It's a big city broken down into many little neighborhood villages. Like all big cities, getting to know the locals can be difficult. However, once you understand more about the culture (read Polly Platt's "French or Foe?" for a good intro), you'll come to appreciate how warm and generous the French people are - and Paris is no exception. Read Full Review

By: Aubepine12 on 5/20/2008

Paris is not as romantic as film said. A very bad nightmare if you don't speak french. People are not all helpful, and somehow quite rude. Tourist attractions like Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Vasaille Notre Dame are a must if you visit Paris. Shopping on Champs E'lysee. Girls are not very safe if stay on street after 9 on their own. Drunken people all around on champs E'lysee after 9. Read Full Review

By: karjo on 3/29/2008

You must visit Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum and Notre Dame at least. Read Full Review

By: jamr on 12/3/2007

Recommended reading: Alistair Horne's Seven Ages of Paris for a good, charmingly written history of Paris, set within the context of French history. Architecturally I recommend Norval White's Architecture of Paris, which provides architect, dates and short synopsis for each arrondissement. For the lovely graveyards, there's an excellent book called Permanent Parisians, by Judi Culbertson and Tom Randall. Then for general guide books Knopf's Paris and Unexplored Paris, though the former is heavy. Read Full Review

By: DaisyHo on 6/12/2007