Traveler's Blog: Makuna Shulaia's Paris

Our blog author today, Makuna Shulaia, the brand marketing manager at Bolt, shares her experiences of autumn travel in Paris. She tells us about the activities and places that truly showcase the geographical and cultural essence of Paris, immersing you into its charm, whether you're with a loved one, friends, or solo. Paris holds a special place in our hearts at any time of the year, always giving us new memories to cherish and reasons to plan another visit. Indeed, Paris lovers will find themselves drawn back to the city as often as their hearts desire, planning new street discoveries on the map and revisiting familiar shop windows.

Here's more about Makuna Shulaia's autumn in Paris:

For me, Paris holds a special place. I have loved France and everything associated with it since my childhood. That's why I began studying French during my student years, so I could understand the films and songs I loved in their original language.

I first visited Paris ten years ago, but that visit was too short to see everything. This time, I had ample time and indulged my curiosity, visiting places I had seen in films or read about in books.

Paris truly captivates me, both day and night, much like the film "Midnight in Paris" echoes through its main character. Like him, I couldn't decide which part of the day makes Paris more fascinating—day or night.

On this trip, I was with two of my best friends, making Paris and good friends an ideal combination.

My first outing was to Montmartre, where you can view Paris sprawling out like the palm of a hand. I then visited the Musée d'Orsay, where, alongside regular exhibits, there were Van Gogh paintings on display—a real treat for his fans. As I moved past the paintings, excerpts from his personal letters were displayed, where he writes to his brother Theo about his then-current sorrow - "One day or another I believe I’ll find a way to do an exhibition of myself in a café." Today, this renowned artist's works are not just in cafes but in leading museums worldwide.

In the same museum, I also viewed my favorite Claude Monet paintings. Claude Monet has a special significance to me, and I can't quite say what draws me so powerfully to his paintings—perhaps the light, the blend of colors, or a love of life. Nearby, at the Musée de l'Orangerie, Monet's Water Lilies are displayed on the entire room's walls. His phrase "My wish is to stay always like this, living quietly in the corner of nature" came to mind as I visited Park Monceau.

The Musée de l'Orangerie also had Modigliani paintings on display, another tragic and brilliant artist.

A discovery of this trip was the Palais de Tokyo, a museum where contemporary, experimental art and graffiti are displayed. The exhibition left an incredible impression on me, and I recommend a visit to all fans of contemporary art.

Paris is truly the capital of culture, with its inexhaustible attractions. Here lived people who made significant marks on the world's culture, cinema, music, and various other fields. Their memories are preserved at Paris's most famous and recognizable cemetery, Cimetière du Père-Lachaise, where you can see how people honor the deceased, expressing their grief and loss. The graves of Edith Piaf, Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Marcel Proust, Chopin, and nearly a hundred other notable individuals are decorated with living flowers throughout the year. This is how the world pays tribute to those who changed the world and human perception.

Spending a Sunday at Jardin du Luxembourg is a real treat. In this beautiful garden, Parisians live out their lives in simplicity and beauty.

Paris's nightlife is no less impressive. I was at both a jazz club and a nightclub. It was particularly fascinating to see how many young people listen to jazz. Caveau de la Huchette was bustling with listeners of all ages, but especially the youth. This jazz club had an incredible energy, with everyone dancing and singing along to favorite songs by Ray Charles or Ella Fitzgerald.

While in Paris, one thing I did was go to the cinema. I love visiting cinemas in different cities; it's always interesting to see how they differ. I watched Scorsese's new masterpiece featuring Leonardo DiCaprio, "Killers of the Flower Moon." This three-and-a-half-hour film made an indelible impression.

As everyone knows, when in Rome, you must toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain and make a wish, and importantly, a wish to return, to continue discovering. In Paris, I didn't toss any coins, but as I strolled along the Seine, I marked places I must visit next time. I hadn't been to the Louvre this time, but I'll definitely visit it next time. I had a pledge to visit the Pompidou Center and couldn't see it this time