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[EviLore]

Paris is the Philadelphia of Europe. An old city with rich history and some of the most gigantic assholes you will ever wish you hadn't met. At least, that's what I've gathered of Paris. I can personally confirm it of Philly.

Yes, and it's absolutely worth visiting for the history.

 

[Durien]

It's really bad. I wouldn't spend time in Paris these days as it's basically a dump. I've been to France 17 times and spent one year near Saint-Nazaire in middle school. The regions are much much better. Normandy is great (Mont Saint-Michel), Loire also (castles, especially Angers) were my favourites.

We are heading out to the Loire Valley Wednesday.

Took this today. The only place I haven't seen graffiti.

 

[MMaRsu]

 

[MMaRsu]

We are heading out to the Loire Valley Wednesday.

Took this today. The only place I haven't seen graffiti.

Mont st Michel is very nice. Went there last year. Make sure you climb to the top!

 

[jason10mm]

We are heading out to the Loire Valley Wednesday.

Took this today. The only place I haven't seen graffiti.

I'm starting to understand why europeans don't all have A/C

 

[mopspear]

He's just telling about his trip. It's not an unhinged rant where this gif might be appropriate. This made me mad. I'd call you childish but I know everyone on this forum is 80+.

 

[Miyazaki’s Slave]

I have to go to Paris to give a presentation in December...dreading it actually.

 

[The Goddamn Mike]

We did a wine-region-focused trip about 4-5 years ago. Started in Paris and ended there before flying back to The States. Bourgogne, Loire, Provence...hit some cities: Dijon, Lyon, etc., outside of the main regions we visited. I don't do "tours," so I rented a car and drove myself and my wife for the entire bit. The traffic circle around The Arc de Triumph is the craziest, jungle-law, pray-for-a-quick-death driving I have ever done...and I've driven through Jamaica. Apple maps also sent us - in the ridiculous rental E-Class we had been given (you do not want a big car in these cities) - down back-alley steps meant for pedestrians. I passed crates of empty milk bottles (or whatever) on stoops and imagined myself being in Ronin as I yelled at my wife for the piss-poor navigation (not her fault) and pondered as to whether or not we were getting out of whatever corridor we had wedged the car into...as the vehicle bumped along down staircases. Fun stuff.

I had my wallet stolen during the second Paris stint. It was found by, of all people, Joachim Noah's father...who apparently is really big deal in the tennis world (French Open winner) - I didn't know this until after-the-fact, but met him at his apartment in Paris when he handed me my wallet (there is more to this crazy story, but I won't waste your time). Long story short: he found it in a gutter after "the gypsy kids" had stolen it.

Long story short: Paris sucks, but France is awesome. They tell you the French want you to immerse yourself in their culture and speak their language. This is not true in Paris. I spent a month with Rosetta Stone before traveling to speak some passable, simple French. In Paris? "Uhg (said aloud). English?"

Everything/everywhere else in the country is fantastic. Great restaurants, great wine, great people. Just not in Paris. So, my advice is: spend as much time not in the city as you can.

 

[Paasei]

Paris is the Philadelphia of Europe. An old city with rich history and some of the most gigantic assholes you will ever wish you hadn't met. At least, that's what I've gathered of Paris. I can personally confirm it of Philly.

Not sure about Philly, but definitely true about Paris and (most of) France.

 

[Durien]

. The traffic circle around The Arc de Triumph is the craziest, jungle-law, pray-for-a-quick-death driving I have ever done...and I've driven through Jamaica.

Dude, this had me laughing out loud literally. So far I have been in that circle twice and each time I start laughing. All I can think of is the Trains, Planes, and Automobiles scene where rhey are driving between the 2 semis and Steve Martin looks over at John Candy who is dressed like the devil and is laughing. I got the front seat in the taxi and I was like faaaaaaaaaa

 

[Durien]

Btw I started this thread as it seemed like there are quite a few European gafers. I thought you might find my tourist take on Paris interesting heh heh

 

[Roufianos]

I went for the first time this year, thought it was really nice. People weren't nearly as hostile as others made out. City is super beautiful. Only complaint was the food, thought it was super overpriced and actually quite gross, pastries aside.