Paris is always a good idea.

The luminous star of stage and screen, Audrey Hepburn, once declared with grace and certainty: “Paris is always a good idea.” At first, these words seem like a light remark about travel, a simple tribute to a beloved city. Yet beneath their elegance lies a truth deeper than geography. For Paris in this saying becomes more than a place—it becomes a symbol of renewal, of beauty, of the eternal wellspring of hope that the human spirit turns to when the world feels heavy. To speak of Paris is to speak of returning to what inspires, of finding again the joy and clarity that make life worth living.

The meaning of her words is woven from the city’s long history. Paris, with its streets alive with music and art, has long stood as a beacon of culture and transformation. It is the city of philosophers and poets, of painters and dreamers, of revolutions both political and spiritual. To go to Paris is not merely to walk among monuments, but to breathe in the very essence of creativity. And so when Hepburn says it is always a good idea, she proclaims that turning toward beauty, inspiration, and renewal is never wasted.

This wisdom can be seen in the lives of many who found themselves lost until they encountered the city. Consider Ernest Hemingway, who once said, “If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you.” For Hemingway, Paris was not simply a city but a teacher, shaping his art and soul in a way that endured until death. Like Hepburn, he understood that Paris is not bound by time or circumstance—it is always good, always healing, always ready to give.

The origin of Hepburn’s words lies partly in her own life. Having lived through the darkness of war and famine in her youth, she knew the power of beauty and joy to lift the human spirit. To her, Paris was not only fashion and elegance, but a place where one could feel life itself celebrated. Her films, particularly Sabrina and Funny Face, tied her persona to the city, yet her quote transcended cinema. It was not a script, but a truth she herself embodied: that when the soul needs renewal, turning to a place of light, culture, and love is indeed always a good idea.

But let us also see Paris as more than a single city. It can be understood as a symbol of whatever brings us back to life—be it art, music, nature, or love. For not everyone may walk its boulevards, but everyone has their “Paris,” that place, person, or practice that restores them when they feel weary. Hepburn’s words, in their simplicity, are universal: when you are uncertain, return to what uplifts the spirit. It is always wise to seek joy, always timely to turn toward beauty.

The lesson for us, then, is that life will bring heaviness, confusion, and sorrow, but there is always refuge in beauty. Never believe that turning to what inspires you is indulgence; it is survival, it is medicine for the soul. Whether it is traveling to a great city, walking in the woods, hearing music that awakens the heart, or sitting with loved ones in laughter, do not delay such things. For they remind us of why life matters, and in their presence, the burdens of the world grow lighter.

Practical action springs easily from this truth. Seek out your “Paris.” Name the things that make your spirit soar, and turn to them without hesitation when life becomes gray. If you can, travel and see beauty with your own eyes; if not, read, create, and surround yourself with what nourishes you. Let no one convince you that joy is frivolous. Joy is the very fire that keeps the human heart alive.

Thus the words of Audrey Hepburn endure: “Paris is always a good idea.” Spoken lightly, yet weighted with eternal wisdom, they remind us that beauty, culture, and joy are never out of place. To future generations, let this teaching be passed on: whenever you find yourself lost, return to the source of inspiration, and let it renew you. For the world will always bring reasons to despair—but turning to beauty is always, always a good idea.