When Paris Breaks Your Heart
A story about Paris — and two invitations to escape elsewhere
Hello from Marseille,
I’ve been looking at the stats for this newsletter, and apparently 83% of you are reading this newsletter form the United States! This makes me delighted, and I wonder whether some of you who have been to Paris can relate to this.
Recently, a friend told me about something I had never heard of before, and it made me laugh so much: The Paris Syndrome.
Apparently, some travelers, arrive in Paris expecting a city of accordion players, elegant Parisians sipping wine, and afternoons that look like a Dior campaign. Instead, they’re met with the reality: crowded metros, cigarette smoke, strikes, aggressive pigeons, and waiters who have no time for your café au lait pronunciation struggles.
The disappointment can be so intense that some people actually experience dizziness, anxiety, even depression. Doctors in Paris have diagnosed this as a psychological disorder! There is even a emergency hotline for tourists in shock after realizing Paris is not what they had in mind.
Of course, the syndrome says more about the gap between fantasy and reality than about Paris itself. But it’s fascinating how we build such strong myths about places — and how travel always comes with the possibility of these myths crumbling. Social media only increase this phenomenon, when you see beautiful curated images online, which usually don’t represent the reality, it’s understandable how people can be disappointed, even in shock.
So, tell me: have you ever experienced a “Paris Syndrome moment” somewhere in the world, where your dream destination collided with reality in a way that shocked you? Maybe not to the point of calling a hotline, but tell me about your experience if you landed to a place that was almost the opposite of what you expected.
Tell me about your own “Paris Syndrome” moments, I’m all ears.
American friends, ready for your next adventure? I’ve got two:
Monte LALALA, Oaxaca
After a short rainy-season break to make some improvements, my house overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Monte LALALA reopened just in time for Fall and Winter. Thanksgiving week is still available, just saying!
Book on Airbnb HERE or skip the fees and book by answering this email.
Marseille, France
Many of you have asked me about Marseille, which makes me so happy. If any of you are dreaming of a French adventure with some Mediterranean VAVAVOUM, let me know. A house I know very well will be available from November 1st 2025 to August 15th 2026: a beautifully furnished six-bedroom home with a pool, just a block from the sea, and only three hours from Paris by train. (And the rent? About the same as a one-bedroom apartment in New York)
If you’re tempted to taste the Mediterranean lifestyle without committing long-term, drop me a note, I’ll happily send you details and photos.
Thank you for reading! <3
—Maud
I had the Paris Syndrome moment...with Paris! I first went in 2010 (from Australia) and expected it to match the Parisian 'dream' that is sold to us - the kind of sweet, chic fantasy that Australian illustrator Megan Hess portrays in her illustrations. Instead, it was gritty, a bit unfriendly, and I didn't always feel safe. I almost fainted at one point because I was looking for lunch that wasn't just a variation of carbs and cheese! However, on that same trip, I travelled down to Provence and did a day tour of a lavender farm and surrounding villages. That was far more nourishing and dreamy!
But last year I returned to Paris for a couple of days, and it was a completely different experience. The Paris Olympics had finished a few months before, and it felt like the city had been cleaned up. (Plus I was staying somewhere nicer than the youth hostel I stayed in 14 years earlier!). The second time around, I had a better idea of what to expect - the city has more depth, more layers. I was able to accept it for what it was rather than overlay it with my expectations. I just loved soaking up the scenery around the Seine, and felt excited every time I spotted the Eiffel Tower. The city still holds mystery and intrigue to me, and I'm not done with it yet!
Hi Maud, I have never been to Paris but about 50 years ago my late husband was in the service in Germany and he had the chance to go to Paris and Holland. He told me he was really not impressed with Paris at all. It was nothing like he thought it would be. lol. On the other hand he thought Holland was a very beautiful place. I live in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. and have been to Chicago, which I didn't like much and to N.Y. where I saw Wally, Tim and Kris perform at the Rockwood Music Hall. You were there too but I didn't get a chance to talk to you before you had to leave. It was in 2019. Seeing the guys play was the only reason I went to N.Y. so I didn't see much but the Rockwood. I got to talk to all three of them and even watched their sound check before the show! They were all super nice and I enjoyed myself immensely. I hope you and your family are all happy and well. :) - Jean