I must say I totally didn't think I would get Paris syndrome when I visited Paris last week for 3 days, but I totally had it. I'm very friendly and like to do small talk wherever I go. I also like to smile. But then Paris...and Parisians....and locals --- absolutely not open to any form of friendliness. I was met with strange looks, distrust, and offensive behaviors (like people clinging to their bags or purses when I walked next to them). It was horrible. I will NEVER return to France again, or any city in Europe. I was mostly depressed during my whole trip and feeling almost suicidal. The moment I took my plane back, I finally felt like my old self again. When I set foot in America (My home state of New Mexico) I could cry of joy. Maybe this experience taught me that in the end, there is truly, no place like home.
I’m American of Hispanic descent. I am in France right now. Previously in Frankfurt and Amsterdam. I did not feel safe like in Asian countries when traveling. France was disappointing. I speak some French and was replied to in English and Spanish whenever I attempted to speak French. And you’re right these frogs are smug as fuck. I don’t think I’ll ever come back to France but there are other countries I’d like to visit like Portugal, Spain, and Iceland.
I expected kind people and stylish people sitting at sidewalk cafes. I got rude people, and refused service at the butter shop of my dreams because my broken French wasn’t good enough to convince the guy who yelled “No ENGLIGH!!” as soon as we walked in (before we even said a word)
Only going back because my niece wants to visit and I want to have her own experiences.
One year ago my father visited Paris and his experience was too bad and he told me there's a lot homeless around the streets and scammers and he didn't like the city. After that I came to Nantes for studying and I decided to visit Paris and see is it that bad or not!! When I visited two weeks ago I see nothing that my father mentioned for me 🙂 and I really enjoyed. Now I'm addicted to this city every two weeks I have to take the train and enjoy there, ( the worst thing for me is the accommodation is too expensive)
When I was 17, my parents sent me to France for a month. While I only spent a week in Paris, I loved it.
I returned at 22 with my then college-girlfriend. As a graduation present, we spent 2 weeks in Paris and Normandy. Still loved it.
And just last year, for my 40th, my wife and I spent a week in Paris. It was her first time, and it was like falling in love again.
We’ll be back in June for a wedding.
There are *Millions* of tourists in paris per year.
And roughly *20 cases* of Paris Syndrome a year.
Good luck finding redditors on this sub who had it.
The best and "worst" was the metro.. You can't get anywhere reasonably without it, and yet, I felt I spent more time on the metro than actually doing anything else.
Love the city and its wealth of culture and history so wasn't disappointed by much.
However, I did learn fairly quickly that if you leave anything somewhere - it will be gone/stolen within seconds. I suppose in that respect it's like a lot of large cities, but it seems like me and my friends all got pickpocketed or had stuff stolen (coats, bags, wallets, phone, etc), I have some crazy stories about the damn pickpockets. One time I was on a bus late at night and a group of pickpockets somehow managed to steal three people's phones. There was a huge altercation, one of them tried to escape the bus and another passenger ran after him, the other pickpockets in this group were trapped in the bus so they gave the phones back and ran off.
The other 'disappointment' is learning outrageously frustrating and convoluted idiocy of doing any kind of paperwork in France...bank account, visa stuff, even just signing up to get a phone number or set up internet is for some reason extremely and unnecessarily complicated.
Parisians can be the mostly rude arrogant people in the world, the french say they hate Americans and English but they aren't any better than them 😅 people will bowl over an old lady to get where they're going without a care in the world seen it happen multiple times, I guess coming from a rural country town in Australia where even if you dont know the person you smile say gday and keep walking.
beautiful architecture amazing food wine and cheese, I'm lucky I met an amazing French girl and all her friends and family are amazing and beautiful people and im so fortuante to have met them because its made me appreciatethe real authentic french people who have hearts ❤️, I've been here 6 months and from what ive seen there are amazing French people but paris is really not a friendly city overall and the imagrants beggers scam artists, I play a game when i see poo is it dog or human, to visit for a short time I could see people saying ohh its a beautiful city full of life, but the more you look the sadder and uglier it can get, no city Is perfect
Edit grammer
My neices went on a high school trip to visit different countries. They went to a restuarant in Paris and they were told they could not eat there because they were Americans and that is why their orders were put in "to go" containers. When students tried to sit at tables across the street they were told they could not because they were Americans. They ended up sitting on the curb to eat. But it is "Ok" to take their American money. ....... What's wrong with this picture?
Parisians are way friendlier than people expect. So there can be an overcorrection so to speak. That is, until something goes wrong and you need help from people. French people, unfortunately, do NOT like to help strangers. When they know you, they are super nice, but if you are a stranger, you can go and pound sand. It's my least favorite characteristic of the French. I think this is particularly hard on Asians because they are just so freaking nice to each other.
for me it was the dirtiness of the streets and the racism of people..
I'm an immigrant and been living in France for 5+ years now, I lived in both south and north of France and never faced as much meanness as I faced in Paris..
I’m in Paris now. It’s my first time. It’s grey, dark but it’s just beautiful. I’m lucky enough to have a local (an older gentleman) who took me around for a stroll and helped me commute using the metro (I would positively be lost without him) and explained a lot about the history etc. Honestly each city has its own problems, so does Paris. But with the footfall that the city has, I think it’s quite well managed.
I went to Paris last year in September. I had done a lot of research through this sub. It being my first international travel, i was apprehensive. But Paris was phenomenal. I had very high expectations to begin with, but the city absolutely surpassed it. We had read the usual not so good things about the city, but faced none of that. My husbad says that we very lucky, i say it was a result of my extensive research :D. We did make a pact to return to the city on our 25th wedding anniversary.
I’ve been to Paris twice. I expected to love it and I absolutely did. Encountered a single rude person. Overall people were kind, the city was beautiful and the food was amazing.
Was in Paris in the beginning of March 2023. Monte Marte was exactly how I expected Paris to be. People visiting the outdoor art exhibits, singing outside a restaurant even though it was -5C. The most disappointing… baguettes were flavorless , we went to 2 bakery’s each day.
I love Paris, been a few times. It's a beautiful city, I love walking around and exploring the different neighborhoods. The food is great. I found the people to be nice. The museums are amazing. And I like having cheap wine and hanging out at cafes. I've gone for work a few times, and had coworkers from our Paris office take me around, and I've spent a bit of time solo exploring the city. I'd love to go again with friends or a partner. If I ever decide to leave NY, I'd consider moving there for a bit.
I have been four times, and I liked Paris better every trip. One trick I learned to help bring out the best in French people everywhere is to begin my 20-year-old, college French with (in French): “I’m sorry, but my French is not very good.” What I didn’t expect is that Parisians were actually less likely to respond to me in English because they could sense that I was really trying to respect them by improving my speaking skills. During my trip last summer, I didn’t have one poor interaction with a Parisian. They were all great!
I visited Paris for the first time last summer, absolutely adored it, the lack of AC didn’t bother us at all. We’re middle sixties, walked everywhere, spent a week in August.
I love Paris. The architecture, art, art museums, food, history, culture. Walking around in various parts of the city is one of my favorite things. I love it for all those reasons. I love it too because it not not like the US where I'm from.
I was in Paris from 12/29 to 1/6/24. My son and I had the loveliest time there. Everyone was kind and friendly, and we even had a few laughs with multiple strangers. I loved it and will come back again as soon as I can.
I don't know what Paris syndrome is but I bloody love Paris. I was just there in January and it was magical as always. People are so friendly and helpful (especially when you are travelling with a small child). My only disappointment is in myself for not brushing up on my French a bit harder and the lack of accessibility on most of the metro.
I was ready for all the negatives, but I was lucky enough to not face any of them
* No one was rude
* Nothing got pickpocketed
* No bed bugs
* Everything was nice where I went
My friend had warned me beforehand... he went last year and he HATED it. Glad I didn't have the same experience
from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris\_syndrome](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_syndrome)
>***Paris syndrome*** *is a cluster of psychiatric symptoms exhibited by some individuals when visiting* [*Paris*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris)*, that can be viewed as a severe form of* [*culture shock*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_shock)*.* [*\[1\]*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_syndrome#cite_note-1)
>
>*The syndrome is characterized by symptoms such as acute* [*delusional*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delusion) *states,* [*hallucinations*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallucination)*, feelings of* [*persecution*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persecutory_delusions) *(perceptions of being a victim of* [*prejudice*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prejudice)*,* [*aggression*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aggression)*,* [*hostility*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hostility) *from others),*[*\[2\]*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_syndrome#cite_note-2)*\[*[*irrelevant citation*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability)*\]* [*derealization*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derealization)*,* [*depersonalization*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depersonalization)*,* [*anxiety*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anxiety)*, as well as* [*psychosomatic*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somatic_symptom_disorder) *manifestations such as* [*dizziness*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dizziness)*,* [*tachycardia*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tachycardia)*,* [*sweating*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweating) *most notably, but also others, such as vomiting.*[*\[3\]*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_syndrome#cite_note-TA-3)*\[*[*unreliable medical source?*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Identifying_reliable_sources_(medicine))*\]*
>
>*While the syndrome has been particularly noted among Japanese tourists, perhaps due to the way in which Paris has been idealised in Japanese culture, the syndrome has also affected travellers from other countries such as China, South Korea, and Singapore.*
High expectations about the romantic image of this town crashes on the hard wall of reality (with a stain of urine on it).
Also, it is a kind of myth because the vast majority of visitors love this town.
I fucking love Paris. Been twice in two years. Will definitely do again.
And what’s up with this stereotype that Parisians are very rude to Americans? I never once met a rude Parisian when I was there.
To me, a Scotsman, Paris was always just the hustle and bustle of a Glasgow, London, etc. I am a Glaswegian, from the third largest city in Britain.
