Losing its sparkle

Paris is not what it was

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Readers' comments


Michael Megrelis

Two things: 'For most of the 19th and 20th centuries it was the cultural capital of Europe', what about the Siècle des Lumières which gave us Voltaire, Rousseau and Diderot (amongst others)? As regards London or New York boasting better restaurants, that's according to English-speaking publications, Paris still offers a lot more quality (as well as pride in culinary feats and a long-standing tradition) for the price than either of these cities.
On the whole, there are a lot of truths in this article but Paris still is the cultural capital of Europe and that is unlikely to change soon nevermind how much navel-gazing conceptual art crap other cities produce.

commentator no. 12 and 35

As for cutting-edge music, it would be a mistake to ignore Ed Banger Records, which showcases Paris' very unique electro-house scene. Its artists such as Justice and Uffie have become international stars. I think the article as a whole sells the city short and is too light on specific examples to take seriously.

Tamara SH

I love talking about differences between cities, but this article's argument is completely unclear. As other commenters on the article have underlined, the article consists mainly of a bunch of vague statements with no evidence (and I'm phrasing it more kindly than they do). I was tempted not to reply because I don't think it merits a response, but a friend shared it with me and asked me to comment, so here goes. What does the article mean by "sparkle"? If it's saying that it's attracting less tourists and less investments (in finance, the art market, or gastronomy), that would mean that "sparkle" is the power to attract foreign interest... Well, I would be fine with accepting this argument if the article had given some concrete figures. But there is no evidence there -- and as commenters on the article have said, some figures they have found say otherwise (specifically about tourism and the art market from what I have read in comments below). But even if some foreign interest is being attracted by other cities (which sounds good to me - for the sake of other cool cities out there and for the sake of Parisians who don't mind a break from heavy tourist influx), that to me in no way implies that Paris has lost the "sparkle" (honestly a lame word, but I'm using it for the sake of consistency) that has always characterised it and made it unique. What makes it unique is the way in which those values for which it has always been known are integrated into everyday life: the cafe culture, the availability of fresh and real-tasting produce at weekly marchés troughout different neighborhoods that many Parisians go to (not just 'uppity' specialty markets), the boulangeries everywhere, the fact that a steak frites tastes good in most bistrots, the free museums and galleries that families take advantage of on weekends and classes visit as part of school curricula, the plethora of cultural/intellectual radio and TV programs the capital's media produces and that Parisians enjoy, the style that Parisian men and women have that is not in fashion magazines... I could go on, but I think you get my point. The article seems to make claims about finance, food, fashion, and art as 'industries' developping -- i.e. making more money now than before -- in other cities and assumes that that means those industries are deteriorating in Paris... London has long been a prosperous financial center, Milan has long been a major fashion hub--but what does that mean about Paris, especially without giving any specifics as parameters to compare cities? And, above all, it says nothing about what has always been and will always make Paris stand out to so many who experience it -- the way of living it encapsulates, not the number of paintings bought and sold there, nor whether it hosts the Olympic games.



In my opinion, having visited the city of lights 4 times (nothing to boast about), it is exactly this culture of preservation that gives Paris its particular charm. The parisians are proud of their city and treat it with affection. For instance, the French graffiti scene is big, and outside the city center there is scarcely a wall that hasn't been covered in urban art, but in the historical center a spray painted scribble is rarely spotted. Even in terms of architecture, Paris retains its character, look at any movie or ad filmed there, you instantly recognize the buildings and streets as distinctly parisian. I for one respect and admire their ability to retain the soul of the city throughout many generations.

In my hometown of Lisbon, on the other hand, teenage punks desecrate the historical center frequently. Scrawled "tags" or just plain vandalism litter our monuments and thoroughfares. If only our city and its dwellers had the same "culture of preservation" rather than one of vandalism it wouldn't be such a derelict sore.

taghairm in reply to Vozone

I agree, this culture of preservation is definitely one of Paris's strengths and to try and say London doesn't have this is ridiculous. Apart from a few places like Canary Wharf, the planning laws in London are as strict as those in Paris, if not stricter, and the housing is even more expensive. I'm not even a big fan of Paris, although I agree it is beautiful. The worst thing about the UK and London's planning laws is in the UK the Nimbys have more power, which the French are great at ignoring. A misplaced love of old Victorian properites and horrible little 19th century railway cottages in outer suburbs from Hammersmith to Twickenham and backward thinking by the authorities and the locals prevent the London from having decent housing.


You just need to try catch a connecting flight through CDG to know all you need to about Paris. Good article.

Gigs in Paris

The author seems to be getting a lot of abuse here, but as a journalist and someone who's lived here for a number of years I'm finding it hard to disagree.

Personally, I prefer it to London. The pace of life is better, the sidewalk culture more appealing and the views spectacular but its politics are archaic and fundamentally flawed. They've only just started having discussions they should have had a decade ago. The city's nightlife is a wimper, strangled by noise limit legislation and it's music scene has been overtaken and then some by Berlin and Scandinavia with Lisbon/Barcelona hot on its heels.



