I'll add an update .... I am going to be in Israel 2 1/2 months; I can spend about 8 days on my way back in Rome, or 6 or so days in Paris. I am traveling alone and am interested in much; I love history but as much as I like ancient history, I also like medieval history and am more knowledgeable about it. I also love cheese & wine and people watching (although pasta ain't bad either).

Also -- I will be arriving in mid-October.

How long is the layover. My Paris vote assumed you only had one day.

Though I *love* Italy and mostly go there, I think Paris is easier to manage for a first time visitor.

Paris metro is great for getting around; the pace seems more gentle to me; the neighborhoods, the Louvre and surrounding areas, the slow water busses up and down the Seine, the walkways along the river, the cafes, etc. are lovely and easy to access. You have easy day trips by train to Chartres, Versailles, and the like. I have traveled there alone (I'm close to your age) with ease.

You can't really go wrong with either, but I was glad we went to Paris first.

My vote is for Rome because the Sistine Chapel is just so incredible. Paris is very charming, but the Italians are much more friendly to Americans than the French.

I guess everyone has a different experience..I loved paris and found Parisiens very friendly and courteous. While I enjoyed Rome and think everyone should see it, I did not find the people friendly at all. In fact, I had a few encounters with locals who were very rude. The food is quite good in both cities but I too find Paris easier to navigate for a first timer. When I think about returning to Europe, Paris is at the top of my list.

With six or eight days in October you can comfortably visit either city. Both are good for people watching in my opinion.

I'd choose Rome and I might be tempted to squeeze in an overnight in Orvieto or Assisi or similar.

Paris Paris Paris so walkable so many neat neighborhoods, museums... each city has its attractions but time after time, I have returned to Paris.

Paris.

But I can't describe why. You will just have to go and perhaps understand it then.

<I>I love history but as much as I like ancient history, I also like medieval history and am more knowledgeable about it.</i>

I know exactly what you mean. While Rome history fascinates me, the history all around me in Paris was more "familiar".

Score that one for Paris.

StCirq: My statement was based on MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE IN FRANCE AND ITALY, not some "silly and inaccurate generalization." Good for you if you are treated well in France. I had a waitress who slammed an English menu down in front of me, as if I wasn't intellegent enough to figure out a French menu, and then disappear without even asking if I wanted something to drink. In that restaurant, Bouillon Racine, they seat all of the English speaking tourists together on the first floor while they give much better service to the locals upstairs, so I wasn't the only one who was treated poorly. I was constantly ignored by store clerks in favor of French speaking customers. In contrast, I was treated with warm courtesy in Italy by the people who I interacted with in shops, restaurants, and museums. If you're not going to bother to make sure that you have all of the facts before you post a criticism of me, then kindly direct all of your future comments to the OP that you are responding to instead of me!!

PamEwing, my experiences have been much the same in Paris with rare exceptions. And forget it if you wish to have dishes prepared in any way except the way they choose to prepare them. I don't eat butter and I might as well have had three heads when making simple requests to have it left out of my food.

And my experiences in Rome have been uniformly positive over the course of 12 or so visits.

So that is also MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE IN FRANCE AND ITALY, not some "silly and inaccurate generalization".

Been to both, Paris wins. As stated by rs899, can't describe why. Rome is a wonderful city, but Paris has captured my heart.
Oh, and during all three visits to Paris I never encountered that laughable "rude French" thing.

-Roberta

Rome. It's not called the Eternal City for nothin'.

After spending time in both Paris and Rome, when I made my first solo trip, it was to Paris. There's just something about the City of Light that made me want to experience it on my own, at my own pace. Like RobertaL, Paris has my heart.

Also, I've never encountered any more rudeness in either city than I have in New York or any other American city. It occasionally happens, but I just attribute it to that person having a bad day.

If you truly love medieval history ... go to Paris.

Don't miss the Cluny Museum. You will be astounded at the medieval history and artifacts there. There is so much, you may need more than a single day to experience all of it.

IMO---Paris. I love Rome, but "fell in love " with Paris. We find Paris is a much more leisurely pace and Rome a little frantic.

I am confused. Should I be responding to PamEwing, StCirq, or Chaver???

Anyway, my vote is for Italy. Even though I love both places, If I had to choose, I would go to Italy. Also, I believe you will spend less money on restaurants and Hotels. Still, I would do my research, maybe rent some videos and see what you prefer.

exactly, Paris is less hectic.

been to Rome 2-3 x Paris 24 great transport.never a problem of rudeness-less frantic
choose Rome for ancient ruins otherise, hands down PARIS