The French usually don't like complimenting other countries - especially Britain - as they think their nation is the centre of the entire universe and that all planets, stars and entire galaxies revolve around it.
But they have now shocked mankind (except the British) by declaring that London is a better city than Paris.
The two cities which, 200 years ago, were the capitals of the world's two richest countries, have been rivals for centuries. For example, in the early 1800s during the reign of Mad George III, the Prince Regent (the future George IV) hated the French and Napoleon so much that he ordered one of Britain's greatest architects to design spectacular buildings, parks and boulevards, including Regent's Street and Regent's Parks, in London to make it more attractive than Paris. These were built and it didn't take long for their designs to become known as Regency.
So, 200 years later, the Prince Regent would be pleased to hear that even the French have rated London as a much better city than its near neighbour across the Channel.
Interestingly, London beats Paris on cuisine. That might shock Parisians but it doesn't particularly shock Londoners who'd much prefer to munch on bangers and mash or a full English than frogs and snails dipped in garlic.
London also comes out on top when it comes to its taxis and its national icons such as Westminster Abbey (where next year's Royal wedding might be held) and Trafalgar Square (which was built to celebrate one of Britain's many naval victories against the French).
'Twenty Four Hours In A Tourist Capital' - a detailed report on Europe's six major capitals by the Paris-Ile de France Regional Tourism Committee (CRT) - puts London in first place with a score of 82 out of 100.
Paris and Amsterdam come joint second with scores of 79, and Berlin comes last.
Undercover French investigators could barely fault what they found in England, although there was a minor complaint about the lack of foreign languages being spoken in London - which will surprise many Brits as there are enclaves within that multiracial metropolis where it seems that every language other than English can be heard.
Paris's public transport was considered dirty and expensive.
London, the EU's largest city and the world's financial capital (even though the EU predicted that Paris and Frankfurt would overtake it as Britain refused to join the Euro), has a population of 8.2 million and Paris 2.1 million.
Sacre bleu! London is a more attractive city to visitors than Paris... according to a FRENCH tourist guide
By Peter Allen
18th November 2010
Dasily Mail
The French have conceded that London is a superior city to Paris, a new tourism survey reveals today.
Officials responsible for selling Gallic attractions to the world admit that visitors would be better off crossing the Channel to the English capital.
This is despite decades of Anglo-French rivalry, with Parisians regularly boasting that nothing beats their restaurants, pavement cafes and tourist destinations like the Eiffel Tower.
Pride of place: London came top of a French tourism report, ahead of long-term rival Paris
London now has the bragging rights over five of Europe's capitals, with everything from its cuisine to its taxis considered the most impressive, along with national icons like Westminster Abbey and Trafalgar Square.
'Twenty Four Hours In A Tourist Capital' - a detailed report on Europe's six major capitals by the Paris-Ile de France Regional Tourism Committee (CRT) - puts London in first place.
It gave the city an impressive score of 82 out of 100 for the welcome it offers visitors from abroad.
Paris - officially the world's most popular tourist destination in terms of number of visitors - tied in second place on 79 with Amsterdam.
Madrid and Rome both scored 76 per cent, while Berlin came in last with 74.
Losing out: Gay Paris fell short of London's high standards in terms of cuisine, attractions and public transport
Runner up: Amsterdam tied with Paris for second place in the survey of six of Europe's main capitals
Undercover French investigators could barely fault what they found in England, although there was a minor complaint about the lack of foreign languages being spoken.
The survey, which graded 116 criteria ranging from sign posts at the airport to the quality of museums, found that very few people in London could respond to any other European language beyond English, least of all French.
Public transport in Paris is considered particularly poor, with tickets difficult to buy, and the Metro looking increasingly old and dirty.
Paris hotels - which have shot up in price in the decade or so since the introduction of the euro - were also found wanting, with a total mark of 74 per cent, compared to 89 per cent for London.
Hotspot: Rome and Madrid came in joint fourth position in the survey by undercover French tourist, with Berlin lagging behind in sixth
Conceding that Paris now has ground to make up on London, CRT boss Jean-Pierre Blat, said: 'The survey results reflect reality.
Paris is a destination that knows how to welcome visitors, even though there are definite improvements to make.'
However, he suggested that the French were often the most critical of their own capital - a fact which might explain them marking Paris below London.
Drawing attention to London's only perceived fault, Mr Blat added: 'In Paris we speak English, Italian, and Spanish, while in London they only speak English.'
