I lived in the greater New York area (aka New Jersey) for 40+ years. Oh boy, that's a long time and makes me slightly panicky when I write that down. Though Mr. Large and I decamped for the mountains of North Carolina in early 2023 New Jersey will always be home for us. That's not to say that we haven't spent plenty of time in the actual city of New York! Only a short train ride away it's the place to go for cultural happenings- like musical theatre (RE), the occasional museum visit and great dinners.
New York can be exciting, fun, amazing in its scope and population, and beautiful in some areas. It can also be dirty, stressful, run-down and very difficult to navigate. The good, the bad and the ugly live side by side. Also, the wildlife on the street can be interesting. 'Nuff said.
Paris, on the other hand, seems to be alight with buildings and edifices that glorify beauty. Yes, we are tourists and did not go to seedy neighborhoods, but history is etched into the monuments liberally sprinkled everywhere. In every park or plaza there is a monument to some historical figure, and the churches! Mon dieu! One more gorgeous than the other. Below you will see the Arc D'Triomphe,
Sacre Coeur (Sacred Heart Cathedral), random decorations on bridges, Mr. Large (also decorative), Musee D'Orsay and a typical French cafe!
That cafe photo could almost be a postcard!