As a travel writer, I occasionally reminisce over old photos to get inspiration for my next article. One of my first ever trips was a three week stint in Europe: London, the English Countryside, Brighton, and Paris. While, I could have kept my trip focused in Britain, I couldn’t resist the proximity to perhaps the most famous travel destination in the world. As I looked at these cherished memories of five short days in the “City of Light”, it got me thinking. Rather than write another “Things to Do in Paris” article to clutter the internet, I want to explore a curious phenomenon called “Paris Syndrome” and why, in my opinion, it says a lot about what’s wrong with the way many of us travel.
These are simply my opinions, observations, and “ponderings”. I am not a scholar on this subject and seek no harm or slander toward anyone.
What is Paris Syndrome?
So, what is Paris Syndrome anyway? Paris Syndrome is described as the disappointment and extreme distress some visitors to Paris experience when the city does not match the idealized version they expect. This could certainly apply to many popular destinations but there is a reason that Paris gets the namesake. This is a place that through films, literature, and music has seared a very strong romanticized image in the minds of people all over the globe for centuries: A city of romance and beauty, the je ne sais quoi of the impossibly stylish locals as they waltz down the street with a baguette in tow, accordion music in the air, a glowing image plucked straight from the film Amelie.
The thing is, you can definitely still experience some of that energy in Paris. It is indeed a place of unique beauty and charm but for some reason, a lot of travelers arrive and are shocked to find out that it’s also, well… a real city… with litter, traffic, crowds, and everyone you meet isn’t a barrel of sunshine. While this term was originally attributed oddly specifically to the disappointment by Asian tourists, the rise of social media has loaded the internet with harsh condemnations of Paris from content creators around the world. I should state, there are of course legitimate reasons for anger and disappointment while traveling such as crime, harassment or discrimination. However, the nature of criticisms admonishing Paris as “Overrated!”, “A Dump!”, “Not worth visiting!” seems rooted in rather unrealistic expectations.
My Paris Experience
I was certainly drawn to Paris by the classic romanticized images but went with an open mind to take in the city for what it was. I drank in the gorgeous, ornate architecture, had fun trying out my French with passersby, and spent hours pouring over the vast collections of historic art. Also along my journey were the aspects of any urban environment: the grit, the graffiti, and I stumbled upon some pretty raucous protests. To me, none of these things are to bemoan or complain about as they seemed to be with some travel influencers. If anything, these were the enlivening marks of a living, breathing city.
Sure, the massive crowds of tourists around the most popular areas were not so appealing: it was slightly unnerving to push my way through dense crowds of loud complaining tour groups and kitschy souvenir vendors. I felt the crowded spots also tended to have blander overpriced food: a sort of watered down façade of the “French experience” for tourists. However, it wasn’t difficult to be proactive and explore beyond these dense tourist spots to the quieter neighborhoods with more local charm and flavor. Even the crowds at popular monuments and museums could be somewhat evaded by visiting in the early mornings. So indeed, the parts of my Parisian adventure that were lackluster had nothing to do with Paris itself but rather what has been done to parts of Paris by way of something called overtourism.
What is Overtourism?
Overtourism describes the negative impacts of high volumes of travelers to a destination. This is exacerbated by the concentration of travelers during peak seasons like summer. The result is massive overcrowding which inevitably leads to increased levels of congestion, pollution, and even increased petty crime. Overtourism can also drive up the cost of living, causing animosity amongst locals and visitors alike.
What is the connection between Paris Syndrome and Overtourism? I believe they are both symptoms of a similar mindset towards travel. Perhaps the root of this mindset can be described as a passive visiting of a place “just to say you’ve been there”. It’s a lack of curiosity to explore lesser known parts of a location beyond the “Top 10 Highlights”, and thus concentrating thousands of visitors to a handful of small areas. It’s a sense of entitlement that often leads to a disregard for a country’s culture and customs and even violating the privacy of local residents. This has gotten so bad in countries like Japan that some areas in Kyoto recently banned tourists due to rude behavior such as touching the Geisha’s kimonos. During my travels, I recall witnessing things like customers complaining that there wasn’t an English menu, taking photos right on the doorsteps of private homes, and even disrespecting sacred monuments and temples.
In a similar way, I think the very nature of term “Paris Syndrome” demonstrates an attitude of entitlement. The entitlement of expecting any city or country to be like a fairy tale or how it is dramatized in movies or television. There is so much beauty to experience in the world and there’s nothing wrong with wanting to visit the places you’ve seen in art and media. However, one should always understand that the world is also full of complexity and imperfections. Traveling without care or intention (like going somewhere solely because it’s popular or thinking that everyone and everything should cater to your fantasies just because you’re on vacation), can surely intensify overtourism and its negative impacts.
No Cure for Paris Syndrome?
I frankly don’t see any reason someone should feel “Paris Syndrome” because no place is obligated to be a romanticized stereotype of itself in the first place. Nor does any city exist on a silver platter for the purpose of our entertainment and comfort. This article is not some defense of Paris being perfect and it’s alright if the city isn’t your cup of tea but it is by any measure a beautiful place with a lot to savor and explore. If we could move through the world with a more mindfulness and kindness, take a more proactive role in exploring beyond the tourist highlights, creating our own adventure, and appreciate places beyond their surface level, I believe there’s little reason to leave any trip disappointed.
