Paris Vs London: Why Paris is Better
Paris and London are two of the most visited cities in the world, and picking a favorite can be a tricky one. But Paris edges it by good margins. Both cities are found at the center of two great European nations. London is the English capital and the United Kingdom and the largest city in the country. With its history dating back to the Roman times, it is perched on the River Thames in South East England.
Paris is the capital of France, and it is located in the north-central part of the country. Just like London, Paris also stands on a river, the Seine River. The city has a lush European city and is known to be the world center of culture, art, fashion, and gastronomy.
Apart from the fact that both cities are impressive, each has its distinct features that make them stand out. And even though the matter of which is better of the two is contentious, Paris takes home the grand prize.
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Here Is Why Paris Is Better Than London:
Exquisite Beauty
Paris is probably the most beautiful area of the world’s most beautiful city. Since the Baron Haussmann’s era, traditional architecture has not remained the same with stunning windows and delightful balconies. Everything around oozes elegance that offers an answer to the question of why many want to visit Paris at every time of the year.
The nicest of areas in the French capital are situated enough to the major attraction of the city- the Eiffel Tower, that offers regular surprise and delight with the monument’s rare angles. However, the areas are far enough to avoid the long tourist rush. Unlike London, Paris is not big so visitors can take a walking tour of some of the tourist attractions like the Eiffel Tower and its surroundings, including the Trocadero Park.
Incredible Things Are Happening Just Outside Your Doorstep
The 16th arrondissement is the chicest area in Paris and can be compared to London’s Chelsea. They have quite a lot of things in common, among which are luxury, charm, and class. But the 16th arrondissement is full of many interesting places like shops, upmarket restaurants, parks, and cultural centers that are among the best in Europe.
Married couples will be fascinated to know that the International School of Paris and Lyée Janson de Sailly are some of the most prestigious on the continent. The popular fashion week in the French capital has, over time, been hosted in the 16th arrondissement. Visitors will also find the Vogue Paris editor here as it is a peculiarly modish neighborhood.
Boise de Boulogne is primed for adults and children and is the second-largest Parisian public park behind Bois de Vincennes. From 1852 to 1858, this park was created in the era of Emperor Napoleon III. It is the French version of the British Hyde Park. Visitors can do as they like in the Bois de Boulogne like boating, horseback riding, and jogging.
There are also two main sports facilities in the park- Stade Roland-Garros and the Paris Longchamp Racecourse. This racetrack hosts a yearly derby in October, and the French Open every May is held on the clay courts of Roland-Garros.
In comparison, the football club “Chelsea”, whose football complex is not in the Chelsea upscale area but Parc des Princes is home to the popular Paris darling football club, “Paris Saint-Germain”, situated in the 16th district. Clearly, the sports feature of the Paris region is stronger than its London counterpart.
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London Vs Paris: Food
France has always been recognized for its excellent cuisine, and the city of Paris offers visitors the chance to experience this excellence. The city has almost 45,000 known spots where one can dine when compared to London’s 18,110. In recent years, many Parisian restaurants have been the recipient of the much-coveted higher Michelin Stars more than London establishments have.
Nevertheless, London food and restaurants cannot be overlooked. With a diverse population moving to London, restaurants have been accepting of food from various parts of the globe. Apparently, the strong cultural blend in the English capital has cumulated into an innovative and tasty food scene.
Also in London, a large range of food is offered, like affordable curries to chips and fish. Meanwhile, Paris offers a brilliant variety of pastries and bread, along with baguettes.
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Cost of Living
Both cities are widely known to be expensive for locals and tourists. London is more expensive than Paris, and you will need more than $5,960 to stay in the English city while a little above $5,236 will usually be enough to stay in the French capital.
Also, rent prices in London are almost 51% higher than those in the French capital. So if you are making plans on a less costly trip concerning rent, Paris will offer more. However, other consumption prices and groceries are 4% lower in the English city than in Paris.
It will also interest tourists that utility bills and local transportation costs in Paris are cheaper than those of London. Paris is the place to be if you are on a budget.
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Tourism and Vacations
In a vacation and tourism match between France and London, the former will be champion by unanimous decision. But things can get a tad close when the contest is between these two capital cities; however, Paris edges it only by fine margins. The city of Paris hosts about three of the top ten most-visited attraction spots, according to a 2018 report by MasterCard. London, despite seeing more visitors have none. This heavily suggests that most people go to London on business trips while Paris witnesses more vacationer visitors. However, airport transfers are much better from Heathrow to the City of London than from Charles de Gaulle to the center of Paris.
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People
Locals from London and Paris are both welcoming. However, it is generally easier to make friends with a Parisian than a Londoner. In London, people tend to hang out in cliques, making it harder for strangers to interact. But they are more open-minded and open to criticism and engaging conversation. A good number of these interactions happen in the pubs, though.
As for Parisians, they are a tad culture-sensitive but are definitely fun to get along with once the ice is broken. In their city, it is easier to meet a stranger in public places like the market and chat with them and even make jokes.
Romance
The romance capital of the world is undoubtedly Paris. Many couples visit Paris for their honeymoon, as it is widely believed that the city embodies love even in character. Some activities and spots have the theme of love to emphasize the romantic proclivities of the city much to the delight of visitors and locals.
On Valentine’s Day every year, Paris comes alive in a particular way; you would not want to miss that experince. London is great too for lovers, but it lacks the charm of Paris in this regard. London hardly has a reputation for being a haven for romance.
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Paris Vs. London – Summary
So, there you have it. The difference between Paris and London is not generally huge, but it is obvious where they differ. Some might argue it is not by much, but Paris takes home the prize as the better of the two. It is less expensive, a lover’s favorite destination, has excellent cuisine, stunning architecture, and much more; all that put Paris ahead of London.
What city would you prefer visting, Paris or London? Let us know in the comments below.
