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Original poster

What do you think of Paris?

45 replies

AGHHHH · 08/12/2018 22:39

I've just visited for the first time and my first experience has been marred by the riots and constant rain (as well as the fact I got lost multiple times, knocked a basket of stuff over in the first shop I went to, had the buses go out of service halfway to my destination with no clue how else to get there, trying Uber who also dropped me off 20 minutes away from my destination still...) nightmare Grin

Plus it seems like it could pretty much be any European city Xmas Blush

The Eiffel Tower did take my breath away though.

I would like to come back at a better time, preferably with someone though. I'm sure it's much better than it has seemed.

What do you think of it?

OP posts:
SJane45S · 08/12/2018 22:57

Like all places, depends who you go with, time of year, where you stay & how old you are. I've been numerous times over the years - backpacking in my teens, girly weekends in my twenties, business trips & more recently, with the kids in my forties. Each time has been different & some more fun than others. Never been particularly keen on the big tourist sights like the Eiffel Tower but it's a great city to wander & just take life in. I particularly like Montmartre, even if it's a bit touristy it's still atmospheric. And I'm not sure that it's just like any other big European city - most of them have distinct architectural styles as does Paris. Wouldn't be my favourite city but can see myself going back there again and again. Can see why bad weather & riots would put you off though & the people aren't always the most welcoming!

BeardedMum · 08/12/2018 23:00

Run down, terrible food and rude people.

INeedNewShoes · 08/12/2018 23:04

Overrated in my humble opinion. It is so very hyped up and the romantic view portrayed in many films shows only a very select side.

It feels claustrophobic to me and lacks the numerous big green spaces that help London breathe.

I was very happy living in London for 7 years, exploring different areas on foot all the time whereas after a year in Paris I'd had enough. In Paris I had a handful of favourite places that I loved but generally when I had a day off I'd hop on the TGV and explore places outside of Paris.

I absolutely love France but Paris somehow isn't so appealing to me.

Littlebighorn · 08/12/2018 23:05

I’d been a few times, did the usual like Montmatre, La Louvre, Notre Dame, and was under impressed, I also speak pretty reasonable french, but earlier this year we stayed on the Left Bank did a lot of wandering, and visited the Musee D’Orsay, and would go back in a heartbeat.

Kescilly · 08/12/2018 23:08

I was never that bothered about visiting but we met up with a friend there. Only spent a long weekend and I really enjoyed it. Even seeing the Eiffel Tower, which I wasn’t going to bother with at first! I do wonder how much expectations factor into our experiences.

I didn’t find the people rude, I’d love to see more of the art, and found it very nice to walk around.

ReflectentMonatomism · 08/12/2018 23:11

There are cities which live up to their reputation.

Paris isn't one of them.

Dirty, expensive and slightly threatening. Every time I am there I am reminded of all the other places I'd rather be. London. Berlin. Rome. All of them nicer, more interesting capitals. Paris has art galleries you need to visit, but otherwise?

PeridotCricket · 08/12/2018 23:11

I’ve never been that keen. Just never got it. Loved Rome from the first minute, Berlin was amazing....

Paris...just...couldn’t love it. Been about six times for various reasons with various people...

clary · 08/12/2018 23:12

I love Paris and was there recently with my DC (who were a pain, Paris still lovely tho) but I can imagine that just now it's not a great place to visit.

When it's all calmer, I recommend Musee D'Orsay, sainte chappelle, jardin du Luxembourg and Pere lachaise.

Didsomeonesaybunny · 08/12/2018 23:33

I really love France but Paris wouldn’t be up there in my top City breaks. The last time I went there it was extremely dirty and very expensive. My DP is trying to convince me to go next year for Dîner en Blanc (a wanky event where you being your own food and dress in white). We went last year in London and whilst I had lots of fun I’m not sure I’d trek to Paris for it (even if it did originate there!)

