Is Paris Worth a Visit? 12 Reasons I’m Hesitant to Return to the City of Light

It’s hard not to wonder if reality will live up to the romantic ideals portrayed in movies and social media, especially when you’re investing a lot of money in a destination that might let you down due to crowds, high prices, and safety concerns.

So, before you journey all the way there, you may be wondering, ‘Is Paris worth visiting?’

Having spent eight days visiting Paris in 2013 with my aunt, experiencing everything from world-class museums and incredible food to uncomfortable situations and disappointing attractions, I’m hesitant to say if I’ll ever return to Paris.

That admission might surprise you coming from a travel blogger, but it’s based on my experience rather than travel snobbery or clickbait negativity.

While the food truly was exceptional (Angelina’s hot chocolate and Laduree’s macarons lived up to every expectation), and seeing the Mona Lisa is a must as a da Vinci fan, I also encountered genuine safety concerns and had experiences where I felt unwelcome, and was underwhelmed by attractions like the Palace of Versailles.

From dealing with overwhelming crowds at iconic landmarks to experiencing the reality gap between movie Paris and actual Paris, I learned that this divisive city deserves an honest evaluation rather than blind recommendations—which is exactly why I’m sharing both the legitimate pros and cons so you can decide for yourself whether Paris is worth your precious vacation time and budget.

This comprehensive evaluation is perfect for first-time Paris visitors trying to set realistic expectations, budget-conscious travelers weighing whether Paris justifies the expense, and anyone seeking truthful insights about both the genuine highlights and legitimate drawbacks of visiting one of the world’s most talked-about destinations.

Paris at a Glance

The Pros and Cons of Visiting Paris

What first-time visitors often get wrong about Paris is that they think it’s exactly like the movies or TV shows, specifically Emily in Paris, as of late.

Yes, we all know expectations vs. reality can vary, but I found that it varied most widely in Paris.

For those visiting Paris for the first time, about the only thing I found to hold up to what I had heard about France’s capital is just how good the food is!

The following pro and con list will help you avoid common disappointments and set realistic expectations for your trip so you can decide ‘Is Paris worth visiting?’ for yourself.

Pros of Visiting Paris:

1. World-Class Art and Culture

Most obviously, the art museums are one of the top reasons to visit Paris.

On my trip to Paris, I only visited the Louvre, but the Musée d’Orsay and Rodin Museum are also extremely popular.

Anyone who’s even moderately interested in art will love Paris!

The same goes for its culture, with a thriving theater and music scene, you’ll easily get lost in the Parisianness of it all.

2. Culinary Excellence

What I loved most about Paris was the food!

I honestly don’t think I’ve tasted such good bread, pasta, pastries, and desserts since!

If there’s one reason to visit Paris, it is to eat!

Here, you can experience everything from café culture to local markets to Michelin-starred restaurants. I especially savored Angelina’s hot chocolate and Laduree’s macarons.

When I visited Paris, I wasn’t well off enough to spend on expensive meals, but the nice thing about this city is that even good food doesn’t have to cost a lot.

3. Iconic Landmarks and Architecture

What would a trip to Paris be without seeing some of the legendary landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, and the Arc de Triomphe?

Even just the architecture throughout the city is captivating.

Those who visit for aesthetics won’t be disappointed.

Cons of Visiting Paris:

4. Overwhelming Tourist Crowds

While the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower are must-sees on a trip to Paris, because they are so iconic, they are often accompanied by long lines.

Even when I visited before COVID, I had been warned to show up to the Louvre as early as possible so that I could actually see the art rather than just standing in a mob all day.

Now, you can remedy some of this by booking in advance with a timed ticket, but know that no matter what you do, there will likely be a lot of people since Paris is one of Europe’s top destinations, especially if you plan on visiting during peak season (June to August or during the holidays).

5. High Costs

Paris is one of the most expensive cities I’ve experiences.

While it’s got nothing on Switzerland, Norway, or Denmark, it is still well up there.

When I visited, I found the most budget accommodation I could in a safe area. I wound up at the crappiest hostel I’ve ever stayed in.

Now, this was a few years back, and there are many more Paris accommodation options available now, but still be aware that you’ll likely have to pay a bit for decent accommodation.

Dining and experiences can also be expensive, so it’s best to check into tourist cards such as the Paris Museum Pass or Paris Pass to save a few bucks where you can!

6. Safety Concerns

I had two incidents in Paris that made me feel uncomfortable.

One was at a tourist attraction where I was eyed up and down by an employee, and another was on the streets of Paris when I was alone and had wandered outside of the tourist area and got quite a few stares as if to say ‘what are you doing here?’

To be clear, I was unharmed in both situations, but it didn’t make me feel safe either.

Before visiting, you need to learn how to be safe in Paris, so that you not only avoid these situations but also aggressive street vendors (I experienced quite a few around the Eiffel Tower) and scams.

My Paris packing list also includes safety essentials you can buy in advance to give you peace of mind.

7. Cleanliness Issues

I’ve seen others say they saw dog poop everywhere and it smelled horrible and all sorts of stuff.

While I’ll be the first to say almost any city is going to be somewhat dirty, it is still worth noting since some people seem to have the perception that Paris will be sparkling clean.

Metro stations aren’t spick and span either, so if that bothers you, I highly recommend other public transport, such as bus or train. While I can’t guarantee those will be amazing either, metros tend to be the worst in most cases since so many people use them.

8. Language Barriers and Service Differences

In most countries in Europe, you can get away with using English.

