Paris is one of the world’s most romanticized cities. That can create an unexpected problem: reality may not match the version you imagined.

There’s even a name for the phenomenon: Paris Syndrome.

The term was coined in the 1980s by Japanese psychiatrist Hiroaki Ota to describe cases involving Japanese visitors who experienced significant distress after encountering a Paris that didn’t match their expectations. Reported symptoms in some cases included anxiety, dizziness and hallucinations.

For most travelers, the experience is much simpler: disappointment.

Movies, Instagram and travel marketing often showcase Paris at its most beautiful — charming cafés, historic streets and postcard-perfect views. But the real city also has traffic, crowds, noise, rainy weather and more than two million residents going about their daily lives.

That doesn’t make Paris less worth visiting. It means travelers may enjoy it more when they stop expecting perfection.

How to avoid the letdown

• Expect crowds. Popular attractions can be extremely busy.

• Leave room for ordinary moments. Some of the best experiences may come from simply walking, eating or sitting in a neighborhood café.

• Don’t compare the trip to Instagram. You’re seeing a carefully selected version of the city online.

• Explore beyond the landmarks. Paris is more than the Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Champs-Élysées.

The smarter take: Don’t travel to experience the Paris you’ve seen online. Travel to experience the real one — beautiful, busy, imperfect and uniquely Parisian.