On Bastille Day I sat down with the gorgeous Meika Woollard to munch on a table full of pastries and chat about her recent first visit to Paris. It was wonderful to hear about Paris from the perspective of someone visiting for the very first time, and also through the eyes of a Gen Z! Older Francophiles like me will no doubt have memories of our childhood dreams of Paris, so hearing the magic Meika experienced on her first visit there brought back the innocence of my younger self!

Aussie Meika is now based in Europe with her career as a fashion model. She grabbed the opportunity to visit Paris with friends for a few days earlier this year. Before her visit, Meika was focused on mainly the touristy things, but once she got there she quickly realised there is so much more to the French capital. Meika and her friends turned first to TikTok and searched for "hidden things to do in Paris". They found a list of things to explore, picked one and caught an uber to the address. It turned out to be a cafe in Montmartre with love letters all over the walls, beautiful declarations of love written down and plastered everywhere!

Meika said that when visiting Paris for the first time, it was just like falling in love! I completely agree. I fell in love with Paris on the first morning I woke there and looked out my window at the Marais  many years ago. I have been falling in love with all of France ever since!

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Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.
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