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 love Paris, and lived and worked there for a year in my early 20s. I don't understand why many find it so expensive. We ALWAYS managed to find a cheap meal; it's easily done if you go to the less touristy areas. The locals I found fine. Any sexual harassment I encountered (which looking back was loads) came from North African males.

Yy to train station shop. We went for the day from central Paris by train and I bought baguettes there for a quarter of the price they sold them in the park.

I don't like Paris either. So overrated. Love Nice.

Will never go back to Paris willingly. As vegetarians it was almost impossible to find somewhere to eat, and when we did the waiters were unbelievably rude to us. I remember ordering an omelette (without the ham) and was brought a plate of plain boiled vegetables instead. As he put it down in front of me he said 'you're a vegetarian, so eat vegetables'
Aside from that I remember dog poo and graffiti and really unfriendly people.

Paris is okay and there is fabulous art and shopping if that's your thing. But IMO there are much nicer, more walkable and romantic cities.