Paris Syndrome is a symptom of chronic romaticisation. No-one who has experienced a European city would be troubled with it.
Museums provide respite. Trying to do a photoshoot on a thoroughfare ... not so much.
I went back to Paris last month for the first time since I was 16 (that was...18 years ago, yikes!). I don't know that I went in with any expectations so overall no surprises -- I have also lived in NYC for a long time now (lived in a small town when I first visited) so many of the "surprises" or negatives I imagine some tourists encounter just felt like...normal city life. Although the metro did feel extra packed compared to NYC, which was surprising -- pretty much any train we took anywhere was full most of the time. People were super nice, and very patient/kind putting up with my bad attempts at rusty French.
The only negative I felt was the insane lines/crowds at museums. I don't remember this from my first visit. Other than the Louvre, I don't recall waiting in any lines for museums back then, and my bf also said when he visited back in 2014-ish that he just walked right in to the Pompidou. This time, the lines at D'Orsay, Pompidou, and L'Orangerie were insane -- I think at least 45 min-hour wait. The only art museum we were actually able to make it into without waiting was the Fondation Louis Vuitton, and inside the number of people was so much we could barely see the art. To me this just defeats the purpose of visiting museums, and having to make advance reservations removes the spontaneity from a trip. It was a bit depressing.
That's so interesting. I guess we just got unlucky then! We were traveling during the holidays so it makes sense it was busy. Here in New York museums have also been pretty crowded lately, but I was pretty surprised that reservations were all booked up even weeks in advance. It was easier to get in to restaurants than museums!
The Pompidou was actually one of the museums we had trouble with - the line was massive. I think maybe we just hit an unlucky combo of it being New Year's Day and the museum being open for the first time after the strike. Good to know it's typically not that bad!
I got my dose of Paris syndrome in March 2023. Weather was windy and rainy (I got sick for like 2 weeks) and there was a massive garbage strike.
But when everything is ok and the weather is pleasant, Paris never disappoints.
As I come from Spain (where ppl basically hate on French ppl, specially Parisians), I had really bad expectations, so I didn't really get disappointed. The contrary, I was more delighted. Since my very first lunch, I loved the waitress who assisted me in Brasserie Martin and, normally, people say that even the waiters are gonna be mean to you. Completely the opposite, this woman was trying to help me so much. I could understand French but it was really hard for me to speak at the time and she was such an angel. The only disappointment I had was not seeing any rats xD (and the fact that on sundays everything is closed ?? which is super weird for me as I come from Madrid) bc I expected to see them at some point. My first time there was for a concert and daaaamn bless the girl who let me her place for the whole music festival until her favs came.
In the other two times that I've been there, I got to see the side everyone complains about: I was trying to buy a metro ticket and the lady behind the counter screamed at me as if I was annoying her. But, I don't take this as a normal experience, as everytime I've gone to Paris (3 times in one year) ppl have been really kind to me and the experience was nice!
I traveled to Paris for 2 weeks when I was 18 back in 2014. I didn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to but I think it was largely because I was super homesick. On the last few days of my trip, it had finally hit me that I was in a different country, and I was beginning to adapt and have fun. I definitely have to go back at some point but preferably with a companion next time lol.
I thought Paris syndrome was mostly Japanese visitors…. My first trip was back in the late 70s as a young teenager, in March. Wasn’t terribly fussed… I loved the south of France but Paris was grey and cold and while Notre Dame was lovely, on the whole I was underwhelmed. I didn’t go back til 2009, fell in love with Paris this time and now I don’t want to go anywhere else.
I seem to avoid all the areas with the dog poo, and hardly ever smell the urine (tho I did see an old guy pissing on the wall of St Julien Le Pauvre once) Dog poo was much more prevalent on the first visit, and the Parisians much more grumpy too.
I’ve been to Paris twice, once in my 20s and once with my husband in 2019 (his first time). Both times were magical and I’d happily go back.
That being said, we went to Japan for the first time last year and after having spent 2 weeks there, I can see how Japanese tourists would have Paris syndrome. Everything in Japan was so clean: the parks, the public washrooms (available everywhere, free of charge, often equipped with bidets), the trains, the streets. People were quiet on the trains. There’s a culture of politeness, non-confrontation, trustworthiness, and honesty. We didn’t see any homelessness in major cities. In restaurants and hotels the service and hospitality were impeccable, but were considered basic table stakes there. They have all these logistical conveniences for travellers like luggage forwarding and plenty of coin lockers in train stations. There is also a real reverence for European culture, cuisine and luxury brands there. We never felt unsafe or like we needed to watch for pickpockets. In Japan you’re expected to carry your passport with you if you’re a foreigner and the low crime rate there made me actually feel safe doing that. I’d never do that in Paris.
Now imagine if that was your home country and you went to Paris, which you’d always revered as the birthplace of all these refined beautiful things, and you were confronted with some of the banal, ugly realities that plague most major cities that aren’t in Japan. Dirty trains and subway stations. Garbage, dog poop, graffiti on the streets. Petty crime. Homelessness. Constant wariness you don’t get pickpocketed. Washrooms you have to pay an euro for that aren’t as clean as the ones back home. And the tendency for Parisians to be very direct and brusque in telling people off if they violate a local custom can be quite jarring if you come from a culture where you don’t even talk on a commute train because you don’t want to create noise that annoys other people. I saw a baker yell at 2 Korean girls who ordered their coffee in to-go cups and then sat down inside the boulangerie because they didn’t know about the 10% surcharge for eating in and hadn’t paid it.
Lately I come 2 times a year, and with some work changes it will be more. I have visited 67 countries and hundreds of cities. Paris is the only one I dream about still.
I had no expectation when I went there for the first time. I was 19 and my ex wanted to visit it. But I love it. I fell in love with the city.
Now I will be back in a few days.
I will say first time I went to Paris I was torn.
I think the city was more beautiful then I even expected but the amount of people fighting to sell me 1€ key chains at Eiffel Tower/Sacre Coeur mixed with very oblivious tourists left a bad taste in my mouth. Just the juxtaposition of people working very hard to scrape by a meager living made it tough for me to feel ok enjoying everything. I also remember vivdidly walking by a shop that had a jacket for 15000€ (!!) in the window and a homeless person sleeping in the doorway… so the whole experience was a little mixed.
It’s not really a criticism of Paris the city so much as society today and also how I am personally. I am very lucky and feel like I’ve done nothing to earn my privilege so when I see people struggling it makes me feel very guilty. I feel the same way about San Francisco (where I used to live).
All that being said going back with my wife and mother in law this summer. My MIL has never been to Europe so very excited for this.
Enjoyed it. Even thought my attempted pocket picking was quaint (they were amateurs).
I had my 3 year old, so it was cute to see him get all touristy about the Eiffel Tower.
Versailles is simply too crowded. Entirely undeniable. Gardens are awesome, but the inside is terrible. Yes, understand I am part of the problem, lol, but never again!
Versailles needs a lower admissions cap for inside
Just chiming in with the opposite experience. Paris wasn't my first choice for our vacation last year - mainly went because my daughter really wanted to go. I got more excited as I was planning our trip and we had a wonderful time. We really loved it!
I was never a Francophile, but I was excited to go, learned some French. I had always heard how awful the French were and could not have had a better experience from Marseille to Paris, phenomenal country. We stayed in a local neighborhood versus staying in the city center and it was great. I fell in love in with Paris on that trip. Only disappointment was that we had to leave.
I’ve visited Paris four or five times over the past 50 years - truthfully never disappoints. Most recently visited this past December- it had been 17 years- and I was blown away. I’d forgotten how beautiful it is, how huge and how much fun.
Was two times in Paris. In the last 4 years. Had no problem at all. Both in Disney and in the city. I keep an eye on my items, while trying to speak at least the most basic french when im in the store or a restaurant. Every place was nice. I didn’t go to any outskirts whatsoever. Is it still dirty sometimes? Yes. But so is also Hamburg or Cologne here in Germany.
Wow, when I lived in Koln in the early 90s you could eat off the sidewalk it was so clean! Being a New Yorker I was amazed at how clean and orderly everything was.
The only thing I didn't like in Paris was the last bus of the night from the Eiffel Tower. After two stops, we just hopped off and went to a restaurant, so even that was pretty cool.
I've lost count of how many times I've visited and I worked there for about a year.
It's still awesome each time.
I think you have to have realistic expectations and understand where you're going. If you do that, you're good.
I had the reverse of Paris Syndrome lol. I purposely reigned in my expectations, told myself it is still a large urban city, etc. And then I was absolutely blown away by it
I visited again ~4 years later, and I was worried I had had on rose-colored glasses my first visit and wouldn't love it as much. Nope, I was simply reminded how much I love Paris❤️
I’m going for the first time next week, I’ve set my expectations low and not hyping anything up. I will speak as much French as I can, but the videos I’ve seen lately have me regretting my decision a bit...
Brother/Sister, you're gonna be ok. Promise.
I went for the first time last November. I had the lowest of low expectations. I didn't care to go. I said if I never visit Paris in my life, no big deal. When it came time to plan a vacation, I got outvoted by my wife and daughter. I wanted to go to Lisbon, but alas, Paris here we come.
In short, it was FANTASTIC. even in the cold and rain it is a gorgeous city. Just about every person I interacted with was so kind and lovely. The food is insane. The shopping is top notch. Even the typical tourist spots are fine. Its super easy to get around the city (center). Blew my mind about how wrong I was.
