A Tale of Two Cities: London vs. Paris

There was a time when I was a tourist in Paris rather than a resident. I had the same expectations that many Americans have concerning this mysterious city. Like many first time visitors, I was struck by the elegant beauty of the city. Outside of the tourist attractions however, I found a dark side of Paris. People were rude, the streets smelled of sewage, and pickpockets haunted most tourist attractions. Naturally, these experiences were not enough to keep me away from the city, but they will remain my first impression.

My first trip to London left a different impression than my first trip to Paris. Both employees and residents were friendly and helpful. The Underground was complicated to navigate, but spacious and clean. I met with less danger than in Paris, because I was given ample warning before leaving my hotel of the dangers to look out for on the streets.  My first impression of London was one of ease and satisfaction.

The world is comprised of many desirable cities; Americans, however, are drawn to either London or Paris. They each have something wonderful to offer, but where one city has an upper hand, the other fails to meet certain expectations. For any traveler indecisive about whether to visit Paris or London, here are four important categories of interest that will make the decision easier.

The purposes of a vacation are to learn, have fun, and relax. Those who are not sufficiently fluent in French will find the simplest of tasks in Paris stressful. This communication problem can be avoided if you decide to go to London. There will be a difference in speech and accent, but the Americans and English have an understanding of one another, so simple tasks will remain simple and stress-free.

The English heavily outscore the French in this category. After living in Paris for so long, my first trip to London actually left me speechless. People were nice, professional, and helpful. They treat you like a human being, whereas in Paris the mere acknowledgement of your existence is the most to be expected. In London, employees will go out of their way to make customers feel respected. Once, when dining in London, I overheard a woman order her burger well done, for she and her husband just found out that she was pregnant. Not only was her burger well done, but she and her husband received a complimentary desert as congratulations.

Intrigued by this incident in London, I decided to try an experiment the next time I dined out in Paris. I ordered my steak well done, from the owner himself, stating that my request was due to medical reasons. I felt guilty for having deceived someone, but that guilt was vanished when I received my ‘‘well done’’ steak. The plate was swimming in blood, so I pointed this out and my plate was brought back to the kitchen. Thirty minutes later I receive my second ‘‘well done’’ steak, which turned out to be my first steak, just as bloody as ever, covered in pepper sauce. Needless to say, I surrendered because clearly the owner and chef did not see the importance of my request.

Here is a point where Paris and London come up equal, for different reasons. The public transportation system is important for any tourist, and the easier the better. The metro in Paris is far easier to understand than the Underground in London. The Parisian metro lines are met with few alterations; line 1 will always go to and from the same points. The London Underground however, is organized according to cardinal points, stops, districts, and trains. The same train does not always go in the same direction. The Underground cannot be praised for its simplicity, but it is the cleanest form of public transportation that I have ever seen. The underground also offers the luxury of space, air circulation, and quiet. The metro, however, is amongst the filthiest, smelliest, and most crowded forms of public transportation that I have experienced in a first world country.

Paris is a highly condensed city adorned with one sight of interest after another. In fifteen minutes you can walk from the Arch of Triumph to the Eiffel Tower, while hitting several points of interest in between. London requires more travel time between destinations. I realized during my stay in London that most of my time was spent either walking or riding the Underground. If seeing more in a short amount of time is a priority, then Paris has more to offer.

Every traveler has a different set of priorities when traveling. Knowing what a city can and cannot offer you during your visit plays a vital role in the decision process. You will see more in Paris during a short visit than in London, however, London is a better bargain for your money if customer service, efficiency, amiability, a common language, and comfort are more important. Both are great cities to visit and, if possible, both are highly recommended. Photos by Jacqueline Perrier-Gillette.

Jacqueline Perrier-Gillette is currently a resident of Paris, France, where she lives with her husband. Together the two of them operate their small translation company, giving Jacqueline the opportunity to observe the French and their culture up close. She is an avid reader, writer, and student of foreign languages.

 By Jacqueline Perrier Gillette