Athanasius

Honestly, I do not really see the point of a visit like this, unless you are a total car enthusiast. It is... noisy. Which is normal. At least by the end, you have a vague idea of how your car was manufactured. The most interesting part, in my opinion, is after the actual factory tour. You get taken to a museum where you can see almost all the models Opel has produced since the brand was founded. I still see two positive points to the visit I had: the guide, who was very friendly (he knew many languages and loved talking about how he learned them, so for all the budding linguists out there, chatting with him is rewarding), and the moment they let us have fun in the showroom. Imagine kids in…

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The atmosphere in a place of worship is always unique. In Heidelberg, this church stands in the center of a large square, and it is a masterpiece of its kind. A sign of the devotion of its builders, it does not leave you indifferent.

The name Villepinte will always be linked in my memory to an event that has been happening every year for 16 years now. That is right, at Paris-Nord-Villepinte, at the beginning of July, a little piece of Japan comes to visit French territory! The Japan Expo is worth the trip, even if you are not going as a fan of Japanese culture but just as someone who is curious.

Going to the seaside is always pleasant, especially when the beaches are as stunning as the ones in Etretat. You can easily spend entire afternoons walking around or just relaxing on the pebbles (okay, there are more comfortable things, but the scenery makes you forget that little inconvenience).

People talk a lot about the Etretat cliffs, and you see them everywhere, but even if they look magnificent in photos, it is even better to see them in person. You feel ridiculously small standing next to them.

Sand is definitely nice when you want to relax on the beach. But pebbles have a lot of charm too, especially in Etretat. Unfortunately, they are under threat, as the sea is gradually carrying them away. So go enjoy this landscape while there is still time!

Let's be honest: when you go to Etretat, it is not for the town itself (even if it is pretty pleasant). No, let's just say it only serves as a supply point for you. Between trips to the beach, this is where you will go to grab something for lunch. While I did not keep many memories of the town itself, I had some excellent days at the foot of those cliffs.

A comic strip before its time (okay, it is written in Latin, but you can always grab an audio guide to get the translation). It is quite moving to see how these events were perceived a few centuries ago.

I don't have many memories of the city itself, I wasn't very old when my parents took us there. However, I clearly remember the tapestry: absolutely gigantic, wonderful. This visit really left a mark on me.

Just like with the Jardin du Luxembourg, it is a real pleasure to walk around here at the start of spring, when the trees are covered in leaves again. If you are lucky, you might even see a group of high schoolers and their gym teacher (it is very pleasant to watch others work when you are on vacation yourself). You will also see other curiosities, lots of animals, etc. A very pleasant place.

Let's be honest: most people don't go into these stores to buy anything (the prices are very, very discouraging), but rather for the pleasure of walking around. Shopping is far from my favorite hobby, but I enjoyed wandering from floor to floor.

These grounds feel like they are inhabited by the works of the most famous French sculptor, you see them everywhere. The house is very spacious, and the garden behind it... is gigantic! Going there in the rain would be a real shame, you really need to be able to enjoy the outdoor spaces.

You learn a lot of things in this museum, or rather, you see a lot. All these weapons, these battle stories.. The atmosphere is quite surreal. Everything surrounding us feels frozen in time. These objects will never be used to kill again, as they are only here to bear witness to a bygone era. I prefer them in this role. If the weather is nice, you can also see the cannons stationed outside.

Ever seen someone crying at Balzac's grave? No? Well, just know that it happens every single day at Père Lachaise. The graves of the most famous people are marked on a little map you get at the entrance. You have to do some walking to get to some of them (heads up, the hill is pretty steep). Some areas are less crowded with tourists than others, but they are just as nice. That is the whole paradox of a cemetery, death surrounds us everywhere, and yet you feel at peace. It is a really beautiful place to rest after you pass away.

My parents used to take us there about once every two years, and I remember long hours of walking in the shade of the trees. The interior is also worth a visit, but when you only have one day, I recommend focusing mostly on these gardens. All those statues come to life when you know what they represent, so remember to get a guide or do some research beforehand!

When you are walking around Paris, you have to expect to run into monuments like this on every street corner. I was strolling along, I looked up and saw a small line in front of a building, I just mindlessly went and got in the back of the line, and... ta-da! I was in the Sacré-Cœur Basilica! I do not regret this visit, the walls are richly decorated, it was magnificent.

Gigantic! The soccer players must look tiny in there... In any case, it is ideal for shows. You just have to watch the kids during breaks, because there is a lot of movement. I also hope they have improved the restrooms since the last time I went there.

I love crossing this bridge every year just to see how it is holding up. To think that it supports all those padlocks, those tons of metal, not to mention the hundreds of pounds of human flesh crossing it every day. And it is still standing! It is beautiful, so much perseverance, it really makes you dream. Okay, they had to remove a good portion of the padlocks for safety reasons, but still, having held up for so long with such a load, it is incredible!

Very beautiful square, you can sit there to eat peacefully while watching the Seine flow by or let yourself get absorbed by this much stranger spectacle: this giiiiiiiiiiant line of tourists who all want to get into Notre-Dame. If you are patient, you might even be lucky enough to see it move, that line. If you have the courage to stand at the very end of it, you might be able to enter the cathedral. You have to arm yourself with patience (and remember a hat and to hydrate regularly in the summer), but it is worth it.