2024 Olympics: Understanding ‘Paris Syndrome’ and Its Impact on Foreign Tourists This Summer

Paris, renowned as the “City of Love,” famous for its accordion music and Montmartre paintings, attracts tourists from around the world with its romantic clichés and glamorous image often portrayed in international media. However, the French capital can reveal a different reality that some visitors might encounter upon arrival.

During the 2024 Olympic Games, tourists who idealize Paris may be vulnerable to what Japanese psychiatrist Hiroaki Ota has termed “Paris Syndrome” (or “Paris shōkōgun” in Japanese). This psychiatric condition primarily affects Japanese tourists, leading them to experience intense disappointment and emotional distress when their expectations of Paris clash with its everyday realities.

Those affected by Paris Syndrome may retreat to their hotel rooms to avoid confronting what they perceive as the disillusioning aspects of the city, such as crowded metros and issues of safety, which starkly contrast with the idyllic image they had imagined. This can result in anxiety, disillusionment, and even depression.

In practical terms, tourists suffering from Paris Syndrome find that the Paris they encounter does not match the romanticized version they anticipated. Instead of the charming accordion music and picturesque Montmartre artists, they may face the challenges of urban life, including busy public transport and language barriers. The discrepancy between the idealized image of Paris—often portrayed as a hub of luxury, refinement, and cultural splendor—and the reality of daily life can be jarring.

The language barrier further exacerbates the problem. Tourists unfamiliar with French may find themselves lost and overwhelmed, contributing to a sense of alienation.

As noted by Le Figaro in 2022, while among the 500,000 to one million Japanese tourists visiting Paris annually only a small number experience these symptoms, some may require hospitalization or a swift return to Japan due to the psychological impact of the syndrome.