Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To love Paris and to think ‘Paris syndrome’ is a myth?

188 replies

BarbaraVineFan · 23/10/2025 22:39

Currently coming to the end of a marvellous short break in Paris. I’ve been here lots of times and also lived here for a while when I was a child. In all this time (but especially this most recent holiday) I haven’t found any evidence of any of the accusations levelled against Paris. It’s not dirty- in fact, it seems notably cleaner than the last time I was here in approx 2009) and it isn’t enormously expensive, especially compared to London. What’s more, it’s often said that Parisians are rude, but the people I have met and interacted with have been without exception polite and courteous. Am i missing something? I would honestly live here again in a heartbeat. Does anyone else agree?

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 20/04/2026 23:49

user2848502016 · 30/10/2025 19:40

I agree, we were there earlier this year and it wasn’t dirty - although tbf I was last there in the mid 90s and it was very much dirtier!
Not as expensive as London, and didn’t find anyone rude - the London Underground is generally cleaner and easier than the Paris metro though

I didn’t find anyone rude either! Most people working in hospitality that we met maybe weren’t from Paris though (different accent).

I got asked more than once if I was Dutch (there’s nothing about me that says “Dutch”, it was very random!) so maybe they like the Dutch?

Angelil · 31/10/2025 06:09

user2848502016 · 30/10/2025 19:40

I agree, we were there earlier this year and it wasn’t dirty - although tbf I was last there in the mid 90s and it was very much dirtier!
Not as expensive as London, and didn’t find anyone rude - the London Underground is generally cleaner and easier than the Paris metro though

"Easier" is perhaps relative: you are probably just more used to the London Underground and if you lived in Paris you would get used to the metro as well.

user2848502016 · 30/10/2025 19:40

I agree, we were there earlier this year and it wasn’t dirty - although tbf I was last there in the mid 90s and it was very much dirtier!
Not as expensive as London, and didn’t find anyone rude - the London Underground is generally cleaner and easier than the Paris metro though

malificent7 · 30/10/2025 19:31

I love it but it's not a patch on London.
The shopping is miles better in London too.

TheHouseonHauntedHill · 30/10/2025 19:21

Well I can't think of any parks in main London I've been too with an ominous presence of men standing around staring and peeeing ??

Like st James park , the wheel etc...

Angelil · 30/10/2025 19:04

TheHouseonHauntedHill · 30/10/2025 18:56

Op I really really adore Paris However by the eiffel tower there was a park my DC couldn't use because of groups of men hanging staring...and there is an area at the bottom of the momatre with a heavy male presence standing ,watching ....and there was also so many of the tricks people hanging about ...

Again, around all the tourist traps? What did you expect?

TheHouseonHauntedHill · 30/10/2025 19:01

@DCorMe can you say which area you were sprayed in please

Tangerinenets · 30/10/2025 19:00

soupyspoon · 23/10/2025 22:56

Ive never heard of Paris syndrome. But if you're asking if someone thinks that Paris is a bit of a shithole then yes Im afraid I do.

Just dont like it, never have, been there a few times, it hasnt ever been able to change my mind for me.

Its not a patch on other european capitals.

But thats just my experience and view.

I agree. It’s a shithole and is totally over rated.

TheHouseonHauntedHill · 30/10/2025 18:56

Op I really really adore Paris However by the eiffel tower there was a park my DC couldn't use because of groups of men hanging staring...and there is an area at the bottom of the momatre with a heavy male presence standing ,watching ....and there was also so many of the tricks people hanging about ...

Ffffaasdd · 30/10/2025 18:56

I wish we were still in the EU

Pharazon · 30/10/2025 18:51

I think it’s a dump full of wankers. But then I’m French so it’s only natural.

RobertJohnsonsShoes · 30/10/2025 18:50

Ooh I’m going for 2 nights in January. Can you do me an itinerary 😂

Angelil · 30/10/2025 18:46

@StokePotteries "the drinks stand outside Musee d'Orsay was charging 5 Euros for a takeaway can of diet coke. I remember just coffee and a croissant each for the four of us in a cafe added up to £25"

Then you were definitely looking in the wrong places. Of course Parisians don't buy from these tourist traps.

