to not really get Paris

[JapanNextYear]

I have had some lovely holidays in France, the food, the wine etc. And I have a huge fondness for being in a capital city.

But I just don't really get Paris. I've been to the touristy bits and the not touristy bits, but I find it all a bit cold and distant and its hard to get a decent meal or have a nice drink.

What am I doing wrong?

[TheDuchessOfArbroathsHat]

True Japan that you can't fault a Neapolitan pizza but the piles of rubbish being picked over by destitute adults, the kids running through the supermarkets stealing whatever they can before the security can catch them, the closed and boarded churches - it all added up to leave a feeling of despair. I was glad to get to the airport and GTF out of there!

[Themodernuriahheep]

It's so easy to get around. Fascinating architecture and culture.

But don't expect people to smile, not their way. Do try your best French, do be formal in your language unless having a major row with someone.

Expensive, but fine. But sorry to hear about the racism. And I'd guess after last year and this it won't be easier.

[KingJoffreyLikesJaffaCakes]

I don't get the Eiffel Tower.

It's a fecking eyesore...

[velourvoyageur]

The locals act superior to everyone else. Quite unfriendly and dirty too. that's about 20 members of my family you're talking about there my dear

manners are such a nice thing, aren't they, on threads about specific cultures and places

[OublietteBravo]

I love Copenhagen.

I've also really enjoyed visiting Dublin, Genoa, Malmo, Rotterdam, Strasbourg, Utrecht, and Zurich

[JollyXmasJumper]

OP what you are doing wrong is probably sticking to the touristy areas. Get off the beaten path, stroll through the 11th/12th/20th arrondissements, check out TimeOut for special events/exhibitions and AVOID VISITING IN THE SUMMER OR XMAS.

It is a cool city if you just step out of the tourist world. Otherwise, yes, just like Xmas in Times Square, a June weekend on the Ramblas or on the River, it will suck.

I am very surprised at the comments on racism too, I have seen a fair share of unacceptable nasty behavior in Paris but no more than anywhere else in the world, including in the UK. (Which to be clear does not make it OK, it is just not sadly specific to Paris).

Come again and this time follow Lockheart's brilliant plan

[heron98]

Love Paris and lived there for 2 years in my early twenties.

I agree that it's very racist and sexist though.

[Capricorn76]

Apologies Velour. I shouldn't have generalised I'm sure most Parisians are fine. I wasn't expecting everyone to be over the top 'have a nice day!' friendly but I the people I came into contact with were quite off and dismissive and I've not found that anywhere else.

[AlmaMartyr]

I hate Paris as a city. Have been lots but just don't warm to it like I have to other cities. In all fairness, every time I have ever been, I get a stomach bug. Literally, every time (visits in double figures). I know it's just a coincidence and probably psychosomatic at this point but it is still a touch off-putting.

[JollyXmasJumper]

Capricorn really? That is hilarious, because Bordeaux is well-known in France for being the snobbiest area in France.. And do not tell me nobody is going to make fun of you if you use a knife and fork to eat your burger in the US, down your raki without pouring water first in Istanbul or cannot use chopsticks in China. I once choked on a terribly spicy curry in India, everyone was laughing at me. Guess what, it was not personal, it was just unusual. Nothing worth labeling the entire country as assholes over.

[velourvoyageur]

Capricorn am sorry too! I don't know why I was snappy like that :) hope next time you go, you get pleasantly surprised

[Bunbaker]

"it's dirty and unfriendly, it's the only city that me or the other women I've been with, have been sexually harassed to an extent that we actually felt scared,"

That has been my experience of Paris as well - on more than one occasion.

I much prefer Lisbon, Vienna, Rome, Florence, Venice or Bruges

"personally I think Paris is one of the most if not the most beautiful cities in the world"

Really? I think the above mentioned places are more beautiful and feel safer.

The only two cities I have ever visited and felt uncomfortable in were Paris and New Orleans.

[Capricorn76]

@Jolly. I know the difference between people laughing at you in a jokey way and people sneering at you as in 'stupid foreigner' way. I was there. I didn't label the whole country assholes and I have had only positive experiences in Bordeaux. Again this is my experience. I was there.