Coming from India and having studied and lived in Paris the last three years, I can categorically say that this statement is factually incorrect. All my fellow classmates (myself included) managed to find pretty decent studios and apartments very close to the heart of Paris. While the poshest districts like the 16th might be out of bounds for students, enough places can be found in lively neighborhoods all around Paris. What the houses might lack in space and ultra-modern facilities, they more than make up for them in their old-world charm and pretty side-street settings.

vassargal in reply to TLviSDiaSN

Well I'm an international student who's been studying and living in the heart of Paris for a while as well, and just like you dear TLviSDiaSN, I am very lucky to have the privilege to have parents who can financially support me. Just try to think about things with a little more perspective; what you can call a cheap apartment might be way out of reach for other students out there. In fact, there is tons of students who live in the suburbs and commute to school every day, because that's what their budget allows them.

Seriously, do you think you can pay your rent and buy yourself enough food in Paris with an internship salary of merely 400 euros a month (which is what most companies pay interns)? Well, there is tons of people out there who cannot rely on parents and have to work night and weekend shifts just to be able to keep their internship in the French capital in order to launch a successful career.

TLviSDiaSN in reply to vassargal

Well, instead of getting into a debate of what is the average internship salary that a student can expect to obtain in Paris and how many more study scholarships are available to foreign students in France compared to any other European country, let me just say that our experiences have been very different dear vassargal and that I fail to relate with any of your own experiences.

vassargal in reply to TLviSDiaSN

Yeah I realize that you're failing to relate to other people's experiences, which is precisely what I suggest you do. Paris is one of the most expensive and unaffordable cities in Europe for students who are here on their own.


Pathetic article...its author (who doesn't even have the guts to mention his name) evidently is into the meaningless debate Paris Vs London...one can easily perceive the jealousy & bitterness that so-called journalist feels on a daily basis, that makes the whole article both laughable & miserable. As far as I know, Paris has been the World's most visited city for several years, except in 2012 owing to the Olympic Games! Paris is so gorgeous that it makes some foreigners awfully bitter, jealousy is really bad sir! What makes you so despisable towards the french is that compared to many others nations, they would never swap their country/language/architecture/food/culture for any other one. If France had to envy a country, it would certainly not be Great Britain I'm afraid, far from it. Sorry to disappoint you...Au revoir ;).

John Garfield in reply to guest-inoswmj

Actually Paris has remained the most visited city in the world even in 2012. The Paris Region receives 42 million tourists every year, whereas the London Region (Greater London) receives only 26 million tourists per year. For London to pass Paris in 2012, that means more than 16 million people would have come to London during the Olympic Games last summer, which defies the laws of gravity.

I agree with you on the rest though. This article is ludicrous, full of clichés, hearsays, or plain factually wrong information (for example, there are more cranes in Greater Paris than in Greater London, as the journalist would have found out if he/she had checked the London and Paris crane surveys published by Drivers Jonas Deloitte every year; and then these include only private projects, not public projects which are numerous in Paris, such as the new Ministry of Defense in the 15th arrondissement for example, or the Philharmonie de Paris by Jean Nouvel in the 19th arrondissement).

As for skyscrapers, wait until the Hermitage Towers start construction next year. Two towers both taller than the much-hyped Shard.

Plazidus in reply to guest-inoswmj

‘Pathetic article...its author (who doesn't even have the guts to mention his name) evidently is into the meaningless debate Paris Vs London’ [guest-inoswmj]

Oh dear! Try consulting the Special Report page 3: ‘So much to do, so little time - France is slowly heading towards a crisis, says John Peet. Can the country be reformed before it is too late?’




Obviously you are refering to Oxford Street not the Champs-Elysées. The Champs-Elysées is at the top 3 of the most expensive streets in the world. Luxury retailers are opening flagstores every year. the last one will be Tiffany's. Obviously this journalist has not been to Paris for a long time.

monica_ileana in reply to markus92

I do actually agree with the author - the Champs-Elysées is not a great shopping street - random american brands (like the very bizarre abercrombie & fitch store), cinemas, car dealerships and chain restaurants. Obviously, they can afford the insane rents but it's certainly not a street I frequent (more like actively avoid as a Parisienne).

vassargal in reply to markus92

Obviously you haven't been to Paris for a long time. Just take a look at this article penned by Steven Erlanger of the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/15/world/europe/americas-mass-market-inva...

Champs-Elysées is not a place where locals hang out. And believe it or not, Parisians don't go there to do shopping, as trendy and hip shopping districts are elsewhere. You'll see what I mean if you stop by H&M and realize it's flooded with tourists. Also, "obviously", you're not aware of the fact that luxury and high fashion boutiques are in fact located close by on the Avenue Montaigne, not on the Champs-Elysées.


"Much of the art market has moved to London"

Thought I just read an Economist blog saying auction revenues globally are down, except in Paris?



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