It would seem that the rumours are true: Paris is the most boring capital in Europe. They were confirmed last night after dinner with friends from London by a Parisian contingent that spoke enviously of the opportunities for revelry offered by the British capital.
The assertion, first seen in A Nous in November, the free weekly magazine aimed at Paris's young and salaried, that bars and clubs are moving wholesale to Berlin, Barcelona and London, was repeated by Le Monde, which, the following month, proclaimed, "Paris, capitale européenne de l'ennui" [pay archive]. Most recently, the NY Times covered the exodus, which is blamed on draconian noise abatement orders, high fines, and ban that forces smokers (just about everyone) into the streets of this most residential of cities.
It has to be said that Parisian envy of London was displayed after the second round of cocktails in a bar which seemed to be doing a roaring trade well after midnight. All very urbane and civilized; just what Paris is about. "It nice to be able to have a conversation and not have to shout," commented the visitors. Which is just where the problem lies for the Parisians, where every other business is a café there is plenty of opportunity to talk. What there is far less of are places for music, the dj's and bands that keep other cities more happily awake through the night.
All that said, Paris, or at least Parisians, don't have it as bad as New Yorkers.
