I am happy to be part of the Getting a Life, Even if You're Dead Blog Tour! Today author Beth Watson is here to discuss her favorite memories of Paris, France. If you are in the mood for a paranormal romance, check out the book Getting a Life Even if You're Dead and be sure to fill out the rafflecopter below this post!



My love affair with Paris began long before I indulged in my first pain au chocolat at a sidewalk café, or strolled along the Seine at sunset. Growing up, I studied French in high school and college, watched French movies, and lived vicariously through books set in Paris. I never dreamed one day I’d be writing books set there, including, Getting a Life, Even If You’re Dead. I first visited Paris during college when I studied at the Sorbonne University. The following are my top five most memorable moments from my first visit to the City of Love.


1) Climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower. I climbed the 669 steps to the Eiffel Tower’s second platform, enabling me to enjoy the view along the way. I then took an elevator to the top where I headed straight for a phone rather than admiring the view. I called my mom, so she could share the experience with me. After our conversation, I spent an hour gazing out at all the sites I would visit during my upcoming summer.


2) Saying bonjour to my French pen pal. My high school French teacher hooked me up with my pen friend, Richard. We exchanged numerous letters and carried on a few phone conversations--mostly in English--at Christmas time. My first week in Paris, Richard traveled down from Normandy to meet me. I still remember sitting on the steps of my dorm building, watching him walk over from the metro, marveling at the fact that I had a French friend. My friend Glorianne and I spent a weekend in Normandy visiting his family.


3) Speaking French with the locals. Before meeting Richard, I had my first conversation with a French native. I had completed two years of college French, yet after a shopkeeper assisted me I replied, s’il vous plaît (please), rather than merci (thank you). We both laughed about it. They appreciate you making the effort to speak French, even if you don’t always get the words right.


4) Attending Swan Lake. Having grown up in a small town, I didn’t have access to the performing arts scene. I remember attending Swan Lake at the Opéra Bastille--a modern opera house--and thinking, Wow, I’m at a ballet in Paris. The only thing that could have made the experience even more memorable would have been if the ballet had been performed at the Palais Garnier, which opened in 1875, and was the inspiration for The Phantom of the Opera. That is my favorite building in Paris.


5) Meeting the Mona Lisa. The first time I saw the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, I was shocked at how small the painting is for being the most famous painting in history. I was fortunate that at the time I could get close enough to view every paint stroke. Now, a wooden railing prevents you from getting within five feet of her. I visited every major and obscure art museum that summer, which started my love affair with art. You will often find art featured in my books.

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