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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:
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.

RobertJohnsonsShoes · 30/10/2025 18:50

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

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.

Ffffaasdd · 30/10/2025 18:56

I wish we were still in the EU

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 ...

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 19:01

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

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 19:21

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...

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.

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

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.

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?

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