We all plan a trip with some expectation in mind. And then there are some of the iconic destinations across the world, where people travel to fulfill lifelong dreams, like walking the streets they've seen in the movies, or to feel the magic that they've been romanticising for years. But sometimes, reality refuses to match the fantasy. Take Paris , for instance, often hailed as the pinnacle of beauty and romance, yet capable of revealing a far less enchanting side. For a small number of visitors, the City of Light feels less like a dream and more like a psychological ordeal. This rare condition, known as Paris Syndrome , turns the world’s most romantic city into an overwhelming, dizzying experience marked by anxiety, hallucinations, and even psychosis.
What exactly is Paris Syndrome?Coined in the 1980s by Japanese psychiatrist Dr. Hiroaki Ota, Paris Syndrome is an acute form of culture shock that occurs when a traveller’s idealised vision of Paris collides with reality. Ota first observed the pattern among Japanese tourists treated at Sainte-Anne Hospital Center in Paris, where visitors arrived in distress, confused, disoriented, and convinced the city was somehow hostile or surreal.
According to Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, when visiting Paris, some travelers experience “Paris Syndrome,” an intense sense of disappointment when the city fails to meet their idealised expectations. Considered an extreme form of culture shock, similar to Jerusalem Syndrome but without the religious element, it can trigger symptoms such as hallucinations, anxiety, delusions, derealization, and physical reactions like dizziness or rapid heartbeat. First identified in the 1980s by Japanese psychiatrist Hiroaki Ota at Sainte-Anne Hospital in Paris, the condition predominantly affects Japanese tourists, though cases have also been reported among visitors from other East and Southeast Asian countries.
In a study published in Unusual and Rare Psychological Disorders, “Paris syndrome” is regarded as a type of cultural shock affecting some Japanese tourists who visit the city. In general, international tourists are the largest group of people exposed to cross-cultural experiences, and their number is steadily increasing. Research has confirmed that being a tourist can be a stressful experience. Additional consideration is given to the consequences of “culture shock” for intercultural relations, including the attitudes and perceptions of tourists and members of the host society.
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Although anyone can feel disappointed by Paris, Japanese visitors appear most vulnerable due to the sharp cultural contrast and deeply ingrained romantic expectations. In Japanese media, Paris is often portrayed as an immaculate realm of elegance, think Amélie, perfume ads, and endless images of stylish Parisians strolling past the Eiffel Tower. When visitors finally arrive and encounter the city’s grittier realities, graffiti-covered walls, pickpockets, rude waiters, and crowded metro stations, the emotional dissonance can be profound.
Several factors amplify the shock:
Cultural ideals of politeness and service: In Japan, customer service follows the omotenashi philosophy, where guests are treated with near-reverence. Parisian brusqueness can feel hostile by comparison.
Language barrier: Many Japanese tourists speak limited French or English, which deepens confusion and isolation.
Social detachment: Japanese culture values group belonging. Travelling alone can heighten vulnerability and loneliness.
Safety expectations: Japan’s exceptionally low crime rates make Paris’s street scams or pickpocketing especially alarming.
As psychologist Hervé Benhamou put it, “When the idea they have of the country meets the reality of what they discover, it can provoke a crisis.”
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Famous cases and documented delusionsSome Paris Syndrome cases sound like scenes from surreal fiction. In 2007, Reuters reported that the Japanese embassy repatriated four tourists who believed their hotel rooms were bugged. Another visitor became convinced she was under microwave attack. One man insisted he was the reincarnation of Louis XIV, the French Sun King.
Other cities with similar syndromesParis Syndrome isn’t unique in the world of travel-related psychological phenomena. The Jerusalem Syndrome affects some religious pilgrims visiting Israel, who become convinced they are biblical figures or prophets. Doctors at Kfer Shaul Mental Health Centre in Jerusalem treat up to 100 tourists per year for such symptoms, with about 40 needing hospitalisation.
Meanwhile, in Italy, some visitors suffer from Stendhal Syndrome , named after the 19th-century writer Stendhal , who described feeling overwhelmed by Florence’s artistic beauty. Victims report heart palpitations, dizziness, and hallucinations upon viewing masterpieces like Michelangelo’s David or Botticelli’s Venus.
These conditions reveal a fascinating intersection of psychology and travel, where the power of imagination, culture, and expectation can literally alter perception.
The reality gap: Why we get so disappointedParis Syndrome, at its core, is about expectation versus reality. Social media, film, and advertising relentlessly sell Paris as flawless, every café charming, every street postcard-perfect. The truth, of course, is more nuanced. The city is breathtaking, but it’s also a living, breathing metropolis: sometimes dirty, sometimes loud, and not always welcoming.
First-time visitors expecting endless glamour may instead encounter traffic fumes, graffiti, and indifferent waiters. For most, these are minor annoyances. For a very small group, they can trigger severe disillusionment that spirals into crisis.
How to avoid this syndrome
The best antidote is realistic preparation.
Manage expectations: Understand that Paris has both splendour and flaws. The Eiffel Tower is dazzling; the metro smells less so.
Travel slowly: Don’t overpack your itinerary. Exhaustion magnifies culture shock.
Stay hydrated and rested: Fatigue worsens anxiety and emotional instability.
Learn basic French phrases: Even minimal effort at communication can bridge cultural gaps.
Accept imperfection: Every great city has its gritty corners — they’re part of its charm and authenticity.
