Hello from Marseille,
I’ve been looking at the stats for this newsletter, and apparently 83% of you are reading this newsletter form the United States! This makes me delighted, and I wonder whether some of you who have been to Paris can relate to this.
Recently, a friend told me about something I had never heard of before, and it made me laugh so much: The Paris Syndrome.
Apparently, some travelers, arrive in Paris expecting a city of accordion players, elegant Parisians sipping wine, and afternoons that look like a Dior campaign. Instead, they’re met with the reality: crowded metros, cigarette smoke, strikes, aggressive pigeons, and waiters who have no time for your café au lait pronunciation struggles.
The disappointment can be so intense that some people actually experience dizziness, anxiety, even depression. Doctors in Paris have diagnosed this as a psychological disorder! There is even a emergency hotline for tourists in shock after realizing Paris is not what they had in mind.
Of course, the syndrome says more about the gap between fantasy and reality than about Paris itself. But it’s fascinating how we build such strong myths about places — and how travel always comes with the possibility of these myths crumbling. Social media only increase this phenomenon, when you see beautiful curated images online, which usually don’t represent the reality, it’s understandable how people can be disappointed, even in shock.
So, tell me: have you ever experienced a “Paris Syndrome moment” somewhere in the world, where your dream destination collided with reality in a way that shocked you? Maybe not to the point of calling a hotline, but tell me about your experience if you landed to a place that was almost the opposite of what you expected.
Tell me about your own “Paris Syndrome” moments, I’m all ears.
After a short rainy-season break to make some improvements, my house overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Monte LALALA reopened just in time for Fall and Winter. Thanksgiving week is still available, just saying!
Book on Airbnb HERE or skip the fees and book by answering this email.
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Many of you have asked me about Marseille, which makes me so happy. If any of you are dreaming of a French adventure with some Mediterranean VAVAVOUM, let me know. A house I know very well will be available from November 1st 2025 to August 15th 2026: a beautifully furnished six-bedroom home with a pool, just a block from the sea, and only three hours from Paris by train. (And the rent? About the same as a one-bedroom apartment in New York)
If you’re tempted to taste the Mediterranean lifestyle without committing long-term, drop me a note, I’ll happily send you details and photos.
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Thank you for reading! <3
—Maud
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