Is Paris Really As Overrated As TikTok Says? Here’s How To Make Your Trip Worthwhile
Over the past few months, there has been a large wave of influencers and tourists claiming that Paris is overhyped and not worth visiting. Before you take their word for it, consider this: Paris is what you make of it.
Ah, Paris. The city of love, macarons, palaces…and also graffiti, trash, and dirty public transport. Too many Americans have booked flights expecting to land in a glorified theme park, only to realize they’ve arrived in a city like any other. The Japanese call it Paris syndrome: “a state of severe culture shock” that visitors experience when the famed metropolis “fails to live up to expectations.” But just because Paris may not be a utopia doesn’t mean you can’t still have an enjoyable time there. Here’s how to make the most of your trip.
Setting Realistic Expectations
In the latter half of 2023, TikToker @malfoy_drayco went viral for a series of videos in which he “exposed” the reality of Paris to his American audience. Malfoy, like many other Americans, had been conditioned to imagine Paris as a dreamlike world removed from all the inconveniences of reality. Obviously, his real experience with the city was far from that, and he hasn’t been shy about expressing his disappointment. His most popular video has garnered over 40 million views and 6 million likes.
Malfoy isn’t alone, though. Plenty of Americans who grew up romanticizing Paris for the extremely idealized version we saw in blockbuster movies and perfume advertisements are now becoming more and more disenchanted with the city. Though Paris has a centuries-old reputation for civil unrest (RIP Louis XVI), the city’s reports of rioting and turmoil only seem to grow more frequent as the years go on.
So, is the heyday of Paris truly over? While it may not be as magical as you’ve always imagined (few things ever are), the truth is that your experience in the city can largely depend on you. Taking action to plan a trip that you’ll enjoy and being mindful of your safety in the process will get you much closer to the fairy tale Parisian experience than not doing these things will.
Creating Your Itinerary
Paris has plenty to offer for people of varying interests. Enjoy the arts? You’ll have the time of your life watching a show at the National Opera or wandering through the 1st Arrondissement’s countless museums. Love fashion? You’ll have fun stalking famous vintage fashion stores like Takk Paris or visiting the breathtaking Dior Galerie, which features historical designs and couture pieces dating all the way back to the founding of the legendary fashion house.
There are also a number of enchanting day trips you can take without too much hassle from the city, with my personal favorite being the Palace of Versailles. Sure, it’s a cliché destination, but trust me, the photos barely do justice to the real thing. A word of advice when visiting Versailles, though: Travel during the off-season if you’d like to actually explore the palace instead of getting crowded by a bunch of other eager tourists. Also, hire a travel guide to give you a tour of the grounds and explain the palace’s history to you. You’ll appreciate places like Versailles so much more when you understand all the history, labor, and drama that has gone into building and preserving them.
In fact, paying for guided tours through every historical destination you plan to visit is a worthwhile investment. Guides will be able to show you which areas of the monuments are actually worth exploring and point out things you would’ve never noticed on your own. It’s also handy to be around an expert who speaks English in these places, in case you need to ask any pressing questions like where to find a bathroom or a staircase. Skip-the-line entrance tickets to palaces and museums are also a plus if you’re willing to spend the extra money – who wants to waste half of a trip standing around in line?
Unless you’re really desperate to get a good photo for social media, it might be best to avoid the highly Instagrammable sectors of Paris like Café de Flore. Locals avoid these places like the plague, and why would you fly across the Atlantic to be surrounded by American influencers posing for their followers when you could just drive to L.A. for the same sight? To get a more authentic Parisian experience, seek out spots beloved by locals like Canal Saint Martin and Rue Montorgueil.
Prioritizing Your Safety
Not everyone sees Paris in as negative a light as TikToker Malfoy does; some are almost unbelievably optimistic. American expat Amanda Rollins (@americanfille) created her own TikTok series detailing everything she loves about living in Paris, despite numerous negative experiences like being assaulted and robbed. Rollins’ positive attitude despite her unfortunate circumstances is inspiring, but that doesn’t mean you have to bear the same crimes that she’s had to deal with while in Paris. Traveling is dangerous if you’re a woman – and doubly so if you’re traveling alone – but there are precautions you can take to look out for yourself. Luckily, Rollins has shared some tips that she has learned over the years to avoid common scams.
Unfortunately, while these scams may be easy to fall for and end up spiraling into negative altercations, they’re far from the most violent incidents you can experience in Paris. In case you find yourself in a truly dangerous situation while traveling, make sure you know what emergency numbers to dial in your location (the Europe-wide emergency number is 112; in France specifically, the number 15 will call for medical services, the number 16 will call the police, and the number 18 will call for fire services). Additionally, keeping a mini First Aid kit on you will ensure that you’re prepared for anything.
Besides being financially scammed or physically hurt, you can also experience petty theft in Paris, but this is more of a general big city problem than a Parisian one. Keep your belongings extra secure while using public transport where pickpockets abound. And keep your phone within your sight at all times: Some tourists have reported putting their phone down on a table at a busy restaurant, enjoying their meal, then going to grab their phone only to realize that it’s gone.
Closing Thoughts
Paris, like most other experiences in life, comes with positives and negatives. But if it's been a mainstay on your bucket list for years, don’t let naysayers persuade you not to go. After all, if Paris wasn’t worth it, the city wouldn’t have inspired so many songs and poems over the centuries. By realistically adjusting your expectations, planning your trip wisely, and staying vigilant, you can ensure that you have the best time possible.
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