The capital of France is a popular European destination for travellers around the world. However, visiting Paris can be a mixture of well-loved and highly overrated experiences.

Overrated: Transportation

Metro stations are conveniently placed throughout the entire city and are extremely useful when you don’t have a car, unfortunately, the metro stations can also be unbelievably packed. They often have long queues and always have this endless stream of chaos running throughout the station. This “chaos” is quite unique to Paris and doesn’t really exist to this extent in other European cities.

Additionally, the taxi services seem fairly sketchy and can be very overpriced compared to other travel destinations. Paris does offer city buses, but the buses are not very reliable and are not maintained very well. In all honestly, the metro, taxi service, and buses seem to be quite outdated, dirty and run down.

Not Overrated: Wine and Cheese

Paris is brimming with amazing varieties of wines! From tasting tours, endless brands ranging from inexpensive to expensive, to all types of qualities and strengths of wine. To pair with these fantastic wines, the city offers a large assortment of cheeses where high-quality standards and regulations are a must! Be it Maroilles, Camembert, Munster or brie, you are guaranteed to have a wonderful time enjoying the delicious tastes of France.

Overrated: Very Crowded

Overcrowded areas can be a problem in Paris. In some locations in the city, it is almost impossible to move and quite suffocating at times. Specifically, this is usually found at major landmarks, museums, and other high-trafficked areas. Unfortunately, since the city is one of the most popular destinations in the world, it never quite seems to quiet down.

Not Overrated: Beautiful Architecture and Landmarks

Paris has some of the most beautiful landmarks and architecture in Europe dating back to the Middle Ages. The city is famous for its Gothic-style buildings and historic monuments from the French Renaissance. Paris is the perfect place for any history major, art lover, or tourist looking for something beautiful to experience. From the Eiffel Tower to the Arch of Triumph, Paris has something beautiful for everyone!

Overrated: Endless Hustlers

Hustlers, scammers, and pickpockets can be found all over Paris. At almost every tourist site throughout the city you will find this type of activity.

The most common types of scams include:

• The ring hustle
• The friendship bracelet
• The fake petition
• The fake deaf/mute
• Pickpockets

I found myself constantly dodging these hustlers to the point where I would have to pretend I didn’t speak English or French for my own safety. It can become very tiring! Sadly, many tourists simply become accustomed to the constant bombardment of these individuals and usually just give them money to simply be left alone. I would always try to quickly walk away and not verbally engage with the scammers as I notice any sign of engagement would result in some sort of harassment.

Not Overrated: Roof Top Bars and Night Life

I’ve heard some people say they don’t enjoy Paris nightlife, but I would have to disagree. Personally, my experience was quite amazing and enjoyable. In other words, try not to be too influenced by others’ experiences and try to make your own nightly adventures and memories. I found myself spending many nights hanging out with new friends from all around the world! We would explore beautiful rooftop bars, street festivals, and unique clubs spread across the city’s 20 districts (arrondissements). In the end, I have a large collection of unforgettable memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Click here for a list of the top nightclubs in Paris.

Overrated: Uncleaned Streets

Although the city does take initiative in cleaning the roads, due to the high volume of locals and tourists, there is almost always garbage littered in the streets. On top of that, the general scent of the city in many areas can be unbearable! It’s usually a strange mixture of garbage, urine, and who knows what else. This unpleasant scent is a common trend in many overpopulated cities around the world, therefore, I’ll have to give Paris a bit of a break on this one.

Not Overrated: Restaurants, Cafes, and Bakeries

Paris has a never-ending amount of delicious restaurants, bakeries, and cafes! From Michelin-starred restaurants to trendy bistros, Paris serves amazing French foods to its many tourists and locals. There is always an opportunity to try fresh croissants at your corner cafe, macaroons at Hermé or decadently rich hot chocolates at Angelina’s. You are guaranteed to experience a rich and delicious food culture while in Paris!

Overrated: The Weather

Surprisingly to most, Paris weather is quite similar to the London weather. Unfortunately, this means that it can get a lot of rain throughout the year. Moreover, Paris can reach quite cold winds and temperatures during the winter months. The weather can really affect plans for walking around the city, exploring outdoor landmarks, and shopping.

Not Overrated: Location for Day Trips

Paris is a perfect city for day trips! You can visit the Palace of Versailles, Disneyland Paris, and many chateaus that are less than an hour out of the city. In addition, Paris is a quick train ride or flight to another popular city or destination in France or even Europe. The perfect home base for any world traveller!

Overrated: Expensive…Very Expensive

Paris can be overwhelmingly expensive compared to many other cities in Europe. According to a 2019 report, Paris was the second most expensive city to live in next to Singapore! For over 10 years, Paris has been one of the topmost expensive countries in the world. Unfortunately, Paris continues to rise on the charts every year and there is no sign of decline in the near future. If you plan to travel to Paris, make sure to create a budget and find accommodations, food, and attractions within it.

Not Overrated: Museums and Street Art

Not shockingly, Paris is famous for its beautiful museums such as the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and Centre Pompidou. There are endless exhibits throughout the city to discover and explore! Within the city, there are incredible art districts and street art ranging from classical to edgy styles. While visiting, try to experience the many art shows, performances, art stores, and creative festivals scattered around the city.

Overrated: Uniqueness

Firstly, Paris may be a beautiful city, but I feel like it would be over-exaggerating to call its beauty “unique”. This is simply because there is no difference in the quality of beauty when comparing Paris to other European countries such as Rome, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, or London. Secondly, all of Europe is rich in culture, foods, and the arts and I strongly believe that these characteristics are not just unique to Paris.

Not Overrated: French Culture

The French culture is a beautiful thing to experience! While in Paris, you can learn about its rich customs, historical history, fashion, cuisine, and the beautiful French language. There are many different classes offered in Paris where you can learn all sorts of things about the magical capital of France.

Overall, Paris should be on everyone’s travel bucket list! The city may have a few cons, but its vibrant culture makes it a must-visit travel destination. I truly believe that everyone should visit the city at least once in their life to experience the city for themselves.

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Safe travels,

Carina