#France Eiffel Tower & Champ de Mars

[emaadsidiki]

Paris ✨

[famousinuniverse]

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France: The Eiffel Tower is a wrought-iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France. It is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower from 1887 to 1889. Wikipedia

[europesummervibes]

[ageofinvincibility]

The 330m tall La dame de fer aka The Iron Lady, commonly known as the Eiffel Tower, Paris. Built for the World' Expo's Fair in 1899.

[eleganttimemachinekoala]

Top Tourist Attractions to Visit in France During Spring

Spring in France is a breathtaking season, with blooming flowers, mild weather, and picturesque landscapes. Here are some must-visit attractions to explore during spring:

Luxembourg Gardens — Paris One of the most beautiful gardens in the French capital, Luxembourg Gardens burst into life in spring with tulips and daffodils. Enjoy a peaceful walk, relax by the fountains, or admire the classical sculptures.

Trip.com Official Site‎‎ | Travel Deals and Promotions Choose from over 1.2 million hotels in more than 200 countries, 30 million real guest reviews. Book flights to over… trip.tp.st

Eiffel Tower & Champ de Mars Spring is the perfect time to visit the Eiffel Tower, as the surrounding Champ de Mars park is covered in fresh greenery and vibrant blossoms. Have a picnic with a stunning view of the iconic landmark.

Palace of Versailles & Its Gardens The gardens of Versailles are at their best in spring, with flowers in full bloom and fountains operating at full capacity. Explore the grandeur of the palace and stroll through the vast, beautifully designed gardens.

Provence & Its Lavender Fields Although the lavender fields reach their peak bloom in late spring to early summer, Provence is a dream destination with rolling hills covered in wildflowers. Visit Avignon or Aix-en-Provence to experience the region’s charm. https://trip.tp.st/oH08bC5j

Loire Valley & Its Castles Spring is the perfect time to visit the Loire Valley, home to some of France’s most beautiful castles, such as Château de Chambord and Château de Chenonceau. The gardens are colorful and the scenery is enchanting.

Nice & The French Riviera On the Mediterranean coast, Nice and the French Riviera are wonderful in spring, with sunny days, blue waters, and flowers blooming along the Promenade des Anglais. Explore charming coastal villages and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.

Flower Festivals in the French Riviera Cities like Antibes and Cannes celebrate spring with stunning flower festivals, where streets are decorated with vibrant floral displays and lively parades.

France in spring is a paradise waiting to be explored! Plan your trip and experience its beauty firsthand.

https://trip.tp.st/oH08bC5j

[wolfephoto]

Champ de Mars - Paris (2023) https://www.flickr.com/photos/burtgummer/53196485934

[vivelafranceblog]

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France: The Eiffel Tower is a wrought-iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France. It is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower from 1887 to 1889. Wikipedia

[dream-world-universe]

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France: The Eiffel Tower is a wrought-iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France. It is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower from 1887 to 1889. Wikipedia

[maryysh]

A Night in France

---

Pairing: Choi Soobin x Reader

Genre: Fluff

---

The flight to France felt like a dream.

For weeks, Soobin had promised you a surprise, and when you finally boarded the plane, you were excited yet completely unaware of the real reason behind the trip. To you, it was just another adventure with Soobin—a getaway to a beautiful city you’d always wanted to visit. You couldn’t wait to take in the sights, eat croissants by the Seine, and explore all Paris had to offer with the love of your life by your side.

You leaned against Soobin's shoulder as the plane cruised through the sky, the excitement bubbling up in your chest. "I can’t believe we're going to Paris," you whispered, smiling to yourself.

Soobin looked down at you, his lips curling into that signature soft smile that always made your heart flutter. "I know. I’m so happy we’re here."

He pressed a gentle kiss to your forehead. "You deserve this trip. You deserve the best."

You blushed, feeling your heart swell at his words. Soobin had always been that way—always putting you first, always making you feel special. But you never could’ve imagined that tonight would be different from every other adventure you’d shared together.

---

The evening air in Paris was cool and crisp as you and Soobin made your way down the charming cobbled streets. The soft glow of streetlights illuminated the path ahead, and the city hummed with life—people laughing, chatting, and the sound of music drifting from nearby cafés.

