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Back from Paris to London the Garden City. Paris is relentlessly urban, a stone quarry cut by avenues. Ken Livingstone has praised Paris's high population density, but the cost is leaflessness. We must hang on to our private gardens and public parks - it's what distinguishes London from all other great cities.
Paris is medium-rise. London architecture is playful, shoddy, various; Paris is grand, ornate, harmonious. London wrecks its interiors, Paris doesn't. London suburbs are filled with ancient charms. The suburbs of Paris are uniformly hideous and threatening. The traditional London house is one of the worlds's great living concepts - so is the Parisian apartment. Stationery is better in London, writing implements are better in Paris. London is sexy, Paris is social. Paris belongs to the French, London |
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belongs to the world.
London can't distinguish between quality and fashion. Paris can. If something is unfashionable London will destroy it, regardless of quality. If something is unfashionable but of high quality, Paris will preserve it. Quality for quality, London is very expensive and Paris is very good value. Parisian teenagers are more beautiful than ours because they eat better - but they are less interesting. Ken Livingstone entertains Latin American dictators and Muslim fascists. Paris entertained Mugabe.
Paris's traffic is a clogged, honking nightmare. Central London's is fine. In Paris there is no escape from being onstage; in London you can always escape into a soft, green, secluded corner. London is an organic mess, Paris is a machine for dreaming. Paris is hard and glamorous while London is subtle with surprises. Vive l'Eurostar.
FIRST POSTED APRIL 11, 2007 |
