The romance of Paris captured in 18 photographs

Originally from Mumbai, India, I lived in Paris for five years. Like everyone who comes here for the first time, Paris to me was the city of romance – the smell of fresh bread in the mornings, farmer’s markets on weekends, couples kissing along little cobbled streets, bicycles everywhere, plenty of sky, and that soft, yellow glow that makes it seem like you’re living inside of a Woody Allen movie.

Some of my favourite things to do were go cycling to Lac Daumesnil, get lost walking across the city, visit galleries (especially for Thursday night openings), and eat tagine on a cold day.

Sure, Paris is rough around the edges, expensive, and rustic in many ways, but there’s no denying that it’s one of the most beautiful and enriching cities in the world. This is a collection of images from my time spent flâneur-ing around this magical city.

A café terrace on a rainy Parisian evening

Panoramic view of Paris as seen from Centre Georges Pompidue

Façade of the Palace of Versailles, near Paris

Moulin de la Galette, one of the old windmills on the Butte de Montmartre

Detail from the roof of the old Forum des Halles before it was knocked down

Jardin de Versailles, near Paris

Artistic detail on the Eiffel Tower

Style on the streets of Paris

A café in the 15th Arrondissement

From the window of the Laurent Dheilly pâtisserie near Châtelet

Salted caramel eclairs and chocolate tartes at the Laurent Dheilly pâtisserie

Paris at dusk

The Sacré-Cœur Basilica by night

A ticket to the races at Hippodrome Paris-Vincennes

Creperie at the Place du Tertre, also known as Artist’s Square

Chanel store on Avenue Montaigne

Window display at BHV, one of Paris’ oldest department stores

Ice-skating rink outside the Hotel de Ville

Kaamna is a photographer from Mumbai who manages her work between Paris, where she lived for five years, and her home city. See more of her work here. Explore more of Paris with the Rough Guide to Paris.