In Paris, there is an association called Paris Greeter. It's purpose is the same as the successful Big Apple Greeter programme set up in New York in 1992 to overcome the city's image problem: dangerous, expensive and overwhelming. Friendly residents would go out of their way to help out-of-towners feel welcome, showing them around their neighbourhoods.

In Paris, it's the people who are perceived to be the problem. So, the aim of the Paris Greeter is to overturn the long-held prejudice about Parisians: that far from being welcoming, they are rude. The association relies on Parisian volunteers to take visitors to their favourite places, sharing their love for the city, as well as tips and addresses. In the website's own words: "Our volunteers ... are enthusiastic and friendly; they know Paris well and give their time and knowledge so that you discover their city as a friend would do".

Being a Parisian myself, I was sceptical. But there was also a faint stirring of excitement. At last, brave Parisians would rise to the challenge of changing our deplorable image abroad! Bravo. I wanted to meet these gentle Parisian souls.

I filled in the form online, gave my contact details, age, gender and interests, suggested four different times of day on four different days over a period of a month to meet, and asked for a French or English speaker. An automatic email informed me that a suitable volunteer would be found and that I should hear from them directly very soon.

I waited. And waited. And waited. Eventually, I got an email informing me that they were still looking for a suitable volunteer. I was so desperate to meet a friendly Parisian that I suggested even more possible dates and times for meeting up. Nothing. I knew it: the friendly Parisian is a myth - even an association whose sole aim is to greet foreigners can't manage to muster up a single volunteer. It must be a joke: the Parisian greeter who cannot be bothered to greet.

Then again, I shouldn't be surprised. We Parisians are a moody lot. We'll help stranded tourists - if we feel like it, not as a matter of principle. They should feel lucky enough to be here, non? One thing I must make clear though - our rudeness is not xenophobic. We are extremely rude to each other as well.

But then I put myself in the shoes of a foreigner coming to Paris for the first time, having heard of Paris Greeter, longing to discover the real Paris with real Parisians, and being rebuffed, just like that. Nobody wants to greet you, ma'am. It's even worse than being told off by a waiter - at least you're expecting that, since their rudeness is legendary. But being rejected by Parisians whose raison d'être is to greet you? That is really shattering.

So, to pay for my fellow Parisians' sins and to make amends for the ungreeting greeter who may have let you down in the past, I will personally take on a petit tour of Paris the reader who answers this question to my satisfaction: why is Paris the most beautiful city in the world? Post your answer below in a few short sentences.

The following terms and conditions apply: You are not allowed to use the words "romantic", "love", "food", "poodle", "Eiffel tower", "Parisian women", "style" and "intellectuals" in your answer. You will have to make your own travel and accommodation arrangements - this prize is for a petit, personal tour of my city only. Also, I'll decide the winner and my decision is final. I will arrange a mutually convenient time to meet up with the winner in the city. And I will report back on our tour on this site.

Post script: Yesterday (December 1), six weeks after first contacting Paris Greeter, but only a week after informing them that I was a journalist, I finally received an email and a date for a meeting with a volunteer.

Merci et bonne chance.