A bet on love in the city of romance
I’m a sucker for black-and-white pictures of Paris and wedding photos. I can look at either one for hours, daydreaming of rendezvous in the most romantic city in the world and pretending that Taylor Swift songs really do come true.
So when I saw a publicité for Paris D’Amour, a photography exhibit being held at Hotel De Ville, I figured it would be the perfect break from the hot summer streets and the crowded soldes. Did I mention it was free?
Paris D’Amour didn’t disappoint. The entry had a beautifully written piece from the mayor about love and marriage in Paris. Particularly interesting considering France’s growing disenchantment with the institution: more than half of children are born out of wedlock, yet the cohabitation rate for couples is very high. Basically, French couples are monogamous and starting families, but rarely have a piece of paper to make things official.
The photos represented a range of cultures, religions, traditions: exactly what you would hope for and expect in an international city like Paris. Instead of the typical bride-and-groom-in-a-beautiful-setting wedding photo, pictures incorporated proud family, dancing guests and adorable children on a sometimes gritty city background.
One of my favorite parts of the exhibit? The play on words. The French word parie means a bet—and sounds remarkably similar to the French pronunciation of Paris. Isn’t every marriage, every “Yes” a bet on love? A couple testing the odds, hoping for the best? In a country where divorce rates continue to rise, marriage is a risky venture.
“Oui” to hope, “Oui” to dignity, “Oui” to tolerance. One marriage never resembles another, there are never two “Oui” said in the exact same manner. There are “Oui” that are confident, “Oui” that are funny, “Oui” that are moving, “Oui” that are timid. In front of their families and their friends, facing the elected of the people, they seal an engagement of support, help, sharing. The marriage, at the mayor, is one of those rare moments where public life and private life meet. Homes are founded, with their promises of happiness, in the house of the people.” –Bertrand Delanoë, Maire de Paris
The exhibit runs through July 31 at the Hotel de Ville, and entrance is free. If you’ll be in Paris, it’s definitely worth checking out.