Soobin held your hand, his thumb brushing over the back of your hand in a rhythm you’d come to love. "Let’s go see the Eiffel Tower," he said softly. "I’ve heard the lights are amazing at night."

You nodded eagerly, your heart already racing with excitement. "I’ve seen pictures, but I bet it’s nothing compared to seeing it in person."

A few minutes later, you reached the Champ de Mars park, the Eiffel Tower standing tall in the distance, glowing against the dark night sky. As you neared the base of the tower, the lights flickered on in their usual display, casting a golden hue over the entire structure.

You gasped, your hands covering your mouth as you stared up at the tower. "It’s even more beautiful than I imagined…"

Soobin watched you, a soft smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He admired you so much—how your eyes sparkled when you saw something new, how your laugh was so effortless, and how you always found the beauty in every moment. You had an innocence to you, a sweetness that made everything feel lighter, brighter.

He couldn’t help but fall even more in love with you.

"I’m glad you like it," Soobin said, his voice gentle as he squeezed your hand. "But there’s something else I want to show you."

You turned to face him, a curious look on your face. "Something else?"

Soobin nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. The anticipation was almost too much to bear. "Wait here, okay? I’ll be right back."

Before you could ask what he was doing, Soobin disappeared behind a cluster of trees, leaving you standing beneath the towering Eiffel Tower, bathed in the soft glow of its lights. You watched the lights shimmer above you, feeling the weight of the moment settle around you.

It was a night in Paris, just like you’d always dreamed, and you were here with Soobin. Everything felt perfect.

---

A few moments passed, and you were about to turn around and call out to him when Soobin reappeared, his hands tucked behind his back. You raised an eyebrow. "Soobin, what’s going on?"

His eyes sparkled, a nervous yet loving grin spreading across his face. "I’ve got something for you."

You laughed softly. "You’re acting all mysterious."

He stepped closer, his breath catching in his throat. "Maybe because this isn’t just any trip, and you’re not just here with me for a normal visit to Paris."

Before you could respond, Soobin dropped to one knee, the soft sounds of Paris enveloping you. Your heart stopped as you looked down at him, realizing what was happening.

"Soobin…" You whispered, your voice shaky.

He smiled up at you, his gaze full of love and devotion. "Y/N, I’ve loved you from the very first moment we met, and every day since then, my feelings for you have only grown stronger. You make my world brighter. You’ve made me the happiest person alive just by being in it."

"Soobin…" You breathed, feeling your eyes well with tears.

He continued, his voice steady despite the nervous energy that seemed to surround him. "I can’t imagine my life without you. So I’m asking you now, here, in the most beautiful city in the world…" He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box, opening it to reveal a stunning ring—delicate and elegant, with a diamond that shimmered like the stars above you.

"Will you marry me?"

Your hand flew to your mouth, tears welling in your eyes as you stared at him, your heart racing. "Soobin… Are you sure?"

Soobin chuckled softly, his gaze never leaving yours. "I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life."

"Yes! Yes, I will!"

The words spilled out of you in a rush, and Soobin’s face lit up with joy as he slid the ring onto your finger. He stood up, pulling you into his arms as you both laughed through tears. The Eiffel Tower twinkled in the background, the world around you disappearing in the warmth of his embrace.

"I love you so much," Soobin whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

You smiled, pressing your cheek against his chest. "I love you, too. More than anything."

As the lights of the Eiffel Tower flickered above you, you knew this moment would forever be etched into your heart. Paris, the Eiffel Tower, Soobin—all of it felt like a dream.

But it was real.

And it was only the beginning of the rest of your life together.

[rabbitcruiser]

Eiffel Tower Day 

Eiffel Tower Day is celebrated on March 31 to commemorate the inaugural anniversary of the Eiffel Tower. Unveiled to the world on this day 1889, this iconic monument has withstood the test of time and remains one of the most remarkable wonders of the world. Standing at 1,063 feet, the Eiffel Tower overlooks the city of Paris and symbolizes the triumph of modern engineering and western civilization.

