Last Updated:
A viral video reveals a surprising side of Paris, showing that the city isn’t always the dream destination you imagine.
This video reveals a shocking side of the French capital. (Photo Credit: Instagram)
What comes to mind when you think of Paris? The city of love, filled with beauty and culture: the Eiffel Tower, charming street-side cafés, bustling city life and more. But one video circulating on social media shows a completely different side of the French capital.
While Paris may be admired as a dream destination, reality can be a stark contrast. Overcrowding, disillusionment and even physical discomfort can surprise first-time visitors.
A Video Reveals A Shocking Side Of Paris
Actor, traveller and filmmaker Vinayak Mishra is currently in Paris. While exploring the city, he was taken aback by a side of Paris he didn’t expect and shared his experience on social media with a video titled, “Paris gave me a plot twist in the first 5 minutes.”
In the video, he is seen stepping out of a metro station, only to be met with littered streets, shouting crowds and chaotic traffic. He exclaimed, “Kaha par hai ye? Ye Paris hai? Ye toh macchi market jaisa lag raha hai?” (Where is this? Is this Paris? It looks like a fish market). As he keeps walking, he eventually reaches a spot that resembles the European paradise often seen online. He then added, “This neighbourhood is normal, but the other place was weird. People are coming from all directions and screaming, as well as garbage lying around. I did not have this image of Paris in my mind.”
He Still Admires the Beauty of Paris
Despite encountering chaos, Mishra still admired the city’s charm. In the caption, he wrote, “Paris is real, raw, and still so beautiful. Paris is a multicultural city, and not every part looks the same. The area in this reel has a very different vibe, but that doesn’t mean the whole city looks like this. Just like in India, every place has different sides, and that’s what makes travelling so real and interesting.”
Netizens React
The video has already garnered over 1.5 million views. Netizens shared their reactions after seeing this surprising side of the city. One user wrote, “The other side of Paris they don’t wanna show us.”
Another user wrote, “Brother, stay in central Paris, if you are staying even slightly outside, then this is what you will get. Also don’t step out in such areas at night. It’s extremely unsafe.”
What Is Paris Syndrome?
Even with landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Louvre, some tourists report experiencing what’s known as “Paris syndrome.” While not officially classified as a psychological phenomenon, it is considered an extreme form of culture shock, occurring when the reality of Paris doesn’t match the highly romanticised image visitors have in their minds.
A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on what’s creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture.
Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google, News18’s viral page features trending stories, videos, and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!
Delhi, India, India
September 15, 2025, 16:09 IST
Read More
