Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world, and I dare say, one of the most beautiful, but not everyone leaves the city feeling impressed.
Every year, thousands of tourists come with big expectations, only to find the city more overwhelming, crowded, or a little different from what they initially imagined.
Some even leave, saying they’ll never come back, and that it’s been the most underwhelming place they’ve ever been to! So much so that there is something known as the Paris syndrome, which Wikipedia describes as “ a sense of extreme disappointment exhibited by some individuals when visiting Paris, who feel that the city does not live up to their expectations.”
And while some of the complaints are warranted because Paris has its own share of problems like any big city, others usually come from not knowing how things actually work here.
So, as someone who lives in Paris and has made it their mission to help tourists have an amazing time here, I am going to share some of the reasons some tourists end up hating Paris, but most importantly, how you can avoid the mistakes they make, so you don’t hate your trip too.
Reasons Some Tourists End Up Hating Paris
1. Having Unrealistic Expectations
Paris is often portrayed as a fairytale city in movies, TV shows like Emily in Paris, and on social media, but at the end of the day, it’s still a real city. Some visitors arrive expecting spotless streets, no crowds, and pure romance around every corner (after all, Paris is the city of love), only to feel let down when they come across traffic, noise, dirty streets, or graffiti.
The best way to avoid this kind of disappointment is to come with an open mind. Paris has so much beauty and history to offer, but it’s also not always picture-perfect, and that’s okay. It’s a city where people live, work, and commute, so the daily messiness that comes with big cities is part of the experience.
You might spot pickpockets (here’s how to avoid being pickpocketed in Paris), deal with some weird metro smells, or see a strike or two, but knowing these things ahead of time can help you manage your expectations and enjoy Paris for what it truly is, not just what it looks like on screen.
2. Ignoring Cultural Etiquette
One of the easiest ways to rub Parisians the wrong way is by skipping over simple cultural habits. In Paris, basic politeness is very important, and not greeting a shopkeeper or server with a bonjour can come off as rude. Some visitors don’t realize this and then wonder why locals seem cold or unwelcoming.
If you want to avoid awkward exchanges, learn and use a few essential French words like bonjour for hello, s’il vous plaît for please, merci for thank you, and au revoir for goodbye. These small words make a big difference, and locals will almost always respond more warmly. Many tourists who leave disappointed say Parisians were rude, but more often than not, it starts with a missed bonjour.
3. Eating at Social Media Overhyped Restaurants
It’s easy to get caught up in the buzz of Instagram-famous cafés or settle for the closest place near a big monument. But these spots often come with overpriced menus and underwhelming food, which can leave visitors thinking that French cuisine is overrated. Paris has incredible food – you just have to know where to go.
Skip the touristy spots and wander into local neighborhoods instead. Even walking just 10 minutes away from the main attractions can lead you to cafés and bistros with better food, warmer service, and more reasonable prices. As a rule of thumb, if a menu has pictures, an endless list of dishes, or a server trying to lure you in from the street, you’re better off walking a bit farther, as that’s likely a tourist trap.
If you’re not sure where to go, our Paris itineraries (which cover 2 to 6 days) include local restaurant suggestions with great food along each route.
4. Falling for Scams
Another reason some tourists end up hating Paris is that they fall for common scams. As one of the most visited cities in the world, Paris unfortunately attracts its share of scammers.
You might come across people asking you to sign fake petitions, offering friendship bracelets near Sacré-Cœur, or overcharging you for simple things. And of course, pickpockets are especially active in crowded areas like the metro and around major landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.
The good news is that most of these can be avoided with a few simple habits. Be aware of your surroundings, trust your instincts, avoid engaging with people who approach you out of nowhere, and always keep an eye on your belongings, especially in busy areas. Scams can quickly ruin the mood of a trip, but knowing what to expect makes it easier to avoid them and enjoy your time in the city.
5. Poorly Planning Your Trip
One of the fastest ways to feel overwhelmed in Paris is by not having a plan. Without some structure, it’s easy to spend hours zigzagging across the city, wasting time in transit, or missing out on must-see spots because you didn’t realize how far apart things were. Last-minute decisions or trying to fit in too much without thinking about location can turn your dream trip into a frustrating experience.
The best way to avoid this is to group sights by area so you’re not going back and forth all day. It helps cut down travel time, keeps your energy up, and lets you enjoy each part of the city without rushing. If you’re not sure how to plan that out, or just don’t want to spend hours researching, our Paris itineraries offer ready-to-follow daily routes, with nearby sights grouped, and a Google Map with everything pinned, so you always know where to go next.