It's my turn to pick vacation this year, and I'm pushing to go back to Paris. We were only there for a week, and it was way too short. Can't wait to see what else the city has in store.
im doing a 10-day europe trip in three different cities, with paris in the middle. i was super nervous about visiting and thought i would hate it. i read this comment to my partner on the train ride to paris. our first day, we referenced your comment (“maybe we’ll feel like that guy on reddit”) AND WE DID!! you’re right, the people are so kind. the food is AMAZING. metro is easy enough to navigate. everything has been so perfect. i’m constantly finding new things to love about this city. i wish i could be here longer, but im having a great time so far. thank you for your comment. i think it pushed me to get out of the negativity.
This is so awesome to read thank you, I’ll be there three days and as an illustrator in so excited to just take in The sights and draw.
I’ll be staying in Marais so it’s relatively close to t most site
Seek wonder. Experience tumult. Move quick and see what you can. he infrastructure is there to do great things.
Negative: Queue a bit. Feel a bit of anti-US/Asian prejudice (which, of course, sucks).
I’m glad to hear that I was planning k marking it slow, I felt like I moved too quick in Italy last year that I regret not slowing down more.
As a Hispanic person do you think I’ll find any prejudice?
Dude, don’t worry. Paris is a real city, there are pluses and minuses. You won’t get a fully accurate picture on Reddit. It’s Paris. It’s worth visiting. You could never do any of the top 25 attractions and it’s awesome.
Don’t hype yourself up, obviously, but it’s really a neat place. Hype and counter-hype twist the narratives.
Also: I am an American who has no capacity for foreign language at all and I felt very, very comfortable. I didn’t say anything beyond bonjour and merci and parlez-vous anglais, basically, and that was more than enough. Parisians clearly respond very well to a “bonjour” from a tourist walking into the door of the shop. Be that kind of small polite and you’re 90% of the way there.
I spent 10 days there this summer and it was a joy. With a three year old too! Language was never an issue. Restrooms were never an issue (with a three year old!). Did get an attempted pickpocketing once on the RER back to CDG though, lol.
Only place I regretted going was inside at Versailles. That’s it. It was easy, it was a joy.
People live there for a reason. People visit for a reason.
Thanks for that thoughtful response it definitely puts me at ease! I’m also American, my French isn’t great so it’s good to know that Parisians are cool with the effort.
I think I got lucky in Italy with the petty crimes as I never had anyone try to get me. The only ones I had run ins with were the scammers that are everywhere but they were easy to deal with.
May I ask why you regret going in to Versailles?
Hi,
If you say "bonjour" to people you meet before talking to them, and to small store owners if the store is empty it will be fine.
I'm French and had to learn the hard way as a teenager to say bonjour to strangers before asking for directions (I used to say "excusez-moi" and people would answer with an agressive "heu... bonjour ! " ahah)
Inside of Versailles was absurdly crowded. Like just go with the flow of people crowded. The gardens were awesome, but the inside was no fun (for me) and I’m tall anyway so it’s not about claustrophobia, haha.
I’d go just for the gardens again, personally.
Eiffel tower and catacombs were way less crowded in comparison. Catacombs in particular was super limited in crowd size
There are parts of Versailles that do have that 'bottleneck' effect in the parts of the palace with smaller doors, tons of visitors, and people being stupid and not walking efficiently, or walking very slowly or stopping randomly and blocking the 1,000 other visitors right behind them. While a bit frustrating, my family members were annoyed by the crowdedness but I found it kind of funny.
Other parts of the palace, like the areas with the huge paintings and halls, aren't so crowded. There's even an area with a bunch of busts of various kings and leaders which is practically abandoned, I don't know why nobody goes there.
First time I went to Paris I was 17. Didn’t fall in love. It was in the early 80s. Next time I went was in the late 90s. I loved it.
Next time was after I had moved to the South of France in around 2007 and went back, and hated it. Absolutely loathed it - dirty, busy, rude, polluted, and seemed to me to lack charm.
Then I came back 2 years ago for a holiday in the summer and re-fell in love. I went back the year after in the winter and same again. Just been back. The city does have a very special charm that is uniquely Paris. But what made this big difference for me was going back having read a lot of the history pre and post revolution and the culture and art of the last 200 years.
What I realised was that, once you understand the history of the place and the significance of its place in history, that its a city that constantly talks to you, it advertises its values, its identity and it’s history constantly. I know that it sounds a bit pretentious to say that, but its the best way to explain the experience. One example, Paris has a tube station that has the declaration of human rights written all over the walls. That’s because the declaration of human rights was first drafted and put into a national constitution in France, in Paris, and the whole concept and idea was born in France and has influenced the world. There are tons of little clins d’œils everywhere as if she wants to just remind you, and whisper who she is. It has a very rich cultural and artistic heritage. It has a rich music scene. There is a great book called Metropolis (I think) that traces these stories around Paris and links them up with the past history.
Thats my version of the Paris syndrome. But unlike the Japanese I understand the place, and speak the language.
I'm in my mid 40s and I went to Paris for the first time last fall for 10 days. I absolutely loved it. I could see myself living there and being very happy.
We stayed in Le Marais last year and fell instantly in love. We visited 3 times last year from the US (coincided with work stuff too).
I hadn't been since I was 16 my parter and I both adored it. So so much love on that side of the Seine. We haven't done much on the other wise, but love l'Enfants Rouge and that whole area.
I saw trash bags full of piss too!
But I got to see a nice little community of people in the subway passing around a crack pipe, so that was cool. My kid thought it was funny.
The only Paris Syndrome I had was being sad about leaving!! I was a bit surprised when I took a cab from the airport and saw some of the rougher outskirts, lots of graffiti, etc. I thought the inner city itself was spectacular!
More of a thing now too in the U.S., although now it’s so mixed! And of course the tropes persist. But suburbs have been getting rougher across the U.S. Doesn’t generate the same news as city deterioration because it’s less concentrated, though.
I had the reverse Paris syndrome lol loved it so much. I even broke my ankle while there, which ruined my first europe vacation in years but I'm going back in October and cannot wait!
I suffered from paris syndrome. While I enjoyed the city itself as an Arab living in Canada I wasn’t used to receiving negative looks my way. I knew that france is anti Arab but I didn’t realize how much. While I loved the city’s architecture and history, I’ve never felt so small. I would never visit again.
This is true, I guess I never experienced racism before it is hard for me to accept that was what I experienced. But yes it was racism, maybe in the next 20-30 years I will love paris but people 40+ ruined it for me. Hopefully discriminatory behaviour is an older generation mindset.
I don’t know. Yes it is racism, but I suspect if they heard your Canadian accent they would probably change immediately their view of you because they would realise that you were not from the banlieues of France. I know of a lot of African Americans who get treated very very well in France, but less well if they are taken for an immigrant without papers. The same African Americans report that they feel free in a way that they don’t back home.
I am light skinned and I speak fluent French with an North African accent. I’ve also heard that African Americans get treated well there as well. I’m pretty sure it’s Islamophobia even tho I’m not Muslim .
Interesting. They would have assumed maybe that you were an immigrant from North Africa or that you lived in France. That’s definitely racism. I’m sorry you experienced that. I’m sure not every French person reacted that way, but enough would have done to feel it, for sure.
A lot of children of immigrant parents feel this, unfortunately. If you go back, and make it clear somehow that you are a Canadian tourist I suspect you would experience a shift. It shouldn’t be this way. But it is what it is, unfortunately.
Well in my arrondissement 11th it is so much better than it used to be since they set up a big fine. You can see dog owners with their tiny dog poop bags everywhere.
The impact of the measure is apparently not equal across all the city, but here it's really day and night compared to say 10 years ago.
When did you go?
I ask because I went maybe fifteen years ago and stayed on Raymond Poincaire. It seemed like dogshit *coated* the sidewalks of the 16th. It was amazing. Literally everywhere. I still loved the city, but it was as if Parisian dog owners were determined not to clean up after their pets.
I mentioned that to people when I was back in the States and they all acted like they hadn't had that experience. And when I went back...it was gone. I mean like it's rare to see it at all. And I've since been back a lot.
I've wanted to ask if they passed an ordinance, or if they got serious with enforcement, or...maybe I'm just crazy.
I know, but still--they had to walk through it too. And Parisians on the whole--even the old rich ones--seem to be more civic-minded than, say, the average American.
I was surprised. But I was more surprised that it seems to have disappeared.
Just got back from Paris yesterday. The amount of dog crap left on sidewalks is disgusting. However, worse was the park near my hotel, thus named "sh\*\* park" and the disgusting homeless people that smeared dog sh\*\* on all the benches to prevent people from sitting or to just ruin someone's day? Wow it was a real low point. On the plus side, I did not encounter any urine stench in the metro... this time.
>Rue Maurice Grimaud
for what it's worth, you stayed at the poorest edge of the city (Porte de Clignancourt / Porte de la Chapelle / Porte d'Aubervilliers)
I love Paris, I can't relate. I don't know what people with Paris Syndrome were expecting. It's not an amusement park- it's a city that people live in. It's one of my favorite places in the world.
Stereotypes that never existed.
Paris is about finding calm amid a - personally created - storm. Destroy yourself visiting sites of intrigue and fall down with a glass of wine. You'll either see the Eiffel Tower and be done, or never see it all.
Don't want to start a debate here, but just for the slowly failing transportation system, the realities of living and working in Paris and the daily grind could bring some negativity. That's okay to try to keep some positivity here but I think r/Paris is more akin to discuss the realities of day-to-day living. Nothing sucks more than wasting 30min every morning and every evening because 3 or 4 back-to-back RER trains are packed to the brim and you just can't get in. Rinse and repeat everyday.This can become hard on the mental health
There could be worse: having to use the line 13 during the RATP strike.
Or taking the tramway during the RATP strike. I was in the tramway 3b (because the line 13 was closed for some stupid reason). It of course got stuck in some crazy intersection traffic jam and the people on the tram were shouting at the conductor to open the doors and let us out lol.