Being one of the most recognizable monuments of the world, Eiffel Tower Day is a day of celebration for millions of people. From Calcutta to California, people come together to raise a toast to this architectural masterpiece.

History of Eiffel Tower Day

As the country completed a century of the French Revolution, the government of France planned an international fair to display the industrial advancement of the 19th century. A design competition was held in central Paris and more than 100 artists turned in their ideas.

Among the contributors was Gustave Eiffel, who proposed an open-lattice iron tower that would be higher than 1,000 feet. With a loaded resume that included the Statue of Liberty, he was able to convince the Centennial Committee that this unimaginable feat was possible. The contract for building the tower was handed to him in 1887.

Countering years of skepticism, criticism, and even protests, he began working on the project on January 28, 1887. In the short span of two years, two months, and five days he completed the tower and presented it to the French government for exposition. The rest is history.

Gustave’s vision breathed new life onto the streets of Paris and transformed it into the city of love as we know it, although that wasn’t the intention. In his own words, he wanted the tower to be a symbol of the “great scientific movement of the eighteenth century and the Revolution of 1789.”

Today, the tower sits at the heart of Europe and is visited by millions of visitors every year. Since 2000, the golden grandeur of the tower has been complemented with 20,000 6W bulbs, flashed on and off in quick succession for five minutes of every twilight hour. On March 31, we celebrate the genius and his invaluable gift to the world.

Eiffel Tower Day timeline

1885 The First Presentation

French Civil Engineer Gustave Eiffel presents the first-ever drawing of the Eiffel Tower to the Society of Civil Engineers of France.

1887 The Contractual Stamp

The commission settles the location of the tower, approves the designs, and signs a contract with Eiffel, thus greenlighting the construction.

1887 The First Brick

Construction on the tower begins amidst protests from many elite pockets of French society.

1889 Inauguration and Exposition

Construction of the primary structure is completed and the tower is inaugurated in front of elected officials and members of the press.

Eiffel Tower Day FAQs

Why was the Eiffel Tower built?

The Eiffel Tower was built as one of the attractions of the 1889 Paris World’s Fair. It was conceived as a temporary structure and was supposed to be demolished 20 years later.

Is the Eiffel Tower shallow?

Although it appears that way, the Eiffel Tower is not shallow. It has designated flooring with shops, museum exhibits, eateries, an observation area, a post office, and more.

Who designed the Eiffel Tower?

Maurice Koechlin and Émile Nouguier are the primary designers of the tower. They worked for Gustave Eiffel’s construction company and pitched the designs to him in 1884.

How To Celebrate Eiffel Tower Day

Bake an Eiffel Tower cake

Plan a picnic

Take a virtual tour of the tower

As we celebrate this architectural marvel, how about showcasing your creative skills in the kitchen. Making an Eiffel Tower Cake is a great way to celebrate this beautiful day with your family. Although we aren’t aiming for perfection here, your Eiffel Tower cake should have four lattices and triple flooring.

If there’s anything more impressive than the Eiffel Tower, it’s the picturesque land it stands on. Champ de Mars, the gorgeous 1,011,807 sq. ft park surrounding the tower, hosts millions of picnics each year. On March 31, pack a picnic, head to a nearby park, and pretend that the tower’s looking over you.

The official website of the Eiffel Tower offers a virtual tour for free. The tour includes high-definition pictures of the monument and interesting facts attached to its history. Visit the website, hit the explore tab, and tour the nooks and crannies of the tower from the comfort of your home.

5 Fascinating Facts About The Eiffel Tower

The first of its kind

A term of endearment

Survival of the strongest

A place for a post office

More than a monument

Before the plans were laid out for the Eiffel Tower, the world had not seen a monument of its height.

The Eiffel Tower is popularly called ‘La Dame de Fer,’ which translates to ‘The Iron Lady’.

Following the Nazi occupation of 1944, Hitler wanted to demolish the Eiffel Tower but thankfully, the Military governor of Paris disobeyed his orders.

The first floor of the Eiffel Tower is home to a working post office — you can send mail to any corner of the world and the receiver will be honored with a unique stamp.

