I won’t bury the lede here or share some cheesy anecdote. The answer to the question “Is Paris a safe city?” is a resounding yes.

 

 

Paris is a generally safe city, but like any large city, it is made safer by visitors and residents who are smart and aware. So let’s get you ready to be safe in Paris while you enjoy your trip.

 

That said, there are a few problems that arise, unfortunately sensationalized in the media for comments and engagement. Rampant protests, thieves in the streets, and even the Eiffel Tower burning to the ground. Oh là là! All of these stories get picked up and spread for the sake of clicks, even though they’re less than true, painting a much more dangerous image of Paris than is reality.

In this post, we’ll go through the reality with no sensational writing. 

And, no, the Eiffel Tower didn’t actually burn to the ground. It will still be there when you arrive.

Is Paris a Safe City for Tourists?

Just as Paris is a safe city, it’s generally very safe for tourists as well. When people begin to question this, a lot of times it’s due to a sensational article or video on social media or a general fear of the unknown. And that’s okay! We question things we aren’t sure about, and the fact that you went looking for how to stay safe in Paris is the first big step in making sure you have a smooth trip.

The secret way to avoid problems in Paris

Before we identify thieves and some common scams, let’s talk about the absolute best way to avoid them in Paris. We’ve talked about looking like a local in how you pack and dress in Paris, and how to harness the power of “The Bonjour Effect”, so consider this the next tool in your Parisian skillset.

Behold, Resting French Face.

I know, I know it’s a silly name (and by no means is it meant to be derogatory), but my god does it work. My wife was the first to point this trick out to me and it’s made walks through Paris much more peaceful. Here’s how you do it. When you’re walking around in Paris, keep your facial expression neutral, your gaze straight ahead and your body language and walking gait confident. Most importantly don’t smile at strangers.

You’ll be amazed at how potential thieves and the usual scammers avoid you altogether, but you might be equally surprised when another tourist mistakes you for someone from the neighborhood and asks you for directions.

Why It Works

This is by no means meant to overgeneralize, but the French tend to be more reserved and private than Americans. Whereas we smile at nearly everyone and offer up a “fine thanks” even when we aren’t actually fine, the French avoid this type of behavior.

Genuine emotions are within their private personal space, so they’re kept as such when in public and when seeing strangers. It’s not rude; it’s just more honest. The sometimes fake niceness that’s prevalent in American culture is nearly nonexistent in Paris.

Of course, when you’re ordering in a restaurant, speaking with a clerk or bartender, asking a question in a museum, or interacting with someone new it’s perfectly fine to be genuine and pleasant. And the lovely French people you meet in your travels will many times respond in kind.

But when out and about, it’s helpful to rewire yourself to be a bit more privately Parisian and avoid the fake niceties that can peg you instantly as a tourist.

So let’s breakdown some basics of staying safe in Paris

The most common crime targeting tourists is petty theft, pickpockets that prey on the unaware and distracted tourists in crowds on the metro and among the rabble taking pictures in and around the major sights.

You’ll also encounter a fair number of scams designed to distract you while your pockets are picked, such as young people looking for signatures on a petition, swindlers trying to pass off a friendship bracelet or a “lost” ring to you and then asking for payment, or the classic card game scams (though I’ve seen this less in recent years).

There are a few areas of Paris that are best avoided at certain times of the day, but even then, they can be safely traversed by staying aware and not making yourself a target.

The good news is, these are problems that can be very easily avoided with a few simple tips.

Is Paris a safe city? Be smart with your money and belongings and it certainly will be.

As theft is the most common crime targeting tourists, it goes without saying that your hard-earned money is item number one on a pickpocket’s list. You could go from riding the metro to reaching for your wallet in order to pay your bill in a cafe and suddenly realize it’s much less full of cash than when you left it, or it could be gone altogether along with your ID and credit cards. Apart from being a massive inconvenience and a real bummer on your buzz, this type of common pickpocket activity is easy to prevent.

Pickpockets are a big concern when tourists ask “Is Paris a safe city?”. Here’s how to deal with them.

I tend to carry a thinner travel wallet in my front pants pocket or an interior pocket of my jacket if I’m wearing one. Someplace a bit more discreet than the usual back pocket wallet that men carry around.

Now, this doesn’t prevent me from FORGETTING that I put my wallet in my front pocket and having a brief moment of panic before I feel it again, but it does help throw off potential thieves and make my wallet harder to get to.

