Something strange has been happening to Paris, the city I once adored. What used to be magical walks along the Seine have become exercises in crowd navigation. The charming bistros where I’d linger over wine now feel rushed and expensive. After countless trips to what many call the City of Light, I’ve made a difficult decision: I’m no longer visiting Paris regularly, and according to recent surveys, I’m not alone.
The Crime Reality That Changed My Mind
Let me be clear about something that shocked me during my recent visits. Non-violent street crime targeting tourists is the greatest concern. When I walk through Montmartre or near the Eiffel Tower now, I’m constantly watching over my shoulder.
Petty theft of all kinds, including phone snatching, bag snatching, pickpocketing, and scams, abounds in the city. Just last year, a close friend had her phone snatched right outside the Louvre. The ease with which these crimes happen is genuinely disturbing.
Crime data released by the Interior Ministry last year indicates that general crime rates in the city have been steadily rising in recent years, especially theft and burglary. These aren’t just statistics on a page. They represent real experiences that make you question whether exploring a city should feel this stressful.
When Tourist Taxes Became Prohibitively Expensive
One significant approach is the increase in tourist taxes, expected to double in 2025. This was a gut punch for anyone who used to visit Paris regularly. The city is essentially pricing out many middle-class travelers.
Beyond the tourist tax, everything costs significantly more now. Hotel rates have skyrocketed, restaurant prices are astronomical, and even simple café experiences have become luxury purchases. Additionally, event-related increases in the tourism tax could compress travel budgets resulting in less spending at tourist attractions and retail establishments.
When a weekend trip starts costing more than a week-long vacation elsewhere in Europe, you begin to question the value proposition. Paris is pricing itself out of reach for many travelers who once considered it accessible.
The Overwhelming Crowds That Ruined the Magic
Paris is facing significant challenges in 2025 due to overcrowding, with significant visitor numbers expected, putting immense pressure on its landmarks, transport, and infrastructure. Last year, the city saw millions of visitors, and this number is set to surpass 50 million by the end of 2025.
Walking through central Paris now feels like navigating a theme park. Sacré-Cœur, one of the most visited monuments in France, and the surrounding Montmartre neighbourhood have turned into what some locals call an open-air theme park. The intimate, romantic atmosphere that made Paris special has been completely overwhelmed.
Paris has one of the highest tourism densities in Europe, with among the highest tourism densities in Europe. You literally cannot move comfortably through many areas anymore. The magic disappears when you’re elbowing through crowds just to catch a glimpse of the Mona Lisa.
Public Transportation Chaos and Safety Concerns
The Métro is overcrowded, especially on lines leading to tourist hubs. What used to be an efficient way to explore the city has become a nightmare during peak hours. I’ve found myself waiting for multiple trains just to squeeze into overcrowded cars.
Thieves operate around major tourist sites such as Montmartre and the Eiffel Tower and on public transportation such as the Metro and RER trains. The metro system, once a pleasant way to discover different neighborhoods, now feels like running a gauntlet.
Subways are not safe. Taxis are gross and food is very very expensive. There is absolutely nowhere to go after dark. These words from another disappointed visitor echo my own experiences perfectly.
Environmental Degradation You Can Actually See
Tourism is estimated to be responsible for 8% of greenhouse gas emissions in the world and environmental problems arise locally. Walking through Paris now, you notice the environmental strain everywhere.
Streets and parks see a rapid accumulation of litter during peak seasons. The banks of the Seine, once tranquil, now collect everything from discarded water bottles to scooters tossed in for TikTok stunts. The pollution isn’t just in the air; it’s visibly destroying the city’s beauty.
The overwhelming number of tourists considerably contributes to various environmental stresses,including air pollution and waste management issues. You can actually smell and see the difference in air quality compared to even five years ago.
The Loss of Authentic Parisian Culture
Local staples like butchers, bakeries and grocers are vanishing, replaced by ice-cream stalls, bubble-tea vendors and souvenir T-shirt stands. The neighborhoods I once loved for their authentic character have been completely transformed.
In districts like Le Marais, a hub of Jewish history and bohemian culture, traditional bakeries and bookshops are being replaced by cookie-cutter boutiques and crepe stands catering to tourists. The soul of the city is being systematically erased.
Local Parisians themselves are disappearing from their own neighborhoods. With a surge in short-term rentals catering to tourists, long-term residents frequently find themselves in fierce competition for housing, leading to increased rents and a housing shortage.
When Even Museums Become Unbearable
The Louvre logged 8.7 million visitors in 2024, more than double what its infrastructure was designed to handle. Visiting what should be a cultural highlight has become an endurance test.
The Louvre Museum, home to the Mona Lisa, now has to implement timed entry and crowd control strategies to manage foot traffic, often leaving visitors frustrated and locals discouraged from visiting their own cultural institutions. The experience has become more about surviving crowds than enjoying art.
The unrest echoes tensions across town at the Louvre Museum, where staff in June staged a brief wildcat strike over chronic overcrowding, understaffing and deteriorating conditions. Even the museum workers can’t handle the situation anymore.
The Growing Anti-Tourism Sentiment
As pressure mounts, so does local resentment. Anti-tourism graffiti like “Tourists go home” and “This isn’t Disneyland” have begun appearing in heavily visited areas. When locals are literally telling visitors to leave, you know the situation has reached a breaking point.
The warmth and friendliness that Paris was known for have been replaced by exhaustion and frustration. Ask any Parisian, and they’ll tell you: the city doesn’t feel the same. You can feel this tension in every interaction.
What hurts most is knowing that my decision to avoid Paris contributes to a larger pattern. The city that inspired millions is now driving away the very people who once loved it most. Until significant changes address these fundamental problems, many of us who once called Paris our favorite destination will sadly be exploring elsewhere.