PARIS – A series of unfiltered photographs taken by an elderly tourist from Henan province in China has gone viral online, offering a starkly different — and unexpectedly refreshing — view of the French capital.
The man, affectionately dubbed “Chinese uncle” by netizens, shared photos taken directly from his mobile phone during a recent visit to Paris. There were no filters, no carefully curated angles and no post-production edits — just images captured exactly as his eyes saw them. The result was a raw and unembellished portrayal of the city that quickly drew global attention.
One widely shared image of the Eiffel Tower shows not a glowing icon bathed in golden light, but a towering iron structure marked by visible rust and maintenance patches, standing beneath a dull grey sky.
Social media users joked that the photo was so realistic it could “instantly cure travel FOMO”, while others quipped that it single-handedly undid a year’s worth of French tourism marketing.
(Photo credit: RADII)
Similarly, the Arc de Triomphe appears in a subdued, almost desolate light — stripped of the dramatic lighting and grandeur often seen in promotional imagery. Some online commenters humorously suggested that Paris tourism officials might want to confiscate the photographer’s phone before more “damage” was done.
(Photo credit: RADII)
(Photo credit: RADII)
(Photo credit: RADII)
When asked about the unexpected viral fame, the man responded simply. He explained that it had been raining that day, that he did not know how to edit photos or search for flattering angles, and that he had merely photographed what he saw. He also stressed that he had no intention of mocking the city, adding that Paris is, in reality, very beautiful.
For many viewers, the photo series struck a deeper chord. Beyond the humour, it served as a reminder that the world’s charm does not always lie in polished perfection, but in authenticity.
In an era dominated by filters and curated realities, the unedited truth — however imperfect — can be powerful in its own right.