"Keeweechic's Paris" a Paris Travel Page by keeweechic

Most people who come to Paris have a dream, an image of what the city will be. The unusual thing about Paris is that almost everyone finds their dream to be true. The City of Light, the City of Love is everything you imagined and more. Overcrowded, overpriced, over-visited, yes. But also the most magical city in France, and, for many people, in the world.

Despite a background of revolution and enemy occupation, the city and its monuments have largely been preserved. The French empire manifested the grandeur of state in the architecture of its capital city. The city's wide and elegant boulevards, lined with centuries-old chestnut trees, the broad plazas with fountains and art, the many parks and gardens all reflect a purposefulness and pomposity that is uniquely French.

Nearly 10 million people live in the metropolitan area, one-fifth the total French population, and the city shares the social problems that plague large cities throughout the world - homelessness, crime, and poverty. Racial tensions between the French and Arabs are often apparently very volatile. In many cases, Parisians deserve their reputation for aloofness and diffidence. As most visitors find out quickly and sometimes painfully, your average Parisian can be prickly and rigid. But that same Parisian, can just as easily be charming and positively friendly. Don't be put off by Parisian arrogance, just enjoy the city for what it brings you. I enjoyed my brief stay in Paris but unfortunately my photos are not the best.