Aussie tourist’s unfortunate ‘bad experience’ in Paris

An Aussie woman has shared a list of “all the bad things” that happened in Paris including her gripe with French men.

An Aussie woman has shared a list of ‘all the bad things’ that happened to her on a recent trip to Paris, warning fellow tourists to be mindful when visiting the popular city.

An Aussie woman has shared a list of “all the bad things” that happened to her on a recent trip to Paris, warning fellow tourists to be mindful when visiting the popular city.

The Sydneysider, who goes by the name of Brittany on TikTok, was in the French capital with a group of friends in July last year when she experienced an unfortunate series of events.

Before getting into her list, Brittany explained she still loves Paris and her clip isn’t trying to deter anyone from visiting, but to make them aware of their surroundings.

“Paris is so beautiful but had I known these things were going to happen I would have done things very differently,” she said.

“I had to write a whole list down because there is so much to talk about.”

Brittany said the moment she and her friends boarded their flight from Sydney to Paris, she knew “something bad was going to happen” — and because of this premonition she asked to put her passport in her friend’s suitcase.

“We got to our accommodation around 10.45pm and by the time we figured out how to get to our accommodation it was about 11pm,” she continued.

Brittany has warned fellow tourists to be mindful when visiting the popular city. Picture: TikTok/brittyoussef

It was in this moment the group of friends knew they made a “big mistake” after realising the Airbnb they booked was a shared apartment — and not just for them alone.

“We thought we got the whole apartment to ourselves and as soon as we realised we didn’t we began to panic and frantically started looking for hotels in the area,” she said.

Despite it being peak summer period, the girls managed to find a hotel, lugged their suitcases back to the street and called for an Uber.

“With the amount of robberies that happen [in Paris] there was no way I was staying even one night [at that apartment with strangers],” Brittany said.

However, it was in this moment she realised her bag was missing.

She shared a list of ‘all the bad things’ that happened to her when on a girls trip last July. Picture: TikTok/brittyoussef

“I didn’t realise it for so long,” she said. “I started to realise how sketchy the streets were but I was so flustered because of the Airbnb, I only realised I was missing a bag after sitting in the Uber.

“I automatically accused the Uber driver of doing it because he was so rude to us from the get go, and he was helping us load all our luggage into the car.

“But I called the owner of the Airbnb who then went downstairs and found the bag completely torn apart – ID stolen, cards stolen, money gone – they even took my glasses and my makeup.”

The Aussie said she realised her bag was missing just hour after landing in Paris. Picture: TikTok/brittyoussef

Brittany said she was thankful her passport was locked away in her friend’s suitcase, adding otherwise it “would have been a real problem”.

“Make sure you only carry bags that have zippers on them and hold them tight,” she warned fellow travellers.

Many were quick to comment with some also warning travellers.

She also shared her gripe with French men. Picture: TikTok/brittyoussef

“Theft and pickpocketing is really so bad in Paris – you need to be mindful of your surroundings and belongings at all times,” one person advised.

Brittany also shared a separate clip about her gripe with French men.

“Don’t get me started on French men,’ she said. “I got harassed in Paris so many times. They don’t understand that ‘no’ means no.”

She said Bastille Day was the worst in terms of harassment as it was one of the busiest days in the city.

“Every single car with a male inside it stopped and beeped at us and started calling out things – they would call us beautiful in French and try to get us into the car,” she claimed.

“One guy got so offended I rejected him that he sprayed me with a water gun,” she added.

While many were shocked by her poor experience, others were quick to defend the city saying they’ve never had issues when visiting.

“Just got back from Paris and didn’t feel unsafe once. Everyone was super nice and helpful. I recommend! It’s a beautiful city!” one person wrote, to which Brittany responded: “I’m so glad to hear!! Like I said this wasn’t meant to deter anyone from going! I love Paris, my experience just wasn’t the best.”