bruges/Paris

Bruges is a small jewelbox of a town, dominated by tourism (think of a place like New Hope). Paris is a large city. Three days in Bruges is a lot (it's bigger than New Hope, but still not large), but you can take easy daytrips to Brussels, Ghent, and/or Antwerp if you are "done" with Bruges. Or you can just relax there. Paris, of course, has loads to see and do, and in 3 days you have have a great introduction to some highlights. There really isn't a right or wrong answer; which one I would choose would depend on my mood when you asked me the question, and how I wanted to end that particular vacation. If you think you will want relaxing (what Rick calls "a vacation from your vacation") pick Bruges. If you think you will want stimulating and diverse, pick Paris.

It all depends on what you're looking for in a place. I've been to both, and if I had to choose I would pick Paris. You will have already spent time in The Netherlands and Belgium, so Bruges wouldn't be that different from what you've already experienced. Paris would be totally different. Also, I can only imagine that Paris in the springtime would be fantastic. I've been there in the other three seasons, so I hope to someday experience a Parsian spring. Even if you return some day it could easily be at a different time of year. Lastly, weather considerations are that if there is rain there are many indoor activities in Paris. Just my 2 cents.

I'd pick Paris too - there's so much to do, but if you wanted some relaxation there you could sit at a cafe for a few hours, stroll the streets, or have a long picnic lunch. I visited Bruges on a day trip and felt satisfied that I had seen everything I was interested in. Three days there would bore me.

Three days is really overkill for Brugge, unless you use it as a base for daytrips.

Totally agree with Andrea and Sarah. I loved Bruges but I love Paris even more. Paris would be an easy choice for me. It's the best of the best in Europe imo and I wouldn't miss an opportunity to experience it, even if it's a short 3 days. As Sarah said, spend time sitting at cafes, walking and exploring, and be sure to visit the Luxembourg Gardens. If you're like me, you'll want to return again and again.

Paris,, if its raining Brugges would bore me after one day.. but you can still find tons to do in Paris regardless of weather. Brugges is "cute" but to me its a place one visits in nice weather.. the canals are the pretty part.. and is a VERY small area. I think you should go to PAris,, you will already have done the "canal" thing in Amsterdam etc.. so try something different ( and WONDERFUL)

Medieval architecture or straight boulevards? Bistro cuisine or friets, mussels, soups, stews? Compact or spread out? Some of the best chocolate in the world or some of the best shopping in the world? Quaint or modern? Heavy traffic or bicycles and buses? High density tourists or high density tourists slightly diluted? World class museums or small museums and lovely churches? Walk everywhere or take buses/transit? Climb a municipal tower for a great view or climb a church tower for a view? Wait in lines for the big attractions or walk right in? The two places are quite different. I don't do well with apples and oranges. I like them both, but in different ways and at different times. Current score for me Bruges/Gent/environs probably 20 times, Paris probably about the same, maybe closer to 15. I haven't counted either as I am a frequent visitor to both.

You got some really good replies, although I'm not satisfied with the New Hope, PA comparison. Although we have nothing as old as Bruges in the US, I'd rather compare it to a place of concentrated history, like Pasadena (i.e. Art Deco period) or Salisbury, NC, or Savannah or Charleston or New Orleans. Since I agree that you'll have had a dose of medieval Belgium already, I suggest you consider Lille, France ("Little Paris"), and Lens (Louvre-Lens), and Reims, if necessary, instead. There is considerable Belgian influence visible in Lille, and it's worth more time than Bruges - if not as beautifully historic. This will also make your trip to the airport easier. Bruges is a little isolated. Another concrete suggestion would be to stay in Antwerp, which is potentially worth a week, and day-trip to Gent and/or Bruges. Only a Rick Steves acolyte (Ironica typeface ... ) would do Gent and Bruges in the same day!

Nigel,, er, how often have you been to Paris? Its considered fairly compact in that one can walk from many main tourist sites to another( st Chapelle, Notre Dame, Cluny, Louvre, Conceirge, Siene, Orsay etc) .. and its not all straight wide boulevards,, there are medieval lane ways all through the 4th and 5th and parts of the 6th..
But you do highlight how many more choices there are in Paris.

But Pat, I never said which was which in the questions, or even if in some questions I may have allowed both sides to refer to one place. But now that you mention it, despite the fact that it is possible to walk for many people between several of the Paris attractions, quite a few people do use the buses, Métro and RER each day - including some of the tourists. I haven't measured it but you can probably fit all of Brugge and Gent into a couple or 3 arrondissements. Nevertheless, just in the 1e there are the RER A,E,D, and B. Métro lines 13, 9, 1, 8, 12, 7, 14, 11, 4, and 3. Not to mention a couple of dozen bus lines. Some people must find it easier not to walk everywhere. I know that I tend to use rails when passing between the train stations (except Nord to Est). On most visits I use up about one carnet. The purpose of the questions was to help the Original Poster to think why she might want to be in one place or the other. There is no one-size-fits-all travel and the preferences and dislikes of the traveler must be borne in mind. The numbers I gave for visits in the post which you question are about right but, in both cases, probably low. There is still plenty for me to see in both places. Last time in Paris I discovered the Japanese Cultural building and enjoyed pottery and flower arranging. Last time in Brugge I went for the first time to Damme and had dinner there.

I should admit then, I just didn't love Brugges.. so I am bias.. lol I thought it was a set up of chocolate/lace/ and beer shops.. and a small canal system , nice if you have never been in a city with one ( like Amsterdam or Venice) I thought the one church we went in was not very interesting ( personal taste) and I don't recall any what I would call "world class " museums,, but then I did only notice the medical /hospital museum, I am sure there are others that are better . Anyways, hope OP enjoys where ever she chooses, it is hard to be completely unbiased on places to see when you have your own favorites.

Hi Wenonah
I love both cities. However, if I had to chose one that I had to see before I died it would be Paris. If one thing travel has taught me, it is that you never know if you will ever get back to a place again. So I would chose Paris and make sure you see Bruges the next time around. 3 days is a bit much for Bruges. I like Tim's ideas too.

Thanks to everyone who replied. It's helpful to hear different points of view. I am leaning toward Paris- looking into airfares back(we'll fly into Amsterdam from Phila or NY) and accommodations for Paris. Either way I'm really looking forward to it.

I've been to both, and of course you can access Amsterdam from either place (Bruges or Paris). I have been only once to Bruges, some 16-20 times to Paris. I personally like smaller towns versus cities, so even though I like Paris, I loved Bruges. Why? 1) food ( I suppose Paris could be cheaper, with a larger choice of restaurants, but some of the food in Paris is so so when compared to other French towns and villages). 2) People
Our impression is that the locals here are very friendly, whereas Paris is very hot or miss. 3) Language * English is easy to use here as almost everyone speaks it, so Dutch is not that necessary, where as in Paris, the more French you can use, the better. 4) Setting Lovely small town with numerous canals, great for wandering around 5) Access not as difficult as some make out, simply make your way to Brussels and then on to Amsterdam or try and bus and ferry to Amsterdam.