<p>So I went to Italy in 2006 and man it was great! Flourence is unprecedented in scenery. Now I am so wanting to go to France. Who has been to both countries? If so, answer me this:</p>
<p>1) overall, which is more scenic, and more pleasant to your eye?
2) Food is better in which country?
3) People are nicer in which? (this is like a given cause I know French hate Americans)
4) What's the one monument/historic site you can't miss at France? since I've been to Italy</p>
<p>Both are big countries with huge variety among the regions. We loved Provence and Siena for scenery, we found great food and not so good food in both countries, we found people in both countries to be friendly and approachable - I think the further you get away from the big cities, the pace slows and people have more time for strangers - like anywhere.</p>
<p>As for your #4 again you're talking about a country the size of Texas. The graveyards (and the beach) in Normandy are historically important, the Bayeaux tapestry is amazing, the cathedral in Chartres has fabulous stained glass.</p>
<p>Been to both, and I have to agree with highlandmom: the countries are too big to compare that easily, but Ill try: </p>
<p>1) overall, which is more scenic, and more pleasant to your eye? Depends on the region, but I'd have to say France.
2) Food is better in which country? Cheap food is much better in Italy, more expensive food in France. But both among the best in the world.
3) People are nicer in which? (this is like a given cause I know French hate Americans) People in Paris aren't nice at all. haha. No not true, but people in Italy are arguably nicer.
4) What's the one monument/historic site you can't miss at France? since I've been to Italy
Well it depends, if you go to Paris, there's a LOT to see! (like, the Louvre, Eiffeltower, Centre de Pompidou, the Notre Dame, Versailles (although a bit outside Paris) , etc. etc. (All the cliches); a nice area to visit is the region around the Loire-river; you'll find hundreds of castles to visit (they used to be the weekend houses for the nobility; really nice). Urmm.. well, France is really beautiful, and you'll find amazing places everywhere.. Don't go to northern france though (around Calais, Lille etc. Not so nice. Bretagne and Normandy are beautiful though.</p>
<p>Guilt, have you been to palace of Versailles? Is that open to the general public to enter? What about Florence vs. Paris? What are the other major cities in France I'm not too familiar with it.</p>
<p>Ponte Vecchio in Italy was amazing wasn't it! Florence just literally took my breath away. Is Paris nicer than that? If yes then I cannot wait</p>
<p>All parts of Italy are so different... remote Tuscany is unbeatable for friendly people, wine, food, etc, but in terms of magnificence and the plague of overtourism, Florence is a must. Same thing with France... Paris and Nice are SO different. You cannot compare overall France to overall Italy, because unlike America, each city/area has its own unique local color and atmosphere. I would say though Italy is the better place to take a tour. Good trains, see Florence, Rome, Milan, Sicily, Siena (my favorite), and Venice. Indescribable how different each city is. And you get to try such a variety of amazing food. </p>
<p>But my philosophy is it is better to see something new than to revisit, so if you've been to Italy (I prefer Italy, if you didnt garner that by now) than see France. Everyone should see Paris at one point, even though its a hassle. I think Bordeaux had some of the best food. South of France the beaches must be visited, especially the nude ones (which is all of them pretty much).</p>
<p>I happen to love Italy, I think the food is better, not a huge fan of French food. The there are amazing restaurants in France, both in paris and south of France. (yes even good Italian food!)</p>
<p>Paris is beautiful, even if the french in Paris are not particularly friendly. The museums are the best, do not miss the D'orsay, one of my favorites. depending on the time of year the gardens are also incredible.</p>
<p>South of France is fabulous! Fun, great food, and very beautiful, saint tropez, jauin L'pain (sp)</p>
<p>It's apples and oranges. Both are beautiful for the rural scenery, depending on where you are. Italian cities are generally more colorful--more greens, oranges, yellows--but can come across as a bit unkempt. French cities (where the monuments are) are generally very groomed and well organized. The French do monuments and museums better than anyone. French public transportation and tourist offices are also excellent and second to none.</p>
<p>A previous poster is right that it's easier to find good cheap food in Italy. And you can never go wrong with freshly made pasta. But the French have them beat in the pastry department. </p>
<p>Four places not to miss in France:
Mont St. Michel
Vaux-le-Vicomte castle (outside Paris) - done prior to Versailles by the same architect/designer/gardener but smaller and more manageable
Amiens or Reims cathedrals (the finest of the gothic cathedrals)
Nimes (magnificent Roman ruins)</p>
<p>You also can't go wrong in Paris no matter what you visit.</p>
