London vs. Paris

[mayormommy 8]

Much better. Views like that will make your heart skip a beat.

[Wolves 0]

Heres a bit of London:

All of these buildings are approved or built Or allreqady being built.

Suburbs theey be

A Canal in North Central London

London Bridge Tower

Hammersmith Bridge

Somewhere on the Picadilly Line

And on the Jubilee Line

Just a random shot from Regents Park

St Pancras, the 5th largest mainline station in London.

That will do for now!

[florent94 0]

i want to answer quickly to montrouge.

I take the metro in Paris every week and particulary the first line and the fourteenth line and would say to you that paris subway don"t smelle urin everywhere and the trains on this line where onstructed in 2000. I JUST WANT TO SAY : dont generalize what you say

one thing is right everywhere in Paris metro:it's too crowded and be the hell at 5 pm.

from a parisian .bye

[florent94 0]

parisian subway can be modern you know .

it can be proved with theses pictures.

[dogscarletnyc 0]

paris, because La tour Eiffel is there.

[S1acker 0]

IOC's decision, 2012 Olympics. Need i say more?

[montrouge 2]

Originally posted by: florent94 parisian subway can be modern you know .

it can be proved with theses pictures.

quote>

 

Yes the line 14 is modern

this line has driverless train.

Note since december 2003 this line is crowed.

RER E too.

Parisian subway  is to busy 

busier than London Tube

Passenger rides per year

London tube 970 million

Paris Metro  1.336 billion

Paris RER express subway   782.9 million

Bonus

modern housing buildings in inner Paris ( build after 2001 )

[ILL Tonkso 1,238]

A lot of people forget, the Tube is less than half of the London Metro, it has suburban rail, the most suburban geavy rail in the world. londons central terminus stations make a combined superstation with 148 platforms.

[montrouge 2]

No  Tokyo has the most suburban rail in the world

Paris suburban rail is big but smaller than London.

[callagrafx 3]

And all those "blocky" buildings are good, are they?

[montrouge 2]

La Defense (Paris skyscrapers district )

[montrouge 2]

Paris

[montrouge 2]

other pics of Paris

[Sticksboi05 2]

They are both beautiful cities but I will say that the Tube is better then the Paris Metro.

That said, Paris' skyline is way nicer than London's and the new proposed one in London is UGLY.

[Marla_Singer 46]

The idea that Paris would be significantly less cosmopolitan than London is widely a myth. The big difference between both cities in that field is mainly a matter of image. Actually the truth is that Paris is multicultural since a lot longer time than London is. Already in the mid-19th century, Paris was divided in ethnic districts.

When you check facts, you realize that France is the country hosting the largest Jewish population in Europe (ahead of Russia or Ukraine), the largest muslim population in Europe (ahead of Germany or the UK) and the largest Chinese community. The Great Mosquee of Paris has been inaugurated in 1926 (52 years before the construction of the London Central Mosquee).  In Paris, you can find the largest Asian superstore chains in Europe (Tang Frères and Paris store).

The first international immigration wave to Paris was the one of the Germans initiated as early as in the 1820's, with German peasants fleeing the agricultural crisis in their country.  Several waves of immigration followed continuously until today : Italians and central European Jews during the 19th century; Russians after the revolution of 1917 ; colonial citizens during ww1 and later; Poles between the two world wars; Spaniards, Portuguese and North Africans from the 1950's to the 1970's; North African Jews after the independence of those countries; Africans and Asians since then.

Why is France different from other European countries when it goes about immigration history ? Simply because at the opposite of its neighbours, France has never known any demographic booming. In 1800, there were already 30 million people in France and only 10 million in the UK and 20 million people in Germany. Nowadays, there are about 60 million people in both France and the UK, and 80 million people in Germany. Because of that demographic weakness, France has started very early to welcome migrants massively. A bit similarly as the US actually. As a result, when France was welcoming migrants, people of its neighbours were leaving their country in mass (in destination of the US, Argentina, Australia, South Africa, but also France).

For all these reasons, I'm very skeptic when I hear people telling me they haven't seen Paris as a cosmopolitan city during their short stay. Actually, I wonder what they could have seen from it. In a large number of areas in the Paris area, white people are a minority. And if you still need any evidence about mutliculturalism in France, I guess most of you have seen the final of the world cup. Most of French players were born in the Paris area, and most of them were also black. This is certainly not at random.

Talking about this, the French national football team has long reflected the ethnic diversity of the country. The first black player playing in the national team was Raoul Diagne in 1931, the son of the first black African elected to the French National Assembly, Blaise Diagne. In the 1950s, the first French national team reaching international success with a semi-final at the World Cup 1958 was already including many sons of immigrants such as Raymond Kopa, Roger Piantoni,  Maryan Wisnieski or Bernard Chiarelli. This tradition continued through the 1980s, when such successful players as Michel Platini, Jean Tigana, Luis Fernandez, Gérard Janvion,  Manuel Amoros or Éric Cantona were all of either foreign-born or overseas-born ancestries.

