diann24

Improvisor, I like your way of going about getting to know the area, and imursing yourself in the culture. Doing touristy things will not probably let you the feel for the area as you would like. Thanks for the imput. If I ever travel all over I will remember this--Interesting your comments about France. Is this any tourists or is more then likely geared toward americans? I have friends who went to France and shall we say they felt they were not warmly accepted. It was Paris.

Improviser

The reality is that the bigger the place the more difficult it is to gain acceptance. It's always easier in a village than it is in a city. Think about your own country, a city is always more impersonal than a small town. People live in a high rise condo for years and don't even know their next door neighbour. France is no different.

I'd say Paris is one of the hardest places to try to slow travel in. It is a huge tourist destination and you are just one more, there is nothing unusual or unique about you being there. However, having said that, suppose your friends had not stayed in a hotel but instead had gone to a suburb of Paris (example Chantilly) and rented an apartment for a couple of weeks. I think it is easy to see they would have a different experience doing that.

While Chantilly is in fact a major tourist destination in the Paris area, most are day trippers and only 15% of them are 'foreigners'. A foreigner staying there for 2 weeks would in fact stand out. Curiousity is a wonderful thing.

I've sat in a bar saying nothing beyond, 'un bier s'il vous plait' for an entire evening. On the second night it is next to impossible for someone to not approach you and try to find out who you are and why you are there. If it hasn't happened by the third night, desperation is setting in for the most curious. Ask the bartender which he considers the best boulangerie in town to be and watch what happens.

Chantilly (which is just an example) is on a direct rail line to Paris so daytripping into the city a few times is quite easy to do and it is also convenient to the airport by taxi. But if most of your time is spent in Chantilly itself it will be far different than in a hotel in central Paris. Here is an example of a place to stay:
http://www.vrbo.com/2531

To slow travel you have to start thinking in a different way than the average tourist does. You don't say I want to 'do Paris'. You say I want to live somewhere around Paris.