Valentine’s Day in Paris

For single women in Paris, Valentine’s Day can mean, “having it all”! Friends, lovers, chocolate, champagne, and flowers. All the essentials of life, all on the same day. Being ‘‘single in the City of Light’’ is fun and flirtation is in the air everywhere, especially on the most romantic day of the year! Paris, the most romantic city in the world, is for everyone, including les célibataires (single people).   In addition, there are many things to do alone or with your friends! Whether going to the museums, eating in a restaurant overlooking the Seine, or simply shopping at one of the many beautiful outdoor markets, Paris is a unique place to be on your own and is a very compact city easily done on foot. There is no need to feel uncomfortable about being single in the city, nor should you feel that you could not go out in the evening on your own. It is common to see lots of single women making their way back home on buses and metros in the evening. The City of Light is relatively safe, but being single in Paris does require confidence and a strong desire to relax and have a good time. Of course, this does not mean that you should throw caution to the wind and take unnecessary, or unsafe, chances. Keep your wits about you, and have fun!   Paris is so rich and vibrant that even if you are on a limited budget, you can find activities suited to your needs to enrich all the benefits of being single. Face it, without the need to keep another person happy, you can do whatever you want whenever you want, and, what better place to do it in than Paris? This city can be a single woman’s dream, with all the possibilities on offer. With no partner, you are free to explore and define your own tastes, values, dreams, and goals. In addition, to living the live that you have always wanted without having to make the compromises that being part of a couple requires. Is this selfish behavior? Not at all! You are free to examine all parts of yourself, and when you are ready to introduce a bit of romance into the mixture, just open your door and step out onto the dreamy streets of Paris.   If you wish to have an intimate evening at home with all your friends, you can always have a Valentine’s Day Dinner & Movie Night. Complete with a romantic menu, lots of champagne, and inspired desserts from your favorite cookbooks.This year, I selected a dessert menu from The Perfect Wedding Cake by Kate Manchester (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 2001). Tiers of beautifully iced and decorated cupcakes stacked on graduated antique sterling silver candy dishes, and served with iced champagne or Sauternes. Wedding cake books are a perfect source for some of the most romantic desserts you can find. Although some designs may be too extravagant and expensive to reproduce, there are always a few recipes that are suitable for the budget minded party maven. In addition, these desserts make glorious centerpieces for Valentine’s Day, as well as a wedding itself. Why miss out on these beautiful treats just because you are single?   Moreover, if you are ‘’creatively challenged’’ and unable to concoct some of the stunning designs in your cookbook, improvise! Paris is overflowing with gorgeous cakes and pastries ask your local pastry chef if they can create something special with marzipan. Or better still, have your friends create romantic designs of their own and have a contest. Winner takes home a bottle of bubbly and party favors. Voilà! A very special way to celebrate la Saint-Valentin! Menu suggestions Carrot and Lobster Bisque Gâteau of Marinated Salmon, Cucumber Salad, Crème Fraîche, and Caviar Assorted romantic desserts Champagne Sauternes Christiann Anderson is the author of The Single Woman’s Insider’s Guide to Paris (Western Web Works, 2003, www.insiderparisguides.com). The Perfect Wedding Cake by Kate Manchester (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 2001) Photograph by Zeva Oelbaum ( www.zevaphoto.com). Cupcake design created by Cheryl Kleinman Cakes (Brooklyn, New York). SINGLE IN THE CITY © Christiann Anderson