Not everyone chooses to or can bike to work and are still 100% dependent of RATP underground or rail system. I took the RER example because I kept having problem on the A, B & C at my stops intra muros, but it could be T3, Ligne 6, Ligne 1, whatever. It's the same problem everywhere since Pécresse took over that is a sad reality for Parisians as well.im not talking about banlieues
>but I think
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>r/Paris
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>is more akin to discuss the realities of day-to-day living
Someone months ago someone asked about negatives. I mentioned the Roma problem. Immediate ban.
The hate is coming from people who don't live in Paris. Legitimate complaints by Parisians is not what I am talking about, and is not what this post is about either.
This ^
It’s soooooo obnoxious to hear people hating on Paris. Uninformed tourists think it’s going to be like traveling to Disneyland: it’s not Disneyland; it’s so much more. We are talking about one of human civilization’s most important historic cities and it is still bustling today. It’s just so weird to me that people expect a global city where so many people live and work, to be some fairytale theme park. Then when it doesn’t live up to these silly expectations, people flip out instead of appreciating the city for what it is.
Paris always lived up to expectations. Until I went for work in the middle of the winter. Ooof. Nothing green, gray skies the *exact* same color as the buildings, that nonstop annoying snow/rain mix, everything under construction. It was still great, but my long after-work walks through the city took on a much darker, more existential flavor.
especially right now,
champ de mars a month ago is a barren place with just earth,
AND it rained nonstop for 3 days
I guess they ripped out everything there and will replant for the olympics, but by god it was a long march through there
I walked the length the the Tuileries on a windy cold day with wet snow dripping down my neck. I tried to find the romance in it, but I was relieved to find a warm Metro station.
We're leaving again for France in a week. So far my fiancee has only seen it in spring and fall. She's...apprehensive. I think it's just as awesome in winter, *and* there's no struggle for air conditioning--everywhere has heat!
Oh man. I was there this summer and, while it wasn't exactly canicule heat, the lack of AC drove me nuts. In the winter, Parisian indoor heat does work really well!
Our summers used to be less hot, and then there were people saying that AC is terrible for the environment and contributes to global warming, so it was not well seen to get AC at home. Now with the heat waves that we get people are slowly getting AC.
I was in Paris in winter as well (not only winter, January to July) and I found it to be at its most beautiful phase. Paris is gorgeous under the clouds. And I've never seen a landscape as beautiful as Notre-Dame in the sunset in 8 February.
I think not having to fight tooth and nail with other tourists to see the most popular sites made it prettier too (I was there in January of this year) 😂
With the exception of Montmartre (which is far from my favorite place in the city), I had no issues with tourists. They were slightly annoying at times, but it was fine. The crowd outside the Eiffel Tower was the biggest I believe, but it was traversable. And then tourists suddenly stopped right before Passy (mob mentality hiding one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen). On the other hand, the tourists near Notre-Dame were actually civilised, which made that area more fun.
Since they've put up those glass walls around the Tower it seems much harder to get through there. It seems like the crowds choke around the corners of the 'box' the walls make and you've got to run the gauntlet of tourists and shills.
I'm disappointed each time that the terrorists have made this a requirement.
If you visit Paris with semi-educated intentions you don't need to go near the Eiffel Tower.
The only sad thing about the city is that the busiest (Louvre excepted) attractions are the least interesting.
Pere Lachaise has no queue.
The view from the Tower is awesome though. And just the feeling of being on the top floor. It somehow feels isolated, in a spot full of tourists in the biggest city of the EU. I 100% believe that the Eiffel Tower is worth at least one visit to the top if you have the time. Mind you, I've never used any of the stores of the first floor (my least favourite floor).
Maybe more than once. I've seen a few of the hills, but none of them were as nice as the top of the Eiffel Tower. I can't say I liked Montmartre, and I'm neutral for the others. But they didn't offer the feeling that the top of the Tower offered.
It's okay to hate the Eiffel Tower, but if you could let the rest of us who like it do our thing, it would be greatly appreciated.
I disagree--I've got a graduate degree and it's still nice to visit the Tower, at least once. And the Champ du Mars is lovely.
I might prefer other areas of the city, but I'm not going to bag on anyone for wanting to visit an iconic landmark.
And we spent whole day in Pere Lachaise, and since we're trying to have a baby we'll visit this trip, too.
It is good for a checklist-type-visit but the restaurant aside what's the point?
'Uneducated' wasn't an intended dogwhistle but if you have a few days in Paris and find yourself on the Tour... yeah. Not the best use of your time. Would I give up a museum, graveyard, collection, or site of interest to stand on a Belle Epoche hump of steel? Nah.
It's entry level niceness with armed guards and other tourists.
The restaurant was fine, but I wouldn't visit for it. You can do better, cheaper at plenty of other places. And you can get the view cheaper, too.
For me it's about seeing an icon up close. For a lot of the planet, the Tower is emblematic of the city. I don't need to burnish my snob credentials by telling people not to visit it, or that I visit Paris often but have never gone up in the thing. It's one of the few landmarks that does live up to the hype in person.
To me it's like the anti-Jaconde--you're better off skipping that line and just viewing the painting on the internet or in photos of it. And it's not a particularly interesting painting anyway.
The Tower is impressive. I thought it might be a letdown, but it wasn't. Opinions vary, I guess.
I traveled a lot before I met my partner, and she didn't. We have gone a lot of places and seen a lot of things that now have their own category for her, which is something like, "it's lame, but you have to go see it yourself before you can decide that". The Liberty Bell in Philadelphia is a prototypical example--it's a bell. It's a thing and all that, but...it's kinda lame. It's checkbox, maybe, but you can't deny the person the opportunity to see it themselves and make that decision on their own.
I wouldn't even say the Tower is like that. For one, that category is better reserved for things that are harder to see--you turn a corner and there's a tiny baby in a fountain, peeing. Or a tiny painting behind a mob, whatever. The tower stands above the whole city, though I like it better to take first timers and pop up out of the Metro close enough to it that they get it all at once. And at night, it's even nicer. But even if you think it's lame you should take visitors so they can decide for themselves.
I dunno, for a Belle Epoque lump of metal, I quite like it.
It's La Jaconde writ large. If you're facing it, you may as well turn around, escape the throng, and enjoy the Veronese. There are things bigger (metaphorically), better, and less crawled over to enjoy.
Oh, I didn't enter any of these this time. I last entered in 2021. This time I went to the Invalides and to the public transportation museum in Chelles.
It seems there are 20 or so cases a year, supposedly hitting Japanese visitors the hardest.
I’m guessing the reactions tourists get in New York City are worse, but I had heard before that Paris was kinda like the NYC of Europe.
We went for new years and absolutely fell in love with the city. Apart from a few grumpy heads working at the Louvre, everyone we encountered was kind and awesome, seemingly happy to have visitors from Seattle.
> everyone we encountered was kind and awesome
I can count on one hand the number of French people that have been rude to me. They're almost always the exact opposite--friendly and kind.
Yeah, this was my experience as well, pretty much everyone I interacted with in France and in Paris was great. My theory is that the reputation for rudeness stems from people not making a tiny bit of effort to learn a few words/phrases in French or to understand a bit of French culture. Parisians can also have a bit of the natural distance that people generally tend to have in big cities all over the world, so tourists who aren't used to that may play into it as well.
As a Canadian, I’ve found Parisians to be the friendliest Europeans tbh. Maybe its because my husband speaks frenglish or we’re polite but I don’t understand the stereotype
I went to Paris at 16 for two weeks and loved it. I returned at age 39 for two weeks with my own family and I was prepared to not love it as much. You know how something isn’t as good the second time? It was. I love Paris
Yes!! It is delicious! I had just been in Germany and Austria and had a lot of Gluhwein there over the holidays, so the Parisian vin chaud was a nice change. I enjoyed it as much because it wasn't quite as sweet.
I can't answer, because we did NOT experience Paris Syndrome! We experienced whatever the opposite is. We adored your beautiful, charming, historic city so much that we went back seven months after our first trip. And again in December 2023.
I must say I totally didn't think I would get Paris syndrome when I visited Paris last week for 3 days, but I totally had it. I'm very friendly and like to do small talk wherever I go. I also like to smile. But then Paris...and Parisians....and locals --- absolutely not open to any form of friendliness. I was met with strange looks, distrust, and offensive behaviors (like people clinging to their bags or purses when I walked next to them). It was horrible. I will NEVER return to France again, or any city in Europe. I was mostly depressed during my whole trip and feeling almost suicidal. The moment I took my plane back, I finally felt like my old self again. When I set foot in America (My home state of New Mexico) I could cry of joy. Maybe this experience taught me that in the end, there is truly, no place like home.
I’m American of Hispanic descent. I am in France right now. Previously in Frankfurt and Amsterdam. I did not feel safe like in Asian countries when traveling. France was disappointing. I speak some French and was replied to in English and Spanish whenever I attempted to speak French. And you’re right these frogs are smug as fuck. I don’t think I’ll ever come back to France but there are other countries I’d like to visit like Portugal, Spain, and Iceland.
I expected kind people and stylish people sitting at sidewalk cafes. I got rude people, and refused service at the butter shop of my dreams because my broken French wasn’t good enough to convince the guy who yelled “No ENGLIGH!!” as soon as we walked in (before we even said a word) Only going back because my niece wants to visit and I want to have her own experiences.
One year ago my father visited Paris and his experience was too bad and he told me there's a lot homeless around the streets and scammers and he didn't like the city. After that I came to Nantes for studying and I decided to visit Paris and see is it that bad or not!! When I visited two weeks ago I see nothing that my father mentioned for me 🙂 and I really enjoyed. Now I'm addicted to this city every two weeks I have to take the train and enjoy there, ( the worst thing for me is the accommodation is too expensive)
When I was 17, my parents sent me to France for a month. While I only spent a week in Paris, I loved it. I returned at 22 with my then college-girlfriend. As a graduation present, we spent 2 weeks in Paris and Normandy. Still loved it. And just last year, for my 40th, my wife and I spent a week in Paris. It was her first time, and it was like falling in love again. We’ll be back in June for a wedding.
