To think Paris is overrated?

[BorgQueen]

I’m here now and just not feeling it. The insane heat isn’t helping but everything is just annoying me to the point of rage. The Metro is horrific, the bus routes I’d so carefully researched are not running because of road works. We’re spending more on ubers than anything else. Walking around is problematic, so many pavements blocked off where we want to walk, I honestly feel cursed. If we didn’t have the Louvre booked tomorrow, I’d have come home early.
We visited Notre Dame and were herded around like cattle, you couldn’t move freely and it was horrible, packed in like sardines.
We went to the BHV department store afterwards and planned on going to up to the top floor cafe, no escalators or lifts were running and the downstairs toilets were blocked off, I almost cried.
Went to see the Eiffel tower sparkle and it was like a circus with multiple Police chasing the scammers/tat sellers around Trocadero. Loud music playing, it was like the 7th circle of hell crossed with a rave.
Thankfully our hotel in St Germain is lovely with great aircon but I don’t think I’ll ever come back to Paris.

I do like Paris. It has it's issues due to government and certain policies but it's fine

What?!

I’ve been once in August with my mum and stepdad when I was 17 in mid 80s. Stayed in Bastille area. Think I went then as I’d left school and DM was a teacher so got school
holidays. Saw a few touristy bits but also visited Versailles, Fontainbleu and Giverny on day trips. It was incredibly hot. And empty. The palaces and Giverny were stunning. All the other times I’ve been to Paris were in spring, autumn, winter and June. A friend of ours who was from Rouen but lived in Paris, even she in Summer would return to her parents house from Paris (at weekends or for holiday), or go abroad or to the South. We met her in Rouen one summer.

I am really sorry that your holiday in Paris is so dreadful. Unfortunately, August is the WORST time to go there! I have had many friends/colleagues who have gone on holidays there and they have all loved it. I went for a short week with my best friend and we had the time of our lives but it was about 20 years ago...Maybe go again out of season?

You are quite right @BorgQueen it would be insane and unsafe!! People are a lot careful with the heat and the sun on the Continent!...Glad you have enjoyed the Louvres! Enjoy the rest of your holiday and safe trip back 😊

Even when I had family living there I did not visit them in August.

Lesson learnt I suppose for the OP.

Me too.
And we found a huge bedbug jammed in the window of our hotel room!

When I said we were herded round Notre dame, I meant we we in a tidal wave of people, they let so many in you couldn’t go at your own pace or even stop very easily, there was just a surge of bodies. I nearly fell down some unexpected steps because you couldn’t see them until you were at them. I’ve never been in a crowd like it other than fireworks at Magic Kingdom in Orlando!

I liked the Champs Elysee and Arc de Triomphe far more than Monmarte or around the Opera/Hausmann area. I didn’t expect to after reading ‘advice’ that it was a tourist trap and a rip off. There is a great Monoprix selling nice clothes and We had a gorgeous meal at Cafe George V for not much more than we have been paying in the side streets around our hotel on Rue Saints Peres which is just across the bridge to the Louvre.

Oh it must've changed since last week then. I had no problem stopping and looking and had an 8 year old with me

completely overrated imho. Been 4 or 5 times and equally underwhelming each visit. Even/especially the tower. Don’t get it at all and would actively avoid returning now I’m over the age where repetition is a new opportunity missed!

I think you’re wild to go on any city break in August. I grew up in southern Europe and August is for beaches and swimming pools only I’m afraid!

What's happened to BHV? I loved that store! For the uninitiated, imagine if John Lewis had a DIY department occupying a whole floor, and a floor dedicated to art and craft materials.

Love Paris, visited 3 times. I do think the mass tourism in a lot of major cities is zapping the enjoyment these days. Felt like that about Barcelona. Couldn't look at anything properly as too busy and a rushed pace.

It used to be lovely many years ago (as with a lot of places) but don't fancy it at all these days, especially in summer.

I don't like Gare Du Nord

I've just left Paris today and the metros were fine. Line 1 was pretty busy but not as busy as London and all the other lines were OK.

I'm with you @BorgQueen. I was very very underwhelmed by it. The only bit I really liked was the little park near our hotel, which was nothing special, but had a lovely atmosphere.

It was bought by Frederic Merlin in 2023. He stopped paying any of the suppliers and has basically run it into the ground. The final straw was when he installed SHEIN on the 5th floor resulting in a boycott by all the French brands who withdrew from the store leaving acres of empty space. Since then it has been like a ghost store - with just a few bewildered tourists wandering round wondering what they gave stumbled on. It has now been sold again and the latest plan is that it will have an hotel on the top floors and retail space below - not even a shadow of its former self.

I've been to Paris maybe 20/30 times - probably travelled through as many times. I love it, which is why I keep going back.

There's a lot of stuff here that's not really Paris's fault. Outside of heatwaves and rush hour, the Metro is a breeze. I've done all the touristy stuff many moons past and so don't feel the need to revisit. Roadworks have never hindered me. BHV was lovely when I visited.

It’s August in the middle of a European heatwave like never seen before what do you expect ?. Agan Notre Dame in August were you expecting it to be empty ? Who was herding you round? Normally you walk round as you like.

Horrible place, to busy and crowded.
Barcelona much nicer

Paris is amazing. Doing touristy stuff in the midst of summer? Nah. Find the off the beat stuff! Just hang and chill more. Walk around, Paris is famous for just wandering with no fixed plan. So many cool things. Some great clubs too.

Whereas I find Barcelona way too busy and crowded, personally, Horses for courses and all that.

I'm scared of getting mugged in Barcelona.

We braved the Metro again today, this time from Twirlywoos ( Tuileries) to Grand Palais both ways and it was fine, the bus back across the Seine from the Louvre was more crowded. Such a shame that the Tuileries garden is closed off.
Petit Palais was lovely - free, cool, uncrowded and a fabulous cafe.
Found a winged victory statue for £30 in a tat shop outside the Louvre when they were £90-£160 everywhere else.
Just sat waiting for an uber and the flight home is already delayed over an hour 🙄