I just returned from the City Of Love. Also referred to as The City Of Lights, it is always a fascinating place to visit. However, it was especially so this time as the stage was being set for the biggest sporting event in the world. Here is an Olympic preview from a Southwest Floridian in Paris.

One of the first things I noticed was how the city seemed to embrace the Olympic spirit with art installations and Olympic inspired touches almost everywhere you turned. There were silhouettes of athletes in their respective sport in gardens and traffic circles.

Famous monuments and iconic sites were adorned with the Olympic Rings or similar abstract art in the corresponding colors. Walking and driving around the city all kinds of new things have popped up like temporary housing made from shipping containers.

Unfortunately, many must see areas were blocked off. For example, a portion of the lawn in front of the Eiffel Tower. See the photo below. Look at the huge stadium seating erected for beach volleyball.

Photo: Gina Birch

I got the bird’s eye view of the volleyball venue when we arrived for dinner at the Michelin starred Le Jules Verne restaurant. It was a WOW experience that we booked months ago for a friend’s milestone birthday celebration. Click here for a video.

More From A Southwest Floridian in Paris

I was actually in Paris twice this month. We landed July 3rd and I left the city on the 7th. One week later I returned for Bastille Day and what a difference a week made.

Taxi and Uber drivers were bemoaning the traffic as more and more lanes were restricted, rerouted and closed for official Olympic traffic.

Even some of the metro entrances were blocked. I realize it was because of the big presentation and fireworks for Bastille Day. But it’s also what visitors are going to experience at times for the summer games. It was tedious and frustrating to say the least.

One evening I met up with some Parisian colleagues at a local wine bar and was somewhat surprised at the stories they told. They mirrored the summer restaurant woes of Southwest Florida.

The owners told me business had been dreadfully slow this summer. Tourists were staying away from Paris because of the Olympics and the challenges I mentioned above. They want to experience the city unrestricted.

The crowds did seem smaller along the famous Champs Elysees, which I did not mind at all. Despite not being able to see and reach certain areas in the city, in spite of the traffic, it was a very exciting time to be there. I envisioned opening ceremonies as I walked along the Seine, could almost hear the cheers from the vacant stadiums and arenas we passed.

I can’t imagine any city is ever 100% ready for an event of this magnitude. There will always be complaints and things that go wrong. However, Paris was looking pretty good, and I can’t wait to see the summer games played out in this historic city.

Photos And Olympic Preview From A Southwest Floridian In Paris

• Cyclist Pose For Photos

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  The Tour de France was also happening when I was in Paris. There were groups of cycling enthusiasts riding everywhere in the city, posing for photos in front of the iconic sites.

• Eiffel Tower Open

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  At night, the bridge leading up to the Eiffel Tower has been closing for pedestrians. It makes for a great photo op. We got much closer then walked along the Seine, but I like this view.

• Olympic Art Everywhere

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  You can see the crowds as we get closer to the Champs Elysees in Paris. If you look closely at the Arc de Triomphe in the background, you'll see the colorful Olympic inspired art installations on the top of the arc. These are found all over the city and even the airport.
• Bleachers Up

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  I haven't quite figured out the dinosaur sculpture on top of the boat on the Seine. But you can see all of the bleachers in the background. The whole area is fenced off so you can't get close. More Olympic prep.

• Big Police Presence

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  Besides art installations and big crowds, Paris is teaming with law enforcement. They make their presence known in a big way to discourage any shenanigans in advance of the Olympic games

• Hi Mona

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  Mona Lisa is not just behind glass in the Louvre, she is found in a lot of street art in Paris. This was in the Moray where there is great shopping.
• Emily In Paris Flat

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  Sorry but we had to track down the neighborhood in the Latin Quarter where the Netflix Show Emily In Paris is filmed. This is where she lives.

• Emily in Paris Restaurant

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  For Emily In Paris fans, this is the restaurant that features prominently in the Netflix series. It's in the Latin Quarter and was closed when we were there.

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  Eiffel Tower lit up at night was gorgeous with the Olympic Rings on the front. Every hour it’s lights were set in motion and it sparkled and shined.

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