The Glittering Unknown in Paris | The Nomad Files

Have you ever wondered what the life of an au pair is like? Or how to see Paris like the locals do? I have. And Emily from The Glittering Unknown is living that life. I had the pleasure of interviewing Emily all about life in Paris as an expat. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Bonjour Emily. When did you discover that you wanted to live in Paris and what actually brought you there?

Actually, I didn’t want to live in Paris at all. The last time I came here before moving here, during my semester abroad

in Switzerland, I found the city dirty, the people rude, and the whole thing generally unappealing. However, when I was talking to families looking for au pairs, I reasoned that it made the most sense to be in the capital because of the great transportation system, the easy access to different parts of Europe, and the multitude of things to do even by myself, since I wouldn’t know anyone at first. And it ended up being one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, as like many before me I’ve completely fallen for Paris.

I hear that. That introduction to the city is a very familiar experience to me. Is there a particular song/video/poem/quote that inspires you to travel?

Every time I start feeling like the woman in the music video for “I Could Be the One” by Avicii vs. Nicky Romero, I start planning a trip. Even if I never end up taking it, it reminds me that there are so many exciting places out there to visit. There’s always something to look forward to.

That is a bloody hilarious film clip. And yes, it does make you just want to plan a trip. Any trip. Alright so what is the average day in the life of a Parisian au pair? Is there such a thing?

The kids and I do have a fairly set schedule, but apart from that, there’s really no such thing! I pick them up after school, take them home, get them showered and fed, help the older one with her homework if needed, and we amuse ourselves until bedtime or when the parents come home, whichever comes first. On Wednesdays I’m with them all day because they don’t have school, so it’s usually extracurriculars and playdates, but our activities vary.

Between the moods of the kids and how busy the week is, you never really know what to expect, so it’s best to be prepared for everything. I’ve become the girl who constantly has a water bottle, Band-Aids, hand sanitizer… It can definitely be difficult at times, as it always is with children, but I absolutely adore the two I’ve been with for the past ten months.

How do you spend your spare time?

Given that I work exclusively outside of school hours and am off on weekends, I have a lot of spare time! I write for a few different blogs (check out the Features page of my blog to see more), do some amateur photography, and of course do my best to keep my own blog updated about my adventures. It started as a way to let my family and friends back home know what I’ve been doing, but now it’s become a combination of a creative outlet and an entrance into a community of like-minded people who love both travel and Paris. Aside from that, I spend time with my friends- the benefit of au pair friends is that our schedules are all similar- and my boyfriend, and explore the city.

Having lived in Paris for a while, what are some of your favourite places or sights in Paris that most visitors might miss when visiting?

This is a difficult question to answer, because it depends on how long a person is visiting or how many times they’ve been here before. I know some Americans who come here often enough that they know the city like the back of their hand, and some Parisians who never venture out of their own arrondissement, so I’ll just offer up a few of my particular favorite places.

Hotel de Ville is my favorite building in the city, the one I find the most beautiful, and one I feel like people may pass by in search of bigger things like nearby Notre Dame. It’s the city hall, the biggest in Europe, with incredible architecture, and a big open square in front where there’s often some kind of show or exposition. Kids can ride the carousel, or you can sit next to the fountains and soak up some sun on a nice day.

Many people dream of having picnics on the Seine, but I prefer the northern parts of Canal Saint Martin, with its high bridges to let the tour boats pass and little wine bars along the side streets. It’s also a great spot to bring a bottle of wine and hang out by the water before going out in the nearby Oberkampf or Parmentier neighborhoods.

Parc Monceau is probably my favorite park in the city and one of the few where you can sit on the grass. With its gold-adorned gates, well-tended flowers and peaceful atmosphere, it’s perfect for spending a warm Sunday afternoon reading a book in the grass or going for a run on the trails that loop the perimeter of the park. Additionally, there’s Musée Nissim de Camondo and Musée Cernuschi that both border the park, so if it begins to rain or you need a dose of culture these are two beautiful but lesser known choices.

Though the most common places for a good view of the Eiffel Tower are Trocadero and Champ du Mars, my favorite is the Ile des Cygnes, which runs down the middle of the river between the Pont de Grenelle and the Pont de Bir-Hakeim. Not only is it less crowded, it offers stunning views of the Iron Lady from the river, and is a beautiful walk under a leafy canopy in the spring and summer.

How did you find about these places? Mere exploration?

A combination of personal exploration, introduction by friends and blog/Instagram recommendations. Advice from locals is always the best, and with the Internet and social media these days it’s easy to find the best places in a city, especially Paris. And of course, sometimes you just happen upon a hidden gem all on your own.

