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?

I like Paris and have been there numerous times including with dd and we had a great time. But it is not my favourite city by a long shot. Loved New York, Prague, Budapest, Venice, Florence, Rome, Lyon, Amsterdam and Bruges more....having said that if I had a reason to go there next week I would be gone in a shot!

I want to go to Copenhagen, st Petersburg, Kraków and Stockholm next. Though in reality it will be Brisbane... Another city I am not mad about but have a reason to be there...

Ages ago I read there are about 365 people injured by slipping on dog poo in Paris ever year, and more homeless people than trees.

I've no idea if either of these were true then, or now.

Paris is the very best and worst of France - amazing architecture, wonderful food, culture, art and racism, sexism, unfriendliness and arrogance. I say this as a french resident. I try to avoid the capital.

I have loved Paris when I have been. I don't really get it either, but that's part of the charm.
It's so beautiful. I once spent a very wild night in a bar there, with great music, but can't remember where! I just love wandering around, visiting the little shops, admiring the men in their long navy overcoats...mmmm...and I've only ever encountered friendliness there! I speak to everyone in my appalling French, and they smile and chat back!

One thing I noticed is that in shops, when you enter, say hello. If you don't, they think you are rude.
I think people expect Parisians to be awful, and then go there with that slightly defensive attitude, and then get what they expected!

Crystal I said I was surprised at the racism-related experiences. Not defensive. What I did get defensive about is being called "stuck up, unfriendly, dirty, sniggering and uncool".

I think ToastDemon has a point, the image that Paris has abroad is completely overrated, and a lot of people come expecting magic, fireworks and accordion players serenading them and that is obviously not the case so disappointment builds up. In reality it is not much different to any other European capital city, with interesting architecture/history, good local food, arty vibe ..and the same percentage of assholes as everywhere else. Painting the city like a real life Disneyland was probably not the best choice of advertising line!

I live in London but am another one that doesn't like Paris. It's full of huge concrete pillars to support an overground train system. It's ugly.

Why would Parisians gawp at people just because they're brown? There are plenty of brown Parisians too.

Nah i wouldnt choose to go back. Not much food available if you are a veggie. There is actually a limit to how many cheese toasties and croissants you can eat. The metros dirty and prehistoric - give me london and any UK city anyday

Paris is pretty mediocre compared to other European cities. I prefer the architecture of Prague, which is much friendlier, and the food of Spanish cities. I like French people in general, but found Paris a bit terrifying. They did not appreciate my terrible schoolgirl French.

No green spaces and full of huge concrete pillars, ladies and gentlemen

I used to live there and loved it, though when we had to choose between London and Paris more longterm, we went with London, which I think, looking back, was the right call. Paris is more staid.

Maybe what people are objecting to is the Parisian 'tourist experience'? Which I've never done, admittedly. I moved there first as a student, then to live, and now when I'm back I stay with friends, so I've literally never stayed in a Paris hotel. Plus I've always spoken fairly fluent French, which perhaps explains why I honestly couldn't say I find Paris any ruder than, say, London or Berlin or NY. The bureaucracy, I grant you, is awful. I could fill pages of screaming about Parisian jobsworths and needless rules and form-filling...

I think MerdeAlor sums it up perfectly.

But Lockheart very little green on the right bank to the peripherique.

Lynette, I love the smell of the métro too! What is that smell? It's kind of soapy and smoky all at once.

I do really like Paris. I've spent a lot of time there. You can't beat Parc des Buttes-Chaumont on a clear winter day. Going to see an old film on a Friday night in one of the flea pit cinemas off Blvd St Germain. The Diptyque shop. L'Institut du monde arabe. I can't be arsed with the touristy stuff. Never been up the Eiffel Tower, no plans to. It's the first place in a foreign country that I ever travelled to alone, when I was 16, and my fondness for it is pretty deep rooted.

I have been to Paris once. I wouldn't say it was my favourite European city, but I didn't hate it. Although I wouldn't rush back, would prefer to visit other cities in France like Strasbourg and Nice.

I went to Paris at 17. Was approached by men continuously and aggressively (and I am not... um... conventionally attractive). My friend had her boobs grabbed in three separate occasions on the Champs Elysees. It was grim and I haven't any desire to go back.

The best bit about Paris for me is when the police turn up suddenly in front of the Eiffel Tower to chase all the tourist-tat sellers away. They all grab up their sheets full of Eiffel tower figurines and sprint away over the gardens with 20 policemen chasing after them.

We've seen it every time we've been and it never fails to amuse me. I'm sure it's all for show sometimes though! Never seen the police actually catch one.

Yes. Very.

Some assumptions being made on this thread by pro Paris pps too.

I first went as a student and the 2nd time with work. So not doing the touristy thing, my French at the time was quite good as I visited France frequently and it was part of my job. Other parts of France I felt much more welcome and had a more enjoyable time.

I was there for 4 nights in October after a 30 years absence. I loved the architecture and leafy streets, shops and cafes. I felt safe on the Metro even at 1am. I agree the hotel rooms are small and overpriced, more so than London. Definitely in my top three though (Rome and Moscow probably others).

Never been paris, wanted to go but with the sexual harassment and racism stories on here I dont think I want to. I have heard parisians can be rude as well.

I don't get Paris either, having been for many years on business and romantic trips with dh. Just no comparison to Florence or Rome of you ask me.

We had a pleasant afternoon in the Tuilleries area when dd was 9, boiling hot and took off her t-shirt after running around. (non developed). A woman nudged me to point out a delightful paedophile in his 60's wearing an old mac taking pics of dd on his mobile. Anyway I digress..

louche I think I saw about 5'black people and as for brownies like me I imagine most of them are immigrants and as I understand there's a lot of tension on that front.

Have been to many cities (Paris included). Nowhere comes close to London so far Imho