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?

[IfNotNowThenWhenever]

Exactly 2 wrongs.
I mean, you could go to London, stay in some dive off the Tottenham Court Road, eat only out of cafes in Leicester Square and such, drink in Wetherspoons, get groped on the tube and mugged, well, pretty much anywhere.. London can be a total hell hole! It all depends on your individual experience.
Last time I went to Paris with friends, pre dc, I decided to go a wandering by myself. I walked down the Seine. It was a beautiful spring day, couples were holding hands and kissing. A man played "Wonderful World" on an accordion. Nobody sexually harassed me all day. Everyone was friendly. I had a lovely time, and always have in Paris, so obviously I don't recognise the bad stories.
In fact, nobody has ever seriously sexually harassed me in Paris. I've had a few "ooh la las" walking by men, or experiences of men trying to pick me up, but nothing really offensive or physical.
I've had that in Barcelona and Bradford too so that's just anywhere really. ( although now entering my Formidable years, so not so much!)

[leccybill]

I've been a frequent visitor to Paris and find it a bit grotty. I speak French but still haven't received much in the way of good customer service.
Madrid is my favourite European city, it's a capital with a villagey feel. So laid back.

[TwitTwatTwunt]

leccybill I really loved Madrid too, plan to go back one day soon!

[pilpiloni]

I love Paris! My kids are learning French and everyone was delightful and encouraging to them when they spoke. Its a beautify city and great fun with kids.

The food was disappointing in the restaurants, expected more from Paris! But the boulangeries and patisseries sure made up for it!

[BoboChic]

Paris is amazing and infuriating in equal measures. I've lived in Paris for 24 years - with a couple of breaks that add up to three years - and it remains an extraordinary city and an incredible place for DC to grow up.

[wannabestressfree]

Love Paris...we stay in monmatre and I know it well enough now that we know where to go and what to see. People have always been really friendly and it's one of the places we feel comfortable.
The only issue we ever have is the heavy smoking (dp is asmathic) and really suffers.
Incidentally I hated new York.

[lelia]

I have lived here for 15 years and love it . Have great friends , it is so beautiful , and have always felt safe.Every time I cross the Siene I pinch myself - can't believe how lucky I am .

[lelia]

Sorry Seine !

[HelloCanYouHearMe]

I dont get Paris either

Budapest on the hand is amazing

[Ancienchateau]

Ha ha if you think Parisians are unfriendly you should live in my city!

I think it's a very different experience between living in and visiting Paris. Some cities like Rome, Florence imo you just get as a tourist, but Paris you have to live there, become a little bit Parisian, to get it.

[BudsBeginingSpringinSight]

I love paris but do conceed very high number of beggars and hasslers there, jumping out all over the place, had a show down with an unstable man on the train, with toddler in tow, was heart stopping.

I dont like the trains there at all, I dont feel safe, But over all I adore it, ITS hard to get round though and taxs are rubbish. bUT I LOVE IT.

[SchnitzelVonKrumm]

I like Paris but the only outright, totally blatant instances of racism (against French people from minority backgrounds) I've ever seen took place there.

[Themodernuriahheep]

Ancien, which city? Or which country?

One of our friends , new Australian, ex Hungarian, thought the un friendliest were those known for gnomes and Calvin.

[LarrytheCucumber]

I don't like Paris much either, but it doesn't help that we ended up staying in a red light district Never felt the need to go back.

[Msrichardofyork]

The food was the worst I've eaten in any city. Seemed to be either very haute places or dingy bistros with grubby looking croque Monsieurs. Pastries were the only thing I enjoyed. DD was an adventurous eating 2yo now only eats chips and one good restaurant refused to serve her I think a veg risotto and insisted she have something plain as 'it's not for children', which really surprised me. No high chairs anywhere and generally not child friendly, although pre kids me would have loved that :)

Traffic was horrible. Felt like was dicing with death every time I crossed the road.

Station cafes full of people begging and felt quite unsafe

Came home with a new appreciation for London.

[derxa]

I even saw a guy tossing off in on a quiet road in Milngavie once!
Sacre bleu! I love big cities including the Dear Green Place, Paris, Naples,
London... the grittier the better.

[CornishDoll82]

Paris is cool and dirty and fun and beautiful and sophisticated and edgy. Everything a city should be. I love it

[CornishDoll82]

And to say the food is bad.....I really can't understand that unless you've just been eating in the equivalent of Leicester Square. It's amazing. Just don't eat croque monsieurs in the tourist cafes.

[CerseiHeartsJaime4ever]

I'm always amazed at the amount of people who visit London and only go to M&M world, Ripleys Believe it or not and eat in chain restaurants every night (including Angus steakhouse.... YUK!) And yet they still say they love it! Each to their own.

Paris pastries... OMG! Gorgeous!

[CornishDoll82]

I've lived in London my whole life, bar uni, and never been to M&M world, Ripleys or an Angus Steakhouse! If I had, I'd probably hate London too!

[Alisvolatpropiis]

Yanbu, I guess.

Naples is the only place I have ever felt unsafe in though. The central train station and surrounding area is fucking rough. An Italian bloke followed me through the station hissing and clicking at me, which was delightful. Fortunately that occurred at the end of my stay so didn't put me off overly.

[jeremyisahunt]

Disney land Paris is crap and overpriced

[Vintage45]

I went to disney land paris too and agree wholeheartedly with Jeremy. Friend at the time had a baby and the only place she could get any milk was in an over priced glass in the hotel. It's set in the middle of nowhere for a purpose. No shops, no where else to go. Just the thought of it now makes want to spit.

[pilpiloni]

They have a little grocery store in the railway station next to Disneyland. We went there for lunch - much better than the overpriced options inside