Notable disasters in the marking included just 15 per cent for Germany for the quality of sign posts at Berlin Tegel airport, where there is no tourist information centre at all.
dailymail.co.uk
But they have now shocked mankind (except the British) by declaring that London is a better city than Paris.
The two cities which, 200 years ago, were the capitals of the world's two richest countries, have been rivals for centuries. For example, in the early 1800s during the reign of Mad George III, the Prince Regent (the future George IV) hated the French and Napoleon so much that he ordered one of Britain's greatest architects to design spectacular buildings, parks and boulevards, including Regent's Street and Regent's Parks, in London to make it more attractive than Paris. These were built and it didn't take long for their designs to become known as Regency.
So, 200 years later, the Prince Regent would be pleased to hear that even the French have rated London as a much better city than its near neighbour across the Channel.
Interestingly, London beats Paris on cuisine. That might shock Parisians but it doesn't particularly shock Londoners who'd much prefer to munch on bangers and mash or a full English than frogs and snails dipped in garlic.
London also comes out on top when it comes to its taxis and its national icons such as Westminster Abbey (where next year's Royal wedding might be held) and Trafalgar Square (which was built to celebrate one of Britain's many naval victories against the French).
'Twenty Four Hours In A Tourist Capital' - a detailed report on Europe's six major capitals by the Paris-Ile de France Regional Tourism Committee (CRT) - puts London in first place with a score of 82 out of 100.
Paris and Amsterdam come joint second with scores of 79, and Berlin comes last.
Undercover French investigators could barely fault what they found in England, although there was a minor complaint about the lack of foreign languages being spoken in London - which will surprise many Brits as there are enclaves within that multiracial metropolis where it seems that every language other than English can be heard.
Paris's public transport was considered dirty and expensive.
London, the EU's largest city and the world's financial capital (even though the EU predicted that Paris and Frankfurt would overtake it as Britain refused to join the Euro), has a population of 8.2 million and Paris 2.1 million.
Sacre bleu! London is a more attractive city to visitors than Paris... according to a FRENCH tourist guide
By Peter Allen
18th November 2010
Dasily Mail
The French have conceded that London is a superior city to Paris, a new tourism survey reveals today.
Officials responsible for selling Gallic attractions to the world admit that visitors would be better off crossing the Channel to the English capital.
This is despite decades of Anglo-French rivalry, with Parisians regularly boasting that nothing beats their restaurants, pavement cafes and tourist destinations like the Eiffel Tower.
Pride of place: London came top of a French tourism report, ahead of long-term rival Paris
London now has the bragging rights over five of Europe's capitals, with everything from its cuisine to its taxis considered the most impressive, along with national icons like Westminster Abbey and Trafalgar Square.
'Twenty Four Hours In A Tourist Capital' - a detailed report on Europe's six major capitals by the Paris-Ile de France Regional Tourism Committee (CRT) - puts London in first place.
It gave the city an impressive score of 82 out of 100 for the welcome it offers visitors from abroad.
Paris - officially the world's most popular tourist destination in terms of number of visitors - tied in second place on 79 with Amsterdam.
Madrid and Rome both scored 76 per cent, while Berlin came in last with 74.
Losing out: Gay Paris fell short of London's high standards in terms of cuisine, attractions and public transport
Runner up: Amsterdam tied with Paris for second place in the survey of six of Europe's main capitals
Undercover French investigators could barely fault what they found in England, although there was a minor complaint about the lack of foreign languages being spoken.
The survey, which graded 116 criteria ranging from sign posts at the airport to the quality of museums, found that very few people in London could respond to any other European language beyond English, least of all French.
Public transport in Paris is considered particularly poor, with tickets difficult to buy, and the Metro looking increasingly old and dirty.
Paris hotels - which have shot up in price in the decade or so since the introduction of the euro - were also found wanting, with a total mark of 74 per cent, compared to 89 per cent for London.
Hotspot: Rome and Madrid came in joint fourth position in the survey by undercover French tourist, with Berlin lagging behind in sixth
Conceding that Paris now has ground to make up on London, CRT boss Jean-Pierre Blat, said: 'The survey results reflect reality.
Paris is a destination that knows how to welcome visitors, even though there are definite improvements to make.'
However, he suggested that the French were often the most critical of their own capital - a fact which might explain them marking Paris below London.
Drawing attention to London's only perceived fault, Mr Blat added: 'In Paris we speak English, Italian, and Spanish, while in London they only speak English.'
Notable disasters in the marking included just 15 per cent for Germany for the quality of sign posts at Berlin Tegel airport, where there is no tourist information centre at all.
dailymail.co.uk
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