At the First Battle of the Marne, one of the transmitters attached to the tower blocked the German communications — a move pivotal to the Allied victory.

Why We Love Eiffel Tower Day

It celebrates a genius

It will never get old

We will always have Paris

French Civil Engineer Gustave Eiffel wasn’t a one-time wonder. His credit roll includes the Statue of Liberty, the Garabit viaduct, and the invention of the wind tunnel. Eiffel defended the work of his subordinates, Maurice Koechlin and Émile Nouguier, and fought many challenges to bring their visions to life. Eiffel embraced the challenges and trusted his instincts, and on March 31, we celebrate this true architectural genius.

The Eiffel Tower is the most-visited paid monument in the world, hosting seven million visitors in a year. As the tower completes a century and a half, more than 250 million people have already visited this iconic landmark. The world isn’t getting over this wonder anytime soon.

In many ways, Paris and the Eiffel Tower are indistinguishable from each other. The Parisian culture has transcended the French denomination and much of the credit goes to the monument that sits at the heart of the city. With Eiffel Tower Day, we also get to celebrate the great city of Paris and its cultural significance in our society.

Source

[angela-j-partridge]

Paris, France: Toast the New Year with Eiffel Tower Views 🥂

In the heart of Paris, the Eiffel Tower sparkles brighter than ever as people celebrate with fireworks, romance, and endless charm.

Paris’s Perfect New Year Highlights

Eiffel Tower Fireworks 🎆 Grab your spot at Champ de Mars or along the Seine for the ultimate countdown to midnight magic.

Romantic Seine River Cruise 🛥️ Cruise the calm river with live music, dinner, and unbeatable views of the sparkling city at midnight.

Champs-Élysées Countdown Festivities 🎉 Dance, sip wine, and celebrate along this iconic boulevard while toasting to a fantastic 2025.

Montmartre Midnight Views 🌙 For a quieter celebration, climb to Montmartre for panoramic views over Paris illuminated for New Year.

Your Parisian Dream Awaits! 🌍

The city of love and light is waiting for YOU this New Year.

🌐 Book your Paris adventure HERE! 

— Flights, romantic cruises, and exclusive deals with Skylight™.

[emaadsidiki]

Bonjour Paris 🙋‍♂️😎🌿

[famousinuniverse]

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France: Imagine yourself exploring the streets of Paris, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of city life. As you navigate through the winding alleys and grand boulevards, you'll encounter numbers everywhere you look. animated... The Eiffel Tower is a wrought-iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France. Wikipedia

[traeuthaeou]

THE BLACK DRAGON  

THE HAND OF THE KUMITE

I don't know look i was A weird type of genius level child and it seems to be rather logical the child state to an adult state one's science has well much like A Bonsai Tree spread into it's many different areas of sprouting's but sure lets get to the simplicity of the concept the Base of the Bonsai Tree and the structured pruning and the others that stand out. I was worker and earner so i am not much of criminal not so much me not my motion of wiring Ninja Arts Doing something right sure it's been some wild thrill rides to recall the Naruhito Takamado Days , Hawk Motto Taka motto Bros. Naruhito with A Knife is Deadly Dangerous Person you might have to Kick that one off A Good Year Blimp or Something. I don't know the Science of the 1980's and the Science of the 1990's , What 1980-1990's Knows Science people. How Science can be A constant reminder or one heck of A time line of event's. Recollection and Recall comes with A price it's called recalling you life. Life Science , Time Line Science! From Where it All began York County Pa, Pennsylvania! Maybe A Bully over past ones heaviness and A School Roof Top. Maybe the Kindergarden Cop Age. Your Know Our Generations of Auctoritas and Authorities. A Black Back Kick Back Heavenly Descent. And who are you. You Haunt me so my mind the image me or you and yes or no Hawks Rule the Sky Dude. Your taller then me and who is the master here. I guess this is before the World War Tour Kick Off, Residential City Cases. Before Washington DC and Any other Location I might have spent time. Now and Days DT and DC or CD , Comics and sure information purpose DT or DC and Science if you say. Timeline accuracy helps to aid me securely but good choice. The Eiffel Tower is a wrought-iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France. It is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower from 1887 to 1889, 1984 Pisces. 84 secured protected between 87 and 89 . 84 87 89. 18 or 19 and Ai is love.