Despite its darker undercurrents, Paris remains one of the most beautiful and culturally rich cities on Earth. Most visitors leave with glowing memories, not psychiatric distress. Yet the phenomenon of Paris Syndrome serves as a cautionary tale: our imaginations can be powerful enough to shape not only our expectations but our mental health.
The City of Light will always dazzle, but to see it clearly, one must first let go of the illusion.
What exactly is Paris Syndrome?Coined in the 1980s by Japanese psychiatrist Dr. Hiroaki Ota, Paris Syndrome is an acute form of culture shock that occurs when a traveller’s idealised vision of Paris collides with reality. Ota first observed the pattern among Japanese tourists treated at Sainte-Anne Hospital Center in Paris, where visitors arrived in distress, confused, disoriented, and convinced the city was somehow hostile or surreal.
According to Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, when visiting Paris, some travelers experience “Paris Syndrome,” an intense sense of disappointment when the city fails to meet their idealised expectations. Considered an extreme form of culture shock, similar to Jerusalem Syndrome but without the religious element, it can trigger symptoms such as hallucinations, anxiety, delusions, derealization, and physical reactions like dizziness or rapid heartbeat. First identified in the 1980s by Japanese psychiatrist Hiroaki Ota at Sainte-Anne Hospital in Paris, the condition predominantly affects Japanese tourists, though cases have also been reported among visitors from other East and Southeast Asian countries.
In a study published in Unusual and Rare Psychological Disorders, “Paris syndrome” is regarded as a type of cultural shock affecting some Japanese tourists who visit the city. In general, international tourists are the largest group of people exposed to cross-cultural experiences, and their number is steadily increasing. Research has confirmed that being a tourist can be a stressful experience. Additional consideration is given to the consequences of “culture shock” for intercultural relations, including the attitudes and perceptions of tourists and members of the host society.
Read more: Winter Char Dham Yatra: Where do the deities go when the Char Dham is closed for the winter season?
Although anyone can feel disappointed by Paris, Japanese visitors appear most vulnerable due to the sharp cultural contrast and deeply ingrained romantic expectations. In Japanese media, Paris is often portrayed as an immaculate realm of elegance, think Amélie, perfume ads, and endless images of stylish Parisians strolling past the Eiffel Tower. When visitors finally arrive and encounter the city’s grittier realities, graffiti-covered walls, pickpockets, rude waiters, and crowded metro stations, the emotional dissonance can be profound.
Several factors amplify the shock:
Cultural ideals of politeness and service: In Japan, customer service follows the omotenashi philosophy, where guests are treated with near-reverence. Parisian brusqueness can feel hostile by comparison.
Language barrier: Many Japanese tourists speak limited French or English, which deepens confusion and isolation.
Social detachment: Japanese culture values group belonging. Travelling alone can heighten vulnerability and loneliness.
Safety expectations: Japan’s exceptionally low crime rates make Paris’s street scams or pickpocketing especially alarming.
As psychologist Hervé Benhamou put it, “When the idea they have of the country meets the reality of what they discover, it can provoke a crisis.”
Read more: Countries with the lowest tourist visa fees in 2025
Famous cases and documented delusionsSome Paris Syndrome cases sound like scenes from surreal fiction. In 2007, Reuters reported that the Japanese embassy repatriated four tourists who believed their hotel rooms were bugged. Another visitor became convinced she was under microwave attack. One man insisted he was the reincarnation of Louis XIV, the French Sun King.
Other cities with similar syndromesParis Syndrome isn’t unique in the world of travel-related psychological phenomena. The Jerusalem Syndrome affects some religious pilgrims visiting Israel, who become convinced they are biblical figures or prophets. Doctors at Kfer Shaul Mental Health Centre in Jerusalem treat up to 100 tourists per year for such symptoms, with about 40 needing hospitalisation.
Meanwhile, in Italy, some visitors suffer from Stendhal Syndrome , named after the 19th-century writer Stendhal , who described feeling overwhelmed by Florence’s artistic beauty. Victims report heart palpitations, dizziness, and hallucinations upon viewing masterpieces like Michelangelo’s David or Botticelli’s Venus.
These conditions reveal a fascinating intersection of psychology and travel, where the power of imagination, culture, and expectation can literally alter perception.
The reality gap: Why we get so disappointedParis Syndrome, at its core, is about expectation versus reality. Social media, film, and advertising relentlessly sell Paris as flawless, every café charming, every street postcard-perfect. The truth, of course, is more nuanced. The city is breathtaking, but it’s also a living, breathing metropolis: sometimes dirty, sometimes loud, and not always welcoming.
First-time visitors expecting endless glamour may instead encounter traffic fumes, graffiti, and indifferent waiters. For most, these are minor annoyances. For a very small group, they can trigger severe disillusionment that spirals into crisis.
How to avoid this syndrome
The best antidote is realistic preparation.
Manage expectations: Understand that Paris has both splendour and flaws. The Eiffel Tower is dazzling; the metro smells less so.
Travel slowly: Don’t overpack your itinerary. Exhaustion magnifies culture shock.
Stay hydrated and rested: Fatigue worsens anxiety and emotional instability.
Learn basic French phrases: Even minimal effort at communication can bridge cultural gaps.
Accept imperfection: Every great city has its gritty corners — they’re part of its charm and authenticity.
Despite its darker undercurrents, Paris remains one of the most beautiful and culturally rich cities on Earth. Most visitors leave with glowing memories, not psychiatric distress. Yet the phenomenon of Paris Syndrome serves as a cautionary tale: our imaginations can be powerful enough to shape not only our expectations but our mental health.
The City of Light will always dazzle, but to see it clearly, one must first let go of the illusion.
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