Original poster
AGHHHH · 08/12/2018 23:59

I'm glad it's not just me! I felt like there was something wrong with not loving it. Though I have spent most of my time in metro stations.

It does feel a bit dirty and claustrophobic yeah. I saw a lot of rats. The food is hideously overpriced and I had to really look to find a suitable place to eat.

But I will come back when it's less likely to rain and when it's calm again. I did want to see the Louvre, Catacombs and climb the Eiffel Tower but it was all shut.

I'm going to Berlin too so glad it's likely to be better.

OP posts:
LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 09/12/2018 00:15

Grimy, sometimes dodgy and always and utterly brilliant. One of my favourite cities. I have never encountered rudeness either - in fact, when I travelled there with just DS and me in the summer people were ridiculously helpful (he's quite slight and had to manage his own case etc in the metro).

That said though, you've visited at a troubled time.

civicxx · 09/12/2018 00:15

Crap food & rude people

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 09/12/2018 00:16

Food was great, not necessarily cheap but not ridiculous. And again people were lovely when it came to adapting menus for DS who is a bit weird with food (ASD).

KitKat1985 · 11/12/2018 19:03

I've been a couple of times and didn't really like it that much either time. Found it a bit pretentious and overpriced. I had a much better break in Brussels and Bruge.

Notmytelescope · 11/12/2018 19:05

Totally overrated! Food is crap ( well almost all I’ve had and I love food in France normally...)

Notmytelescope · 11/12/2018 19:05

Berlin is much, much better!

GreyGardens88 · 11/12/2018 19:09

I love it, especially in the summer

Etino · 11/12/2018 19:10

Lovely place to live, not so easy to visit

lifeinthesticks · 11/12/2018 19:16

I've only been one and loved it. We went for a big birthday and stayed in a special hotel. The weather was glorious spring sunshine, we either walked or got cabs and managed to see all the sites I'd always wanted to see.
Climbing the Eiffel Tower was my only disappointment.
DH had prebooked a couple of restaurants and we ate some amazing food.

Apparently I have to wait until I'm 80 to repeat the experience Wink

undeecided · 11/12/2018 19:20

I love it. A capital city which feels like people actually live there - launderettes instead/?as well as of nail bars. Multi cultural and vibrant with a glamorous cultural history. Last time we went we ate Indonesian Zambian tourist fry ups just about everything but French! It was this time of year. I would go anytime.

juneau · 15/12/2018 08:37

I've been to Paris many times - I'm guessing about 7 or 8 - and I love it. It does have dogshit on the streets, I did have my purse stolen once on the Metro, and I found the Marais area quite threatening when I wandered through it alone, but for museums, food, kid friendliness, play grounds and ease of getting there it's really hard to beat. I speak conversational French, which I think probably helps, but I never understand why people find it unfriendly or rude or whatever - I have never found this. Greet people with a friendly 'Bonjour', do your homework about where to go and you should have a great time. You were very unlucky to be there during the riots OP - that must have been utterly crap - but go back when the weather is warmer (July and August are crowded and hot, so not recommended), and hopefully you'll have a better time.

goose1964 · 27/12/2018 18:54

I have not been there for years but the last time I did I was groped in the metro, you should have seen his face when I gave him a mouthful in French.

Mrskeats · 27/12/2018 19:19

Love it. Been many times and it never disappoints.

tomhazard · 30/12/2018 05:53

I spend a lot of time in Paris. I love it but I like most vibrant large cities.

This week (still here) it's utterly freezing but bright and dry, had a lovely time with the DC wondering around the Jardin des Plantes, Tuileries, general pottering. But, we have friends here and stay in a residential area and speak French. I find people very friendly on the whole, especially with the DC.

It is an unfortunate time to have visited with the gilets jaunes, and there is dog shit absolutely everywhere !

Shopgirl1 · 30/12/2018 06:26

Been twice, don’t think much of it. There is some stunning architecture, but in general I found the people rude and the city to be over priced and dirty.

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