Paris syndrome

The eiffel tower, as seen from Montmatre, taken 15/11/11

Someone I met in Paris mentioned 'Paris syndrome' to me the other day when I was complaining about my current living situation in France. For those who are unfamiliar with it, I am living just outside of Paris, which, although close, is undeniably different from living in one of Paris' 20 arrondissements,which have easy transport links that run throughout the city. Living here in the countryside, I have experienced feelings of frustration and irritation that the sexy Parisian life-style that many Brits dream of is just outside of my grasp.

So on hearing about Paris syndrome I was pleased to learn that I may not be the only person who has had these feelings....and then I looked it up. If you haven't looked it up already, here is a little extract from the wikipedia page (granted, not always scientifically accurate, but you get the gist):

'Paris syndrome is a transient psychological disorder encountered by some people, in most cases from Japan, visiting or vacationing in Paris.'

Isn't it a  funny thought?

'Renoux [some bloke] indicates that Japanese media, magazines in particular, often depict Paris as a place where most people on the street look like stick-thin models and most women dress in high-fashion brands such as Louis Vuitton, while in reality French high-fashion brands are mainly for foreign consumers, and the French population are far more overweight than the Japanese population.'

At this point, I came to the conclusion that this is not the problem I have been having.

'[It] is characterized by a number of psychiatric symptoms such as acute delusional states, hallucinations, feelings of persecution (perceptions of being a victim of prejudice, aggression, or hostility from others), derealization, depersonalization, anxiety, and also psychosomatic manifestations such as dizziness, tachycardia, sweating, etc.'

Definitely not.
I would like to confirm that I have not been dizzily wondering around the countryside just outside of Paris, feeling persecuted and hallucinatory.

In fact, although living outside of Paris has not been ideal on a social front, I don't get daily encounters with so-called angry 'Parigots' and the stress which accompanies metropolitan life (instead I get the stresses that accompany rural life!). On weekends, however, I am luckier than many and I get to discover this beautiful city which slowly unveils its mysteries each time I go in. I have tried to take photos which are less predictable than the average tourist, I do not know whether I have pulled it off or not, but have a look.

Paris by night with the moon watching over the Seine

A view of Paris from the new Pavillion Amont in the musée d'Orsay