Tell me about some of your favourite foods from Paris. when I was there I couldn’t get enough of the bread. Are frogs legs all they’re cracked up to be?

I’ve never tried frogs’ legs! I do actually enjoy escargot though; once you can get past the texture, depending on how they’re prepared they usually just taste like garlic and butter. And I tried pigeon once when a friend was treating me to lunch for my birthday- it’s remarkably similar to duck.

Trying pastries and cheeses is one of the best things about living in Paris, and as long as you don’t go too crazy, fortunately all the walking and the stairs in the metro are enough to keep you from ballooning out with all the rich food. But fresh fruits and vegetables are abundantly available as well, so it’s easy to see how Parisians somehow manage to balance their reputation for deliciously unhealthy food with their reputation for being naturally thin. The Parisian diet is pretty balanced, so that’s a great perk of living here; but decadence is abundant in spades, so no matter what you’re here for, there is something to fit your tastes- quite literally!

(For the record, the best baguettes are from Hure- two locations, on rue Rambuteau and rue d’Arcole- and some of the best eclairs are at La Maie des Anges on rue Legendre. The small, local boulangeries tend to have the best pastries, so shop around in the neighborhood where you’re staying.)

If possible, can you describe what the culture of Paris feels like from a local’s perspective? How do people spend their free time?

The Parisian lifestyle is one that takes time to appreciate the little things. It’s a place where people take time to sit down for a morning coffee, where you’re the odd one out if you’re eating your pain au chocolat on the metro into work. It’s a place where meals are made with fresh ingredients and shopping is often done multiple times a week. Most restaurants have terraces where the seating spills out onto the street, heated so they can be used even during the winter months. The feel of the city isn’t like many large cities, where everyone’s rushing to get one place or another. So unless you’re determined to see the entire city in one day, slow down, find a place to sit, and take in the city the way it’s meant to be experienced- at its own pace.

If someone was visiting Paris for the first time, what would you tell them to expect?

Don’t believe it’s going to be like the movies, because it’s not. Though it can be magical, Paris itself is a big city with real people and real problems. Be optimistic but realistic about what the city has to offer. Get to museums early to avoid long lines. Keep ahold of your metro tickets even after you’ve swiped them, because if you get caught without one by a controlleur you could face a hefty fine.

No matter how cliche it seems, Starbucks and McDonald’s are great standbys for when you need wifi. Keep an eye on your stuff because pickpockets are everywhere. But most importantly, try to take the city at its own pace. The magic of Paris lies in enjoying the simple pleasures- if I had understood that the first two times I visited, I would have found it to be a much more enjoyable experience. So get your selfies with the Mona Lisa (though selfie sticks are banned) and go see the Eiffel Tower as it sparkles (every hour on the hour for five minutes), but remember that if you don’t do all of those things, it doesn’t mean you failed at Paris.

That is great advice that I wholeheartedly endorse. What do you think is the most overrated thing about Paris, if any?

I think the idea of Paris is more overrated than the city itself. As I said, people come here with these grand expectations that have been fed to them by film and literature and even Instagram, but I will openly admit that my life is not as pretty as it seems on my Instagram feed. It can still be dirty and smelly and stressful, just like traveling to or living in any other city. Realizing that it may not be what you expected is the first step to having your dream Paris experience; I’m not saying it’s an impossible task, but if you go into anything with expectations too high you’re bound to get disappointed.

Can you recommend any of your favourite travel blogs? (up to 3)

Oh goodness, I have so many that inspire me! For Paris, I get great recommendations from the Haven in Paris blog- they’re an apartment rental company but the blog is up to date and covers some great locations.

For female travelers, The Blonde Abroad is great; not only has she been to some amazing locations, she also has great tips for female solo travel, which I think more women should attempt (it’s not that scary!).

The first travel blog I began following was Expert Vagabond, who’s a bit more backpack-y and hardcore than I am, but he has solid advice for any kind of traveler, inspiring adventure stories, and reminds me that there are plenty of places in my own home country I have yet to explore.

Last question, where do you live on the internet and social media for us to all come visit?

Blog: www.theglitteringunknown.com/

Instagram: instagram.com/theglitteringunknown/

Twitter: twitter.com/srymsjackson49

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/glitter_unknown/

Thanks Emily, what fantastic advice you’ve given. Be sure to stop by Emily and thank her and if you have any questions about becoming an au pair, I’m sure Emily would be more than happy to answer. 

If you would like to be a part of the Nomad Files, send me an email on my contact page, and we’ll get started.

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