18 Jan Ask an Au Pair: Aubrey, inspired by the pride that the French have for their culture, delves into Parisian art– and of course, food!
What inspires you about Paris?
I would have to say first and foremost, I am inspired by the pride that the French people have for their language, culture (including bread making skills) and history – it’s one of the main reasons why I decided to study French; I feel that pride through familial ties. The city itself is very dynamic, there is always a billion things going on and to see. I joke with my friends that you could live in Paris for your entire life and not even see a quarter of what it has to offer.
How would you suggest meeting Parisians?
Don’t be afraid to speak with people – especially other nannies/au pairs who are sitting on park benches. Because they are around children, generally that means they are approachable people. I met many of my French-speaking friends that way.
How do you improve or master your French language skills?
The most useful technique for me in improving my language skills was speaking with French speakers – like on those park benches that I mentioned before. I find it particularly useful when speaking with people of my own age because I generally feel more comfortable – and learning slang is always fun.
What is your favorite neighborhood?
Hands down, my favorite area of Paris is and has been since I studied abroad in Paris two years ago, Le Marais (3rd/4th arrondissement). It reminds me a lot of where I’m from in the States (Richmond, VA). There is a lot of diversity when it comes to the people/cuisine/art – and it is always booming with new and interesting restaurants to try, art/music/theater, and unique boutiques to visit. Not to mention, it has a certain charm. You make one “wrong” turn and you end up at the best Vietnamese pho of your life.
Can you describe a best meal you’ve had in Paris?
Getting the best food of your life doesn’t have to come with a high price. My favorite activity in Paris is to explore new restaurants, but nothing that I have tried has even compared with the Savoyarde galette at Au P’tit Grec. It’s a crunchy, buttery crêpe overloaded with melty raclette, fresh jambon, potatoes, oregano, topped with onions, lettuce & tomato. Simple but done perfectly. That thing is 7 euros, and it is LIFE. CHANGING. Not to mention the people are friendly and the atmosphere is a low-key escape from the bustle of Paris.
A favorite café or bar?
Definitely the most memorable bar that I visited was a place called Zéro de Conduite. All of the drinks are named after a cartoon character – you have to draw out the character on a dry-erase board for the bartender to guess. When he does, don’t be surprised if he brings your “Cendrillon” in a baby bottle…definitely one of the best experiences I’ve had thus far.
A favorite shop?
I’m weirdly obsessed with the New York-based grocery store chain, Wegman’s, so when I walk into the high-end food store, La Grande Épicerie, I get the same excited yet calming feeling that I get every time I walk into Wegman’s. There is always something new to buy, and many times there are representatives forcing you to try their product (yay free samples!)…it’s fun even if it is just spoonfuls of cognac barrel-aged vinegar. I also enjoy the concept store, Merci, in Le Marais. It’s a bit difficult to find (don’t be fooled by the coffee shop façade) – French fine linen products galore!
A favorite museum?
Every time a friend comes to visit, I always recommend the Musée de l’Orangerie – especially if they only have time (or the patience) to go to one museum in Paris. It’s manageable in size and it’s spectacular solely due to the walls that have been wrapped in Monet’s ginormous paintings of water lilies. (It’s even more impressive after visiting Giverny!)
What is your favorite secret Paris spot?
One of my favorite places to go when the weather is nice is les Jardins de Trocadéro. I know many people probably know about that spot, but it’s a wonderful place to have a picnic – as it has a spectacular view of the Eiffel Tower. Even after living in Paris for several months, that is one view that never gets old!
Any spots outside of Paris that you would recommend for a weekend or day trip?
I have enjoyed taking trips to Giverny, Strasbourg (Christmas market), St. Malo/Mont St. Michel, and the Château de Chenonceau. Nothing, however, compares to the few weekend trips I’ve taken with my family to their country house in Lyons-la-Forêt (Haute Normandie). It reminds me so much of Virginia, so it’s like a little piece of home!
What do you dislike most about living in Paris?
The thing I dislike the most about living in Paris (or living abroad in general) is being so far away from my family. If all of my loved ones were living in France, I would stay there forever. But because I’m so far away, I now know I need to live close to them in order to be fully happy.
What advice would you give to incoming au pairs?
Just a few pieces of advice, will probably have more down the line: 1, Do things for you. 2, Don’t be afraid to do things alone. 3, Don’t be afraid to speak in French. If someone starts talking to you in English, continue to speak in French – they will respect your effort and it will help you improve. 4, Make friends with your local butcher, bread maker and Carrefour cashier – knowing people in your neighborhood helps it feel less foreign. 5, Make a list of goals/places you want to see/restaurants you want to eat in and make an effort to visit one of those places each week. It will help you get the most of your experience. Another thing – try to plan weekend trips in advance, time will fly by faster than you know it.
ASK AN AU PAIR SERIES
Get to know Paris, from an au pair’s perspective. Our “Ask an Au Pair” series was so popular that we’ve decided to continue it with our next round of au pairs! We pose a dozen questions about the City of Light to those who are seeing it with fresh eyes and learning all of its wonderful intricacies.