Archive for 05/19/17

Paris has been ranked as the seventh priciest city in the world (well above London) in a new cost of living study, that concluded only alcohol and tobacco offer value for money in Paris. But there's more to it than that.

Expensive living your thing? Then Paris is the place for you. At least if you pay attention to a new global study.

The French capital has retained the dubious honour of being the most expensive city in the EU, according to the latest Worldwide Cost of Living Survey from The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

Singapore topped the rankings ahead of Hong Kong and Zurich - Europe's most expensive city. Another Swiss city Geneva was ranked sixth, just ahead of Paris in seventh. (See the table below from left to right)

Paris, the only eurozone city in the top ten, "remains structurally extremely expensive to live in," the report said.

Paris has also proved to be particularly expensive, compared to other cities when it comes to the cost of entertainment and clothes.

The same can be said for the cost of a basket of goods in a supermarket, although the authors of the studies believe this may have something to do with the quality of product demanded by the French.

There was good news for smokers and drinkers however.

"Only alcohol and tobacco offering value for money compared with other European cities," says the report.
Indeed, a standard bottle of table wine in Paris averages $10.35 - cheaper than every city that ranked higher than Paris.

The same bottle of wine sells for $23.68 in Singapore and a whopping $26.54 in Seoul (see table below).

Paris has actually dropped two positions in the ranking since 2016.

But the survey may be a little misleading because, as the authors have explained, it doesn't mean Paris is necessarily expensive for those who live here.

Jon Copestake, the editor of previous studies has told The Local that while Paris was pricey there was an upside.

“Paris has always been expensive. It’s partly driven by high real estate prices that feed through to retail prices," he said. "It's just structurally expensive and the high wages also makes a difference."

“Parisians shouldn’t see it as bad news. It's partly due to the high salaries there. It just means other places abroad are cheaper when they go and visit. They will have a much higher purchasing power. It’s the same in places like Oslo where prices are also driven up by the very high salaries," Copestake added.

The survey, released on Tuesday, aims to help companies calculate packages for expats and business travellers by comparing more than 400 individual prices across 160 products and services including food and drink, clothing, rents, transport, utility bills and recreation costs.

The top ten was rounded out by Geneva in equal seventh, then New York and Copenhagen at joint ninth.

While Paris has featured among the ten most expensive cities for 15 years, The EIU said that the relative cost of living in the French capital has moderated.

"Currently, living in Paris is 7 percent more expensive than living in New York, but just five years ago it was 50 percent pricier," the paper reported.

London, the UK capital, fell by 18 places from 6th last year to 24th - its lowest position in the cost of living ranking in 20 years.

Paris is best explored on foot - so we asked the experts at Localers walking tours to come up with a list of the most unmissable streets in the French capital. See how many you have walked along. (No, the Champs Elysées is not one of them). Yes, Paris is an amazing city for a stroll, but some streets simply stand out more than the others. From charming walkways to extravagant roads - here are ten that you should really prioritize. And be prepared for a few you might not have heard of before.

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1. Rue des Barres

This picturesque path slopes up toward a half-timbered home from the 15th century as the gargoyles of Église Saint-Gervais-Saint-Protais survey the scene. Warm afternoons bring clued-in locals to the terrace seating of tearoom L'Ebouillante for fresh salads, while at the base of the street sit the popular Chez Julien restaurant and Café Louis Philippe, where Johnny Depp once filmed a scene for The Ninth Gate.

2. Rue de l'Abreuvoir

Photo: Loïc Lagarde/Flickr

How do you leave Paris without leaving Paris? Answer: Montmartre. Covered with wisteria in the spring and toboggans when it snows, this lazily winding street encapsulates the rustic throwback charm Montmartre is known for…without all of the tourists Montmartre is known for. Pop into miniscule La Maison Rose for a drink to toast the famous footsteps you’ve just traced - notably those of Picasso, Renoir, and Degas.

3. Cour du Commerce-Saint-André

In this 18th century alley you’ll find the city’s first coffee house, Le Procope, next to the subsequent birthplace of the guillotine at #9—proving that caffeine is a hell of a drug. Another pair of addresses vie for the area’s best hot chocolate title: La Jacobine and Un Dimanche à Paris. A local’s tip: if the gate across from Le Procope is open, slip in discreetly for a hidden series of cozy courtyards.

4. Rue Montorgueil

Sure you can’t quite pronounce its name correctly, but don’t miss this street’s exciting slice of local life and outdoor market ambience. Start at the southern end with an empty stomach and nibble your way through high-end purveyors of all things French and tasty. Old-school butchers next to fishmongers and fromageries provide a snapshot of the pre-supermarket glory days. Don’t pass up Stohrer, Paris’ first boulangerie from 1730, and endless people-watching opportunities in the street’s bistros and bars.

5. Rue Crémieux

Travelling to or from Gare de Lyon? Tug your luggage a few extra steps to Rue Crémieux for a colorful oasis of charm. Affectionately nicknamed the “Notting Hill of Paris”, brightly-hued facades complete with picture-perfect bicycles, potted plants, and scaling ivy offer a quaint respite from the nearby clamor of train-goers. Book a room at Hotel Corail and make this wistful walkway part of your daily Paris routine.

6. Rue des Rosiers

Following the curve of an 800 year-old medieval rampart, this cobblestone lane of the Jewish Quarter is a postcard straight out of the Middle Ages. Kosher bakeries and synagogues sit side by side with trendy boutiques and life-changing falafels. Speaking of which: if the employee outside L’As du Falafel tries to drag you into the queue for a sandwich, let him. Add a sweet finish with handmade macarons from Damyel.

7. Rue Lepic

Start with the titillating teases of the Moulin Rouge before hiking up to Café des Deux Moulins, movieland workplace of the quirky character Amélie. Le French Burger across the street proves that Parisians have finally cracked the code to a decent hamburger, sourcing 100 percent of their ingredients from the merchants of Rue Lepic. Further up the hill is historic bistro La Pomponette and Vincent Van Gogh’s old pad at #54.

8. Rue Saint-Antoine

1789 saw this street packed with a bloodthirsty mob on its way to La Bastille. Things have chilled out since then; it’s now a popular foodie strip. Start at the Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis church, grab some sheep’s milk cheese at Laurant Dubois, a bottle of red next door at Caves Saint-Antoine, and baguettes at Miss Manon for a memorable Paris picnic. A place to sit, you say? The classy grass of Place des Vosges is just a stone’s throw away.

9. Avenue Winston Churchill

Paris always shines brightest when it knows someone’s watching, which was the case when the Grand Palais and Petit Palais were built for the 1900 World’s Fair. Their unapologetic opulence reflects the champagne-soaked Belle Epoque from which they sprung. This avenue culminates in the elegant Pont Alexandre III for prime views of the Eiffel Tower and Les Invalides. A local’s secret: dash into the garden of the Petit Palais (entry is free) for a café break with a killer view.

10. Quai de Jemmapes

Plug into the buzz of the hippest hood this side of Brooklyn by following this street northward along the Canal Saint-Martin. Bask in the area’s untouched local vibe today before the guide books discover it tomorrow and tip off the rest of the planet. Grab a wine & cheese pairing at La Vache dans la Vigne or a cocktail at the Congo-inspired cabinet of curiosities Le Comptoir Général. French cinema fans should continue up the canal to the iconic Hôtel du Nord.

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