Walking through markets in Paris like Marche aux Puces and seeing ‘Obama and Family’ t-shirts and his face on magazine covers at press stands for sale thousands of miles away sends a powerful message. I can't tell you how many people were more willing to talk about President Barack Obama rather than France's own Nicolas Sarkozy.

Studying abroad in France gives me a better appreciation for so many of the things that I take for granted as an American. As citizens, most of us feel entitled to the things we receive in the US. We have a President who is governing over our country, but is loved by millions all over the globe. I now feel as a young black woman, having President Barack Obama is the cherry on warm American pie.

BlackAtlas.com continues it series of Black Heritage Month videos featuring black expatriates living in countries around the world. This week, former New Yorker Miles Marshall Lewis talks about his new life in the City of Lights.

Paris is a living museum. No great city in the world has done a better job of blending its glorious past with new ideas in design and art. This city also has a very rich connection to African-American literature and music, particularly jazz.

Obviously you have to visit the Eiffel Tower (which you should see from the terrace that overlooks it) and walk up the Champs-Elysees to see the Arc De Triomphe. If you make the pilgrimage to the Louvre Museum to see the Mona Lisa and the many other marvels inside, you’ll have very sore feet from all the walking. So I suggest you stop for wine and a snack across the street at Le Fumoir (6, Rue de l’Amiral de Coligny), a dark, smoky café with a nice selection of books in the back and very chill vibe.

Not far from the Louvre is rue St-Honore, a very chic shopping strip that is great for strolling and people watching. For lunch or dinner on St-Honore you should stop at the very sexy Hotel Costes (239 rue St-Honore). You’ll definitely need an appointment (which can be a little hard to get). But if you …