After 9 PM, as the traveler emerged from the Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame metro station and began walking along the banks of the Seine river, the Paris sky was still bright.

The pink glow of sunset, white clouds, and the endless blue sky painted a dreamy palette above Paris, with its architectural marvels etched against the horizon. Notre Dame Cathedral, the Conciergerie, the Louvre Museum, the Orsay Museum, the Eiffel Tower, chimneys, antennas, attic floors, church bell towers, and bridges—all adorned the summer sky with a distinct Parisian charm. It was an early june evening, cool and crisp. Taking a deep, satisfying breath and walking on, I believe no one strolling along these cobblestone paths on both riverbanks could fail to feel happy. Happiness found. Happiness amplified. Happiness shared. Under the shade of green trees, some branches reached close to the water. On the stone embankments. On the ancient bridges spanning the river.

Along these paths, a vibrant, joyful life unfolds. Couples kiss, friends chat and eat fast food, individuals read alone on the stone embankments, some appear pensive and quiet, as if having just emerged from a romance. Dog walkers pass by, and lovers cycle. Others sit on park benches, beer bottles in hand, immersed in private thoughts. Occasionally, tourist boats filled with people glide past, music playing from their speakers. Onboard, cheerful hands wave to those on the banks, young people seem to party on the waves, and tourists gaze intently at the Parisian riverbanks and the bridges crossing the Seine.

In that instant, it felt as if this was the city's heart, where life was most vibrant, where all things beautiful, romantic, and dynamic were unfolding. Young people wished time would extend so their revelry could continue indefinitely. Older generations calmly savored one of the most beautiful evenings remaining in their lives.

A poetic scene on the Seine river, Paris. In 1991, both banks of the river were recognized as a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO. Photo: Ludwig Wallendorff

A poetic scene on the Seine river, Paris. In 1991, both banks of the river were recognized as a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO. Photo: Ludwig Wallendorff

A carefree and bustling world eagerly absorbed that magnificent sunset along both banks of the Seine. You cannot say you love someone if you are not by their side. Similarly, you cannot claim to love Paris if you have never strolled along the Seine's banks. There is no reason not to love Paris on such a resplendent evening. Either you are heartbroken and need to escape to a place, shun the world, and dwell on despair, or you come to Paris and feel reborn. Paris will certainly not disappoint you.

Paris is not a place for broken hearts or for causing distress. It is a city born to be admired, revered, and praised with beautiful words. One rushes to it to fully experience its magnificent grandeur in its buildings, streets, cafes, parks, gardens, churches, and spires. And the river itself, flowing through it, shapes its landscape, softens the rough edges of its bridges and embankments, transforming the distant Eiffel Tower into an ornament, and has long been a graceful symbol of a truly endearing city.

Cinema further draws the Seine river closer to people's hearts. Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn shared a passionate kiss in a scene from the film Charade (1963) along the Seine's banks. The writer Gil Pender (played by Owen Wilson) strolled along the Left Bank of the Seine in several scenes of the film Midnight in Paris (2011). Earlier, in a dialogue at the film's beginning, Gil expressed his dream of living in Paris, walking along the Left Bank with a baguette tucked under his arm, then heading to the famous Cafe de Flore to write his book. The Seine becomes more romantic through these love stories. Big and Carrie shared a fervent kiss on the Love Bridge (its real name is Pont des Arts) in a romantic scene from Sex and the City (2004). They reunited on the same bridge in And Just Like That (2021) when both were older, continuing their pursuit of love. The bridge's railings bear the heavy traces of love, with thousands of locks from loving couples.

Part 1, Part 2, End.

(Excerpt from the book Khong Ngu o Saint Petersburg, Women's Publishing House of Vietnam)