This brings up so many thoughts for me. So many, in fact, that I must number them.

1. The ketchup in Europe tastes weird.

2. I once got peed on in Paris while riding a bateaux-mouche (boat) on the Seine. I'm sure a local thought peeing off a bridge onto the tourists would be awesome, and frankly, it was worth getting some pee on my legs to see the nasty girl from HS get it in the face.

3. I miss the crepes (omg nutella banana) and sandwich carts. We have food carts where I live, and they don't compare in any way to the delicious simplicity of the ones in Paris.

4. Something about this McDonalds story makes me very sad. Fucking McDonalds.

5. I love Starbucks (not the regular coffee, the way over-priced iced mochas and caramel macchiato) and would be glad to see one in the Louvre if I was visiting. I feel that this makes me a bad person.

@fantomesq: while at my parent-in-laws, I visited the McD's in Lyon, FR with my ex to have lunch with her sister and I used the bathroom. Still had to punch in the passcode though. As I am finishing up in the bathroom and washing my hands, this woman walks in and sits down on the toilet. Now,,there is only one bathroom in this McD's, one toilet, and one sink. TA-DA! She just looked at me and I washed my hands and I left. Strange moment. She was hot also (I may as well mention this because I know you guys want to know). I told my ex about this and she didn't bat an eye. The difference in their culture that I learned is not that they are without shame, it's that they live in reality moreso than us American's. I learned how uptight we really are about a lot of stuff. I'd say that there is good and bad for both our culture and the Europeans.

@MostlyHarmless: A Papa Johns in India? Now that is funny.

@rickhamilton620: They're also having problems with weight gain like us also. Kids are ending up fat just like ours.

@nstonep: No they do not. My ex is French and I visited her parents freqently and they use beef, just as we do. I found the taste no different that ours most times and the prices were about the same also.

@sixseeds: God bless globalization and capitalism

French cooking is where it's at, baby!

@jaubele1:

it's not in the museum--it's in the food court they already have; I've been there, and I've got to tell you, it's not "defacing" anyhting.

McDonald's food taste's nasty to me. I am surprised anyone puts up with it, muchless the French. Ugh.

In China, my friend and I had been traveling for a couple of weeks, and after subsisting on dumplings, fried rice, noodles and so on, we just wanted something "Western" (even fake "Western)- and something that wouldn't require us to haggle. I don't even remember what I had- maybe a Big Mac?

In any case, there are situations where it's not such a scandal to eat at McDonald's while overseas. I personally try to avoid it (and try to avoid any chain restaurant, really)- both in and out of the country, but if I'm starving, need a quick bite, and that's all that's handy, I'm not going to refuse to eat it. And it is sort of cool to see the different stuff they carry in different countries. In Japan, you can get teriyaki burgers and "full moon" burgers (they have an egg on top). No beer, though.

But, around here, you're more likely to hear:

"'stie"
or maybe
"cet crisse de collise de restaurant!"

or something like that. I never learned to swear in French effectively - the religious nature just doesn't work for me.

Didn't you just know - the minute they allowed Euro-Disney, it was a slippery slope.

LOL, seriously -- I just noticed "Even Worse than Dan Brown".

Local restaurant would be better, though.

@pecan 3.14159265: i thought the food court at the Louvre was pretty poor to begin with. about a half step up from the Met. hard to believe considering how great all the other food i had in France was

@treimel: I agree. Had I never been to the Louvre food court, I might think that this was somehow destroying a palace of artistic integrity. But...they have a food court. And a Sephora, a L'Occitane, a Virgin Megastore, a Hertz rental car counter, and some gift shops. Man, toss in a Chik-fil-a and a Hot Topic, and you've got a regular mall under that pyramid.

(Inside the museum is a different story -- but this is in the mall area outside of it.)

Besides, European McDonalds really are a little different from American ones -- they're cleaner, staffed better, and their McCafe really isn't that bad. It's not like it's my first choice -- I'd rather experience the local stuff. But when I was stuck in Budapest for two weeks, and needed a large American coffee for breakfast...I headed straight for the golden arches. Call me an ugly American, but that coffee was good -- and an egg mcmuffin is a great way to start the day, no matter where you are.

That said, it's more. But quality costs. People adjust in other ways.
One can reasonably argue that French food is a bit more expensive, balanced by their lower health costs from not eating crap, so they're ahead in the long run.

If they don't like it, don't eat there. If nobody eats there, they'll close it down and it won't bother anyone anymore.

I can understand how this concept of free market capitalism would be confusing to Europeans though.

PS: the tags are especially inspired for this story

@fantomesq: The food court isn't in the main Louvre museum area, I know, but it's still part of the Louvre. I don't see it as being a massive problem, especially because the food court already has burgers and pizza. But I do see it as being another eye-roll moment for me. I always did hate seeing people who should be trying French food flock to the burgers and pizza just because it was comfortable. French food is one of the most wonderful things in the world. It's a shame that the Louvre isn't doing more to encourage participation in French culture.

Soon we'll all be eating won ton soup for breakfast (please no one say "american chinese food isn't real chinese food" I know that...I just don't care).

No really...don't they use horse meat in French McDonalds...I remember it being somewhat gross.

What was a real turnoff was the kiosk selling whatever the hell they were selling inside Notre Dame. I mean this is a cathedral, not a retail outlet.

I would be troubled by a McDonalds INSIDE the Louvre but this is in the food court/shopping mall outside the Louvre. I can think of fewer places that I would more want toget the eating out of the way and back to the exhibits than the Louvre... It works for the Smithsonian.

@gerrycomo: Google Language is your friend!