And Paris multiculturalism doesn't stop to football. Paris multiculturalism has always been a given, and Parisians themselves never praise themselves for it. However, the very-identity of Paris lies in it. The French cancan dancers which is so typical of Paris is based on musics from Offenbach, a Parisian which was originally a German Jewish. The cliché of the French "music Hall" is Josephine Baker, an American black dancer. Edith Piaf, the only internationally-known French speaking singer, was originately from Algeria, her mother being kabyl. Her most famous songs have been written by George Moustaki, originately Greek. The most influential Paris painters from the 20th century are Italian such as Modigliani, or Spanish such as Picasso or Dali. Chopin has composed some of his best masterpieces in Paris. Even the scientists who made the most striking discoveries in Paris were often migrants... the best example being Marie Curie, who has grown up in Poland. Paris politics has also been made by people from all culture and origins... Leon Blum, Jewish, was leading France when Hitler was leading Germany. Daniel Cohn-Bendit triggered a great youth riot in France in 1968. Most of these people are remembered as simply French. That's so true that most Parisians reading those lines wouldn't even be aware of this. I wasn't aware of this, untill someone made me realized how obvious it was.

But anyway, multi-culturalism in Paris isn't simply about some famous people who have made its reputation. It's about the parisians themselves... the people who've built that city. When you are in Paris, you always come from somewhere else.

[Marla_Singer 46]

Here are some pictures of Paris showing aspects of that city you're obviously not aware about...

[jj88 23]

Marla_Singer= Just some pictures then!

Personally I prefer London to Paris but thats probaly because I am British

[ledge69 0]

I thought I had commented but looks like I havn't. I think they make avery good comparison as they have a similar layout, ideas and problems. I am biased thou as I choose to move to London and started the London thread so the conibation of London for me :-P

[ccecill 52]

I've never been to either one, but, I think that I'd rather go with Paris. Yes Paris' downtown dosent look as big as London's, but, It looks like it's more pedestrian friendly (big plazas, etc.) It also looks cleaner than London's (look at the rivers people). I do believe that London deserved to win the rights to 2012 because of better transportation, but, at the end of the day, Paris seems like more of a place that I'd like to go to or live.

My 2c.

I have to say this though. I love the way that in both cities, You have these old, old buildings, (Buckingham Palace, that building in Paris with the Giant pyramid in front of it) and right across the street, you have these modern , glassy buildings. I love the mix of old and new architecture. If I were to study architecture, I would have to go to London or Paris at some point.

[ccecill 52]

YAAAAAAY My 100th Post. Sorry man, I can't see the pics. "Doh" *in Homer Simpson accecnt* "double post"

[Makollig Jezfahted 0]

Originally posted by: ilikehotdogsalot

This place got 2012 for a reason.quote>

Obviously because it was the superior bid, and also the transformation of the city of London proposed by the London Bid Committee far outclassed the other cities. If I recall correctly, Paris were not going to build a purpose-built stadium for athletics, in fact I think they were going to use the Stade de France as the Olympic Stadium, which is pathetic as that stadium would be almost 15yrs old by the time the 2012 Olympics occured. Also, the planned upgrades in transport and infrastructure for London were far greater than the upgrades Paris were willing to undergo. You should also be reminded that a fair chunk of emphasis was put on legacy for the London games, which means all the structures they're building are actually going to be used for a long time after, and not become a huge white elephant for the city and the country.

So thats why London won the 2012 Olympics above Paris, Madrid, New York City and Moscow.

[BurroDiablo 222]

I've been to London, but not Paris. My brother has been to Paris, but not London. When I got back from my London trip, I couldn't shut up about how fantastic it was... I still to this day can't get over how great London is. My brother on the other hand, who can be quite enthusiastic, didn't seem to enjoy Paris that much... for some unknown reason. Im sure Paris a wonderful place and I'll visit one day im sure... I want to see La Tour Eiffel before I die at least But judging from my brothers reaction, his pictures from the top of the Eiffel Tower and the fact he can't seem to say anything interesting happened in Paris, I guess I have to go with London on the fact that I couldn't shut up about it and my brother told me nothing about Paris.

Talking of diversity in London though... 75% of the people I walked past in Piccadilly Circus didn't speak English. Me and my mates even got approached by some Australian kids who though we lived there, heheh.

