Is Paris overrated, or are expectations the problem?
Paris is not overrated, but the movie version of Paris is a trap. The city works better when you stop demanding constant romance and give cafés, neighbourhood streets, small museums and late walks a chance.
Answer
Paris can be dirty, crowded, expensive and occasionally brusque. It can also be one of the great walking-and-eating cities when the trip is not built entirely around proof you saw the icons. The disappointment often comes from treating Paris as a performance: every view perfect, every café charming, every interaction cinematic. A better approach is less fragile. Book the sights that matter, then leave time for ordinary streets, bakeries, parks and meals near your base. Paris rewards travellers who let it be a real city.