Paris, Yes or No?

[Teaandwater]

DH and I have never been, never been interested but now I feel I should really visit to tick it of my list. Should we go? If yes, any recommendations for accommodation and things to do.

Paris is magical. You must go.

Can I just ask what you found so magical as I had completely the opposite experience.?

Went last September and enjoyed it. I was a little shocked at some areas ( republic springs to mind, felt a little unsafe there) but otherwise enjoyed it. Dusk river cruise was amazing

Yes absolutely. So much to see & do.

I love Paris, have been many times. My favourite area to stay in is the Marais. Choose a few things you’d like to see/do and book and otherwise just stroll about and enjoy the cafe culture

Although I think traveling was better in my day, the generation above me thought the same, and the one above them, etc. Either we all just agree and no one travels anymore, or you just crack on and see some places.

Paris is always a yes.

In answer to what is so magical
The Eiffel Tower
French speakers
Cafes
Montmartre
Scare Coeur
Notre Dame
Louvre
The metro
Just such a magical, French, beautiful atmosphere. In Summer the free street performers. The views from Montmartre. There are also some lovely gardens.

Paris is ok as long as you as you keep your wits about you and you are aware of your surroundings. I would avoid going anywhere near the Eiffel Tower (mainly due to the sheer number of petition girls and thieves that roam that general area) and see it from a distance. The security fence that surrounds it at ground level is awful too as well as the security staff.

Sacre Coeur has the same sort of anti social problems particularly on the steps leading up to it.

We found the area around Montmartre very dodgy. Lots of hustlers who wouldn't take notice for an answer and got very aggressive.
Really scary when we had young children with us.

Go it's a beautiful city.

No i hate Paris its dirty, expensive and the people are rude. Just to add though it was about 10 years ago since I went so listen to people who have been recently

We took Dd for her 21st birthday last month
We all loved it (myself , Dh , Dd and her best friend)
We stayed in the 9th district in a lovely boutique hotel
We visited the Eiffel Tower
Had lovely food
Went to see the Moulin Rouge which was amazing
Went to a lovely shopping centre Galeries Lafayette
Visited some really nice coffee shops
Everyone we met were friendly
Everywhere was clean
We really enjoyed walking around looking at the beautiful buildings
Myself and Dh are planning to go back later in the year to visit the museums

I think everyone should go to Paris at least once if they can. It's like London, or Rome - iconic even though it's dirty and the people are horrid.

love love love Paris!
Lots to see and do. Favourites are the Marais, St Germain, and then of course everything in the 1st arrondissement.
I would stay in St Germain for a really nice authentic and high end vibe without being too Mayfair

I wouldn't bother- far nicer cities. Have you been to Lisbon?

have people lost the ability to find things out for themselves?
Honest question.
Do your own homework and then ask more specific details and ideas

And yes, I'm aware this is a chat board, yada yada

We love paris, we go every year, we stay St Germain, most recently at Hotel Louis II which was very pleasant.

Like many others, I find Paris far more relaxed and welcoming now than in the 90's.

Live there. Love it. Best museum by far is the Jacquemart-André. Best food invention is the café gourmand.

I have to go for work fairly frequently and have been socially - it’s not my favourite city (by a long shot), but think everyone should go once.

I really didn’t like it but that was 15 years or so ago now. That said, I am not put off by people on mumsnet when it comes to travel. I think everyone’s experiences are different and, as this thread shows some people love it. If you’ve never been, it’s worth a visit. You might love it, you might not.

I agree with this.
I’ve been visiting Paris on and off for forty years and now it is completely hideous.
Trash everywhere, turn down a random street and be confronted by a migrant encampment, pick pockets , random pockets of violence.
They try and keep the sightseeing spots looking presentable but there are undesirable elements everywhere. It’s frightening.

This!

Paris is a beautiful city. It is not a museum, it is a living city, all cities have their rough parts.

l was UK born but brought up in Paris because of dad’s job and still go back around twice a year.

One of the best times to go is August. Although you will encounter many tourists it is a time when the locals head out the city in a mass exodus for their summer holidays. It is calmer and some local restaurants will be closed but the whole experience is more relaxed.

But don’t go to tick a box, only go if you really want to go.

What areas do you visit?! I’ve yet to encounter any migrant encampments. Nor have I particularly noticed any particularly bad rubbish, not even around Fbg St Denis. You must be seeking out the worst areas of Stalingrad or Gare de l’Est; not areas that OP or other regular visitors are likely to want to visit.

I visited last month and didn’t see any of the above
Everywhere was clean and never saw any undesirable elements anywhere
Everyone was friendly and personally I can’t wait to go back later in the year