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Because they preserved lots of classical architecture. I think they didn't experience such brutal civil wars unlike Spain's in the 20th century and not much WWII destruction unlike the UK, Poland and Belarus. So less ugly mid-20th century buildings. They also gladly didn't let Le Corbusier destroy Paris as he intended.
One thing that is noticeable here in SW France, especially compared to southern England, where I lived before, is the general lack of littering.
Towns and villages are beautifully kept, public areas well tended. I love the street lights that pervade the area. They are lovely works of art, a far cry from the utilitarian ones more common in the UK.
I was born and raised in France. I go back there every other year to see my family. I've been in the US since 1990 now.
Yes France is beautiful but you have to realize that the beauty of France has nothing to do with the current inhabitants of the country. For some reason France, probably because it hasn't been as developed than the UK or Germany, has been able to keep its old architecture and eventually the people there realized that it was a way to make money with tourists. But make no mistake, the France you see when you look at that architecture you love and all the monuments is gone. Today when the French build anything it's ugly and cold and pretty depressing. Think of those high rise towers in the suburbs. The French don't deserve the country they inherited. I would have hope that anybody could realize, at one point in life, that what matters are the people. The people and the connections we make. That aspect of life is gone in France as much as it is in the US, I'm afraid. So France can fool people with it's beauty inherited from the past, but after a while you realize that there isn't anything you can really do with a beautiful landscape or a beautiful castle in the background. Trust me. The people. If I had to go back to live in Europe I'd take Norway over France any day.
It's a grass-is-greener thing. Anyone in the US that moves to Europe wants to immerse themselves in the old environment. Anyone raised in the old environment wants everything to look new and white and gray like it came from Ikea.
Visiting is artificial, you totally miss out what it is to be there. I bet visiting Moscow is great, the architecture etc...but living there is a different story, don't you think? Same for France. Living in France is not fun and just visiting won't show you that.
Stay wherever you are, you're not missing anything.
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