A travel vlogger’s honest take on Paris has stirred the internet, showing a side of the city that rarely makes it to the postcards.
Paris may be known for its cobblestone streets, candlelit cafs, and striking architecture, but a Filipino travel vlogger’s recent video has reminded people that the French capital has its flaws too.
Gracie, a Sydney-based content creator, shared a reel of her recent walk through the city. But unlike the usual Eiffel Tower sparkle, her lens caught a grittier side, littered footpaths, overflowing bins, and street corners you wouldn’t want to step too close to.
“Look where you’re touching,” she warned in her post, adding, “Paris is breathtakingly beautiful! I’ve been to Paris over three times and I keep falling in love with it. The architecture, the history, the magic? It’s real. But I’d be lying if I didn’t say it also smells kinda funky, and the streets can be really dirty. Still worth the trip? Absolutely. Just maybe don’t romanticise it too much.”
Watch the video here:
The video struck a chord online, sparking conversations that went beyond Paris. While several users appreciated Gracie’s honesty, others couldn’t help but compare her comments to the criticism cities like Delhi or Mumbai often receive.
“It’s okay because it’s the West? But it’s not okay when it’s India,” one user pointed out. Another user said, “It’s a big city this happens in every big city. You could also focus on the positives instead.”
Not all comments were critical, though. Several users echoed her sentiments with their own experiences. “I studied there one summer, it’s rough, dirty, and sometimes scary. But the culture? The experience? Unforgettable,” a user wrote.
One of the users summed up the general feeling: “Yes, Paris is beautiful, but not that clean! Look up to the sky, and hope you don’t step on anything.”
See the comments here:
While Gracie’s video didn’t dismiss the magic of Paris, it did serve as a gentle reminder, beauty doesn’t always come without a mess, especially in cities that hold the world’s gaze.