As I stepped out of the airport and into the bustling streets of Paris, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. This was my third time in the city of love, and I was eager to explore everything it had to offer but this time from a sober standpoint. I like to joke about how my last visit to Paris in March of 2017 was blur- I was ‘drunk and in love’, not a good combo.

For many years, I struggled with excessive drinking, and it had taken a toll on every aspect of my life. But after getting the support I needed, I was finally able to turn my life around. I’ve been sober for almost two years now, and I was determined not to let my trip to Paris derail my progress.

As I made my way through the streets of the city, I couldn’t help but notice how much alcohol was a part of the culture. I may be hypersensitive to these things but it seemed that every street corner had a bar or a café with people drinking wine.

Instead of romanticizing wine in Paris. I immersed myself in the city’s culture and history. I visited museums, walked through gardens, and explored the winding streets of the city. I marveled at the beauty of the Eiffel Tower and the Notre-Dame Cathedral (even under construction), and I savored every bite of the delicious French cuisine.

One of the most challenging moments of my trip came at dinner time. I felt the familiar pull of temptation when the maître d’ would bring the wine list . But I reminded myself of all the hard work I had put into my sobriety, and I resisted the urge to drink. Instead, I would often order a sparkling water or mocktail option (if available) and savor my meal without any alcohol.

For anyone sober, I would highly recommend visiting Paris and experiencing all it has to offer. It’s a beautiful city, and it’s possible to fully enjoy it without alcohol.

If you’re looking to explore the City of Love + Light without the buzz of alcohol then check out episode 208 of the podcast What To Know Before You Go To Paris In this podcast episode, we take a sober dive into the romantic streets of Paris, discovering hidden gems and exciting adventures that you can experience with a clear mind.

To see how I spent a week in Paris, check out my vlog from Paris