Tourists are back in Paris!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 Posted by Eric Tenin
Yes! Ladies and Gentlemen... Tourists are said to be back in Paris - and in France in general. Well, we'll know for sure at the end of the year of course, but "they" say that due to the slight drop of the Euro, people from outside Euroland are more likely to come back. In 2009 "only" 74 million visitors had crossed our border (that is 6% less than in 2008) and among them -10% Americans and - 17% British! France still remained the #1 tourist destination in the world though! I took this shot near Montmartre (you can see the Carousel in the background) last Saturday and, believe me, it was full of tourists...
July 27, 2010 12:29:00 AM GMT+02:00
I'd very much like to be one of them! Maybe I can find the money this year . . .
July 27, 2010 12:29:00 AM GMT+02:00
I like the depth of this picture. It seems that the tourists go on into infinity (and beyond!)
I've only seen Paris in March, fewer tourists.
July 27, 2010 12:30:00 AM GMT+02:00
Meanwhile, I always have Paris via you, Eric. Merci!
July 27, 2010 2:16:00 AM GMT+02:00
About that Euro... a little bit more of a drop would be greatly appreciated ;)
July 27, 2010 3:48:00 AM GMT+02:00
I was in that area last Thursday- and it was SO crowded! I could not even enjoy it! I could not believe how busy Paris was this summer, compared to the last time I was there. Which was Jan- April. I have to say, I will never visit in July again!
July 27, 2010 4:55:00 AM GMT+02:00
Like many said , I haven't seen Paris like this either. I came in March. I definitely will come off season again! How do the native Parisians feel about all of these crowds! Wow! It's a very cool picture!
July 27, 2010 6:45:00 AM GMT+02:00
Ahh, Abbesses. Le mur des j
t'aime. And that cute, basic cafe a coute de place....?
Well, my French is bad, but my memories are good.
I think I'll keep coming in May or early June.
July 27, 2010 6:48:00 AM GMT+02:00
september is a nice time to visit Paris it seems....the weather was nice..the crowds were down....i do understand the tourist thing as i live near a famous beach near L.A. ....and it's hard for us locals to go when it is so crowded...
July 27, 2010 9:36:00 AM GMT+02:00
I'd love to be a tourist in Paris, whenever the season! The link to the YAB video Eric is really a wonderful advertisement for Paris.
To be honest, I'd also love to be a tourist in many other cities. Walking in streets, visiting monuments, museums, eating in restaurants, coffee shops, shopping (etc) are a delight to me wherever it is, London, Berlin, Barcelona, Roma, NYC, SF, and so on, and so on.
Happy tourists!!!
But, one thing I don't like in being a tourist is of course that you have to leave one or another day... Coming back to normal with plenty of souvenirs, after spending a very nice time somewhere, and I really feel a big blues many days after. Like leaving my heart somewhere or to someone. Universal feeling, I guess!
July 27, 2010 2:01:00 PM GMT+02:00
I guess I'll never understand why so many Americans go to Paris at this time. I'm hoping to make it to Paris in the next year or so (first time, very excited!), but it will probably be in March or October. The last thing I want to see when I go to Paris is a bunch of other Americans! Plus, don't a lot of things close for the month of August?
I went to Spain and Greece in the spring and fall, respectively, and it was great, not overrun by tourists and the rates were lower.
Oh well, these people are lucky to be in Paris no matter what time of year.
July 27, 2010 2:34:00 PM GMT+02:00
In a world of anonyms, tourists become painters, writers, singers, for a while, that's how I like to see it.
Regards
Valery
July 27, 2010 3:03:00 PM GMT+02:00
Nice pic but yeah I would avoid crowds at all costs!
July 28, 2010 4:13:00 AM GMT+02:00
During the past 9 months the euro has been as high as a little over $1.50 to a low last month of $1.19. Currently it's holding at a little below $1.30. From $1.50 to $1.30 is a 15% drop. Not so shabby, and certainly not slight. You're being ironic, n'est-ce pas?
July 28, 2010 7:59:00 PM GMT+02:00
Paris anytime sounds lovely, but I have to admit I am a crowd-avoider! I do like to go places when the rest of the world isn't there. So, I am definitely an April or October in Paris kind of girl! That's probably when you'll see me there someday!
July 29, 2010 2:36:00 AM GMT+02:00
hehe....once again, I was one of these tourists!!
I hope to continue to contribute to France's economy for a loooong time ;))
July 29, 2010 1:29:00 PM GMT+02:00
I wish I was there! I was supposed to be in April, but the Iceland volcano put an end to those plans.
July 31, 2010 7:59:00 AM GMT+02:00
I'm not a High Season person either. I think people with children have to plan around school vacation times, but the rest of us are free to enjoy the entire year - so why not?
August 26, 2010 6:32:00 PM GMT+02:00
Your photo of the crowds is sublime. Such a trooper you are to brave being in the midst of all those tourists. I grew up next to Disneyland, and one might think this a shot is some crowded amusement park. I'd hate to think of Paris in those terms :-),
Super, super shot!!!
-Kim