I imagine i am awaken more of my self along the way and this rates it's novel before the arrival of the black dragon society retrievers and departure to China. People of the Society seeking those whom are requested any demanded for reason of and Transportation and Delivery is certain. Northing Interrupts the Affairs of the Hand of The Black Dragon. Yes an Occult Science Society. This is but the Beginning of the Journey and well call it freestyle Journalism.

[exploretheworldbytravel]

5 Beautiful Places in Paris to Visit

The city of Paris is renowned for its stunning architecture, abundant history, and vibrant culture. The beauty and charm of Paris are as captivating to first-time visitors as they ever were before. The city is a paradise for adventure seekers who want to explore both famous landmarks and lesser-known treasures. Here are five Parisian must-see destinations that will blow your mind. Be amazed.

1.A must-see in Paris is the Eiffel Tower. Why?

 This iconic sight, created by Gustave Eiffel, is a symbol of France and draws in millions of visitors annually. The Champ de Mars park offers daytime views of the towering structure, while you can also take a lift to the top for panoramic city views. A stunning spectacle, the Eiffel Tower in Paris is a place to be seen at night when brilliant colours illuminate every corner and every facet of the globe.

A truly magical experience awaits by way of a picnic in the park below, or consuming food at one of the tower's restaurants. The Eiffel Tower is a symbol of Paris, and it can be gazed upon from above or while looking down. It's an unforgettable experience.

Conclusion

Paris is a city filled with beautiful places and unforgettable experiences. If the Eiffel Tower is the name recognized the world over, then Montmartre, with its narrow streets, demonstrates the beauty and charm of Paris existent in all her quarters. Your wonderful Paris experience would be crowned by the visit to these five magnificent places, encompassing museum viewing, Seine river walks, and garden resting sites. Pack those bags now and get set to witness the Parisian charm and romance!

[kumeko]

A/N: Now that creators can be revealed...For astralis_16 for the Hoyohearts exchange! Finally, an excuse to write Tears of Themis (and especially my bias, Marius). I’m still catching up in the game, so this is still early, pre-relationship fluff for now. I did sneak in the Hey, Sweetheart challenge from @ficwip into this fic too (totally counts in a different language, right?). Also, yes, the sign frustration was mine. I wanted to read. My French is shit.

…

…

…

…

Rosa was easy to read. Almost too easy, sometimes. Marius stifled his laughter as he watched her squint at a sign, her brow furrowed as she silently mouthed the foreign words as though that would help her understand better. When that failed, she cocked her head, left then right, before huffing and staring out through the fence links and onto the scenery.

From this height on the observation deck of the Eiffel tower, it was a good view of Paris, of its sweeping roofs, long channels, and the parks that dotted the city. The Champ de Mars gardens were an oasis of green surrounded by buildings that looked like his favourite Lego blocks. However, no matter how grand the view, it wasn’t what captivated Marius today. Instead, his eyes were fixed on Rosa and her adorable pout.

Still, there was one expression that was cuter: her grumpy one. Marius smirked wickedly as he ambled over, glancing at the sign as he stopped beside her. “Elle a été construite par Gustave Eiffel pour l'Exposition universelle de Paris de 1889,” he read aloud before turning to her with a sly grin. “Did you know that?”

Rosa stiffened. Sometimes, that felt like it was her automatic reaction to him. As expected, her pout deepened, and she glared at him. Her voice was one of frigid politeness. “Show off.”

“What, you don’t know French, Miss?” Marius feigned surprise, his eyes wide, his mouth open in shock, his hand on his chest. Overly dramatic, perhaps. Childish, definitely so. But something about Rosa made him slip into behaviours he’d long suppressed after taking his brother’s place. When her eyes narrowed, he chuckled. “I’ll stop.”

“Rich people,” Rosa groused, shaking her head. With a sigh, she studied the sign once more and clicked her tongue. “Why’s it all in French?”

“Because we’re in France?” he suggested, unable to resist one last jab. Sometimes, she made it too easy.

