Things you love about Paris
 

<I miss it so much I have to start a thread about it!>

I'll start.

Ambiance and the people. Contrary to what others (mostly Americans)may have you believe, they are so friendly and helpful to tourists.

You go next.

Oh, where to start...
Being able to walk from historic to modern in a mater of minutes

Poulet roti

The architecture - impressive but on a human scale

Ease of getting around

Boulangeries - any culture that finds a way to incorporate chocolate into breakfast is great in my book

Watching the Eiffel Tower light up at dusk

and

the smell of the Metro

Having a croissant and cafe creme at Deux Magots, soon after arriving, knowing that it is touristy, over-priced, not-so-great food, but so wonderful to sit there and watch the world walk by.

Walking along the Seine,
sitting at a café to watch the passing parade of people,
Visitig all the interesting museums,
the hidden gardens,
Th food! boulangeries, chocolatiers, patiseries, Restos Brassseries, cafés, food stands, markets.
The unique boutiques,
th many art galleries that fit one'staste
looking up at buildings to see the details, on can go on and on but it's late here, so I'll dream of Paris.

I could never say : " I have been there, let's see some other city "

My 20 + plus visit coming up in 3 weeks!

Exactly right Danon,, "when you are bored of Paris you are bored of life" LOL

The food, I love the food.
The wine, I love the wine.
The museums, there are over 250 museums in Paris, you could never see them all, plus some you must return to again and again,, ( like the Louvre, I love the Louvre) .
The general beauty of the older parts of town, the narrow streets, the stones, the alleys, the doorways that lead to mysterious courtyards, the bridges,, they are gorgeous.
The "cafe culture" most other cities seem to lack this, I like London too, but it just lacks the cafe culture, so it is not warm, not a ancient living being like I imagine my Paris to be .

Oh, London's an ancient living being, it's just more of a grumpy old bag lady than Paris

The Seine at twilight. Falling leaves in November. The trees on the Champs Elysee dressed for Christmas. The flower market a few weeks before Christmas. A concert in magical Ste Chappelle. Sitting in any cafe at any time and watching the constant parade. Hearing the bells of Notre Dame. Pont Alexandre. Watching fishermen on the quais. Turning a corner on a small street and seeing a lovely surprise -- maybe a small park or a beautiful old building. Having a picnic lunch in a park and hearing playing children laugh. The opportunity to see great art -- pick a museum, any museum.
French people who go out of their way to help a lost tourist, like the young couple who walked my friend several blocks to our hotel when she approached them to ask directions or the young gendarme who wouldn't give up until he knew my daughter and I understood his directions.

I could go on but I'm getting too homesick for my favorite city and won't be going back for a while.

Everyone has great things to say about Paris. I will add a very atypical one.....we have had the best margaritas ever in Paris. And lest one think this was a fluke, they were in 2 different locations separated by years. The first at Zuni---Rue de Sabot--and the second at Indiana Cafe--Blvd St Germain--(half price at happy hour!) Apparently the French excel in all manner of food and drink! Those margaritas are the standard by which we compare all others. :)

Just returned, trying to get back with JUST husband and no kids. (shhh don't tell them) Sick of hearing that French are unfriendly- they were totally wonderful everywhere. Paris is so green, so many lovely little side streets and unexpected pleasures. Best place to watch people in the world, sitting at a cafe sipping Burgundy. Now, if they could ever get people to pick up after their doggies. Yep, I did step in it.

Looking out of my 4th floor hotel window and watching the building across the street turn rosy color in the rising sun and noting all the little wrought iron balconies and geranium pots that one couldn't see well from the street below.

And, yes, the flower market, the Seine at night, the bells of Notre Dame.

I love the macarons! I try new flavors and differnt bakeries. I always come back to pistachio at Laduree though. In May, the standouts were - gingerbread, lemon creme, cassis with violet. I can't wait to go back!

I also love just wandering and discovering new (to me) places to shop, eat, relax, and soak it all in!

Everything!!

For over 20 years, my wife and I have been in love with Impressionist painters, particularly Monet. As you can imagine, Paris for us was like Hershey PA for chocolate lovers.

I will add that anyone who still thinks Parisians are rude and surly to tourists, hasn't been to Paris.

I'm so in love with Paris. It's like that last segment in the movie Paris, J'taime where a single American woman traveling in Paris alone suddenly found of felt love that she never felt before. It's how I feel about that wonderful city of lights. I'm choking up thinking about it. <sniff>

I love the eclairs and the chocolate macaroons...and of course the entire city.

Street vendors, cafe au lait, the history, the beautiful language.

The fact that everyone agrees that Paris is a place to visit whether you have 2 hours, 2 days, 2 weeks, 2 months or 2 years. Some may argue over the length of your visit, but they still offer suggestions and that says A LOT about a city and what it has to offer!

I currently am in a serious coffee and brioche breakfast withdrawal this morning. I need to fly out to Paris, stat!