Chris

"Paris is over-rated". Those were my words before I left for Paris (why'd I go? Free ticket courtesy of hubby's job).<BR><BR>"I'M IN FREAKIN' PARIS!!!! OH MY GOD!!! THERE'S THE EIFFEL TOWER!! THERE'S NOTRE DAME!!!" Those were my words when I stepped out of the RER station near the hotel. <BR><BR>Paris is not just the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower -- it's the gardens, the walking, the people, the architecture, etc. <BR><BR>My mom and my best friend BOTH didn't care about visiting France. When I moved there, they did visit me (my mother whining about why she was doing this, she never wanted to come to France, she hates to fly, blah, blah, blah). Both said that they were glad they went -- and that they would have never gone to Paris (or France itself) if I hadn't been there. My mom was miserable in Paris (it was cold, rainy and windy, there was a train strike -- all that could go wrong did...) but now says she really liked it (she HATES NYC) and really enjoys looking through her pictures from the trip.<BR><BR>If it's not too much of a financial hardship, visit Paris. Even for a day (albeit a LONG day) from Nice. It may not be your "thing", but at least you will be able to make up your mind with all the facts. And Paris has what you would be interested in -- there is a winery at Montemartre, the gardens at Tulleries, the gardens at the Rodin Museum (yes, I know, you're not a museum person) are beautiful too, there are plenty of places to picnic near the Eiffel Tower, etc. You don't have to be caught up in the whirlwind of Paris if you don't want to -- there are quiet things to do too.<BR><BR>Hey, you might not like it, so a day would be enough (no hotel charge would help your budget too). <BR><BR>How CAN you go to France and not go to Paris?!?

Patrick Wallace

Holidays are an opportunity for enjoyment, not an obligation. If cities stress you/bore you, don't feel you have to go. In any country, people will tell you that the capital isn't the 'real' X, and this is probably stronger in France than many other places. You don't get anywhere in French politics unless you demonstrate (often and with as much publicity as possible) your rural roots, to the extent of hanging on to the mayoralty of some tiny village while spending most of your time jetting round the world as Secretary of State for this and that. The phrase you need to remember for your bossy friends is 'But how can you experience 'la France profonde' from Paris?' Any French person would applaud you as a true sophisticate for that..<BR><BR>Incidentally, I second the nomination for Arcachon - a peaceful and pleasant inlet from the sea.

Dolphins

Hello all. My internet connection went down yesterday right after I posted the question, so I've not been able to post back until now.<BR>I feel SO much better about my trip now! Loved Grasshoppers simple<BR>"it just doesn't appeal to us right now" and Diane's response of "you plan your trip and I'll plan mine" and Capo's "Just try to stop us" with an evil laugh while saying it...Christina's "Paris is SO over, darling..." completely cracked me up. So thanks for the support! I know I will enjoy my coastal trip, and if we had more time and money we would try to take a couple days there as many of you have convinced me that there are things about Paris that I would enjoy!<BR>Alas, I'll probably 'get my feet wet' on this trip to France and save Paris for another time. Oh, and I have more fun research to do so I can see what and where Arcachon is all about too!<BR>Thanks again!

DLt

Why debate about Paris, Dolphins? And why post what is not for you a quandry? You do not like cities. You've opted to keep that opportunity well clear of your life. You've made a choice based on what you know, not what you might discover. Have a good trip.

Amy

Dolphins:<BR><BR>As much as I feel that if you went to Paris, you'd fall in love with it, I agree that there are "city" people and "non-city" people when it comes to vacations (and there are those who are switch-hitters!). <BR><BR>My brother-in-law, who is sweet, well-educated, cultivated, etc., has no desire to spend his leisure time in a city. He'd rather read hefty tomes on the beach anywhere, anytime. He will agreeably go to a museum; he will undeniably be longing to be in an easy-chair in a sunny locale somewhere. He enjoyed the cafes in Paris (he's one of the persons who can eat unlimited amounts of pastries without ever gaining a pound), but I'm afraid the rest was totally unappealing.<BR><BR>Enjoy Nice! And by the way, although we're city lovers, we are going to Nice in a month, too. But not for the beaches of the Riviera...you guessed it, for the art museums.<BR><BR>To each his own.

Dolphins

Dear DLt,<BR>The issue was in fact a quandry to me, as I was being given the guilt trip for going to France but not going to Paris. I'm not necessarily 'keeping the opportunity well clear of my life', but may be keeping it 'clear of this trip', and I certainly am looking forward to 'discovering the coast of France'. I guess you're one of those people that think I'm crazy for not wanting to see Paris right now. That's fine too. Think of it this way...there may be two less tourist to get in your way. Thanks.<BR>Amy, <BR>I'm sure I'll be visiting a few museums around Nice myself, and I'm sure I'll enjoy them. I certainly don't plan on spending my entire vacation sitting on a beach...I'd be as big as a house, as I'm also looking forward to all those little quaint cafes!<BR>And I heard the flower markets and street vendors are lovely! Enjoy Nice yourself, I know I will!

DLt

Nope, Dolphins, don't think you're crazy at all. Wouldn't suggest that. You don't like cities, you say, so why hit Paris. I'm always sorry to hear blanket statements, but then I make them all the time. Do have a good trip, and maybe Paris will be in your future. Take care.

colleen

if you don't want to spend a lot of time in paris, there are definitely pros to the city, even if you aren't city people... go for a day or two before heading south through the wine country. there are great quaint cafes and beautiful parks to just sit and enjoy. despite having 10 million people (including the so-called suburbs), paris does have some nice areas where you can just sit back, relax and enjoy it without the hustle and bustle of city life. there are beautiful parks and a seine cruise would help you see a bunch of things without ever leaving the boat! if you just spend a day there, and gave a chance- then you would probably enjoy it! if not, hey it was only a day- move on to the things you really love and enjoy! (like nice!)<BR><BR>hey ps. cute coastal town in spain- irun, not too far from biarritz- between that and san sebastian! cute little town! quiet and coastal!

paris

why paris? why not?

tondalaya

Because Paris is-"a Moveable Feast".