I grew up in Paris and anyone who says it is "underwhelming" has no idea what they're talking about! (How's
that for French pretentiousness?)

Well, I know for a fact that there are lots of tourist traps in Paris. That many French people are rude (because half of them work for the government). That pigeons are annoying, diabolical creatures (because God made them that way). And that dog droppings are simply unavoidable (because the French have the government to pick them up for them).
Mais, c'est la vie Parisienne! On fait avec...