I'm pretty sure you can't compare them at all. But if you had to choose, what country do you prefer going back to, Italy or France?

This is like comparing camenbert and pecorino, but . . . . IMO France is an absolutely gorgeous country.

From the beaches and harbors of Normandy/Brittany to the South of France Provence and Cote d'azur and everything in between it is breathtaking.

The food is excellent, the trains fast and people friendlier than you might imagine, but . . .

Italy also has its wonderful churches, Rome, Milan and the beautiful countryside of Tuscany and the lakes at Como. People are very friendly, maybe too. It's a toss up because they offer such a diverse experience, but I will go with
FRANCE

I love both of them but because I adore Italian food, I'll vote for Italy!

That's like asking:
If I had to choose, would I want to go to a sophisticated dinner party (Paris) or a fun family picnic (Italy).


Weadles -- I'd have to give a nod to Italy's food, too.

France--especially the southern part. Nice people, wonderful food, and very diverse scenery. We just keep going back.

Well, although we enjoyed our one trip to Italy, we have been to France five times and are going again in October. So I would say we definitely choose France! I agree with everything the previous poster said. The country is so beautiful, the food wonderful, the people so nice (at least that is how we have found them), and we just love France!

France !!!

Much more diversity in landscape & people.

However:
Favorite countryside - Val d'Orcia in Tuscany

Most romantic city - Venice

Favorite mid-sized city - Siena

Stu Dudley

At the end of the day I'd have to say France, but I'm a total sucker for Italy, too. And two things I like better about Italy - the language and the food.

I love Italy a lot, but.....because of the eclairs, my vote goes to France!

Although I thoroughly enjoyed Italy each time I was there, I wasn't depressed when I had to go home, and I don't miss it much when I'm not there.

Can't live without Paris.

If there were only one France and one Italy I would probably pick Italy for it's history and art, from whence the West we know sprang.
But I've actually spent much more time in France visiting Paris and a few other spots including Burgundy and Normandy. I feel more comfortable there especially as compared to southern Italy, Rome and the south, which are more intense experiences.
As for the food I love it all in either place.
In short--It depends.

Italy, no contest.

BC

That is a hard one, I love them both! I really do not think I could pick one. I will continue to return to both as well as other countries that I LOVE.

I do love Andalusia, Spain best in the winter.

I love sunny winters and as much as I love Italy ( lived there a year,hated the winter) and France....their winters are too dark, rainy,windy and cold for me.

( That said, Andalusia summers are too hot for me..although last May in Italy it was even hotter).

So I suppose it depends on the season too as I prefer nice weather and as few tourist crowds as possible.

For the food, I'd have to go with Italy.

Otherwise, it depends on the time of year. In summer, I'd rather go to France & enjoy the not as hot weather & the long days.

I got married in Rome last month. My vote is definitely for Italy.

Italy. I used to cry every time we were there, thinking I might never get back. The art and architecture in Italy make me feel as though I am having a great meal, but will never have food again, and I am trying to eat enough to last forever. Finally, after a week each in Rome and Venice, I've stopped crying when we go. I also love the food and landscape, but most of all, the kindness and exuberance of the people, especially in Naples and Sicily.

I do also love France for many of the same reasons and feel more at home there. However, I feel as though I am on some kind of high in Italy and a lot calmer in France. I like being high.

Spain is somewhere in between (closer to Italy) in my emotions.

There are many places in France that I enjoy visiting - but for pure relaxation Is prefer Italy. Also, we've found that our budget goes further in italy - esp for excellent food.

I lived in Italy for a year as a young teenager. I loved it then, but now I absolutely have to say France! I keep going back, and don't want to go anywhere else. I like to drive around the countryside, and feel very comfortable doing that alone. People are extremely kind and helpful. I'm leaving in 3 weeks for Brittany, and can't wait!

food -Italy
desserts - France
shoes- Italy
clothes - France
small towns - Italy
capital - France
men - Italy
women -France

Wine - either !

Italy, Italy. Tho in my old age Paris has taken hold. (Last two trips included Paris.)