A Romantic Journey in France

June 25th was an unforgettable day. That day, our group of twenty-eight, like moles burrowing underground, crossed beneath the English Channel. The Eurostar whisked us from London, Britain, to the romantic capital of France—Paris—in just over two hours. Of course, there were at least three or four other Chinese tour groups on our train, with an estimated total of at least a hundred people. This sizable 'Chinese army' all arrived at the Paris train station at half past eight that morning. We know that even now, domestic media often say that Chinese people abroad don't pay much attention to their image, especially loving to talk loudly. So, wherever there are Chinese tourists, it can be particularly noisy. But this time, from what I saw with my own eyes, among us Chinese tourists, there was no more shouting or loud chatter. What was particularly gratifying was that in our group, there was only the guide's soft-spoken instructions and the tourists' quiet compliance. Everything was orderly; compatriots helped the young and the weak, with no need for words. After exiting the station, we boarded the tour bus arranged by the travel agency, and Ah Li began his guiding for this new journey.

Paris, the capital of France, was for nearly a millennium the largest city in the Western world and remains one of the most important political and cultural centers today. In Paris, Ah Li took us on our first outdoor visit to the Champs-Élysées. The Champs-Élysées is a renowned avenue located in the 8th arrondissement in the northwest of the city, celebrated as the most beautiful street in Paris. The name 'Champs-Élysées' originally refers to the Elysian Fields, the resting place of virtuous souls in Greek mythology. At its western end stands the Arc de Triomphe, from which the axis extends through the business district of La Défense, where we can see a 'new Arc de Triomphe'. To the east lies the vast Place de la Concorde, and if you continue towards the Louvre, you pass through the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel. These three arches form the central axis of Paris. On major holidays, a huge French flag is draped from the top of the Arc de Triomphe, and the trees along the Champs-Élysées are adorned with colorful lights. France's Bastille Day military parade and the final stage of the Tour de France both take place on the Champs-Élysées. On our first day in France, we explored a small area around the Champs-Élysées, visiting the Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde, and the Egyptian obelisk. Beautiful Paris truly lived up to its reputation; here I saw the legacy that generations of French rulers left for their beloved city—the famous castles, palaces, statues, and monuments. It can be said that these precious cultural sites and rare treasures adorn the whole of Paris, making it shine brilliantly for a thousand years, and that is why Paris attracts admiration and longing from all over the world!

On our second day in Paris, after breakfast, the guide took us to visit the Louvre Museum. Located in the heart of Paris, the Louvre is one of the world's three largest museums. Originally built in 1204, it is famous for its rich collection of classical paintings and sculptures and is one of the most precious buildings of the French Renaissance. Its overall structure is 'U'-shaped, covering an area of 24 hectares, with buildings occupying 4.8 hectares. The Louvre is divided into six departments: Greek and Roman Antiquities, Egyptian Antiquities, Oriental Antiquities, Paintings, Sculptures, and Decorative Arts. Its three most celebrated treasures are the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, and the Mona Lisa. There are also vast collections of Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and Oriental antiquities, as well as ancient relics from France and Italy, with an exhibition area of 55,000 square meters. Due to time constraints, we only visited two of the museum's sections and saw the Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa. These immortal works of art truly opened my eyes! From the top of Paris's only skyscraper, the Tour Montparnasse, I also enjoyed a 360-degree panoramic view of the city. In my eyes, the sun-drenched cityscape was a vast expanse of ochre, a golden-waved sea, where the undulating rooftops surged like waves, a ceaseless torrent rushing toward the boundless blue horizon... Truly, so very beautiful. It's hard to imagine that the allure and charm of Paris can be so irresistible! That afternoon, we also took a boat ride along the Seine River. Flowing through the heart of Paris, the Seine is France's second-largest river at 780 kilometers long, a waterway of great historical significance in Europe. Its drainage network carries most of France’s inland waterway traffic. The Seine's beauty lies in its ceaseless, meandering flow, like a green silk ribbon tied around the waist of a Parisian maiden, making the lovely city appear so graceful and enchanting. Both banks are lined with lush plane trees, their dense foliage a verdant sight from the boat. Behind them rise Paris's famous historic landmarks and stately architecture: the Grand Palais and Petit Palais on the right bank, the university district on the left, the Eiffel Tower to the west, and on the Île de la Cité in the east, Notre-Dame Cathedral, among others—each with its distinctive architectural character, presenting an extraordinary, picturesque tableau. The cruise lasted over an hour, and we busily took many photos, learning about Paris's history and savoring the romantic ambiance. After dinner that evening, with the guide, eight other group members and I, undeterred by fatigue, headed to the Moulin Rouge cabaret to watch the Paradise Troupe's 'Spectacular Moulin Rouge' show. This globally iconic performance, with over a century of history, has long been the top choice for Western high society's leisure and entertainment. As its prestige and influence have grown, visitors from around the world who come to France invariably go to see it. Hence, a saying popular among both Eastern and Western tourists goes: 'If you haven't seen the Moulin Rouge, you've wasted your trip to France.' In this world-class, extraordinary performance, I saw a troupe of stunningly beautiful dancers: some topless, wearing only a tiny G-string; others with upper bodies adorned in splendid feather costumes and lace-trimmed tutus. All had long, graceful legs, slender waists, and full figures. As the dance movements changed, their tutus transformed shapes, making them look like peacocks spreading their tails or angels about to take flight. The choreography, though not complex, was alluring—nearly vertical splits, quick and high, constantly drawing gasps of admiration. The dancers were often topless, but nudity did not mean disregarding costume effects; they changed outfits multiple times according to the scene. Combined with marvelous stage lighting and sound effects, the spectacle truly felt like paradise. The Moulin Rouge's signature show has earned high praise from professionals in Paris and Euro-American circles and an enthusiastic audience. It has been invited to over 20 countries for international cultural arts festivals or tours, becoming an internationally renowned and sought-after large-scale French luxury cabaret troupe. Their commitment to perfection in direction and rehearsal, innovative choreography, professional performers, luxurious costumes and headdresses, breathtaking stage effects, and stirring original music—this is the exquisite artistic experience the troupe presents to audiences worldwide. June 27th was the day we left Paris. For me, that day passed so quickly, as if we were running through it. We visited the Fragonard Perfume Museum. Near the bustling Boulevard Haussmann, we lingered in front of the Opéra Garnier, wandered through century-old department stores, from Galeries Lafayette to Printemps, from the ground floor to the top and back down again. Faced with a dazzling array of exquisite goods, nearly every 'Chinese auntie' in our group made a purchase, often spending generously and without hesitation. They bought jewelry, perfume, clothing—always brand-name, for themselves or as gifts. Everyone was busy; no one was idle. My spouse and I joined in the excitement and bought a new titanium alloy suitcase, two stylish women's handbags, and some French perfume. Although these items were pricey, they were truly worth it, and we were very pleased. Looking back, even though we only stayed in Paris for just over two days, we gained so much and were deeply impressed. We saw it all: the artistic gem of France—the Palace of Versailles, the renowned Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Eiffel Tower shimmering gold at night. We played: we explored almost the entire central Paris. We ate: we savored delicious French cuisine. We drank: authentic French red wine. My trip to France was truly romantic, joyful, and full of wonderful memories! In reflection, it was an experience where the value is beyond words—utterly delightful! No matter how much I may yearn and feel reluctant to leave Paris and France, as the famous poet Xu Zhimo, who once traveled here, wrote:

Very quietly I take my leave,

As quietly as I came here;