6. Spending all your time in touristy areas
It’s easy to stick to the big-name sights like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Arc de Triomphe. And while those are absolutely worth seeing, spending your entire trip in these busy areas can leave you with a version of Paris that feels crowded, overpriced, and a bit disconnected from daily life.
There’s so much more to Paris than the tourist spots. Some of the best moments happen in quieter neighborhoods, local markets, and small cafés where you’ll get a better sense of how the city really feels. Places like the 11th, 12th, or even parts of the 19th and 20th arrondissements may not be in every guidebook, but they’re full of charm and everyday Parisian life.
If you want a trip that feels more balanced, try mixing the must-sees with local neighborhoods. You’ll enjoy the city more, and likely spend less, too. Our Paris itineraries go beyond the big sights and guide you through the city like a local.
7. Trying to do too much in a short amount of time
One of the biggest reasons some tourists end up hating Paris is that they try to see everything in just a few days. With so many famous landmarks, museums, and neighborhoods, it’s tempting to squeeze in as much as possible, but rushing from one attraction to the next often leads to burnout and frustration.
Paris isn’t a city meant to be “done” in a checklist style. It’s best experienced at a slower pace, where you can actually take things in, whether that’s sitting in a café, walking along the Seine, or wandering through a market. Trying to cover everything too quickly means you’ll spend most of your time commuting or standing in lines, and not enough time actually enjoying the places you came to see.
If you only have a few days, focus on a few key areas, give yourself space to explore without feeling rushed, and leave some room for spontaneity.
8. Visiting Only the Big Museums
It’s no surprise that the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay are high on most people’s Paris lists, and yes, they’re absolutely worth seeing.
But only focusing on these big-name museums is another reason some tourists end up hating Paris. The crowds can be overwhelming, the lines long, and if you’re not a major art lover, the experience might feel more exhausting than enjoyable.
Paris has plenty of smaller, lesser-known museums that are just as impressive. Places like the Musée de l’Orangerie, Musée Jacquemart-André, Musée Carnavalet, Petit Palais, or Musée Rodin offer beautiful collections, quieter spaces, and a chance to explore Parisian art and history without the chaos. Some are even free to visit.
Adding a few of these into your trip not only gives you a break from the crowds but also lets you see a more relaxed and local side of the city.
9. Expecting American-Style Customer Service
If you’re visiting from the U.S., the difference in customer service might come as a surprise. In Paris, service tends to be slower and less focused on friendliness, not because Parisians are being rude, but because the culture around dining and shopping is different.
Servers won’t check in every few minutes or bring the check unless you ask. Retail staff might not greet you with a big smile or engage in small talk.
It’s not bad service, it’s just how things are done here. Yes, they’ll be polite, but not overly friendly as you might be used to in the US. In fact, in restaurants, being left alone is seen as respectful, giving you time to enjoy your meal without being rushed.
The key is adjusting your expectations. Once you understand the pace and tone of service in Paris, the whole experience becomes a lot smoother.
10. Expecting Everyone to Speak English
Paris is a major city, and yes, many people do speak at least some English, especially in the tourism sector. But expecting everyone to speak it fluently, or getting frustrated when they don’t, is one of the reasons some tourists end up feeling unwelcome.
While you’ll be able to get by in English at hotels, museums, or restaurants near landmarks, it’s still polite to start with a few words in French. Even beginning every conversation with something as simple as Bonjour, parlez-vous anglais? (which means “Hello, do you speak English?”) can make a big difference in how people respond to you.
Parisians generally appreciate the effort, even if your French isn’t perfect. It shows respect for the local culture and often leads to warmer interactions, which can completely change how you experience the city.
Final Thoughts on Reasons Some Tourists End Up Hating Paris
Paris is an incredible city, but like any destination, it’s not perfect, and a lot of the frustration some visitors feel comes from mismatched expectations. Whether it’s cultural differences, falling into tourist traps, or trying to see too much in too little time, these are often the reasons some tourists end up hating Paris.
But if we’re being honest, many of those letdowns can be avoided with the right mindset and a bit of preparation. If you approach the city with curiosity instead of a checklist, take time to explore both the famous sights and the quieter corners, and learn a little about how things work locally, your experience will be much more rewarding.
