, some of them locals, others tourists from all corners of the world.

The Louvre, the Army Museum, the Pantheon and Museum d’Orsay have their immense, infinite lines of people waiting to cross their gates still. But the process of actually getting in is made even harder and takes longer than usual because of the airport-like security details. “It’s sad that we live in a world where that has become necessary,” I think to myself as the bodyguard at the museum checks the harmless contents of my bag.

Though closed for the public now, the Eiffel Tower still shines through the night and the Champs Eysees are lit and decorated and still full of excitement. The Seine is also there, quiet and deep, with its boats awaiting to take you on a cruise. Too tired to move anymore, you can get a Paris transfer to get quickly and safely to your hotel. The city is peaceful as well, determined to smile.