For anyone carrying a purse or bag, opt for a small cross-body style with a sturdy strap. These are much harder to snatch and grab. This is typical advice, but one thing my wife has especially learned is to get a bag that has a clasp you have to practice in order to open. The more difficult it is for a thief to break and enter, the more likely they are to ignore it altogether and go looking for an easier target.

Keep your valuables in separate locations. This means only carrying a bit of cash at one time along with an ID and a single credit card. Store your extra cash, spare credit cards, and other important IDs at your hotel or BnB in a secret location. That way, should the unfortunate happen, you have a backup for an emergency.

Be discreet when paying your bill at a restaurant, visiting a store, or especially when purchasing something on the street. Paris is wonderful to experience outdoors, and takeaway options abound for a quick meal. When paying, it’s best to do it briskly and not flash your cash. Not only that, but discretion and politeness when handling money are looked upon favorably by the French so you’ll do an even better job of blending in.

The number one rule: be aware no matter where you are in Paris

I’ve mentioned it already, but being aware and present in your surroundings is by far the best way to prevent yourself from being a target of theft or some of the typical scams you’ll see in Paris. Not only that, but by being in the moment you’ll find that you see and experience places in a much more meaningful way, which is always a great result while traveling!

Being aware especially goes for crowded areas and when using public transit. Keep a hand on your belongings and an eye on your surroundings. Some typical examples of this would include when you’re gathered with your fellow art viewers in a museum, admiring the works and before and after waiting on the platform on the metro.

These are just two of the areas that pickpockets operate, and you’ll see plenty of signage around these places. When in doubt, take a moment to gather yourself and take in your surroundings.

Avoiding common scams in Paris

Okay, you’re crossing the Pont des Arts and heading to dinner on the right bank in Paris. The sun is starting to set, and it’s sure to be a beautiful evening. Suddenly the tranquil, Parisian scene is broken by “excuse me, do you speak English?” and a young person is hurriedly jamming a piece of paper towards you with a pen.

I hate to say it, but the only service this petition will provide is cover for a potential thief to give you a quick frisk while you’re distracted.

There are a few scams like this to watch out for in Paris, though I have noticed certain ones becoming more prevalent than others. You’ll tend to see them around the big tourist sites, and they target, you guessed it, tourists and the unaware.

A newer trick I experienced that seems to be more common is a person recognizing you as an American or English-speaking tourist and asking you directly, “Do you speak English?” It’s done in the guise of them asking for help, directions, a signature or otherwise but in reality is just one more way to disarm your attention span.

You’ll see vendors all over the place at larger sights, especially near the Eiffel Tower and Montmartre. At best, they’re selling hokey trinkets or tepid water, beer, and wine.

At worst, they’ll get aggressive, foist something into your hands, and demand payment. A classic is the friendship bracelet that a tout will start tying on your wrist before you can say “No”, and then they demand payment.

One final trick I’ve seen pulled, though not as often as these others, is the fake “found jewelry”. Essentially, a thief will approach you claiming you dropped something, a ring, or jewelry usually. While you are processing this, they either give a quick frisk for your valuables or demand repayment for finding this cheap trinket you allegedly dropped.

These are just a few of the common scams, but it’s by no means exhaustive. In general, if someone approaches you and begins to distract your attention, it’s best to take notice of it and ignore it. Walk with purpose and make yourself less of a target by avoiding eye contact and keeping that air of confidence that you know you aren’t going to be a victim.

Places to avoid

Truth be told, I’ve never liked the tip sheets that advise you to avoid places in Paris altogether. Gare du Nord, Les Halles and Pigalle after dark and Port de Clignancourt tend to show up a lot on these lists. And while they can be a bit seedy after the sun goes down, they’re also areas that lead to some incredible places and convenient travel options if you traverse them intelligently.

If you didn’t use Gare du Nord, your train options to Champagne country, Belgium and The Netherlands would be pretty limited. And if you avoided Port de Clignancourt you’d never get to visit the incredible flea market just beyond. So, while these areas can be less than ideal after dark and feel a bit rough around the edges, to completely write them off during your trip is unnecessary.

In Conclusion, Paris is a Safe City

Paris is safe and fun, especially when you take the time to be aware of your surroundings and belongings and carry yourself with confidence. Be money-wise by using the tips above to secure your valuables both in your lodging and while out and about.

Keep your guard up when in crowds and on public transit. Above all, practice cultivating that feeling of a temporary local by behaving more like a Parisian. Avoid smiling at strangers, hold your head high, and walk with confidence.

Have you traveled recently in Paris? I would love to hear your experiences using these tips or read some tips of your own that have been helpful in staying safe while traveling.