Your Route to Real News

The pretty English city holidaymakers can't stop comparing to Paris

04 July 2023 , 09:12
1062     0
The pretty English city holidaymakers can't stop comparing to Paris
The pretty English city holidaymakers can't stop comparing to Paris

HOLIDAYMAKERS have been comparing a city in England to Paris.

The UK city is home to cobbled streets, quaint shops, a dominating cathedral, and French patisseries.

Holidaymakers have been comparing Canterbury (pictured) to Paris qhiukiuiqktprw
Holidaymakers have been comparing Canterbury (pictured) to ParisCredit: Alamy
Canterbury (pictured) has been compared to Paris because of its independent shops
Canterbury (pictured) has been compared to Paris because of its independent shopsCredit: Alamy
Paris (pictured) is well-known for its quaint buildings
Paris (pictured) is well-known for its quaint buildingsCredit: Alamy
Paris (pictured)  is also a great spot for cafes
Paris (pictured) is also a great spot for cafesCredit: Alamy

Canterbury in southeast England has been likened to the French Capital by holidaymakers who've been on recent day trips.

Both have a network of independent shops, cobbled streets, French bakeries, and pretty cathedrals.

Spectacular New Year fireworks light up London sky as huge crowds celebrate across UK for first time in three yearsSpectacular New Year fireworks light up London sky as huge crowds celebrate across UK for first time in three years

Dominating the Canterbury skyline is Canterbury Cathedral, which is one of the oldest and most well-known Christian structures in England.

The towering cathedral was founded by St Augustine in 597 AD and now forms part of a World Heritage Site.

It is one of the UK's most visited attractions with visitors sharing their thoughts in reviews on TripAdvisor.

One person compared the UK cathedral to a structure in Paris.

They wrote: "[It's] just like Paris' Notre-Dame."

Notre-Dame is currently being rebuilt following a fire, experts hope the Parisian landmark will re-open to the public in 2024.

Meanwhile, entry tickets to Canterbury Cathedral cost £16 for a full-paying adult.

More recently, Brit holidaymakers have compared Canterbury to Paris because of its abundance of shops and cafes.

Earlier this year, TikTok user siti_shoots posted about her recent trip to the city.

A caption over the video read: "If you want a Parisian vibe but don't want to go abroad, you should go here."

Robbie Williams poised to launch his own brand of energy drinks to rival PrimeRobbie Williams poised to launch his own brand of energy drinks to rival Prime

She filmed herself and her friend wandering through Canterbury's cobbled streets.

In the footage, she also recorded clips of the colourful shop fronts including Canterbury's Wonky Bookshop, which has a jaunty door.

She also featured a French bakery in the clip.

While the video has only had 380 views, other users have also compared the two places.

TikToker Chuiable shared her "Parisian-style" find on a recent trip to the Kent city.

She wrote: "Bonjour! I stumbled upon this cute Parisian-style cafe on the streets of Canterbury."

In the footage, she filmed herself wandering through a French-inspired cafe.

For any holidaymakers who want to sample a French pastry, then there are three bakeries in Canterbury to choose from including Cafe St Pierre, Patisserie Valerie - Canterbury, and the Bloomer Bakery.

Meanwhile, for the holiday shopper, there are plenty of independent boutiques to grab the perfect souvenir including Sowley UK, Madame Oiseau, and of course the Wonky Bookshop.

Beyond the comparisons to Paris, there are other things to do in the city including punting along the canal and visiting the Roman Museum.

Canterbury is a 90-minute train journey away from Central London, and we've found return tickets for £32.20 for a full-paying adult.

And this isn't the only place in the UK that's been compared to a European destination.

Portmeirion village in Gwynedd has been compared to the Italian Riviera because of its al-fresco dining areas and colourful buildings.

While a tiny town in Scotland has been compared to a stunning Italian island thanks to its bright buildings.

Here are some other UK spots that look like they could be abroad.

Holidaymakers have also compared Canterbury Cathedral to Notre-Dame in Paris (pictured)
Holidaymakers have also compared Canterbury Cathedral to Notre-Dame in Paris (pictured)Credit: Alamy
Users on TikTok have compared Canterbury to Paris
Users on TikTok have compared Canterbury to ParisCredit: Alamy

Hope Brotherton

Print page

Comments:

comments powered by Disqus