Rosa’s jaw clenched. “Marius. Von. Hagen.”

Marius laughed and held his hands up in surrender. His name sounded so sweet when it rolled off her tongue like that. “Sorry.”

“You keep saying that, but I don’t think you know what it means,” she retorted, shooting him a disbelieving look. As the wind blew, she pushed a stray lock behind her ear. Her ribbon was slightly loose.

His fingers twitched. If he could, he’d tie it back for her. If he could—but they weren’t there yet. They weren’t anything yet. Keeping his hand down, Marius asked, “Still, is it that much of a surprise that the signs are in French?”

“I mean…not entirely, but…” Rosa shifted on her heels and craned her neck right and left, double checking the other signs. “It’s just, this is the Eiffel tower. It’s a big tourist spot. They don’t have to have every language but…English is a major international language. Wouldn’t it make sense to have the signs in both?”

“Fair enough.” Marius shrugged. He’d never thought too much of it, but then again, he’d long studied the romantic languages. It would have been hard to study in Florence otherwise. Still, if he had to hazard a guess: “It’s not very good from the tourism business side but…maybe its their grudge against the English?”

Rosa rubbed her chin, considering it. She glanced at the sign again, as though it might reveal its secrets to her. “Do you really so? Isn’t that…childish?”

“Who said grudges aren’t?” Marius mused philosophically.

“That must be why you have so many,” Rosa replied tartly. He wasn’t the only one who couldn’t resist a good opening.

She didn’t quite stick out her tongue, but he felt it, and a flare of warmth shot up through him. After she’d found out just who he was, Rosa had grown more polite, more formal in social settings. As though she was trying to keep some distance between them. Now, it was starting to feel like that wall was finally crumbling. Maybe she wanted to be closer to him too.

Maybe his feelings weren’t a one-sided yearning.

Rosa leaned against the fence, her fingers curled into the links, a hand pushing back her hair as the wind played with her locks. “At least the view doesn’t need a translation.”

Marius grinned as he stood next to her. Their shoulders were close, the gap between them shrinking by the day. “So…worth the trip?”

“The line up was—wait.” Rosa paused. He could see a dozen thoughts run through her mind before she turned to him with a suspicious look. “Actually, why am I here?”

“To see the view?” Marius suggested.

“I don’t mean literally up here.” Rosa rolled her eyes. For a woman who tried very hard to keep her professional and personal matters separate, she was completely incapable of hiding her thoughts. “This is a business trip. For your contract. Why are we sight-seeing?”

The jig was up. While it was easy to sweep Rosa off her feet, it was just as easy for her to regain her footing. How he answered this question was critical to how the rest of their business trip went. There were still so many sights in Paris he wanted her to see.

“What sort of terrible boss do you think I am?” Marius protested dramatically. He leaned against the fence, one arm bent on the barrier, his cheek resting on his fisted hand as he angled himself toward Rosa. Whenever he gave her his full attention, she flustered. And a flustered Rosa was an easy-to-convince Rosa. “It can’t be all work and no play.”

Her cheeks reddened but she stood her ground. Rosa wasn’t buying it. Yet. “This is a work trip.”

“Employee satisfaction is important to me,” he explained, all but pleading now. What would the board think if they saw him like this? Though, Payton would be pleased. “Can’t we do both?”

He was getting to her—Rosa wavered, her hands clenching on the metal links, her brow furrowing as she fought temptation. Biting her cheek, she balked once more, a last denial, “But this is—”

“Please, Miss?” Marius interrupted, showcasing his puppy eyes as he whined, “I don’t usually get time off.”

Rosa shuddered, her resistances crumbling. With a defeated sigh, she nodded her head. “Fine.”

Marius bounced to his feet, excited. This wasn’t how he’d planned to take Rosa to Paris for the first time, but he could adapt. “You won’t regret this.”

“I already am,” she deadpanned, giving him a disgruntled look. Contradicting her words, her tone was light. “You were acting again, weren’t you?”

“Everything I said was true.” And it was. Perhaps he’d overdramatized it, but he’d never lied to her thus far. “How do you find Paris?”

