As we all know, the incessant hustle and bustle of the capital can be a heavy burden on the morale. With its constant road traffic, Paris is no picnic! On the other side of the world, and yet not so far away, a city of 600,000 inhabitants has been voted Europe’s quietest big city, according to the British website money.co.uk. Located just 4 hours by train from Paris, it could well be one of the urban destinations of choice for those in search of peace and quiet.
Which is the quietest city in Europe?
To carry out its study of the noisiest and quietest cities in Europe, the money.co.uk website analyzed data from 23 cities across the Old Continent. Combing factors such as population density, rail and road traffic, and congestion levels in each city, the study produced a ranking, revealing the quietest and noisiest cities.
At the very top of the noisiest cities ranking, guess what, we find the City of Light. With its high population density and almost constant noise pollution, Paris is unsurprisingly the least quiet city in Europe. It is nevertheless closely followed by London and Rome.
But if we turn this ranking on its head, and look at Europe’s most peaceful major cities, we’ll have to go to our German neighbors to find peace and quiet. According to the study, Düsseldorf is the quietest city in Europe, followed by Oslo and Hanover, another German city.
What to do in Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf captivates with its harmonious blend of tradition and modernity: stroll through the lively Old Town (Altstadt) to enjoy a local Altbier or discover its museums, stroll along the famous Königsallee for a chic shopping spree, then admire the contemporary architecture of the MedienHafen district. A stroll along the Rhine offers breathtaking views, especially at sunset, while a climb to the Rhine Tower (Rheinturm) promises a spectacular panorama of the city. From gourmet markets to lush parks and river cruises, Düsseldorf is a lively and eclectic destination, ideal for the curious.
Now you know where to go if you’re looking for peace and quiet. But if Germany isn’t your cup of tea, why not treat yourself to a bucolic getaway in the Paris region?