From reading your post I guess I picked the wrong city when I chose Florence and Milan. Florence was too much like the South of France, so my friend said, and Milan another metropolitan city. Maybe even the wrong season, cold January.

I agree with all of your “in defense of Paris…” list. The bread was nothing to write home about, but the best stuff was at the markets. Little buns with olives, all the diff hams, and fresh fruit and veggies. Most stalls had free tastings too. Yummmm.

Rome does sound fab. Included in my next visit to Euroe. Thanks.

- The ocean is nearby.

Humm.. You’re sure we’re talking about the same city? Or maybe ocean has a different meaning in English, that I wouldn’t know…

No, for having been there for one week I think Rome is a great city to visit, and Paris a great city to live in^^

Go, Paris, go!

yup ocean means ocean in english. it’s only about 25 km away from Rome.

Roma Rules Roma Rules!

ang04, i LOVE florence too so i don’t think it was a mistake to go there. i don’t know milan. yay i’m glad you’ll go to rome. you can find a great place to stay in rome with our friends here: rome accommodations. lots of choices.

less b.o. and poo on the sidewalk and nicer people, I’m there!

Also, romans try to understand foreign languages, unlike snobby parisians who think tourists should all speak french ! Do they even realise that tourists are the heart of parisian economy ? i doubt it…

i hear you, kat!

cali – i can always count on your to do the troll thing…

Hey, as a parisian, I ALWAYS try to answer in english to non-french speaking tourists. You can’t put us all in the same basket. And I know many peolpe who are much more understandable in french than in english, even for a German ou a Japanese…

And, at least in french, the mediteranean sea is a sea and not an ocean… (not to speak of the adriatic sea…)

Obviously, things have changed there since I was there in 1970 (Lordy, a lifetime ago!). At that time, the drivers seemed to be aiming for those on foot! Anyway, I’ll take it over new York or Boston any day. In fact, probably over any large city in the USA.
French/European customs: Could you explain to me the kiss on the cheek thing: one kiss versus 2 kisses, right cheek vs left cheek (and on who’s right/left, and any other strange & wonderful customs?

There was a quite good report on Karambolage on Arte last sunday (the kissing thing)

But it’s in french…

Italia is one of my favorite places on earth but Rome is probably one my least favorite Italian cities…….It’s dirty, so overrun with tourist and I’m not fond of Roman antiquities……..It is definitely not better than Paris (IMHO)…. However, I will say what I believe is better in Italy:
1. The food (including the delicious gelato)
2. The people are more forgiving when I speak Italian and they don’t talk so freakin’ fast to the point of being incomprehensible
3. They don’t have this superior air about themselves that many Parisian emote
3. The people are friendly and the ragazzi italiani are just molto bello (Italian men are so handsome…)
4. I love rennaisance art
5. I love love the Amalfi coast, Toscana is great and the Lombardia region is wonderful. Milano is a bit congested and dirty but can you say fashion? I like to think of Milano as a big city with lots of old world charm. Some of the other towns are worth a look (Bergamo & Como (George Clooney agrees too and not congested with tourists so you get a real feel for the Northern Italian culture.

Paris is not utopia, mais j’adore Paris le mieux……..

Merci GL, enfin somebody defends Paris. I’ve never lived in Paris, but I worked there for many years, and I just love this city !! I don’t have enough time to answer all the critics people have made against Paris, but still, it’s not true to say that nobody tries to speak in English when you ask a question.

I love the Arche de Triomphe, it’s not the real one ? so what ? Still I find it beautiful and “majestueux”. And Are you telling me that WHEREVER you go to Paris, it smells like pee ? Who are you kidding ?

Anyway, I hope part of the list is a joke, like this one : beauty is everywhere, wow, I’ve never heard that one… I’ve been to Rome, and there are definitely stunning places, but saying that beauty is everywhere is a bit exaggerated…

awwwwwwwww. never take me too seriously or too literally especially when you’re at the point of getting offended. this was really very tongue and cheeky with a little wondering why rome was so far down the list of most visited places. i really do love paris too and (obviously) france in general, which is why i live here and blog about it.

Hey PT,
You see my list of what I love about Italia is quite long…..but I always scratch my head when people say the love Roma…. I guess its beauty and charm are lost on me….

