I love this city no matter what time of day it is. However, if I could teleport myself anywhere, anytime and be totally wowed by something, I think seeing Paris at night for the first time ever would be beyond magnificent. For me, it feels more “alive” at night. All that’s hidden allows what has been or could be make itself known. This statue sits on the outside of the Petit Palais. During the day it is stark white and looks and feels triumphal. But come nighttime it seems weary, fragile, exposing its human side.
The same for it’s partner. As I look at this photo, I realize that the detail is more evident, again showing us its depth and complexity that is missing in the daylight.
Architecture takes on a different feel as well. This is the Musée d’Orsay that is being illuminated for a brief moment by one of the bateaux passing by on a night tour. The shadows playing off the intricate façades again play a game with what is and what isn’t. Years a ago I took my first drawing class and the teacher kept telling us that “what isn’t revealed or the empty space you leave is just as important as what is revealed.” For some reason, that has stayed with me forever and proves to be true when you walk the streets of Paris at night.
For me, the best way to see the city at night is to just walk and walk. Not only do you see the big sights, but you become an observer in the events taking place in the cafés and on the street–some interesting, some not so much. I have never felt unsafe walking by myself past dark. Never have I been threatened or followed. I can’t say the same for cities that I have lived in in the states, so take that for what it is worth.
Of course, you can take a boat ride along the river which would give you a wonderful view of this city in all its brilliance. To see the city reflected in the Seine is mesmerizing. A double dose of Paris!?!? What could be better!
There are several companies that do this–some just offer the boat rides. Others have dinner cruises that might be of interest to you. Which ever one you chose, I hope you are with someone you can snuggle up next to!
译文:
明暗对比看巴黎——巴黎旅行者
我热爱这座城市，无论是白昼还是黑夜。可是，如果我能随时把自己带去任何地方，一个能让我惊叹的地方，我想，没有比第一次看到巴黎的夜景更妙不可言的了。对我来说，夜晚的巴黎更富有生气，所有在白天被隐藏起来的东西，都在此时显露无疑。这座雕塑位于小皇宫博物馆之外，白天，纯白纯白的它，显得盛气凌人；而到了晚上，却透露出一丝倦意，一点脆弱，展现出它柔和的一面。
它旁边的那座雕塑也是一样。我看照片的时候，发现它的细微之处，较之白天更加明显，同样向我们展示出被日光淡化了的深意和繁复。
夜晚的建筑也带给人不同的感受。这是奥赛博物馆，那一瞬间恰好被一艘经过的夜游船照亮。精工细凿的外墙上，斑斑驳驳的光影玩起了虚虚实实的游戏。几年前，从我第一次上绘画课开始，老师就一直提醒我们：“你留下的空白空间，它的重要性并不亚于你已经表现出来的内容。”不知道为什么，这句话始终萦绕着我。而当你漫步于夜晚的巴黎街头时，你就能体会其中的真谛。
对我而言，欣赏巴黎夜景的最佳方式莫过于散步，这样不仅可以观赏夜间美景，也能亲见咖啡馆里和大街上的奇闻轶事——也许有的妙趣横生，也许有的过目即忘。但我从未在夜间独自散步时感到害怕，我也从来没有遭到过威胁或跟踪。而对于我在美国居住过的那些城市，我可不敢这么说。所以，去走走吧，巴黎完全值得你这么做。
当然，你也可以坐船沿河游览，这样，就可以看到这座城市最绚丽的景色，塞纳河倒映下的巴黎让人心醉神迷。那可是两个巴黎啊！？！？你还能奢望些什么呢！
有几家经营游船业务的公司——有些只提供乘船服务；另一些则提供包餐的巡游，这可能让你有些感兴趣吧。无论你选择什么样的方式，我都希望你是和一个可以相依偎的人一起哦！