Her lips pinched as Rosa wore the blank expression she usually had whenever she was trying to find a way to praise something she didn’t like. “It’s…less romantic than I expected,” she finally admitted diplomatically.

“How honest.”  Marius laughed. That might have been what drew him to her first—her ever-changing honest expressions. “Well, can’t have you think I’m a poor tour guide on top of being a bad boss!” Holding out a hand, he bowed slightly and winked, “I think I know exactly what you want to see.”

Rosa stared at his hand, surprised. “What?”

“It’s crowded here. You don’t want to get separated right?” Marius cajoled her, though he was unable to resist one last tease. “You might get lost with all these French signs.”

Rosa hesitated before slipping her soft hand into his. Her ears reddened, though if it was because of their contact or his jest, he couldn’t tell. “It’s not that I couldn’t do it if I—my English isn’t that bad. I just didn’t learn French.”

“Whatever you say.” Her competitive streak reared its head in the funniest of ways. Marius chuckled, squeezing her hand as he intertwined their fingers. This time, her flush reached her cheeks.

-x-

Paris was romantic. That was something Marius couldn’t really tell Rosa, not even as they walked along the Seine, her hand tucked into his arm as though that would decrease the intimacy of it all. Paris was romantic but not in the way others pictured it: streetlamp lined streets, the towering Eiffel, the glittering Seine, classical music playing over a twilight evening. Movies and books had sold a dream, a dream that could never have existed in the first place.

Instead, the streets of Paris were as dirty as any other city’s streets, filled with the wear and tear of living metropolis. Vendors lined the paths to the Eiffel, clamoring for attention as they sold dozens of tiny trinkets and charms, macarons and sweets. Countless visitors queued up to visit the tower and see the sights, their conversations filling the air instead of stringed instruments. And the Seine had more akin to a dirty puddle than clean river.

Yet…from an artist’s eye, all of this was interesting, all of this tempting to touch, to fiddle, to devour and shine a spotlight on. It was a different kind of romance.

However, he knew just what Rosa wanted and where to get it. A chauffeured car ride later, and they were standing in front of the Palace of Versailles, a structure that maintained its majesty to this day. Rosa’s hand gripped his arm tightly as they strolled across the grounds, her wide eyes soaking in the enormous building, the arching rooms, the sprawling gardens.

“What do you think?” he asked even though the answer was clear on her face.

“It’s…” Rosa opened and closed her mouth several times, struggling to find the words.

“Cat got your tongue?” Marius ribbed when she still didn’t reply.

She shot him an annoyed glare, her hand slipping out of his arm. Immediately, he missed her warmth. “You’re lucky this place is nice.”

Well, if he was already in the doghouse, he might as well embrace it. “Just nice?” he needled.

“More than nice.” Rosa rolled her eyes, but she was all smiles as they ambled along the terrace. She leaned against one of the stone railings overlooking the massive gardens. Pushing a stray hair behind her ear, she mused, “It’s…stunning.”

The late afternoon light bathed Rosa in a soft golden glow. Her hair shimmered under the sun’s rays. Marius repeated softly, “Stunning.”

Taking a step back, he framed her between his fingers, as though he were taking a photo. From where he stood, she was at an angle and the garden her backdrop. If he were to name this scene, it’d be—

“Ma chérie.”

“Huh?” Turning back to him, Rosa raised a brow. “Sorry, I missed that.”

Marius flushed, dropping his hands immediately. He hadn’t meant to say that aloud. Not now, at least. “Nothing—it was nothing.”

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously before shrugging and gesturing at the gardens. “Do we have time to go in?”

“Of course.” Marius forced himself to calm down. “I can just book the place if you want more time.”

Rosa blanched. “…please don’t.”

“Alright, alright. Let’s see what we can then.” Marius grinned, leading the way down. His ears still felt hot, his arm still felt the ghost of his touch, and the hey sweetheart was still on the tip of his tongue.

Maybe in the future, he could take that next step, tell her what he meant.

But not now, not when just this proximity left him with a buzz, not when she still pretended her blushes were from embarrassment and nothing more.

Not when the gap between their hands could be distanced just as quickly as it could be closed.