26 Mar Ask an Au Pair: Sara is truly living the dream in Paris
What inspires you about Paris?
EVERYTHING. I have loved the idea of Paris ever since the age of 7 when I started taking French courses in the 2nd grade. The people, the food, the monuments, the boulangeries, the architecture of each and every beautiful building here all inspire me. However, I’d have to say that the language is what inspires me the most about Paris though. I adore speaking French with anyone and everyone that I can here. It’s so fascinating to learn new words and phrases each and every day that help to enhance my French skills and vocabulary and there’s no better way to do that than to live here in this gorgeous city and truly immerse yourself in the language and culture.
What tools, information or tactics did you find helpful in supporting yourself and the children after the terrorist attacks in Paris?
The company of others and just being open and honest in talking about everything that happened. My host family all sat down to dinner together the Monday following the terrorist attacks and everyone shared their true feelings of how it made them feel and the children asked any questions that they had, and I think that this is just so important to be honest with the children and encourage them not to be afraid by telling them the truth rather than sheltering them from it.
What is the best way to meet Parisians?
Join as many clubs as you can! Meetup.com is a great site to join for cultural activities, athletic activities, or themed get-togethers with not only Parisians, but also ex-pats and people from all over the world! Get out there in any way you can really and don’t be afraid to talk to people and USE YOUR FRENCH…it goes a long way with Parisians.
How do you improve or master your French language skills?
I surround myself with French as much as I can. Fully applying yourself in the French courses, reading French books, watching French movies, and even listening to podcasts in French can improve French language skills at a pace that you can’t even imagine. (Even all the recipes for the dinners that I cook for my host family are in French!) I speak and text in French even with friends from other European countries who speak English extremely well, because we know how important it is to keep up a high level of French language skills while living here.
What is your favorite neighborhood?
4th (Le Marais), 5th, 9th (Opéra Garnier), 11th (Bastille), 18th (Montmartre)
What is your favorite café and/or the best meal you’ve had in Paris so far?
La Petite Périgourdine: Favorite cafe and best meal(s) I’ve ever had in Paris are in the 5th at this amazing French restaurant. This is where I tried aligot (the best French cheesy mashed potatoes that you’ll ever have) for the first time, and their confit de canard is absolutely to die for.
Le Relais de l’Entrecote: There are multiple around Paris (and Europe), but only 3 are the real deal (two in the 6th arrondissement and one in the 8th). I went to this restaurant for the first time with my host family for the mom’s birthday. They have a set menu of salad and all you can eat steak/frites with the most amazing secret sauce on the steak that even the waitresses don’t know the recipe!
What is your favorite shop?
BHV (everything you could ever need in one six story building), H&M (at Odéon – the most fashion forward H&M you will ever find)
What is your favorite museum?
Musée d’Orsay, Fondation Louis Vuitton, Musée Gourmand du Chocolat (Chocolate Museum perfect for even the pickiest, museum-hating children!)
What is your favorite secret Paris spot?
Le Perchoir (A great rooftop spot to relax with friends after the work week and have an amazing view of Paris by night)
What do you dislike most about living in Paris?
I can’t say that I truly dislike anything about living in Paris, however, I will say that the city life (and the job of taking care of children every day) can be exhausting! It’s important to find a little bit of time (on the weekends or especially on Sundays) to regroup or do something relaxing (or to make time for that yoga class).
What advice would you give to incoming au pairs?
Enjoy every minute of it, even the days where the kids are unhappy or not behaving exactly how you wish they would (kids will be kids), because this is one of the best experiences of your life and the months FLY BY. These families go above and beyond to make you an important part of their life and set you up with everything you need. Make the family your first priority, but on the days that you do have off, make sure to see all the beautiful places and things that Paris has to offer! I feel so lucky to be here and be a part of a wonderful, loving family, and I can only hope that you will feel this way too!
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. And, we decided to expand this series by adding a question about adapting to life in Paris after the 2015 terrorist attacks.
Read more from the Ask an Au Pair series