@WreckedITellYou "living in an unpicturesque backstreet in Montparnasse"
I know this area very well! I would love to know which street you were living in. Chances are I know it.

@DisappointingBrownie I personally like the area around Pasteur/Montparnasse. Quite lively still but more authentic than the tourist traps. Ditto the 17th, around Pereire.

FancyCatSlave · 28/10/2025 22:30

I don’t like it, but then I really don’t like France. Much prefer Germany.

Each to their own.

Ffffaasdd · 28/10/2025 22:27

Lostinfrance1234 · 28/10/2025 22:13

Me too !

Show quote history

Mum power!

Lostinfrance1234 · 28/10/2025 22:13

Ffffaasdd · 27/10/2025 12:29

I stay up for pick them from the station.

Show quote history

Me too !

Ffffaasdd · 27/10/2025 12:29

Lostinfrance1234 · 27/10/2025 12:09

I am a worrier by nature . I think London is more or less rhe same as Paris ( I know both well) it depends on the area and obviously on bad luck. But my 18 year old DD or DS alone in the middle of the night anywhere would probably have me wide awake waiting to hear the key in the front door .

Show quote history

I stay up for pick them from the station.

Lostinfrance1234 · 27/10/2025 12:09

Holluschickie · 27/10/2025 11:32

My 18- yr- olds wandered alone in London and I didn't worry. They still do. I don't find London as dangerous as everyone says it is.

Show quote history

I am a worrier by nature . I think London is more or less rhe same as Paris ( I know both well) it depends on the area and obviously on bad luck. But my 18 year old DD or DS alone in the middle of the night anywhere would probably have me wide awake waiting to hear the key in the front door .

Ffffaasdd · 27/10/2025 11:53

Maybe I'm overthinking and being paranoid. But that's a distraction from the thread. Paris is nice, not perfect. I wanted to take DC there. We had fun. Always good bits and bad bits.

Ffffaasdd · 27/10/2025 11:51

StokePotteries · 27/10/2025 11:45

I've lived in Dalston, Mile End and Bethnal Green all of which felt safe at night. Never had an issue in all the years I lived in those places.

Show quote history

Someone I know told me a few nights ago there was a machete fight between gangs outside her flat in Daltston?

Are you telling me you don't feel scared about being harassed/followed or worse physically hurt by a man when you're alone at night?

Holluschickie · 27/10/2025 11:49

Ffffaasdd · 27/10/2025 11:34

But at night? Central is lovely and fine. I love it. But coming back to hackney, dalston or mile end, Bethnall green on their own as a lone woman? Very risky.

Show quote history

I live not far from those places. I travel alone at night in dodgy Asian countries and so do my DC, now they are adults.

Sartre · 27/10/2025 11:46

The only time I’ve ever come close to being mugged was in Paris. I’ve visited a few times but haven’t returned since then. Lots of friendlier, safer and cleaner European cities that are better to visit, particularly as a solo female. Krakow is probably the best I have encountered.

I’m half French and my family hate Paris but I guess this is only the same as northerners hating London.

StokePotteries · 27/10/2025 11:45

Ffffaasdd · 27/10/2025 11:34

But at night? Central is lovely and fine. I love it. But coming back to hackney, dalston or mile end, Bethnall green on their own as a lone woman? Very risky.

Show quote history

I've lived in Dalston, Mile End and Bethnal Green all of which felt safe at night. Never had an issue in all the years I lived in those places.

Ffffaasdd · 27/10/2025 11:34

Holluschickie · 27/10/2025 11:32

My 18- yr- olds wandered alone in London and I didn't worry. They still do. I don't find London as dangerous as everyone says it is.

Show quote history

But at night? Central is lovely and fine. I love it. But coming back to hackney, dalston or mile end, Bethnall green on their own as a lone woman? Very risky.

Holluschickie · 27/10/2025 11:32

Lostinfrance1234 · 27/10/2025 11:20

Having lived in both London and Paris I’d be worried in both but then I’d be worried if my 18 year old was almost anywhere wandering around alone in the middle of the night.

Show quote history

My 18- yr- olds wandered alone in London and I didn't worry. They still do. I don't find London as dangerous as everyone says it is.