Not quite romantic: what annoys tourists in France

France is usually associated with romantic moods, majestic palaces, croissants for breakfast, and wine and baguette and cheese at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.

But when you visit the country, reality can be radically different from your expectations. Doctors have even coined a name for this phenomenon - "Paris syndrome. It is about the feeling of disappointment and depression among tourists who came to the capital and were dissatisfied with what they saw.

So you do not catch the "disease" with a romantic name, we've made a list of the main disadvantages of France. After all, as the Latin proverb says, "Forewarned is forearmed".

Tourist raids.

Popular attractions can be crowded, especially during peak season. To get to the observation deck of the Eiffel Tower, for example, you'll have to wait in line for hours and go through more rigorous screening than at some airports.

If after an exhausting wait you would like to have a picnic at the foot of the structure, be prepared that a free piece of lawn is still to be found. And you'll be lucky if the grass is not trampled.

Tip: The Eiffel Tower is best admired from afar. We recommend choosing the staircase of the Sacré Coeur in the Mont-Martre district.

Queues and crowds

To be in Paris and not see the Mona Lisa is considered a deadly sin by most travelers. That's why the line to the Louvre lines up even before the opening of the museum.

And even once inside you can be upset by the crowd wanting to take pictures of the legendary painting by Leonardo da Vinci. Because of the constant flashes of the cameras, a lot of glare forms on the protective glass, which prevents you from seeing the enigmatic smile of Gioconda.

Tip: The best solution is to buy a ticket to the museum in advance. In this case you will also get to the queue, but much shorter. And remember: the Louvre has a huge collection of world art, which you can enjoy for hours without crowds.

The Language Barrier

Most Frenchmen speak English well, but for some reason are fundamentally unwilling to speak it. Be prepared for the fact that the staff in cafes and restaurants will not understand you or can only give you a menu in French.

Tip: Pre-install on your phone application translator that you can use without connecting to the Internet. It is also useful to learn a few simple phrases. Sometimes when the French see that you try to speak "their" language, they become kinder and get along easier.

Surprises in the parking lot

Cozy narrow streets are very romantic, but not for drivers. If you travel in your own car, get ready for a long and boring search for a parking space. Almost all parking lots here are paid, and you can leave your vehicle on their territory for no more than two hours.

Another surprise that may unpleasantly surprise you is the French manner of parking. Quite often drivers may slightly expand the parking space by pushing other people's vehicles with their own car. Be prepared for this.

Advice: the best option is to leave the car near the house and travel by public transport. If you do decide to drive, we recommend paying attention to underground parking lots. Usually there is more space, and they are under 24-hour security.

Aesthetic Shock

You often hear from experienced travelers that Paris is dirty. We won't disagree, because sometimes even in the main streets there can be large piles of garbage that are in no hurry to clean up.

But really shocking to the unprepared tourist may be something else - open street urinals. Such public toilets were aimed at taking care of the environment. But why these structures are not designed more closed, remains unknown.

Tip: Don't focus on piles of garbage and public toilets. Focus on a positive experience.

A sense of danger

In large cities there are usually a lot of migrants of different nationalities. Some of them may annoy travelers by offering to buy various small things from them. Sometimes, when there are no sales, they become very angry.

Also beware of pickpockets in crowds. Unfortunately, this phenomenon is common not only in France, but also in many countries.

Advice: walk along tourist routes and do not make contact with too pushy street vendors. Keep valuables in a safe place that you are constantly in control, especially in crowds.

Despite all these drawbacks and potential problems, France is still a magical country with countless cultural and historical treasures. Be prepared for possible difficulties, but remember to find joy in every moment of your journey!

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