Oh, Paris! The city of lights, the city of love, the city of je ne sais quoi. For many of us, a trip to the French capital is something we want to do at least once in our life. And for those who live close by, it’s the perfect destination for a romantic yet classy weekend away every now and then. With so many things to see and do in the city, you’ll never be confronted with a dull moment. From the Louvre to Le Bon Marché to a PSG football match: there’s something for everyone.
However, when visiting Paris, it’s important not to lose yourself in the overly touristic stuff. Sure, you’ll want to do some of those but that’s not what the city’s all about. If you want to catch its true soul, you’ll have to follow the example of the Parisians themselves. In other words: be French. So instead of running around in all directions on a sunny Saturday, try to set a limit for yourself. In the morning, maybe visit a (flea) market and stroll around. At noon, go for lunch (or déjeuner) in a small bistro. Take a little walk along the Canal Saint-Martin in order to suggest and then do the most Parisian thing of all time. Settle down on a terrace, facing the street and start commenting. You’ll love it.
When doing this, sadly, there’s one little hiccup. Especially on those spring days where outside in the sun is a delight, while those seats in the shadow are still a little frisky. In a city like Paris, where high-rise buildings are everywhere and open space is a rare sight, finding a terrace in the sun can be tricky. Or could be, because we’ve found the solution to all your problems.
‘I want sun!‘
That solution is called ‘Jveux du Soleil’, an interactive map developed by Jean-Charles Levenne. It shows you exactly where and when you’ll be able to bask in the sun on a delightfully Parisian terrace. You can opt for the live-version, showing you the situation here and now, or you can put in an approximate location, time and date. That way, you’ll know exactly where to meet with your friends next Saturday afternoon. The map takes into account all predictable factors but, of course, if there are clouds blocking the sun, that’s another question. Also, as ‘Jveux du Soleil’ is constantly evolving, you can also add your personal data to the map in order to make it even more accurate.
