<<were a numer of establishments which were either closed or, when we entered (say at 6pm) had stopped serving food>>

If you are trying restaurants, it may be that they haven't started serving. Even two hours later (8pm) is early for many establishments.

Even nytraveler's suggestion of <<and a little longer for dinner (6 to 10 or 11>> is wrong in my experience.

Well, tought there wasn't much around there, either, until I started walking my puppy and checking out new routes. While there aren't a lot of choices on rue de Varenne, but one block over (rue de Babylone) and on the side streets there are numerous choices, going toward rue de Sèvres, or off of Place de Breteuil. No, it isn't the Latin Quarter, but no one I know is going hungry.

I'm glad that your trip was wonderful in spite of it.

French people eat with robotic regularity at set times. Very often restaurants and other eating establishments are closed outside of these narrow time windows. So it is indeed possible to have trouble finding a place to eat, at least if you want something like a sit-down restaurant. McDonald's is always open during the day (although there are no 24-hour stores in Paris), and most sandwich shops are open continuously as well, although a few keep restaurant hours.

This is one reason why you don't see many food courts in France. The French eating periods are so anchored in stone that food courts are empty during most of the day, except the brief times during which French people eat, at which times they are hopelessly overcrowded. (The other reason why food courts are rare is that French people don't know how to throw their trash into garbage cans.)

<<French people eat with robotic regularity at set times.>>

Yes, but it depends on where they are from. Parisians are used to being able to have lunch at least until 3pm or even later if they want it (in a brasserie or sandwich shop), and you would not believe the number of times I have been with Parisian friends in the provinces who find that they have to go hungry until 7 pm because they have missed the 2 pm provincial cut-off time.

We wre at the Bistro du Paradou and the owner noticed the time on his watch (after two) and a reserved table of six had no sitters. The party arrived at 2:30. They were politely refused seating. Another difference between American restaurants and the French.
Don't mess with their time :)

Less than a month ago, my employer held a major world marketing conference in Paris, with the CEO, about 3 vice presidents, and the marketing managers from 10 countries. There was a very fancy lunch planned and reserved at a top restaurant (I had even translated the menu for them, since I speak the best English at the Paris office), but functions at my company often run about 2 hours late. When they went to the restaurant 2 hours late, it was closed. I still don't know what the ended up eating, but I was delighted.

It should be noted that my company is about to spend 2 billion euros in France on a major equipment order, but that means nothing to a restauranteur who has not been respected. It seems to mean more to hoteliers, because the CEO was back in town this week and slept at the Fouquet's Barrière for free -- list price 2000€ a night for his room.

<<This is one reason why you don't see many food courts in France.>>
...and meals are more of an event than in the States where you happen on a Food Court so you might as well eat
...and one of the factors which accounts for less of an obesity problem in France
... and who in France would settle for this sort of fare when the options are so much more appealing
...and there aren't as many of the shopping centers which house these food courts in the states

I just describe the information I have, which comes directly from the operators of the shopping centers. I'm not interested in sophomoric American vs. French debates.

It was a hard lesson for Disneyland Paris, too, but at least they can count on 50% foreign visitors to slightly stagger the mealtimes. The hardest lesson for them was that there was no point in trying to say that outside food is forbidden, because the French WILL bring their own food to such a place and eat it where they want to, rules or no rules...

"The other reason why food courts are rare is that French people don't know how to throw their trash into garbage cans."

"I'm not interested in sophomoric American vs. French debates."


Laughing my _____off at the irony of one person making these two statments in the same thread.

France is a Latin country, and in Latin countries dishonesty and breaking the law are cultural norms. This is encouraged by laws that are so complex and convoluted that there is no way to completely avoid violating them. Via selective enforcement of laws that are impossible to observe, Latin countries can enforce a social hierarchy while claiming to be egalitarian.

Oh, yes, I personally enjoy myself breaking every rule and of course, I'm the most dishonest person you've ever met. You know, it's my cultural norm.
Right now, I'm going to plan a bank robbery (one of my hobbies) !!!

Regards from a Latin Country !

My parents were born in one. I should run for the hills :)

Can you fathom a person putting this comment on a travel forum??
Will anyone ever again take seriously anything that this clown has to say?

In France, you pay extra for cassettes because it is assumed that you will make copies of copyrighted works whether it is legal or not. You pay more for taxes because it is assumed that you will lie about your income. And people park illegally a lot more just after a new president is elected because they assume that he will grant blanket amnesty to people with parking and driving tickets (a bizarre tradition in France).

In most Latin cultures, you have to get used to the fact that most people think that petty (and sometimes major) dishonest is okay as long as you can get away with it. If you come from a culture where rules are strictly followed, this can be disconcerting (just as it is when moving in the opposite direction, although that is perhaps more difficult).

I took an Italian culture class once (from an Italian immigrant) who basically explained things just as Anthony has, at least for Italian behaviors. She related it as a "looking out for #1" kind of attitude that stems from eons of changes in government/political structure and power, and excessive levels of regulation.

She said that Italians will do what is best for the family over what the government expects.

Troll season and the Atlantic hurricane season start about the same time.

This one is about on schedule.

This one, however, is no joke.
A former professorial colleague of mine actually said at lunch one day that he could find NO good bread in Paris.

I am still puzzling over that one. Must have been cornbread.

I must admit that visiting Paris has its hardships. Many times I have had to dodge into the street to avoid being captured by a hostile bakery.

La Brioche Doree at times is downright vicious with its strawberry tarts and other goodies. There was a bakery across Boulevard Raspail from my hotel that actually forced me to cross the street twice, buy something, and eat it on the spot.

I can only presume that travelp avoided all bakeries during the trip.

I seem to recall having trouble finding beer when I visit England.