[shinynewusername]

I quite like Paris but the lack of greenery in the centre is depressing. Apart from the Louvre/Tuilleries area, there are very few parks or green spaces until you get out as far as the Bois de Bologne.

[Capricorn76]

@Velour. No need to apologise. My post was generalising and you were right.

[FaFoutis]

I was in an Indian restaurant in London and a woman just arrived from Pakistan shat on the toilet floor, I didn't laugh at her.

[TravellingLoon]

I really liked Paris, although I am a bit of a Francophile, so perhaps I had blinkers on :) I never experienced any of the negatives others seem to have done, but just a point on the apparent rudeness: I have also lived in the US and I find people here often mistake my 'British reservedness' for rudeness or aloofness, neither of which is the case, it's just a cultural quirk to get used to. I have lived in France too, and the French can also be reserved in their own way, which I agree often comes across as rude to start with, but generally once you get to know them (and assuming you're not one of those Brits who just shouts loudly in English at them ) they're very friendly. I do sort of agree that Parisiens do appear more aloof sometimes, but I've always just taken that to be their way, rather than deliberate rudeness ifswim.

[RaskolnikovsGarret]

I've never understood the hype of Paris. Vienna and Budapest, to name just two, are far nicer.

[ToastDemon]

I do like Paris, although I can agree with a lot of the things people don't like. I think it helped that my expectations were managed by watching a lot of really gritty, violent films set in the tower blocks of outer Paris before visiting!
The one place I absolutely detested was Dublin.

[phoenix1973]

Agree with you about Montmartre, its great there. We stayed down the road from the Moulin Rouge and loved the vibe and the really steep hill with the quaint shops along it.
Did you go up the Tour Montparnasse? That is HIGH and you can go up onto the roof where it's so windy with a great view of the Eiffel and the rest of Paris.
Loved the Notre Dame, saw it by boat on the Sein then had a look inside (but far too crowded to really have a proper look tbh).
Wouldn't mind if I didn't get another chance to go there, but would LOVE to go to Barcelona as I have never been before. The Gaudi designed cathedral looks brilliant.

[FatherReboolaConundrum]

Even the rest of the French population can't stand the Parisians.

Years ago, OH and I went to see a terrible disaster movie in a cinema in Brittany. When it got to the bit of the film where Paris was destroyed, everyone cheered.

I love Paris, though. Don't get Barcelona at all - the centre just seems like a giant tourist playground, with no real life to it, and the architecture seemed no different from any other mostly 19th century city in SW Europe. But probably wasn't there for long enough to get to know it.

[Strictlyobsessed]

Bunbaker yes I still think it is one if not the most beautiful city and I have also been to Florence Seattle Madrid Venice Bruge and New York etc etc I am allowed an opinion
Also went to Paris with my 80 year old mother and 70 year old aunt and met with kindness , I still remember the bus driver going to great lengths to explain and help us and the night we went to a small cafe and a man with an accordion turned up , started playing an old couple started waltzing a man with a beret on came in wheeling his bike with his small dog beside him, the waiter had on the long white apron and was flirting with my daughter honestly it was like a scene from allo allo truly brilliant.

[crystalgall]

No need to be so defensive Jolly. People are just giving their experiences. Mine was of overwhelming racism that I definitely
did not find in other parts of Europe and definitely not in the UK. I'm
not judging the whole city and all people but seriously in 3 days we hardly met a single friendly person and we were stared at/sneered at A LOT. It was unusual and weird and certainly colours my view of the city and its people.

[Bunbaker]

I like France, just not Paris.

[LynetteScavo]

I quite like Paris but the lack of greenery in the centre is depressing

Eh? There are so many little parks it's brilliant! A great city to be in with small children, because there's a tiny park on almost every corner.

Maybe Paris is like Marmite....love it or hate it....

Personally I love it, although I will admit IME there is more sexism and racism than other major European cities. Yes, people think it's fine to be very rude, along as they say please and thank you and call you madame, they think they can say what the hell they like.

But the views, and the ease of getting around (I love the smell of the metro ) are worth suffering the crappy bits.