Instagram/@richard.e.grant
Grant’s status affords him much in the way of the finer things, and so a highly privileged solo trip to Paris is flung out into the ether of romantic and musical musings in his social sphere. The charming actor posted this video from French quarters of himself singing that very classic “I Love Paris,” made famous by Frank Sinatra, waxing lyrical about the charm of this city and the sheer ease of flipping a cultural switch by Eurostar.
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Grant wrote that he was “Solo in Paris hearing Frank Sinatra in my head.” He wonders how such a short journey on the Eurostar could so very nearly take a person across cultures. With that, he added the British and French Flag, Croissant, Baguette, and Kiss emojis. His spirits were high in the video. In it, he passionately sang a few heartfelt lines of the a cappella song about loving Paris in every season, ending strongly on the line: “Because my love is here.”
The post resonated internationally as the City of Light was being sorely loved and missed alongside him. Warm wishes, plus memories of Parisian escapades, flooded the comments. “We have just returned from Paris. Always magical!” said one. Another shared the sentiment calling it an “exciting city” and wished Grant well in enjoying his time there. The craving for European travel was far from faint; one lamented: “I’ve never missed England and France like I do now.”
Focus was on the joy of a journey; one person commented about how much they enjoy the Eurostar train ride to Paris and described the city as beautiful and inspiring. Another remarked on how nice and efficient train travel is across Europe, interspersing his recent itinerary with a proud boast that included Paris, Zurich, Vienna, and Salzburg as the way to see the countryside; this, in turn, sparked another user’s semi-joking lament wishing dogs were allowed aboard: “I’d be back and forth forever!”
The choice of music brought about some friendly rivalry; most agreed on the beauty of referencing Frank Sinatra, with one fan calling the “Reg & Frank in Paris” combination the perfect soundtrack to a Saturday night, while one commenter jokingly insisted, “Better you hear Aznavour or Dassin in Paris!” These referred to distinguished French singers Charles Aznavour and Joe Dassin.
Now, well beyond travel and the song, is the genuine, personal connection Grant shares. One warm comment lovingly thanked the actor for sharing his travels and the smiles. The woman was standing in an airport en route to Vienna and Munich with her daughter-again showing how Grant’s medium sometimes intersects with the lives and travels of those who follow him. Another, with reference to Grant’s upbringing, called him “Swazi boy” as a fond reminder of his childhood in Swaziland (now Eswatini).
It pulled up several plans for the future. A follower revealedly said that the heart was lost in Paris in 2009 and without the husband, would never return. Another, on the other hand, rather quite intrusively inquired about the actor’s “plans” for the visit, practically quite interested about his itinerary. A local invited him to explore Belleville in the 20th arrondissement, to which his response was a laughing emoji.
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He might well be more famous as a fellow who documents his travels and puts into a share-worthy energy all that he is passionate about. This latest dispatch from Paris is a certain nod to Grant’s ability and willingness to form shared experiences by weaving his joyful experiences with a common attraction-a beloved city. This makes such an update so very much easier: ingenuously charming and a celebration of the magic of travel, the power of music, and the small yet mighty moments that unite a handful across continents. A bit of a chuckle: Another smile comes with Grant’s solo vacation in Paris, with Ol’ Blue Eyes bouncing in the background between the delightful beauty of this city.