travel
29
VERSUS
PARIS LONDON Sarah Collinson weighs up the merits of a long weekend in both cities, and asks if we might consider spending some time in our own City next time a free weekend pops up?
W
hich one would you prefer? A full-English sourced from local farmers markets, or a freshly baked croissant? A pint of traditional bitter served with a packet of Walkers, or a flute of vintage champagne served with foie gras? Skiing in Scotland or skiing in the Alps? Sarah Brown or Carla Bruni? England and France have always pitted themselves against one another. In 1066 we lost at
Hastings. In 2009 they lost at rugby. Unfortunately for us, France has typically come out on top in the style and elegance stakes, leaving England lagging behind in a cultural backwater. However, in recent years the situation is now not so clear cut and London is arguably as attractive a destination as Pairs for the discerning traveller. Both are cosmopolitan cities divided into districts each with their own feel and identity, offering a city experience to
suit every taste. St Germain and Shoreditch are relaxed and bohemian; both Chelsea and the 16th arrondissement are affluent and sophisticated; Montmartre and the West End offer theatres; and in both cities visitors can walk or dine overlooking a beautiful river. On the art-front, Paris has always been ahead of the English capital with famous collections in the Musée du Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, specific sites like the Picasso Museum and the tiny galleries of St Germain. London now rivals this with every art taste being catered for.The National Gallery and The Tate Britain offer traditional works alongside newer collections, while The Tate Modern and the Saatchi Gallery offer contemporary and controversial pieces.The smaller gallery scene is also thriving with the arty hub of Shoreditch offering late night openings to showcase new talent. The same can be said for the shopping scenes. Paris has always been seen as the fashion Mecca of Europe, attracting top designers and the pick of boutique stores; but London’s fashion status has gradually been growing and it is now recognised as a style capital in its own right. Paris still pips the post for big-name designers, with the districts of Avenue Montaigne and Saint Honoré, but London is the place to go for more edgy vintage fashions. Soho, Shoreditch,
Portobello Road and Spittlefields sell one-off gems that the polished designers of Paris can only emulate, and with London Fashion Week attracting more up-andcoming talent, this trend is only going to be pushed further. France has always been heralded for its food and Paris is of course the champion of that culinary reputation.There are countless cafés, restaurants and bars on every street with each seeming to offer a better menu than the last. However, although England’s foodie credentials are still lagging behind the French heritage, London is catching up in quality and now arguably provides a much wider range of cuisines. London is a multicultural wonderland of restaurants meaning you can easily have Caribbean jerk chicken one night followed by Iranian kebabs the next, while in Paris you may only find traditional French cuisine.This is, of course, delicious but it may get a bit tiring after too many sittings. Of course living in London we’ll usually choose to holiday abroad, but next time you are booking a mini-break just stop and think about what a fantastic city we have on our doorstep and put some time aside to make the most of it. n For more information, visit www. visitlondon.com and www.parisinfo. com