We’re all missing this so much. ©Lisa Anselmo

I miss Paris. Currently, I’m confined in a small village called Sainte-Marguerite.* It’s a nice place, we have some modern conveniences like grocery stores, but no parks or restaurants to speak of right now, not even a café. It’s not much more than 1 kilometer across, this village.

There’s not much to do in Sainte-Marguerite. We only go out once a day. For groceries. Or to walk the dog. We basically live in our windows—reading, sunning ourselves, chatting to each other from across the street. But we rarely meet face-to-face. It’s a strange place.

In the Paris I remember, there were cafés; you could walk by the river. We had picnics and met up for apéro. The restaurants were incredible. The shopping, unmatched. Paris was a wonderful place to explore, with stunning architecture, and museums packed with treasures. I miss all that so much.

I haven’t seen Paris in 25 days. Not the real Paris, not all of Paris. Only this little village found somewhere between the Nation and Voltaire Métro stations, named for a church called Sainte-Marguerite.

*Where is this Sainte-Marguerite?

Sainte-Marguerite is a neighborhood in the 11th arrondissement. Paris is made up of “villages” each with their own name, like Charonne, La Chapelle, Grenelle. Mine, like many, is named for the local church.

Some of what I miss under lockdown:

1. SITTING AT A CAFE TERRACE
It’s nearly spritz season, dammit.

©Lisa Anselmo

2. PICNICS ON THE SEINE
The Seine is also outside my confinement zone. That’s Ile Saint Louis across the river.

©Lisa Anselmo

3. COFFEE WITH MY GIRLS
Oh, how I miss that. This is Cuillier in Montmartre.

©Lisa Anselmo

4. GETTING AROUND
I never thought I’d miss the Métro, but yes, the freedom to visit friends anywhere in Paris. But with nowhere to go, my Navigo (monthly Métro card) is collecting dust instead of trips.

©Lisa Anselmo

5. THE VIEWS!
And being able to explore all the city has to offer.

©Lisa Anselmo

6. CAFE CULTURE
Did I mention I miss cafés? I miss cafés most of all. I worry which will survive this shutdown. Will Paris lose its café culture?

©Lisa Anselmo

Follow me on Instagram for more scenes of daily life in Paris beyond lockdown, here.  

Get caught up on my diary, here.

_________________________

Tip of the day

If you’re feeling stuck, travel virtually. Revisit your last trip in photos, watch a film set in another time or place, or stream some travel shows on Youtube. Here’s a shameless plug for ya: My (Part-Time) Paris Life: The Series.

_________________________

Missing Paris, too? Travel with these books

A personal favorite. Click book to buy.

4.5 stars on Amazon. Click book to buy.

Awarded a Kirkus star! Click book to pre-order.