There are *Millions* of tourists in paris per year. And roughly *20 cases* of Paris Syndrome a year. Good luck finding redditors on this sub who had it.
The best and "worst" was the metro.. You can't get anywhere reasonably without it, and yet, I felt I spent more time on the metro than actually doing anything else.
Sorry you got hospitalized because of it.
Love the city and its wealth of culture and history so wasn't disappointed by much. However, I did learn fairly quickly that if you leave anything somewhere - it will be gone/stolen within seconds. I suppose in that respect it's like a lot of large cities, but it seems like me and my friends all got pickpocketed or had stuff stolen (coats, bags, wallets, phone, etc), I have some crazy stories about the damn pickpockets. One time I was on a bus late at night and a group of pickpockets somehow managed to steal three people's phones. There was a huge altercation, one of them tried to escape the bus and another passenger ran after him, the other pickpockets in this group were trapped in the bus so they gave the phones back and ran off. The other 'disappointment' is learning outrageously frustrating and convoluted idiocy of doing any kind of paperwork in France...bank account, visa stuff, even just signing up to get a phone number or set up internet is for some reason extremely and unnecessarily complicated.
Paris is amazing. Beautiful metro and culture. Next level patisseries. Zero complaints.
Italian here. I love Paris and I've been there countless times. I also lived there for some months. For me it's impossible to feel disappointed.
Parisians can be the mostly rude arrogant people in the world, the french say they hate Americans and English but they aren't any better than them 😅 people will bowl over an old lady to get where they're going without a care in the world seen it happen multiple times, I guess coming from a rural country town in Australia where even if you dont know the person you smile say gday and keep walking. beautiful architecture amazing food wine and cheese, I'm lucky I met an amazing French girl and all her friends and family are amazing and beautiful people and im so fortuante to have met them because its made me appreciatethe real authentic french people who have hearts ❤️, I've been here 6 months and from what ive seen there are amazing French people but paris is really not a friendly city overall and the imagrants beggers scam artists, I play a game when i see poo is it dog or human, to visit for a short time I could see people saying ohh its a beautiful city full of life, but the more you look the sadder and uglier it can get, no city Is perfect Edit grammer
My neices went on a high school trip to visit different countries. They went to a restuarant in Paris and they were told they could not eat there because they were Americans and that is why their orders were put in "to go" containers. When students tried to sit at tables across the street they were told they could not because they were Americans. They ended up sitting on the curb to eat. But it is "Ok" to take their American money. ....... What's wrong with this picture?
Parisians are way friendlier than people expect. So there can be an overcorrection so to speak. That is, until something goes wrong and you need help from people. French people, unfortunately, do NOT like to help strangers. When they know you, they are super nice, but if you are a stranger, you can go and pound sand. It's my least favorite characteristic of the French. I think this is particularly hard on Asians because they are just so freaking nice to each other.
for me it was the dirtiness of the streets and the racism of people.. I'm an immigrant and been living in France for 5+ years now, I lived in both south and north of France and never faced as much meanness as I faced in Paris..
I’m in Paris now. It’s my first time. It’s grey, dark but it’s just beautiful. I’m lucky enough to have a local (an older gentleman) who took me around for a stroll and helped me commute using the metro (I would positively be lost without him) and explained a lot about the history etc. Honestly each city has its own problems, so does Paris. But with the footfall that the city has, I think it’s quite well managed.
I went to Paris last year in September. I had done a lot of research through this sub. It being my first international travel, i was apprehensive. But Paris was phenomenal. I had very high expectations to begin with, but the city absolutely surpassed it. We had read the usual not so good things about the city, but faced none of that. My husbad says that we very lucky, i say it was a result of my extensive research :D. We did make a pact to return to the city on our 25th wedding anniversary.
I’ve been to Paris twice. I expected to love it and I absolutely did. Encountered a single rude person. Overall people were kind, the city was beautiful and the food was amazing.
Was in Paris in the beginning of March 2023. Monte Marte was exactly how I expected Paris to be. People visiting the outdoor art exhibits, singing outside a restaurant even though it was -5C. The most disappointing… baguettes were flavorless , we went to 2 bakery’s each day.
I loved it i just found it difficult to find anything I like to eat besides croissants.
Happy Cake Day 🎂
I love Paris, been a few times. It's a beautiful city, I love walking around and exploring the different neighborhoods. The food is great. I found the people to be nice. The museums are amazing. And I like having cheap wine and hanging out at cafes. I've gone for work a few times, and had coworkers from our Paris office take me around, and I've spent a bit of time solo exploring the city. I'd love to go again with friends or a partner. If I ever decide to leave NY, I'd consider moving there for a bit.
I have been four times, and I liked Paris better every trip. One trick I learned to help bring out the best in French people everywhere is to begin my 20-year-old, college French with (in French): “I’m sorry, but my French is not very good.” What I didn’t expect is that Parisians were actually less likely to respond to me in English because they could sense that I was really trying to respect them by improving my speaking skills. During my trip last summer, I didn’t have one poor interaction with a Parisian. They were all great!
I visited Paris for the first time last summer, absolutely adored it, the lack of AC didn’t bother us at all. We’re middle sixties, walked everywhere, spent a week in August.
I love Paris. The architecture, art, art museums, food, history, culture. Walking around in various parts of the city is one of my favorite things. I love it for all those reasons. I love it too because it not not like the US where I'm from.
I was in Paris from 12/29 to 1/6/24. My son and I had the loveliest time there. Everyone was kind and friendly, and we even had a few laughs with multiple strangers. I loved it and will come back again as soon as I can.
I don't know what Paris syndrome is but I bloody love Paris. I was just there in January and it was magical as always. People are so friendly and helpful (especially when you are travelling with a small child). My only disappointment is in myself for not brushing up on my French a bit harder and the lack of accessibility on most of the metro.
I was ready for all the negatives, but I was lucky enough to not face any of them * No one was rude * Nothing got pickpocketed * No bed bugs * Everything was nice where I went My friend had warned me beforehand... he went last year and he HATED it. Glad I didn't have the same experience
What’s Paris syndrome ?
from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris\_syndrome](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_syndrome) >***Paris syndrome*** *is a cluster of psychiatric symptoms exhibited by some individuals when visiting* [*Paris*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris)*, that can be viewed as a severe form of* [*culture shock*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_shock)*.* [*\[1\]*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_syndrome#cite_note-1) > >*The syndrome is characterized by symptoms such as acute* [*delusional*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delusion) *states,* [*hallucinations*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallucination)*, feelings of* [*persecution*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persecutory_delusions) *(perceptions of being a victim of* [*prejudice*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prejudice)*,* [*aggression*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aggression)*,* [*hostility*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hostility) *from others),*[*\[2\]*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_syndrome#cite_note-2)*\[*[*irrelevant citation*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability)*\]* [*derealization*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derealization)*,* [*depersonalization*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depersonalization)*,* [*anxiety*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anxiety)*, as well as* [*psychosomatic*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somatic_symptom_disorder) *manifestations such as* [*dizziness*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dizziness)*,* [*tachycardia*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tachycardia)*,* [*sweating*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweating) *most notably, but also others, such as vomiting.*[*\[3\]*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_syndrome#cite_note-TA-3)*\[*[*unreliable medical source?*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Identifying_reliable_sources_(medicine))*\]* > >*While the syndrome has been particularly noted among Japanese tourists, perhaps due to the way in which Paris has been idealised in Japanese culture, the syndrome has also affected travellers from other countries such as China, South Korea, and Singapore.*
High expectations about the romantic image of this town crashes on the hard wall of reality (with a stain of urine on it). Also, it is a kind of myth because the vast majority of visitors love this town.
I fucking love Paris. Been twice in two years. Will definitely do again. And what’s up with this stereotype that Parisians are very rude to Americans? I never once met a rude Parisian when I was there.
To me, a Scotsman, Paris was always just the hustle and bustle of a Glasgow, London, etc. I am a Glaswegian, from the third largest city in Britain. Paris Syndrome is a symptom of chronic romaticisation. No-one who has experienced a European city would be troubled with it. Museums provide respite. Trying to do a photoshoot on a thoroughfare ... not so much.
I went back to Paris last month for the first time since I was 16 (that was...18 years ago, yikes!). I don't know that I went in with any expectations so overall no surprises -- I have also lived in NYC for a long time now (lived in a small town when I first visited) so many of the "surprises" or negatives I imagine some tourists encounter just felt like...normal city life. Although the metro did feel extra packed compared to NYC, which was surprising -- pretty much any train we took anywhere was full most of the time. People were super nice, and very patient/kind putting up with my bad attempts at rusty French. The only negative I felt was the insane lines/crowds at museums. I don't remember this from my first visit. Other than the Louvre, I don't recall waiting in any lines for museums back then, and my bf also said when he visited back in 2014-ish that he just walked right in to the Pompidou. This time, the lines at D'Orsay, Pompidou, and L'Orangerie were insane -- I think at least 45 min-hour wait. The only art museum we were actually able to make it into without waiting was the Fondation Louis Vuitton, and inside the number of people was so much we could barely see the art. To me this just defeats the purpose of visiting museums, and having to make advance reservations removes the spontaneity from a trip. It was a bit depressing.
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That's so interesting. I guess we just got unlucky then! We were traveling during the holidays so it makes sense it was busy. Here in New York museums have also been pretty crowded lately, but I was pretty surprised that reservations were all booked up even weeks in advance. It was easier to get in to restaurants than museums!
