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, exactly.

You are a turkey voting for Christmas

@2wheeler2025i would prefer for my thread not to be derailed by racist nonsense , thank you .

How would people honestly feel about their DDs (18 years and older) roaming around Paris at night on their own?

I worry and can't sleep when my DD is coming back home alone in London itself.

I have never heard of Paris Syndrome or ever not enjoyed being in Paris. I prefer other places in France but they aren’t comparable places.

Paris in TV shows is romanticised and idealistic and beautiful and pretty. The TV shows don't show the littering and garbage, the rats, the pickpockets.

In the previous millennium some people (non native french) tried robbing DH and I after a night out. We fought them off thankfully. We've been back with family but were cautious to not let DC out of our sights.

I went to Paris in 1986. Went for a meal, next day I was quite ill (vomiting/diarrhea), assume it was food poisoning. Once I felt well enough to take some food, it was bread and cheese for me. It poured with rain much of the time, (August), Parisians were quite rude. Louvre - queue for the loo so had to rush outside to throw up; Pompidou centre was warm and managed to dry off a bit from the rain. Was dreading getting the ferry back, but strangely, as soon as I left French soil, I felt well and celebrated with a whisky! Never returned to Paris.

Louvre is too humid.. Much prefer the stuff we have in London

Well it's not a derailment is it?

Paris syndrome originates from Japanese tourists shocked at the "culture" difference of Paris. Let's not beat around the bush and acknowledge that this cultural difference is not due to the beautiful architecture, good food and wine

I have been to Paris countless times ( family, work mainly) and speak French and still think it’s an overrated shit home!

This.

Vienna seems to deserve the reputation Paris gets. It's beautiful and the bakeries are much better. And it's much cheaper.

My German is not a great deal better than my French, except that when I go to German speaking countries, my errors aren't met with eye rolling and sighs. My Czech is abysmal, but somehow accepted and appreciated. My Welsh is poor, but I get a lot of encouragement. For some reason I can speak a few phrases in Polish as good as a native.

My French is mysteriously fine in African countries, but unintelligible in France.

So yeah, I think they do have an attitude problem. We travel pretty widely and have only ever felt unwelcome in France, and not just Paris too.

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.

True

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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 .

I stay up for pick them from the station.

Me too !

Mum power!

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

Each to their own.