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

[BarbaraVineFan]

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?

Yes agreed.

I’ve been to Paris countless times but most recently took my 6 year old DD to Paris in the Summer for a long weekend.

We saw the sights, got a bus boat, climbed the tower, ate at brasseries, dined (and I wined) and shopped!

we both had the most wonderful time. It was clean, lovely and beautiful.

I love Paris ❤️

I've only been once. It was beautiful, the food was really good and the people we met were really friendly, including the waiters in restaurants!

I found a lot of the streets are fairly dirty, with cigarette butts, chewing gum, litter, graffiti. Also experienced some rude staff/waiters. But the worst thing was the groups of men hanging around and leering at me and my friend. We didn't feel safe at all. There were also violent demonstrations outside our hotel and they set all the bins on fire and there were no police to be seen. The shopkeepers had to run out to try to put out the fires.

On the other hand, wr had a great time, saw the sights, loved the shopping, ate great food, had a lovely trip. But I did breathe a sigh of relief getting back to London as it just felt so much safer.

I live in Paris and mostly I love it. Housing is a problem for many but sadly that’s a world wide issue. We are also very fortunate to have a great social protection ´ net’ so I happily put up with strikes and demos to protect that from being eroded

I agree. It’s a lovely city.

The stereotypes you’ve mentioned are examples of the total bollocks people spout. Half the time they don’t even believe it, they just say it because that’s what you’re expected to say - stuff like Venice is smelly, and in London you’ll be robbed within 3 minutes of getting off the train.

Parisians are no more or less friendly than anyone any other major city in the world.

I like Paris, but people are definitely not as warm and friendly as in the south of France. I never understood why people said the French are snooty until I cam back from Paris one time and realised they'd been to Paris and equated it with France.

The area around the tower is bad, but large parts are nice. Im not really a big fan though. I prefer South of France. Give me Rome over Paris for a city break any day.

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.

Been to Paris once and hated it so would never go back.
It's the only city I didn't feel safe in on numerous occasions.

We went last summer during the Olympics and it was fantastic. It’s had a big clean-up and the city was cleaner, greener and easier to get around than London. Lots of new green spaces, bicycles and free public water fountains everywhere, street cleaners out washing the streets (wish we saw that here!) and the new fashion is for vegetarian salad restaurants. It was completely different to my memories of Paris a decade or more ago. We had a great time!

I have been a few times. Didn’t totally love it the first handful of times but it turned out that was the company, ie the people I went with, because I’ve loved it more recently and with better company!

Went with the kids a few years ago and had a brilliant time.

Wasn’t it just magical during the olympics? 💕

I don’t find it particularly dirty, or think the people are any ruder than anywhere else. But I’m not a massive fan. It’s fine, but I think it is more loved than it deserves. I don’t think it’s so much nicer than other European capitals that it warrants the kind of particular attention it gets.

Totally agree, OP!

Agree. I have been many times though now live in Australia. Last month I was in Paris and London, I found Paris significantly cleaner, cheaper and friendlier.

The first time I visited it felt magical. I went to the Louvre, up to the top of the Eiffel Tower, shopped on the Champs-Elysees, visited Versailles, went on a boat ride along the river, saw Notre Dame (wish I had gone in now!), went on the metro, saw plenty of protests and had a great time.

Second time I went was good too, I went for a concert so didn't go to a lot of the main landmarks but I did go past the Elysee Palace and had all the police watching me 😂went to some of the high-end shops too but didn't buy. The second time I felt it was a bit more run down but I think they were having a bin strike and riots at the time. I almost walked into a flaming mattress in the street!! I think it is a great city, I'm not in any rush to go back just because I've been twice now and fairly recently, but I will go again one day.

I lived in France and the French complained about the Parisians being rude, personally I did not find that to be the case despite being a tourist, really I think as long as you are polite to them then they will be polite back.

I adore Paris and have lived there twice! Wonderful wonderful city. Beautiful and clean.
However I can’t agree that the Parisians aren’t rude 🤣 I remember on more than one occasion some really rude staff in shops and hairdressers etc, huffing and puffing and generally being difficult and not wanting to help me, the customer. This is obviously generalising though as some are lovely, including many I worked with and became friends with…. Although these were mostly people from elsewhere in France or Europe who had moved to Paris!

My sister lived in Paris for a decade so visited it many times both pre and post kids.
there are many things I love about Paris but I would never rush back. Having been subjected to a violent attempt robbery with the perp spraying all of us including kids with pepper spray and the police being less than indifferent was the final straw.
my sister was subjected to sexual assault and racist abuse for being British on multiple occasions whilst living there and in different areas across the city.

I Personally prefer other cities across Europe as PP have said

Yes! ❤️

I really think to “get” Paris, you should go in the summer when it’s warm. Taking a night boat trip on the Seine, seeing the Paralympic opening ceremony from the river, the Eiffel Tower lit up, and everyone just out having a good time, no drunkenness or rowdiness like you get in London, but just people dancing to music by the river, hanging out chatting and having a drink and waving to the bateaux-mouches. The Seine has been cleaned up to the extent that people were being allowed to swim from the river beaches. It’s just so nice to spend time there now!

I was quite surprised as I used to travel to Paris a lot for work, but not for at least ten years or more, so the way it looked during the Olympics was completely new to me.

I was really disappointed by Paris. I expected to love it and I didn’t. I did really love Berlin though and I also loved Amsterdam.

I love London as I know it so well and it feels like part of my identity but in terms of enjoyment, Cambridge is nicer. Paris to me was just.. like any other city

I like Paris but I find the cigarette smoking in all outside seating just awful.
and the traditional cafes serve pretty bad food. Nice restaurants are fantastic as are some modern eateries but the street lined cafes full of smoking Parisians are not great

I absolutely adore Paris, we arrived on Monday and staying until Saturday. Everyone has been so helpful and friendly going out of their way to help. The restaurants have been really good, prices similar to uk restaurants.
We have found the streets clean and tidy.
It still has the magic I remember each time we visit.
I totally agree with OP. 🇫🇷🌺

YABU not to explain Paris syndrome.

I would love to have someone currently experiencing Paris Syndrome in front of me so I could ask them proper questions about their expectations and what exactly was so horrifying about the reality. I used to live there years ago, and then had to choose between a job in London and a Paris job and chose London, I think rightly — but I still visit often, have lots of friends there and still find it beautiful and engaging and fascinating.