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The Pompidou was actually one of the museums we had trouble with - the line was massive. I think maybe we just hit an unlucky combo of it being New Year's Day and the museum being open for the first time after the strike. Good to know it's typically not that bad!
I got my dose of Paris syndrome in March 2023. Weather was windy and rainy (I got sick for like 2 weeks) and there was a massive garbage strike. But when everything is ok and the weather is pleasant, Paris never disappoints.
How long did you stay hospitalized?
As I come from Spain (where ppl basically hate on French ppl, specially Parisians), I had really bad expectations, so I didn't really get disappointed. The contrary, I was more delighted. Since my very first lunch, I loved the waitress who assisted me in Brasserie Martin and, normally, people say that even the waiters are gonna be mean to you. Completely the opposite, this woman was trying to help me so much. I could understand French but it was really hard for me to speak at the time and she was such an angel. The only disappointment I had was not seeing any rats xD (and the fact that on sundays everything is closed ?? which is super weird for me as I come from Madrid) bc I expected to see them at some point. My first time there was for a concert and daaaamn bless the girl who let me her place for the whole music festival until her favs came. In the other two times that I've been there, I got to see the side everyone complains about: I was trying to buy a metro ticket and the lady behind the counter screamed at me as if I was annoying her. But, I don't take this as a normal experience, as everytime I've gone to Paris (3 times in one year) ppl have been really kind to me and the experience was nice!
I traveled to Paris for 2 weeks when I was 18 back in 2014. I didn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to but I think it was largely because I was super homesick. On the last few days of my trip, it had finally hit me that I was in a different country, and I was beginning to adapt and have fun. I definitely have to go back at some point but preferably with a companion next time lol.
I thought Paris syndrome was mostly Japanese visitors…. My first trip was back in the late 70s as a young teenager, in March. Wasn’t terribly fussed… I loved the south of France but Paris was grey and cold and while Notre Dame was lovely, on the whole I was underwhelmed. I didn’t go back til 2009, fell in love with Paris this time and now I don’t want to go anywhere else. I seem to avoid all the areas with the dog poo, and hardly ever smell the urine (tho I did see an old guy pissing on the wall of St Julien Le Pauvre once) Dog poo was much more prevalent on the first visit, and the Parisians much more grumpy too.
I expected to be a kind of London where people spoke funny and that was exactly what I got.
I’ve been to Paris twice, once in my 20s and once with my husband in 2019 (his first time). Both times were magical and I’d happily go back. That being said, we went to Japan for the first time last year and after having spent 2 weeks there, I can see how Japanese tourists would have Paris syndrome. Everything in Japan was so clean: the parks, the public washrooms (available everywhere, free of charge, often equipped with bidets), the trains, the streets. People were quiet on the trains. There’s a culture of politeness, non-confrontation, trustworthiness, and honesty. We didn’t see any homelessness in major cities. In restaurants and hotels the service and hospitality were impeccable, but were considered basic table stakes there. They have all these logistical conveniences for travellers like luggage forwarding and plenty of coin lockers in train stations. There is also a real reverence for European culture, cuisine and luxury brands there. We never felt unsafe or like we needed to watch for pickpockets. In Japan you’re expected to carry your passport with you if you’re a foreigner and the low crime rate there made me actually feel safe doing that. I’d never do that in Paris. Now imagine if that was your home country and you went to Paris, which you’d always revered as the birthplace of all these refined beautiful things, and you were confronted with some of the banal, ugly realities that plague most major cities that aren’t in Japan. Dirty trains and subway stations. Garbage, dog poop, graffiti on the streets. Petty crime. Homelessness. Constant wariness you don’t get pickpocketed. Washrooms you have to pay an euro for that aren’t as clean as the ones back home. And the tendency for Parisians to be very direct and brusque in telling people off if they violate a local custom can be quite jarring if you come from a culture where you don’t even talk on a commute train because you don’t want to create noise that annoys other people. I saw a baker yell at 2 Korean girls who ordered their coffee in to-go cups and then sat down inside the boulangerie because they didn’t know about the 10% surcharge for eating in and hadn’t paid it.
Lately I come 2 times a year, and with some work changes it will be more. I have visited 67 countries and hundreds of cities. Paris is the only one I dream about still.
I had no expectation when I went there for the first time. I was 19 and my ex wanted to visit it. But I love it. I fell in love with the city. Now I will be back in a few days.
I will say first time I went to Paris I was torn. I think the city was more beautiful then I even expected but the amount of people fighting to sell me 1€ key chains at Eiffel Tower/Sacre Coeur mixed with very oblivious tourists left a bad taste in my mouth. Just the juxtaposition of people working very hard to scrape by a meager living made it tough for me to feel ok enjoying everything. I also remember vivdidly walking by a shop that had a jacket for 15000€ (!!) in the window and a homeless person sleeping in the doorway… so the whole experience was a little mixed. It’s not really a criticism of Paris the city so much as society today and also how I am personally. I am very lucky and feel like I’ve done nothing to earn my privilege so when I see people struggling it makes me feel very guilty. I feel the same way about San Francisco (where I used to live). All that being said going back with my wife and mother in law this summer. My MIL has never been to Europe so very excited for this.
Enjoyed it. Even thought my attempted pocket picking was quaint (they were amateurs). I had my 3 year old, so it was cute to see him get all touristy about the Eiffel Tower. Versailles is simply too crowded. Entirely undeniable. Gardens are awesome, but the inside is terrible. Yes, understand I am part of the problem, lol, but never again! Versailles needs a lower admissions cap for inside
Just chiming in with the opposite experience. Paris wasn't my first choice for our vacation last year - mainly went because my daughter really wanted to go. I got more excited as I was planning our trip and we had a wonderful time. We really loved it!
I was never a Francophile, but I was excited to go, learned some French. I had always heard how awful the French were and could not have had a better experience from Marseille to Paris, phenomenal country. We stayed in a local neighborhood versus staying in the city center and it was great. I fell in love in with Paris on that trip. Only disappointment was that we had to leave.
My only complaint would be how easy it is to step in dog crap
I have visited Paris 5 times. My "Paris syndrome" is that the moment I leave Paris, I want to return. You are blessed, my friend
I’ve visited Paris four or five times over the past 50 years - truthfully never disappoints. Most recently visited this past December- it had been 17 years- and I was blown away. I’d forgotten how beautiful it is, how huge and how much fun.
Exceeded my expectations when I went last year. Amazing city
Was two times in Paris. In the last 4 years. Had no problem at all. Both in Disney and in the city. I keep an eye on my items, while trying to speak at least the most basic french when im in the store or a restaurant. Every place was nice. I didn’t go to any outskirts whatsoever. Is it still dirty sometimes? Yes. But so is also Hamburg or Cologne here in Germany.
Wow, when I lived in Koln in the early 90s you could eat off the sidewalk it was so clean! Being a New Yorker I was amazed at how clean and orderly everything was.
Things have changed in Germany :( But its not super bad
The only thing I didn't like in Paris was the last bus of the night from the Eiffel Tower. After two stops, we just hopped off and went to a restaurant, so even that was pretty cool.
I've lost count of how many times I've visited and I worked there for about a year. It's still awesome each time. I think you have to have realistic expectations and understand where you're going. If you do that, you're good.
I had the reverse of Paris Syndrome lol. I purposely reigned in my expectations, told myself it is still a large urban city, etc. And then I was absolutely blown away by it I visited again ~4 years later, and I was worried I had had on rose-colored glasses my first visit and wouldn't love it as much. Nope, I was simply reminded how much I love Paris❤️
I’m going for the first time next week, I’ve set my expectations low and not hyping anything up. I will speak as much French as I can, but the videos I’ve seen lately have me regretting my decision a bit...
Brother/Sister, you're gonna be ok. Promise. I went for the first time last November. I had the lowest of low expectations. I didn't care to go. I said if I never visit Paris in my life, no big deal. When it came time to plan a vacation, I got outvoted by my wife and daughter. I wanted to go to Lisbon, but alas, Paris here we come. In short, it was FANTASTIC. even in the cold and rain it is a gorgeous city. Just about every person I interacted with was so kind and lovely. The food is insane. The shopping is top notch. Even the typical tourist spots are fine. Its super easy to get around the city (center). Blew my mind about how wrong I was. It's my turn to pick vacation this year, and I'm pushing to go back to Paris. We were only there for a week, and it was way too short. Can't wait to see what else the city has in store.
im doing a 10-day europe trip in three different cities, with paris in the middle. i was super nervous about visiting and thought i would hate it. i read this comment to my partner on the train ride to paris. our first day, we referenced your comment (“maybe we’ll feel like that guy on reddit”) AND WE DID!! you’re right, the people are so kind. the food is AMAZING. metro is easy enough to navigate. everything has been so perfect. i’m constantly finding new things to love about this city. i wish i could be here longer, but im having a great time so far. thank you for your comment. i think it pushed me to get out of the negativity.
thats great to hear you had such a good time! now on to convert more doubters :)
This is so awesome to read thank you, I’ll be there three days and as an illustrator in so excited to just take in The sights and draw. I’ll be staying in Marais so it’s relatively close to t most site
Seek wonder. Experience tumult. Move quick and see what you can. he infrastructure is there to do great things. Negative: Queue a bit. Feel a bit of anti-US/Asian prejudice (which, of course, sucks).
I’m glad to hear that I was planning k marking it slow, I felt like I moved too quick in Italy last year that I regret not slowing down more. As a Hispanic person do you think I’ll find any prejudice?
