Is Paris passe or simply overrated ?

The Seine looking toward the Eiffel Tower in the distance

Paris - a city famous for having being the centre of the Age of Enlightenment, for its grand architecture, world famous institutions, intellectual culture, the creative arts, Parisien lifestyle, boutique shopping, high end fashion and so on. Names which come to mind include the Musee d'Orsay, the Louvre, Champs-Elysee, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame de Paris, Arc de Triomphe, the Cabaret, the Paris Opera to name a few.

Major civic works by Napoleon Bonaparte and Napoleon III created large boulevards, straighter roads (as far as could be achieved in this city) as well as major landmarks, commemorative structures and institutions. A range of major figures throughout history from Cardinal Richelieu to former Prime Minister (and President) Georges Pompidou have contributed to the Paris skyline.

But is Paris essentially over-rated ? Has the city itself reached a point where it is.... passé ?

Paris streets in some of the best known arrondisements are littered with dog excreta, cigarette butts and discarded train tickets with seemingly little interest from civic authorities in creating a better environment. It is without doubt, a dirty city.

The much lauded art museum, The Louvre, now has a boutique shopping mall within its perimeter and visitors must walk through this shopping mall in order to exit the world famous institution. Its gift shop barely gives representation to the vast collection which the museum holds and contains souvenirs best left to tourist kiosks located near the Seine.

The world famous Paris Metro rail system has station transfer configurations so long and complicated that the Paris Tourist Office recommends visitors avoid them altogether. Paris commuters comment that they find themselves getting lost when trying to change trains.

The once intellectual and artistic hub of Paris, the Left Bank, has disappeared and now consists of high end, wall-to-wall art dealers and accessory sellers with more style than substance.

The Eiffel Tower is surrounded by a large metal, graffiti covered perimeter wall at ground level and the immediate area around the landmark is populated by scam operators, spivs and aggressive sellers with a high police presence required. Arrests are not uncommon.

Parisians themselves do not present a happy exterior and seem discontented. Terrorism, despite being a serious threat, is not a situation which they confront daily, but rather petty theft and general criminal activities is more the norm. Police arrests in parks and on bridges over the Seine are visible on a daily basis.

A simple coffee in Paris can cost between four and upwards to six euros (over $9 AUD) which is higher than neighbouring countries. Has Paris lost its lustre ?

Luxembourg Palace - French Senate building