London versus Paris for visitors
Posted on 02 September 2009 with no comments from readers
One week in Paris is like a year in any other place, or so they used to say. This summer instead of spending a week in London we have headed off to Paris. It is always great to have variety to add spice to life. But how does Paris compare?
Architecturally Paris wins hands down. It is like Cambridge over Oxford and I am an Oxford man. This is the grandest city on earth and Baron Haussmann finished the centre off beautifully in the 19th century. London is a sprawling mess of less impressive buildings.
The giant Louvre Museum is an incredible public space and the iconic Eiffel Tower still without a confrere in blighty. To get around the Metro is miles better than the Tube, and the taxis cheaper.
La cuisine
Londoners like to try to argue that their restaurants are up to French standard but unless my taste buds have withered in the desert I just do not find this to be true. The average French restaurant serves much better food and that continues up to the top of the scale, and as for the wine it seems the best of it never leaves France.
Now it is fair to say that Parisians are not for small talk and waiters can be a trifle aloof, but there is a fairness and honesty and generally a dedication to doing a good job, albeit only within certain narrow boundaries – and if you do not know the system that is your problem not theirs.
A la mode
From the perspective of the shopper then Paris probably scores for having more specialist shops and fashion. You would never be bored shopping around the district surrounding The Madeleine where we have rented a modest apartment. You also have the tastiest boulangeries and brasseries for snacks, bread and pastries.
Art galleries and museums are probably better in Paris than London both in numbers and quality, although London does have more parks. You also have theatre shows in English and not French, unless you fancy the delights of the Moulin Rouge.
On the whole I have to sit on the fence and feel equally at home in both cities, yet must concede that not having set foot in Paris for a decade was a big mistake and not one I will make again. This is civilization on a grand and human scale and just enormous fun.