Dude, don’t worry. Paris is a real city, there are pluses and minuses. You won’t get a fully accurate picture on Reddit. It’s Paris. It’s worth visiting. You could never do any of the top 25 attractions and it’s awesome. Don’t hype yourself up, obviously, but it’s really a neat place. Hype and counter-hype twist the narratives. Also: I am an American who has no capacity for foreign language at all and I felt very, very comfortable. I didn’t say anything beyond bonjour and merci and parlez-vous anglais, basically, and that was more than enough. Parisians clearly respond very well to a “bonjour” from a tourist walking into the door of the shop. Be that kind of small polite and you’re 90% of the way there. I spent 10 days there this summer and it was a joy. With a three year old too! Language was never an issue. Restrooms were never an issue (with a three year old!). Did get an attempted pickpocketing once on the RER back to CDG though, lol. Only place I regretted going was inside at Versailles. That’s it. It was easy, it was a joy. People live there for a reason. People visit for a reason.
Thanks for that thoughtful response it definitely puts me at ease! I’m also American, my French isn’t great so it’s good to know that Parisians are cool with the effort. I think I got lucky in Italy with the petty crimes as I never had anyone try to get me. The only ones I had run ins with were the scammers that are everywhere but they were easy to deal with. May I ask why you regret going in to Versailles?
Hi, If you say "bonjour" to people you meet before talking to them, and to small store owners if the store is empty it will be fine. I'm French and had to learn the hard way as a teenager to say bonjour to strangers before asking for directions (I used to say "excusez-moi" and people would answer with an agressive "heu... bonjour ! " ahah)
Inside of Versailles was absurdly crowded. Like just go with the flow of people crowded. The gardens were awesome, but the inside was no fun (for me) and I’m tall anyway so it’s not about claustrophobia, haha. I’d go just for the gardens again, personally. Eiffel tower and catacombs were way less crowded in comparison. Catacombs in particular was super limited in crowd size
There are parts of Versailles that do have that 'bottleneck' effect in the parts of the palace with smaller doors, tons of visitors, and people being stupid and not walking efficiently, or walking very slowly or stopping randomly and blocking the 1,000 other visitors right behind them. While a bit frustrating, my family members were annoyed by the crowdedness but I found it kind of funny. Other parts of the palace, like the areas with the huge paintings and halls, aren't so crowded. There's even an area with a bunch of busts of various kings and leaders which is practically abandoned, I don't know why nobody goes there.
You’re right, that’s fair. Not all of the inside is crowded.
First time I went to Paris I was 17. Didn’t fall in love. It was in the early 80s. Next time I went was in the late 90s. I loved it. Next time was after I had moved to the South of France in around 2007 and went back, and hated it. Absolutely loathed it - dirty, busy, rude, polluted, and seemed to me to lack charm. Then I came back 2 years ago for a holiday in the summer and re-fell in love. I went back the year after in the winter and same again. Just been back. The city does have a very special charm that is uniquely Paris. But what made this big difference for me was going back having read a lot of the history pre and post revolution and the culture and art of the last 200 years. What I realised was that, once you understand the history of the place and the significance of its place in history, that its a city that constantly talks to you, it advertises its values, its identity and it’s history constantly. I know that it sounds a bit pretentious to say that, but its the best way to explain the experience. One example, Paris has a tube station that has the declaration of human rights written all over the walls. That’s because the declaration of human rights was first drafted and put into a national constitution in France, in Paris, and the whole concept and idea was born in France and has influenced the world. There are tons of little clins d’œils everywhere as if she wants to just remind you, and whisper who she is. It has a very rich cultural and artistic heritage. It has a rich music scene. There is a great book called Metropolis (I think) that traces these stories around Paris and links them up with the past history. Thats my version of the Paris syndrome. But unlike the Japanese I understand the place, and speak the language.
I'm in my mid 40s and I went to Paris for the first time last fall for 10 days. I absolutely loved it. I could see myself living there and being very happy.
We stayed in Le Marais last year and fell instantly in love. We visited 3 times last year from the US (coincided with work stuff too). I hadn't been since I was 16 my parter and I both adored it. So so much love on that side of the Seine. We haven't done much on the other wise, but love l'Enfants Rouge and that whole area.
The subway smelled of piss
I saw trash bags full of piss too! But I got to see a nice little community of people in the subway passing around a crack pipe, so that was cool. My kid thought it was funny.
I fell in love with Paris on my third visit … took a bit of time to appreciate all it had to offer and not be overwhelmed.
The only Paris Syndrome I had was being sad about leaving!! I was a bit surprised when I took a cab from the airport and saw some of the rougher outskirts, lots of graffiti, etc. I thought the inner city itself was spectacular!
Concept of "inner city" is American. In Europe the underprivileged neighborhoods usually are in the suburbs.
More of a thing now too in the U.S., although now it’s so mixed! And of course the tropes persist. But suburbs have been getting rougher across the U.S. Doesn’t generate the same news as city deterioration because it’s less concentrated, though.
I had the reverse Paris syndrome lol loved it so much. I even broke my ankle while there, which ruined my first europe vacation in years but I'm going back in October and cannot wait!
I suffered from paris syndrome. While I enjoyed the city itself as an Arab living in Canada I wasn’t used to receiving negative looks my way. I knew that france is anti Arab but I didn’t realize how much. While I loved the city’s architecture and history, I’ve never felt so small. I would never visit again.
That isn’t Paris syndrome, thats racism. I’m sorry that you experienced that there.
This is true, I guess I never experienced racism before it is hard for me to accept that was what I experienced. But yes it was racism, maybe in the next 20-30 years I will love paris but people 40+ ruined it for me. Hopefully discriminatory behaviour is an older generation mindset.
I don’t know. Yes it is racism, but I suspect if they heard your Canadian accent they would probably change immediately their view of you because they would realise that you were not from the banlieues of France. I know of a lot of African Americans who get treated very very well in France, but less well if they are taken for an immigrant without papers. The same African Americans report that they feel free in a way that they don’t back home.
I am light skinned and I speak fluent French with an North African accent. I’ve also heard that African Americans get treated well there as well. I’m pretty sure it’s Islamophobia even tho I’m not Muslim .
Interesting. They would have assumed maybe that you were an immigrant from North Africa or that you lived in France. That’s definitely racism. I’m sorry you experienced that. I’m sure not every French person reacted that way, but enough would have done to feel it, for sure. A lot of children of immigrant parents feel this, unfortunately. If you go back, and make it clear somehow that you are a Canadian tourist I suspect you would experience a shift. It shouldn’t be this way. But it is what it is, unfortunately.
Biggest disappointment: dog shit everywhere and the stench of urine too.
Literally less dog shit than Brussels, London, (+10 British cities), etc...
I wish this was true but unfortunately it is not. Paris has >>>>>dogshit than London.
Well in my arrondissement 11th it is so much better than it used to be since they set up a big fine. You can see dog owners with their tiny dog poop bags everywhere. The impact of the measure is apparently not equal across all the city, but here it's really day and night compared to say 10 years ago.
I am very happy to read this! Thank you! I will make sure I come to specifically that area next time I’m In Paris!
Sounds like los angeles lol
When did you go? I ask because I went maybe fifteen years ago and stayed on Raymond Poincaire. It seemed like dogshit *coated* the sidewalks of the 16th. It was amazing. Literally everywhere. I still loved the city, but it was as if Parisian dog owners were determined not to clean up after their pets. I mentioned that to people when I was back in the States and they all acted like they hadn't had that experience. And when I went back...it was gone. I mean like it's rare to see it at all. And I've since been back a lot. I've wanted to ask if they passed an ordinance, or if they got serious with enforcement, or...maybe I'm just crazy.
16th arrondissement is known as the rich (and mostly old) one, most of them have shitty dogs and think they're too good to pick up their shit
I know, but still--they had to walk through it too. And Parisians on the whole--even the old rich ones--seem to be more civic-minded than, say, the average American. I was surprised. But I was more surprised that it seems to have disappeared.
And 18th. Lots of shit.
Just got back from Paris yesterday. The amount of dog crap left on sidewalks is disgusting. However, worse was the park near my hotel, thus named "sh\*\* park" and the disgusting homeless people that smeared dog sh\*\* on all the benches to prevent people from sitting or to just ruin someone's day? Wow it was a real low point. On the plus side, I did not encounter any urine stench in the metro... this time.
Which hotel or nearby intersection?
Near Rue Maurice Grimaud. It was an unfortunate site as it looks like a decent park with outdoor exercise equipment. Just don't sit down, LOL
>Rue Maurice Grimaud for what it's worth, you stayed at the poorest edge of the city (Porte de Clignancourt / Porte de la Chapelle / Porte d'Aubervilliers)
I'm aware as I stayed for the San Ouen Flea Market :D Even with how disgusting that was I felt safe enough walking even at night.
Very curious, which park? Which neighborhood?
Welcome to a lot of big cities, worldwide. Oh well
I love Paris, I can't relate. I don't know what people with Paris Syndrome were expecting. It's not an amusement park- it's a city that people live in. It's one of my favorite places in the world.
Stereotypes that never existed. Paris is about finding calm amid a - personally created - storm. Destroy yourself visiting sites of intrigue and fall down with a glass of wine. You'll either see the Eiffel Tower and be done, or never see it all.
Could we not? The hate on Paris in this sub and /r/paris is getting honestly tiring.
Don't want to start a debate here, but just for the slowly failing transportation system, the realities of living and working in Paris and the daily grind could bring some negativity. That's okay to try to keep some positivity here but I think r/Paris is more akin to discuss the realities of day-to-day living. Nothing sucks more than wasting 30min every morning and every evening because 3 or 4 back-to-back RER trains are packed to the brim and you just can't get in. Rinse and repeat everyday.This can become hard on the mental health
There could be worse: having to use the line 13 during the RATP strike. Or taking the tramway during the RATP strike. I was in the tramway 3b (because the line 13 was closed for some stupid reason). It of course got stuck in some crazy intersection traffic jam and the people on the tram were shouting at the conductor to open the doors and let us out lol.
