Paris Summary

So, to set the record straight. I never encountered any French people being rude to me (despite the rumors). I do tend to blend in - and caught many people attempting to speak to me in French.

The areas I visited were much cleaner than Italy.

It can be done on a budget. The room I stayed in (with it's own bathroom) was only about $60 a night and was located near the center of Paris near Bir Hakeim bridge and the Eiffel Tower. It was advertised as a 3 star hotel, but 3 star hotel in an old European city isn't what we are used to in the states. I was perfectly happy, but it would be a special case for me to actually allow a client to stay in that hotel. You want someone to be completely happy and I can understand if someone felt the room was small. I'm not convinced that other hotels would be much better even at a significantly higher price. I noticed a Mercure hotel nearby which was actually next to the elevated metro line. I wouldn't be happy listening to the trains until 1 AM and starting at 5 AM in the morning.

I felt much safer than when I visit Rome, despite all the warnings about pickpockets (many announcements during my visit to the Eiffel Tower, and signs everywhere).

It is one of the few places that I would return to. I didn't feel that a week was enough to visit.

I added a page with tips for others under my Travel Tips section.