[ledge69 0]

Thats what I love about London the diversity, Ealing/Acton is known for the many Aussie's that live there, Mayfair for the American's, Brixton for Caribbeans, Seven Sister's for it's Jewish community, Southall for it's Asian community, Chinatown for well Chinese, Westminster for it's new emmerging Polish community. The list goes on and the borough of Newham is the most diverse place in Europe, mainly for its Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities. Apart from the Brixton race riots and the Brixton bomber there hasn't really been much of an issue and infact it is the younger miniorty generation that is sceptical and mistrusting for some reason.

[ilikehotdogsalot 311]

Gah! I had to delete the post because the picture won't show up. Sorry

[tankmank 853]

Why is France different from other European countries when it goes about immigration history ? Simply because at the opposite of its neighbours, France has never known any demographic booming. In 1800, there were already 30 million people in France and only 10 million in the UK and 20 million people in Germany.  actually there was only 10 million in england in 1750 in 1800 there was about 29-32000 people due to the boom in factorys ect....

[david1314 44]

London smells like Urine (in the about 15 times I've been there, I've noticed marked improvement in recent years), and Paris smells like Paris....The ONLY thing I liked in Paris was the fact that the Seine was blue and was a welcomed (if unnerving) departure from the stench of Paris (a mix of BO, Urine, and something akin to a rancid McDonnalds).

Also, the Metro was crap. London's Underground is superior in every sense. Better service to more places with more connections on newer, more comfortable trains in an older more extensive system.

London has much better architecture and more interesting streets...as I understand, Paris redid all theirs circa 1850...So all the Paris streets go somewhere...how boring...the Paris map sucks compared to my London AtoZ (<---my bible ). In paris, if you've seen one building you've seen them all...and if you're on the STEX, you're in the same boat.

London once defended itself.

Ok, basically, Paris has the River on London, bar-none. Other than that, I see nothing to which Paris is superior to London. Paris really left a bad taste in my mouth (both literally and figuratively)...I want to visit southern France some day because I think many of the other cities will be free of the Parisian 'mal d'villes'. When I visited, Paris got the short end of the stick being my last destination where the plumeting dollar against the Euro meant I almost didn't make it back to the UK. Paris also had to stand against Amsterdam having been visited by me only 2 days before...Amsterdam quickly became my favorite city. Oh, 5-6 Euro for a beer (12-14oz!?!?!!!!!) really put me off Paris. I remember thinking how cheap my 2.50GBP pint was upon my return....I near had a heart attack when I returned to my home-town happy hour for $1 beers.

[montrouge 2]

I don't like the people who said that they know Paris in visited of the dead center of Paris (Tour Eiffel Louvres Notre Dame...) Parisian don't go here.

But in London they visit district where Londoner go : Soho, The City...

Paris is not diverse is the most stupid thing that I heard

In many district the majority of people don't speak french

London is more modern than Paris, this sentence is wrong the real sentence should be The center of London is more modern than the center of Paris.

The inner district of London are more modern than the inner district of Paris but the oulter districts of Paris are more modern than the oulter district of London.

Paris build nothing ?

Actually Paris urban area build more office space than London or New York urban area

Yes London underground is so better with the ton of delay, the french enginners of Paris metro wich installated new system that Paris has since the 80's.

London underground look more modern but in fact it is not the case.

I never  understand why Paris metro wich are 2x smaller than London underground, has more passengers.

Paris metro =  1,375 million Vs London Underground = 1,000 million journeys

And if I include suburban systems

Paris : RER : 800 million and Suburban rail = 250 million  Vs London : Rail = 750 million journeys

Don't compare  London  7.5 million inhabitants at Paris 2.1 million inh.

The real size of Paris is formed by Paris and the inner suburbs.

Now if we compare 

London  7.5 million inhabitants  in 1,500 km²

Paris  6.7 million inhabitants in 700 km²

It is more equitable.

When we come about ecomomy.

London metro  (14 million inh)  GDP : € 546.8 billion   $745 billion

Paris metro (11.2 million inh) GDP : € 465.7 billion   $634 billion

we see than these cities are similar.

Per comparaison with american cities GDP 

New York-Northern New Jersey (18 million inh)  $901.3 billion

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana (13 million inh) $581.3 billion

Chicago-Naperville-Joliet (9.5 million inh) $392.6 billion

And the question how Paris with a so high GDP can live with only tourism ?

It is hard to say wich is the better, I prefer Paris because I am Parisian but a Londoner will prefer London.

[sims co. 0]

I prefer London, not just because I live there, but because it has the perfect blend of old and new, its so easy to get around, the tube is far more superior and the history of London is Brilliant. I'm just proud to be a londoner!

[siso43 13]

great pics of the two citys, i like all two citys, London and Paris

[toxicpiano 125]

OH GOD WHY DOES IT MATTER THEY BOTH HAVE GOOD AND BAD POINTS ARGH!!!