The most overrated thing to do in Paris
Dec 22nd, 2005, 08:45 PM
#21
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beachbum and I were posting at the same time, but I agree with what she's saying. Many of the most popular things in Paris could be called touristy, but the reason so many tourists are there is because it's something worth seeing. If you avoided everything in Paris that is touristy, you'd miss a lot a great things!
Dec 22nd, 2005, 10:02 PM
#23
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I have read and heard that the Place des Vosges is the most beautiful Parisian park. I didn't think so. To me there are other parks that are nicer. For example, I found the Jardin du Luxembourg to be 100% times nicer than the Place des Vosges.
Dec 23rd, 2005, 02:47 AM
#24
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Blame the guidebook, francophile. The beauty of the place des Vosges is not that it's any sort of park - it's in the ensemble of the buildings. And it helps to go there on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
I don't much care for the pomposity of the major 19th century governmental buildings, the Champs Elysées/Panthéon/Invalides sort of area.
But it's all a matter of taste. Once I would have LOATHED the Opéra Garnier, but when I finally got to walk around the public areas I laughed my head off.
I don't much care for the pomposity of the major 19th century governmental buildings, the Champs Elysées/Panthéon/Invalides sort of area.
But it's all a matter of taste. Once I would have LOATHED the Opéra Garnier, but when I finally got to walk around the public areas I laughed my head off.
Dec 23rd, 2005, 03:27 AM
#25
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I looked forward to revisiting the Place des Vosges in October. Had not been there in 30 years. But when we got there, it was more than disturbing to see -- and step over -- the homeless huddled under their sleeping bags, filling the arcades to overflowing. The smell of their urine and feces was enough to knock down a horse.
Dec 23rd, 2005, 04:29 AM
#26
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Hands down, the Champs Elysee. It's nice enough for the first mile or so (leaving Place de la Concorde). But the rest of the looooong walk was boring and seemingly endless. After reaching the Arch, we walked back through the side streets and found much more pleasant neighborhoods.
I guess that walk is a must-do for first timers (like we were). But it's just a long wide boulevard with so-so shops and uninviting storefronts.
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One more item for the "overrated" list:
We didn't think the food lived up to the famous French cuisine standard. Don't get me wrong, it was good...just not exceptional. Then again, it's all a matter of personal taste.
I guess that walk is a must-do for first timers (like we were). But it's just a long wide boulevard with so-so shops and uninviting storefronts.
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One more item for the "overrated" list:
We didn't think the food lived up to the famous French cuisine standard. Don't get me wrong, it was good...just not exceptional. Then again, it's all a matter of personal taste.
Dec 23rd, 2005, 04:38 AM
#27
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I spent a week in Paris last year and I can honestly say I didn't find anything I saw "over-rated"! Actually, things we did do that I thought would be tourist type traps were very nice. We went up the Eiffel Tower at night - the view was great. And we also went on the Seine River cruise at night - the city all lit up looks beautiful. I enjoyed these experiences much more than I thought.
I thought Mona was lovely, the Louvre amazing, etc. etc. And I loved the ice cream, too!
I thought Mona was lovely, the Louvre amazing, etc. etc. And I loved the ice cream, too!
Dec 23rd, 2005, 06:40 AM
#29
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There is little about Paris that is overrated but if you have to eliminate a few things, I would put the Rue Cler, the Seine dinner cruise and Montemartre near the bottom of the list. I have been to all and have no interest in returning. But don't miss Ste. Chapelle, the Musee D'Orsay, the Louvre and the Tuilleries and Luxembourg Gardens.
Dec 23rd, 2005, 07:54 AM
#31
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The rue Cler is vastly overrated, thanks to Rick Steves. It's a pedestrian street like a jillion others in Paris. Charming, yes, but so are all of the other streets like it. That's normal in Paris, and the rue Cler isn't anything special in comparison.
Dec 23rd, 2005, 08:08 AM
#33
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My answer to the question to me above is, I was disappointed by Sacre Coeur the building. It doesn't have the long history of many of Paris's churches, and to my mind it's Paris's version of Rome's Vittorio Emmanuele memorial. Big, white, and best seen from a distance. I'm simply saying how <u>I</u> feel about it.
Nice view from up there,and Montmartre has some very charming streets, off the usual tourist route.
Nice view from up there,and Montmartre has some very charming streets, off the usual tourist route.
Dec 23rd, 2005, 12:52 PM
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Ditto on rue Cler. What's all the noise about? Just another market street in Paris.
My biggest let down was the Picasso Museum.
My biggest and most pleasant surprise was visiting Hôtel de Soubise. Small but beautiful in the extreme, and perhaps more so because I did not expect it. I went there just after exiting the Picasso Museum wondering why I was even there.
Musee d'Orsay was also a major plus. I expected a lot and I got it, everything and more.
As for the Mona Lisa, seeing it now, with throngs of people blocking the view, detracts from the experience.
Studying large, high resolution pictures of the famous lady is much more rewarding than being in front of her and all the while being bumped, elbowed, pushed, and stepped on.
My biggest let down was the Picasso Museum.
My biggest and most pleasant surprise was visiting Hôtel de Soubise. Small but beautiful in the extreme, and perhaps more so because I did not expect it. I went there just after exiting the Picasso Museum wondering why I was even there.
Musee d'Orsay was also a major plus. I expected a lot and I got it, everything and more.
As for the Mona Lisa, seeing it now, with throngs of people blocking the view, detracts from the experience.
Studying large, high resolution pictures of the famous lady is much more rewarding than being in front of her and all the while being bumped, elbowed, pushed, and stepped on.