Oups, sorry for being so sensitive… I thought you were serious, but I would never dare say like one of our famous politician who happens to be our president : “la France, tu l’aimes ou tu la quittes !”. lol

Sorry again…

good list, gl! i guess rome just isn’t for everyone.

please don’t apologize sandrine. i probably need to be more sensitive to others – i can be such a troll sometimes!

“This opinion is based on my one week holiday in Rome, which isn’t very long, I realize – while I actually have spent much more time in Paris as a resident.”

I rest my case. Right there, this explains why you feel that way! Everything on your list (about Rome) is true for me too (with the possible exception of the food, though; there, I disagree, I think Food if France deserves a capital F, not so in Italy, although, to tell you the truth, it wouldn’t bother me to give up all the food in the world and live on Roman pizzas for the rest of my life, but I digress)

Paris is not “overrated” though, it’s just that Paris is … not for everybody! Not everybody gets Paris. Most people go there with the asburd notion that it’s gonna be the most romantic city in the world. Ha! Anyway, I shouldn’t talk about Paris because I have way too much to say (both in positive and in negative).

Great post!

I love the way French sounds…but I have to say I like the way Italian sounds sung even better! Are people in Paris really that snobby? Our French tutor was from Paris and she kind of was…but I am thinking of going there on exchange and now I am scared. Haha…maybe I should just go to Japan…=)

I LOVED Rome! Paris was cool but I though Rome was better too. The food was SOOOO good. I love cheese and bread but found myself constantly hungry in Paris.

How can it be Paris better than Rome in any sense?Paris is just marketing, french are masters in self-promotion, from food to fashion. Just look at Paris main symbol:it’s a bunch of steel rods!!!can this be even compared with the Colosseo?…let’s be serious please.

Why should one be better than the other ? They are different that’s all.

Paris is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much better Italy sucksssssssssssssssss so bad!

Go Paris! Paris is better because u have the Eifell Tower you have the sweet food, it’s hotels r better, and Paris is safer, Rome has that huge mafia running around planting carbombs! I also believe France is better because of the arts, the cuisine, the fact that the French invented Rabies, and that AirFrance is better than Italian Airlines, also, Paris has better marketing, also, People don’t pee in alleys, i’ve been to Paris 15 times, also, the romans used pee as tooth paste, I think i have made my point.

Oh, come on! Everybody knows Italy’s much more monuments and history than Paris, event if pompous French will try to deny it.
They copied the Arc de Triomphe des Arcs de triomphe qui sont à Rome depuis plus de 2000 ans. They copied the Pantheon, which had been built in Rome largely before Paris even existed.
They keep copying. Go Roma, Go Rome!

Emigré

And I like your POST!!! I’ll talk of it in my blog very soon!
Emigré

speaking about history and culture, the big diference is that paris has monuments and history from all times since 2000 years (from arene de lutece to arche de la defense), and lot of cultural life and diversity in museum, shows, and inner-suburbs, while Roma just have interest from the so called roman period and renaissance…(but beautiful too!) i think that’s why Paris is more popular..

“Also, romans try to understand foreign languages, unlike snobby parisians who think tourists should all speak french ! Do they even realise that tourists are the heart of parisian economy ? i doubt it…”

Do tourist realise that tourism represent less than 3% of Paris economy…
With €500 billion GDP, Paris is one of most powerful economic city in the world.

Only Tokyo, New York, Los Angels, Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto and London metro area have an higher GDP.
It is also one of 4 global cities.
It is third world city in term of office space. (After Tokyo and New York)
The secnd city in the world with the most Global Fortune 500 HQ. (after Tokyo)

Do most tourist realise that paris is a real city of 12 million inhabitants with people working.

The best avantage of Paris compared at Rome :
Paris is huge busting multicultural city of 12 millions inhabitants that comming from all over the world.

Sorry to shock people that won’t see the the truth.

I have been to both, but think Rome is much nicer and has more charm. It is more colorful. Blue sky, sunshine striking on vegetation and orange buildings, colorfully dressed people, scenic vistas, narrow warm alleys. In Paris everything is grey. Sky is grey. all buildings are light grey with dark grey rooftops. Trees are all morbid and leafless, and nearly all people are dressed in black. with frowny sad faces. it is just that Paris has that sad romance about it. Different mood than happy Italy

Everyone claiming Paris is better should be taken in an asylum promptly….
Rome existed many centuries before Paris even existed and the Romans founded Paris not viceversa.