Sure, it’s nice to at least try to say ‘hello’, ‘thank you,’ etc., in the local language.

But, in Paris, I found that some staff, even in tourist areas, did not speak English so I had to rely on my middle school memory of French.

Of course, you can try to learn some phrases ahead of time, which I highly recommend. Tools such as the Mango Languages app and the Lingopie software can assist with this.

But if you don’t manage to pick up any French before you go, you may find yourself having a difficult time.

I once had a staff member at an ice cream shop who spoke no English and looked at me so bothered that I wound up pointing to everything I wanted to get across my order. It worked, but had it not, I wouldn’t have been able to order.

Not all Parisians will turn their noses up at your lack of French, but I will say that in no other country have I had anyone do that, only in Paris.

Do ensure you download Google Translate before you go, my guide on Paris apps shows you how.

Greetings and Polite Phrases:

• Bonjour: Hello (used till around 5 pm)
• Bonsoir: Good evening
• Au revoir: Goodbye
• S’il vous plaît: Please
• Merci: Thank you
• Excusez-moi: Excuse me

9. Transportation Frustrations

Paris loves to exercise their right to strike.

I have no hate against this, but it is something to be aware of, as it may impede your travel plans, as it did mine while I was on my way to Vienna, Austria.

I was flying from the USA, with a layover in Madrid, Spain, before landing in Vienna.

However, because we had to fly over France and they were striking, we were delayed by a day in Madrid. Our bags then got lost, and we were without our stuff for 3 days. Not a wonderful way to begin a trip.

When I visited Paris, luckily they weren’t striking, but I’ve heard from others who’ve been impacted on their trips by metro strikes and delays.

It’s also important to note that public transportation can be extremely crowded during peak times. Traveling outside of peak times may help relieve some of this stress if you don’t do well in crowds.

10. Limited Authentic Experiences

I know many want to experience that “real” Parisian life while they visit.

I hate to tell you, much of that is a fairy tale told to you in movies and TV shows. Though as a hotspot for filming, Paris is an excellent film and TV tourism destination.

It’ll also be very difficult to find non-touristy neighborhoods unless you venture further out, but as I mentioned in my section on safety, that may not be a wise choice depending on the area.

11. Lackluster Experiences

While some experiences in Paris are well worth the time, such as the Eiffel Tower, I don’t feel that some, such as the Palace of Versailles, were worth the hype.

As a big history nerd, I was excited to see this famous palace that I’d read so much about.

But when I arrived, it kind of felt empty emotionally (though crowded). They have insane stories involving the French monarchy, and none of that was touched on.

Versailles just didn’t cut the cake for me compared to a palace such as Hampton Court Palace, which immerses you in the past.

One castle that did wow me was Château de Pierrefonds; however, it is about an hour and a half outside of the city.

12. Better Value Destinations Available

If you’re on a strict budget, Paris isn’t likely the place for you, as it’s #22 on the list of the top 30 most expensive cities in Europe.

Several European alternatives offer art, history, food, and culture at a fraction of the price.

Some of my favorites are:

• Lisbon, Portugal
• Ljubljana, Slovenia
• Athens, Greece
• Vienna, Austria

Paris vs Other European Cities

How to Make Paris Worth Your Visit

If you’re still set on visiting Paris after my pro and con list for ‘Is Paris worth visiting?’, here are the practical Paris tips I have to make your trip worth it.

1. Visit during the shoulder season, April to May and September to October, as there will be fewer crowds and accommodations may be slightly more affordable
2. Don’t stay for too long, even 1 day in Paris can cover some of the main sights
3. Book attractions in advance, especially popular ones such as the Louvre and the Palace of Versailles
4. Stay in a neighborhood that’s safe but also near the sights you have in mind, so you minimize transportation time
5. Don’t just eat at the popular spots, they’re likely more expensive and require lining up or reserving far in advance
6. Align your schedule with free museum days if possible. Many Parisian museums, like the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, offer free admission on the first Sunday of the month. Some require booking in advance to secure your free ticket. If they don’t offer timed ticket reservations, make sure to show up early, as free days usually mean crowds, but if you’ve got the time, it could help you save a few bucks
7. Check if the Paris Museum Pass will help you save time or money. It all depends on what you’d like to do and how much time you have. With my 4-day Paris itinerary and my 2-day Paris itinerary, the Pass doesn’t really save you anything, because it costs about the same amount of money. However, when visiting Paris for 3 days, it can. However, even if it’s not a money-saver, it can be a time-saver with the skip-the-line advantage

Who Should Visit Paris?

Now that I’ve gone through the reasons not to visit Paris, with a few exceptions of why to visit, these are the types of travelers I think should consider another destination:

Paris is Worth Visiting If:

• You love art and museums
• You enjoy architecture
• Food is a major travel priority
• You’re dying to see historic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower
• Paris is on your bucket list
• You have room in your budget

Paris May Not Be Worth Visiting If:

• You’re traveling on a strict budget
• You dislike crowds
• You want off-the-beaten-path experiences
• You prioritize authentic local interactions
• You want to get a lot of bang for your buck

The Verdict: Is Paris Worth Visiting?

After spending eight days in Paris, I left with mixed feelings.

While I would return for the food, museums, and architecture, I would plan my visit very differently knowing what I know now.

If you’ve got your heart set on Paris, I get it. I visited for the same reason.

I just urge you to manage your expectations before you make the trip and truly evaluate what I’ve said in this guide to ‘Is Paris worth visiting?’ so that you’re not disappointed.

FAQs

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Header image by Léonard Cotte on Unsplash

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