expectations vs. reality

The city of Paris is a favorite city of tourist destinations that are very much aimed at world tourists. Beauty to his romanticism is so often heard in the ear, but when all that is just a mere expression, it is disappointed.

A sense of disappointment in the city of Paris that was not as expected was called Paris Syndrome. That is what is felt by a cultural and language expert, Salvador Ordorica, when he first set foot to the tourist icon there Champs-Elyesees and Arc de Triomphe.

“The place is the same as Disneyland and does not offer the charm that I expect from Paris,” Ordorica was quoted as saying from Travel + LeisureTuesday (8/7/2025).

Yet according to him long before the ‘Emily in Paris’ series made Paris more popular, the city had long been considered a dream destination. Millions of tourists come every year to see firsthand the splendor of the Versailles Palace or witness Mona Lisa’s mysterious smile at the Louvre Museum, but in reality not everyone returns from Paris with a flowering heart.

Not a few people who felt disappointed when they finally arrived in Paris and found a reality that was not as beautiful as their shadow. The term Paris Syndrome itself was first introduced by Hiroaki Ota, a Japanese psychiatrist who worked in France in the 1980s.

He noted that many tourists, especially from Japan experienced symptoms such as anxiety, dizziness, and even hallucinations because they felt that the paris they met was very far from expectations.

Now, Paris Syndrome is not only experienced by Japanese tourists, on the Reddit platform or other travel forums, many similar stories are found from people who feel cheated by their own expectations. Paris is often described as a city full of beauty, romance, and visual wonders, both in films, social media, and luxury brand advertisements.

“Paris is heralded in films, social media, and luxury brands, and people build a mental image of an ideal city full of beauty and romance,” explained Ordorica.

But once it arrived and saw the real side of the city that was jammed, rain, residents who sometimes look unfriendly disappointment can appear.

“When people come in the hope of perfection, but instead faced with the reality of daily life in Paris, the existing contrast can be very surprising,” he continued.

Before traveling to Paris, it is better for tourists to prepare more realistic expectations. The city does have a charming side such as a calm Ile Saint-Louis, a magnificent notre-dame cathedral, or a rocky road filled with street musicians in Montmartre.

But don’t forget that Paris is also inhabited by more than two million people and like other big cities, of course there is a busy, noisy side, and not always fun.

“Paris is chaotic and poetic, angry and generous. This city is normal, like other cities. The city is jammed, noisy, political problems, rainy days, and many unpleasant people,” said Ordorica.

“Yes, this city is amazing in many ways, full of beauty, delicious culinary, and extraordinary architecture, but don’t forget that there is a real and imperfect side there. This will help you enjoy your time more,” he said.

(upd/wsw)