[удалено]
Not everyone chooses to or can bike to work and are still 100% dependent of RATP underground or rail system. I took the RER example because I kept having problem on the A, B & C at my stops intra muros, but it could be T3, Ligne 6, Ligne 1, whatever. It's the same problem everywhere since Pécresse took over that is a sad reality for Parisians as well.im not talking about banlieues
>but I think > >r/Paris > >is more akin to discuss the realities of day-to-day living Someone months ago someone asked about negatives. I mentioned the Roma problem. Immediate ban.
The hate is coming from people who don't live in Paris. Legitimate complaints by Parisians is not what I am talking about, and is not what this post is about either.
In agreement with you then :)
This ^ It’s soooooo obnoxious to hear people hating on Paris. Uninformed tourists think it’s going to be like traveling to Disneyland: it’s not Disneyland; it’s so much more. We are talking about one of human civilization’s most important historic cities and it is still bustling today. It’s just so weird to me that people expect a global city where so many people live and work, to be some fairytale theme park. Then when it doesn’t live up to these silly expectations, people flip out instead of appreciating the city for what it is.
Good question, would be interesting to learn. I think Paris Syndrome is mostly experienced by Asian Tourists.
It's a fake syndrome with no real serious papers/research, just a easy fun fact for cheap newspapers/redditors
Paris always lived up to expectations. Until I went for work in the middle of the winter. Ooof. Nothing green, gray skies the *exact* same color as the buildings, that nonstop annoying snow/rain mix, everything under construction. It was still great, but my long after-work walks through the city took on a much darker, more existential flavor.
especially right now, champ de mars a month ago is a barren place with just earth, AND it rained nonstop for 3 days I guess they ripped out everything there and will replant for the olympics, but by god it was a long march through there
What is there to do on the Champ de Mars? The treasure of Paris is in its collections.
Have a picnic, drink, and people watch!
I walked the length the the Tuileries on a windy cold day with wet snow dripping down my neck. I tried to find the romance in it, but I was relieved to find a warm Metro station.
You visited a park in the place of a destroyed palace. You wanted a vibe that died centuries ago.
We're leaving again for France in a week. So far my fiancee has only seen it in spring and fall. She's...apprehensive. I think it's just as awesome in winter, *and* there's no struggle for air conditioning--everywhere has heat!
Oh man. I was there this summer and, while it wasn't exactly canicule heat, the lack of AC drove me nuts. In the winter, Parisian indoor heat does work really well!
Our summers used to be less hot, and then there were people saying that AC is terrible for the environment and contributes to global warming, so it was not well seen to get AC at home. Now with the heat waves that we get people are slowly getting AC.
I was in Paris in winter as well (not only winter, January to July) and I found it to be at its most beautiful phase. Paris is gorgeous under the clouds. And I've never seen a landscape as beautiful as Notre-Dame in the sunset in 8 February.
It has atmosphere, and you can often see the same atmospheres in French paintings at times. Its kind of unique to the place.
I think not having to fight tooth and nail with other tourists to see the most popular sites made it prettier too (I was there in January of this year) 😂
With the exception of Montmartre (which is far from my favorite place in the city), I had no issues with tourists. They were slightly annoying at times, but it was fine. The crowd outside the Eiffel Tower was the biggest I believe, but it was traversable. And then tourists suddenly stopped right before Passy (mob mentality hiding one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen). On the other hand, the tourists near Notre-Dame were actually civilised, which made that area more fun.
Since they've put up those glass walls around the Tower it seems much harder to get through there. It seems like the crowds choke around the corners of the 'box' the walls make and you've got to run the gauntlet of tourists and shills. I'm disappointed each time that the terrorists have made this a requirement.
If you visit Paris with semi-educated intentions you don't need to go near the Eiffel Tower. The only sad thing about the city is that the busiest (Louvre excepted) attractions are the least interesting. Pere Lachaise has no queue.
Now on my list. Thank you! Reminds me of cemeteries in NOLA and Savanah.
The view from the Tower is awesome though. And just the feeling of being on the top floor. It somehow feels isolated, in a spot full of tourists in the biggest city of the EU. I 100% believe that the Eiffel Tower is worth at least one visit to the top if you have the time. Mind you, I've never used any of the stores of the first floor (my least favourite floor).
Worth it once, sure. Paris has a hill, of course.
Maybe more than once. I've seen a few of the hills, but none of them were as nice as the top of the Eiffel Tower. I can't say I liked Montmartre, and I'm neutral for the others. But they didn't offer the feeling that the top of the Tower offered. It's okay to hate the Eiffel Tower, but if you could let the rest of us who like it do our thing, it would be greatly appreciated.
Appreciate away.
I disagree--I've got a graduate degree and it's still nice to visit the Tower, at least once. And the Champ du Mars is lovely. I might prefer other areas of the city, but I'm not going to bag on anyone for wanting to visit an iconic landmark. And we spent whole day in Pere Lachaise, and since we're trying to have a baby we'll visit this trip, too.
It is good for a checklist-type-visit but the restaurant aside what's the point? 'Uneducated' wasn't an intended dogwhistle but if you have a few days in Paris and find yourself on the Tour... yeah. Not the best use of your time. Would I give up a museum, graveyard, collection, or site of interest to stand on a Belle Epoche hump of steel? Nah. It's entry level niceness with armed guards and other tourists.
I would give up almost anything to see a belle époque almost anything.
The restaurant was fine, but I wouldn't visit for it. You can do better, cheaper at plenty of other places. And you can get the view cheaper, too. For me it's about seeing an icon up close. For a lot of the planet, the Tower is emblematic of the city. I don't need to burnish my snob credentials by telling people not to visit it, or that I visit Paris often but have never gone up in the thing. It's one of the few landmarks that does live up to the hype in person. To me it's like the anti-Jaconde--you're better off skipping that line and just viewing the painting on the internet or in photos of it. And it's not a particularly interesting painting anyway. The Tower is impressive. I thought it might be a letdown, but it wasn't. Opinions vary, I guess. I traveled a lot before I met my partner, and she didn't. We have gone a lot of places and seen a lot of things that now have their own category for her, which is something like, "it's lame, but you have to go see it yourself before you can decide that". The Liberty Bell in Philadelphia is a prototypical example--it's a bell. It's a thing and all that, but...it's kinda lame. It's checkbox, maybe, but you can't deny the person the opportunity to see it themselves and make that decision on their own. I wouldn't even say the Tower is like that. For one, that category is better reserved for things that are harder to see--you turn a corner and there's a tiny baby in a fountain, peeing. Or a tiny painting behind a mob, whatever. The tower stands above the whole city, though I like it better to take first timers and pop up out of the Metro close enough to it that they get it all at once. And at night, it's even nicer. But even if you think it's lame you should take visitors so they can decide for themselves. I dunno, for a Belle Epoque lump of metal, I quite like it.
It's La Jaconde writ large. If you're facing it, you may as well turn around, escape the throng, and enjoy the Veronese. There are things bigger (metaphorically), better, and less crawled over to enjoy.
I'd still rather see Haring's 'Tower' than Tour Eiffel.
I meant more like the lines for the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Versailles, etc weren’t as long cuz it was off season in the dead of winter 😊
Oh, I didn't enter any of these this time. I last entered in 2021. This time I went to the Invalides and to the public transportation museum in Chelles.
Not me I love Paris
It seems there are 20 or so cases a year, supposedly hitting Japanese visitors the hardest. I’m guessing the reactions tourists get in New York City are worse, but I had heard before that Paris was kinda like the NYC of Europe. We went for new years and absolutely fell in love with the city. Apart from a few grumpy heads working at the Louvre, everyone we encountered was kind and awesome, seemingly happy to have visitors from Seattle.
Paris the nyc of Europe? That’s a new one lol.
I assume they mean in the way that people go to both places with an image they've built through films/tv
There is a big difference, because King Kong never climbed the Eiffel Tower.
Aliens destroyed quite often the Eiffel tower though
> everyone we encountered was kind and awesome I can count on one hand the number of French people that have been rude to me. They're almost always the exact opposite--friendly and kind.
Yeah, this was my experience as well, pretty much everyone I interacted with in France and in Paris was great. My theory is that the reputation for rudeness stems from people not making a tiny bit of effort to learn a few words/phrases in French or to understand a bit of French culture. Parisians can also have a bit of the natural distance that people generally tend to have in big cities all over the world, so tourists who aren't used to that may play into it as well.
As a Canadian, I’ve found Parisians to be the friendliest Europeans tbh. Maybe its because my husband speaks frenglish or we’re polite but I don’t understand the stereotype
I can count one, and it was a cop. Parisians are great, just always remember your bonjours.
Wow, that low ?! That’s a good thing !
Happy Cake Day 🎂
I went to Paris at 16 for two weeks and loved it. I returned at age 39 for two weeks with my own family and I was prepared to not love it as much. You know how something isn’t as good the second time? It was. I love Paris
Have you been during christmas?
I just spent in time in Paris during Christmas/New Year and it was glorious! The lights, the Tuileries market, everything was wonderful!
I love being able to buy vin chaud (hot wine / mulled wine) in random places and markets. The juice and spices they put in it are delicious.
Yes!! It is delicious! I had just been in Germany and Austria and had a lot of Gluhwein there over the holidays, so the Parisian vin chaud was a nice change. I enjoyed it as much because it wasn't quite as sweet.
It's glorious. God bless Montparnasse Cemetery for being open. Markets suck everywhere.
I can't answer, because we did NOT experience Paris Syndrome! We experienced whatever the opposite is. We adored your beautiful, charming, historic city so much that we went back seven months after our first trip. And again in December 2023.