I Beleive That Each City Has Its Own Attraction & It Depands On What you Are Looking For And You Cant Compare It With Each Other Beacuse All Human Beens Have Different Sight Of Views & Both Cities Are Beautuful in there own Way

Paris and Rome are both amazing in their own right.
Both cities are giant outdoor museums of vast history and beauty.
Rome has the Forum, Colliseum, Pantheon, SPanish Steps to name a few.
Paris- has N.Damn, Invaildes, Dorsey, Louve, Sacret Heart and a trilion fountains and statues.

however, the people in rome are much more friendly and the city has a more friendly charm.
See them both and forgot about London or NY for the rest of your life.

Just came back from Paris last week. Paris is truly the most eye-dropping and visual city I have ever seen. From the Louve to the Invaldes to the Dorsey no city on earth has as much intact structers of such utter beauty and marvel.
Rome is amazing too but with much older ruins.
Food is Paris is way to creamy and rich for me and I would take Italian food any day. The people in Paris were friendly when I asked them for directions but they seem to have zero sense of humor and are very uptight as a whole. Not too mention most French seem to shower only once a month.
I have not been to Rome in 12 years but will go back. Rome is more affordable and the history is far much grander than Paris. Depends what you want.

Roma have the food the climate, the lakes the beach the sea the mountains, 1000 fountains, and plazas and an entire city to discover under the streets, and have 2800 years of history…this is the differences

I’ve been reading all the comments with a great deal of amusement. I’m from India, have lived in the US for over a decade. I’ve spent time in Rome and Naples and Paris and Marseille – and – gasp – I love them all. So different, how can any of you choose? I’ve never had people be rude to me or put me off in any way, in any of these cities. To me, Rome is like walking in a live museum – spectacular, while Paris is photogenic and with lovely soft colors (who said Paris was grey? GREY??). Anyway, so here is my penney’s worth (even less may be) – go to both places if youca. Or pick one. How can you go wrong??
Bon Voyage. Ciao.

I m sure Paris is the most beautiful city in the world!
there is no comparaison betweenn, Roma is beautiful but dirty and so different
Paris has culture and charm like no other !!!
food and monuments are so amazing, women are stylish and no bling bling as italians
they simply know what is fashion
History is so rich, every district so special
no way you compare both
Roma is poorest
Paris is rich of everything
you are wrong
and your coments so unfair
you dont really know Paris
come on Paris
youre such a treasure!

Rome is the better city of the world. It has 2800 years of history, is more confortable and has beautiful places. An ALL its monumets are authentic, while the Louvre have a LOT of italians work and don’t forget that the Arc of Triunph is a copy…
Rome is not only roman period and reinassance (Michelangelo, Perugino, Raphael, Ghirlandaio, Luca Signorelli, Botticelli, and Cosimo Rosselli…come on!), it has amazing barocco churches, and impressing neoclassical sites. The only thing that really lack is modern art.
And…hahah AS Rome is way better than Paris ST. Germain

hay paris is way better than dirty old rome
j’aime paris

both cities are beautiful, altho i would have to say that Paris beats Rome hands down, in terms of city planning, cleanliness, and in the variety of sights.. rome is nice but its a collection of antique museum artifacts scattered around the city, whereas Paris’ newer city planning makes for beautiful sites and a medley of different historical periods all over the city! paris has Notre Dame, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, les champs elysees, Versailles, the Seine (which inst dried out like Rome’s!) and beautiful bridges covered in gold like the Alexander III..overall, both cities are amazing but Paris seems to offer more

Rome forever… I’ve been in Paris and the inhabitants of Paris self said me that Rome is better that their city! Paris is a good city, but compare to Rome is inexistent…Rome offer much more to do and see, much history, much beauty, is simply the best… Paris has much tourists attracted by markets and Disneyland. But if you want enjoy and spend your time very very well go to Rome and discover every place of that magical city… Every person who is been in Rome is in love with it…and than try to count the monuments in twice the cities and than you’ll see the enormous difference. Every thing in Paris ( exepted Notre Dame) is a copy. And than you try to compare Place de la Concorde with Piazza Navona or the two Pantheon, or la Tour Eiffel with Colosseum, Palatinus exc, exc? You are crazy, or you don’t understand nothing.
Rome, my amazing Goddess, I’ll love you for ever.
Roma = Amor

