In a recent article in Food & Wine, Paris was, once again, listed among the top most romantic cities in the world. As you can imagine, being a wedding planner in Paris and all, there was no surprise there for me. Although some might think that since I “work in the trenches”, I’d almost be immune to the “romantic mystique” of Paris. To that I say, Au contraire*. If you’re reading this blog, then I’ve got a feeling that I’m preaching to the choir when I talk about the natural beauty and romantic attraction of Paris. I recently posted my Top 5 Most Romantic Spots to Propose in Paris, and let me tell you, narrowing the list down to five was no easy feat- there were plenty of other locations that I would have loved to have included.
Take Le Mur des Je T’aime - The Wall of I Love You’s. In the Square Jehan-Rictus, just behind the Abbesses metro station in the 18th Arrondissement, stands a sweet tribute to one of the most powerful phrases in the world. Back in 1992, French musician Frédéric Baron began collecting “I Love You’s” - asking neighbors, friends and strangers all around Paris to write “I Love You” in their own language on little pieces of paper . When he was finished, he had collected 1000 I Love You’s in over 300 languages, which he and artist/calligrapher Claire Kito then translated onto glazed tiles to create the wall.
The artist writes on his website: “To go among others and ask them to write “I love you” is to create a passport which erases borders and opens hearts. I took note of it, but I understood at the same time, that it was not only a question of words and that love is subject to other laws. One day a civil servant from an Embassy of an African country told me: “you Westerners say I love you right away. In our country, a woman serves the best piece of meat on the plate to her man and that becomes a declaration of love”. Cocteau also said, “there is no love, there is only proof of love”.
One does not play with love. It is a serious affair. Even without knowing what I wanted to do with them, the “I love yous” took me a long way. They forced me to treat them like a real job. Please understand, I certainly do not pretend to have accomplished a scientific work: on the contrary, if this venture has succeeded it is because it has conserved its romantic side, its original purity. Men and women of all races and all walks of life have left their trace on paper like a gift fallen from heaven. A free gesture.”
So, if you happen to be in this most Romantic City in the World, on the most Romantic Day of the Year, why not take a stroll over to Le Mur des Je T’aime. And if you’re not in Paris, why not serenade your bébé this Valentine’s Day with an I Love You in Wolof, Khmer or Lingala? Visit the wall’s website www.lesjetaime.com to find out how.
*Like the phrase “Sacre Bleue!”, in 11 years of living in France, I don’t think I’ve ever actually heard a French person say “au contraire”…
