When I traveled to Paris for the first time, I was full of anticipation and curiosity. The City of Lights, which I had previously only known from books and films, was before me, ready to be discovered by me. It felt like a dream come true.

On the first day, I made my way to the Eiffel Tower. The iconic symbol of Paris rose majestically in front of me, and I felt a mixture of awe and joy. When I finally stood at the top and let my gaze wander over the city, I realized how far the roofs of Paris spread out, how the Seine meandered gracefully through the city. At that moment, I was filled with the feeling of finally being in one of the most significant places in the world.

The Louvre was the next destination, and I was overwhelmed by the sheer size and splendor of the museum. The Mona Lisa was, as expected, a must-see. Although I was surrounded by a crowd, I managed to enjoy a moment alone with her mysterious smile. It was as if the painting reflected something in me, an inner peace that gradually set in.

But Paris was more than just its sights. I drifted through the streets, strolled along the Seine, through the picturesque Le Marais and the historic Latin Quarter. Montmartre, the artists' quarter, was particularly fascinating, with its narrow streets and charming cafés creating a world of its own. I spent a lot of time here, sitting in a small café, ordering a café au lait and watching the world go by. It was the relaxed rhythm of Parisian life that particularly impressed me and allowed me to immerse myself in the city's atmosphere.

Of course, I couldn't leave out a visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral. Although I knew that the cathedral was severely damaged by the fire, its beauty remains unforgettable. The Arc de Triomphe at the end of the Champs-Élysées rounded out my picture of Paris. The view from the top was breathtaking – the geometry of the boulevards and streets was perfect and radiated a special harmony.

There was something magical about the evenings in Paris. The city was bathed in a golden light, and I let myself be enveloped by its splendor. Several times I enjoyed an elegant dinner, drank a glass of wine and listened to the sounds of street music. It was as if the city revealed a little more of its soul to me with each passing moment.

This trip was more than just a tourist exploration. It was a personal encounter with the culture and history of this unique city, and I returned with the certainty that this would not be my last visit to Paris.

But deep inside me, I carried the memory of another trip to Paris – one I made as a 20-year-old, during a time of sadness and heartbreak. At the time, I had just gone through a difficult breakup with my girlfriend at the time, and Paris was not just a travel destination, but an escape from reality. I hoped to find an answer to the questions that were tormenting me in this city.

When I arrived in Paris, melancholy was my constant companion. The Eiffel Tower, which I saw for the first time, seemed imposing to me, but instead of filling me with joy, it reminded me of my loneliness. Surrounded by happy couples and tourists, I felt lost and alone. The Louvre, as impressive as it was, became a place of quiet reflection for me. I wandered through the halls and looked at the works of art, but my thoughts were often with my former girlfriend. The Mona Lisa, with her mysterious smile, seemed to me in these moments almost like a mirror of my own confused feelings.

It was the long walks along the Seine that helped me to organize my thoughts. I often sat down on the bank of the river, watched the boats go by and lost myself in the atmosphere of the city. Montmartre offered me an escape into another world, a world of art and creativity, which gave me brief moments of solace.

One particular evening stands out in my memory to this day. I wandered aimlessly through the streets of Paris, surrounded by the city lights. The sounds of Parisian life were muffled, and I felt a strange mixture of sadness and hope. It was at that moment that I realized that there can be a certain beauty in solitude – a lesson that Paris taught me in a quiet but powerful way.

That trip as a 20-year-old shaped me deeply. Despite the heavy heart with which I explored the city back then, I also found a place of inner healing in Paris. The city gave me space to reflect on myself and showed me that there is always light, even if the path to it is accompanied by shadows.