Paris, with its charming mix of traditional and contemporary influences, experiences an overall slower pace of development compared to fast-paced metropolises like London and NYC.
Watching the city continue to embrace new culinary and cultural influences while still adhering to its identity has been a true pleasure to behold. Many of the things you hear about France are true, and many are mythological.
Their bread is indeed exceptional, waiters are generally curt yet still provide a high level of service, bike lanes have improved at a slower pace than expected, seasonal food markets continue to be awesome, a majority of shops will be closed on Sunday, and the French consider their holiday time important.
Picnics are an art form, wine bars are part of their daily lives, and dinner (and generally any meal) can last for several hours. There are a lot of smokers throughout the city, dog owners are less vigilant, and despite all the quirks, the city still maintains an elegance.
Vintage Paris imagery still exists, and many visitors envision themselves living in a classic French film. I have lived in Paris for nearly 17 years after having moved here from NYC. I currently live in the northeast of Paris (the 19th arrondisement).
In my years working as a journalist and translator, I have witnessed the beauty of everyday life and the wonderful cultural scene. While Paris might seem to be very different from the rest of France, it is still the purest representation of France.