@pecan 3.14159265: I travel internationally once or twice a year, and I try to avoid going to the restaurants that I visit when I am at home in the US, but I admit it, there are times when either the local cuisine does not agree with my stomach, or when I know that it will be some time before I will get to eat again (right before a flight) so if I am left with a choice of picking something familiar and will soothe my stomach*, or something that may cause me a great deal of digestive distress, I will pick familiar every time.

*Since I was 5 years old, after I am really sick or vomit, hamburgers and french fries always seem to calm my stomach, and it has become my test to really see how sick I am. If my body is craving Mc Donalds, I am on the road to recovery, but if the thought of it turns my stomach, I am staying home and in bed. That said, I typically don't seek out a McDonalds unless I am on the run and am starving.

Its a food court, not an exhibit next to the Mona Lisa.
However, I can't help but smirk at the way they've assimilated American culture into a decidingly high art establishment.

Viva le Big Mac.

Look at all that wasted space in the Lincoln Memorial! It needs fast food now.

And that Wall thing, surely that can be fixed up into a service counter or something?

Come on America we can win this thing!!!

@rickhamilton620: Actually, I was thinking of the following US Historic Landmarks:
1) Inside the statue of liberty - Exhaust the vents from the fryers out of the torch creating a cool smoke effect, and at the same time, coating the inside of the statue with grease to act as an anti-corrosive agent.

2) The Liberty Bell - Use the bell as the exhaust hood.

3) The Golden Gate Bridge - Drive thru only McDonalds, convert the slow lane to the Micky D's lane, place your order when you get on the bridge, and puck your food up at the other end.

4) US Air and Space Museum - Set up teh McDonalds inside the Airstream trailer that the Appolo 11 astronauts decontaminated in after their moon walk.

5) Grand Canyon - When the group that built the skywalk over the canyon close their doors, McDonalds can take over that location and build the first "flying" McDonalds (to go along with the first floating McDonalds in StLouis near the Gateway Arch)

6) At the US National Archives where guests can use the cases that house the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights as tables to eat their meal.

/Sarcasm

@chauncy that billups:

Also there is a perverse pleasure in going to a McDonalds in your home country, where the most "authentic" food is at home :P

I read that there's an actual reason for all the mcdonald's in france. It's because mcdonald's is consistent - and despite what you've heard, every french corner bistro is NOT necessarily world class. 1) the local food is EXPENSIVE, 2) due to a number of reasons involving regulations, the food they have is either unavailable and/or not fresh - and quality control can be EXTREMELY spotty. I've heard that it's not uncommon to go to a restaurant only to find that over half the menu is not available that evening. So I can understand how the french might want something cheap, fast, and consistent.

@MostlyHarmless: I just can't do it. I don't even willingly go to McDonalds in the US, why would I willingly go when I'm in a foreign country? And even if they serve entirely different things, surely I can find a place that serves better and more authentic fast food, right?

"Nique sa mèèèèère!!! Un putain de McDo au Vrelou! P'tain, ils sont viré ouf??? Oh!"

@GMFish: Well there ya go! That makes perfect sense. :p

I actually went to a McDonalds AND a Papa Johns in India.

It is not as bad as it sounds though. The menus are almost completely different (they don't sell beef there), and most items on the menu are Indianized versions of what they have here. Mc Aloo Tikki, and Tandoori Pizza... whats not to love :)

I guess I'm the only one who is neither surprised nor appaled by this. The largest market outside the US puts an outlet at a popular tourist destination, whoop-de-do. Obviously, the sales figures tell the tale: the French like it, despite the hand-wringing of a few elites. And, yes, you'll still be able to get proper food if (like me) that's what you want.

I read this in the paper this morning. I let out a groan on the metro. What I liked most about the Louvre's food court was that I was able to get simple French food like croque monsieurs (ham and cheese sandwich) and salads. The majority of my college colleagues flocked to the burger places and the pizza places. Going to France, and eating McDonalds? Really? I can't imagine how building a McDonalds inside the Louvre is a good idea considering one of the best ways of experiencing Paris is to eat French food. I can't imagine the best way of encouraging visitors to embrace France is to build a McDonalds.

I remember reading similar stories that McDonald's was opening stores in parts of Mexico that were considered national historic landmarks and such. I know that a business' ultimate goal is maximizing profit, (and maybe this is why I'm not a CEO?) but it seems like there are places where you just should not be serving Big Macs and Happy Meals. The Louvre just made that list.

As opposed to the downright pleasant smell of the Louvre right now?

I say put the McDonald's in the Contemporary Art wing and make performance art out of it. An interactive shrine to consumerism and globalization and unhealthy-yet-irresistible lifestyles.

Why don't they have some local restaurant open a cafe with counter service that serves locally produced fare. Paris has one of the best series of public food markets in the world.

Ha ha. Maybe it's like their love for Jerry Lewis.

The one thing that has changed the most in the equation is the addition of soda, junk food snacks and an influx of US style fast food restaurants. It was also noted that more people in France are using convenience foods and mixes from grocery stores rather than sitting down to meals.

[www.nytimes.com]

It adds more proof that junk food and processed foods are major causes of obesity. Possibly more so than lack of exercise.

@CyGuy: Between crepes carts, the hot chocolate carts and the roasted chestnut carts, what's not to love? Paris has some of the best street food. I also loved the brat carts in Berlin.

(I was called an ugly American when I was 6 while on vacation with my family. I'm still bitter.)

@Chumas:

i was wondering the same thing. as soon as i read this, i thought "oh no! the mona lisa is gonna smell like grease."

they cant let this happen. if they will insist on having a Mickey D's in the area, put it off the museum grounds. Do it for the art!!!

Am I the only one who's a bit surprised by this?: "France is now the largest McDonald's market outside of the U.S."

IDK if it's just my relative inexperience in the real world (I'm 20) but I would have thought differently. :p

*clicks*.

Oh...