I totally agree with Dan.
Rome is absolutely better than Paris.
Every corner of Rome give you a Wow…
Every street is so amazing, its fountains, Plazas and it’s full of monuments famous or not.
And the Italian cuisine is better too, totally better. If you go in England or Germany or Spain and in every part of world you ‘ll find Italian restaurant and never French restaurant. Why this?
Also France is full of Italian restaurant and in Italy French restaurant doesn’t exist. French cuisine is for old people with their soups. In Italy you take many kilograms, and then coffee and cappuccino!!!!
Excuse me but doesn’t exist comparison.
Rome, America loves you, world loves you,for us you are Caput Mundi yet.

Rome is simply the best. Everything in Rome talk you of history and beauty and magic. Paris is a good city but is not comparable with the amazing Rome. There is much much much more to do and see in Rome than Paris. In Paris after six-seven thing you finish. Gianicolo or Trinità dei Monti’s view of Rome is not comparable with the Montmartre view of the city. And than in Paris everything ( exepted Notre Dame and Tour Eiffel) is a copy of Rome. Roman inahbitans are totally better than snob parisien. Rome has real charm not Paris, I think.( but also million of tourists that visit it think so).
Rome is simply the most beautiful city in the world.
Go Rome Go

Rome is simply the best. Everything in Rome talk you of history and beauty and magic. Paris is a good city but is not comparable with the amazing Rome. There is much much much more to do and see in Rome than Paris. In Paris after six-seven thing you finish. Gianicolo or Trinità dei Monti’s view of Rome is not comparable with the Montmartre view of the city. And than in Paris everything ( exepted Notre Dame and Tour Eiffel) is a copy of Rome. Roman inahbitans are totally better than snob parisien. Rome has real charm not Paris, I think.( but also million of tourists that visit it think so).
Rome is simply the most beautiful city in the world.
Go Rome Go
And what say of Italian couisine!! If you go in Spain, England, Germany and every place in the world you find Italian restaurants, also France and Paris too are full of Italian specialities.
And French restaurant seem not exist! Why? The answer is simply: Italian food is real food.
They know what is pleasure of eating. And what say of Coffee and Cappuccino and Gelato EXC EXC?
In Italy you loves everything, in Rome you really try Love. Roma= Amor.
Go Rome, America loves you, world loves you: for us you are Caput Mundi,yet.
Paris remains a good city but not compare it with Rome please,because or you are crazy, or you don’t have the sense of beauty!!

i love Italian Food specially those juicy pastas. They are really delicious.:-:

PARIS is waaaaaaaaaaay better than rome. Rome is just a giant boring museum full of old crumbling buildings. Paris has NEWER na more beautifu architecture such as of course the eifle tower and that glass pyramid. The scenery is much nicer in Paris as well. The birdges of the Seine river are amazing. And have you met Italian people. Have you ever heard of the all the mobs and gangs in Rome. You must be crazy. All the Old people in Rome are nice. Some of the young are too,but they are scheming, money hungry vultures. French people are ok. Not quite nice, not quite mean. The Parisian atmosphere is to die for. And what is there to do in Rome mhm. In paris you can go to the eiffel tower or go to its many restaurants and cafes. You could picnic in the park. You could take a boat and travel on the Seine River. Besides rivers make every city look more attractive. Does Rome have a river.Well i don’t know but I have heard of the Canals there and those are pretty except for your riding in waste. That’s right waste is in that river. I mean they go through crowded streets and buildings and such. People pollute that river and pee in it also. But few people know that. The French people wouldn’t tolerate that in their river. That’s why it’s so clean. Paris is waaaaaay better than Rome. How could you say that. Whoe ever thinks Rome is better than Paris is retarded and has no good taste what so ever. Paris is the place to be. Full of romance, beautiful places, delicious restaurants, and many activities to do. Paris is the bomb!

paris