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Picture this.
You are standing in front of the Eiffel tower and the soft glow of the lights twinkles in the distance. For a moment, your full attention is on marveling at its beauty.
You go to reach for your phone to take a picture when all of a sudden something sends shivers down your spine. you can't find your phone. You also notice that your wallet is missing as well.
You could've sworn you've just had it and never took it out of your pocket. A set of panic enters your body and you realize you just got pickpocketed.
That definitely rings true for me, as I get anxious about my surroundings when I travel abroad. Especially in crowded attractions, I'm always never enjoying the views but worrying about my stuff getting pickpocketed.
Traveling to a new country can always impose fear or new threats. It is quite normal when exploring an unfamiliar place. Certain countries and cities are safer than others.
After all, Paris is a major city with a population estimate of nearly 11.3M people. It's also one of the biggest tourist hubs in the world.
So that has me wondering, "Is Paris actually safe for travel?"
Paris, France is perceived to be a romantic and beautiful place. Movies highlight solo travelers standing in front of the Eiffel tower, on a beautiful summer night. Is it as glamorous as the movies and pictures portray it to be?
Don’t worry, we will break it down for you, from statistics to tips.
Let’s talk about how safe Paris really is.
Is Paris Safe to visit in 2024?
Short answer: Yes, but exercise a higher degree of caution.
Paris is generally considered a safe city for travelers, and millions of people visit each year without incident.
However, it's important to be aware of your surroundings and take common-sense precautions to protect yourself and your belongings.
Paris and France is both listed in the US and Canada's Travel Advisory as "Travel, but Exercise Increased Caution".
Towards the end of June 2023, several demonstrations against police violence occured. Further demonstrations may continue to occur. As a result, it's advised that visitors monitor local media for latest information, follow instructions set by local authorities, and modify plans in case of disturbance.
Is Paris Safe to Travel in General?
The answer is still Yes! The general advice is to travel while exercising caution.
This includes keeping an eye on your belongings in crowded areas, avoiding walking alone in deserted or poorly lit areas at night, and keeping a copy of your passport in a secure place.
It's also a good idea to research local laws and customs before you visit to ensure that you're aware of any potential cultural differences. In general, taking the same precautions you would in any other major city should help you have a safe and enjoyable trip to Paris.
Street crime is the biggest concern in Paris. Tourist areas are considered on High Alert, always. Tourists typically tend to let their guard down, especially on vacation.
When you are surrounded by new and gorgeous places, your mind begins to enter a state of awe, which some individuals with nefarious intentions might take advantage of.
Is Paris safe for solo travelers?
Paris is one of the most popular solo travel destinations in the world and for good reason. For that reason, many travelers love to solo travel through Europe and often may stop in Paris.
The City of Light is renowned for its beauty, its culture, and its cuisine. However, solo travelers often wonder if Paris is safe for them to visit.
The answer is a cautious but resounding yes! Paris is an incredibly safe city, and solo travelers should not hesitate to explore everything it has to offer. In fact, solo travelers often find that they feel safer in Paris than they do at home.
There are a few simple precautions that all solo travelers should take, such as staying in well-lit areas and avoiding deserted streets, but these are common sense measures that are necessary for any large city.
For solo female travelers, make sure you plan ahead with your family members or friends so people can check up on you to make sure you're ok! It's also good to memorize emergency numbers in case you lose your phone or wallet.
With a little common sense and a sense of adventure, solo travelers will find that Paris is one of the safest and most exciting cities in the world.
Common Crimes to Spot in Paris
With Paris being an international tourist hub and a major city with millions of people, the city has its fair share of crimes.
While terrorism, protests, and civil unrest are the ones you've probably heard of most often, visitors of Paris are more likely to prone to crimes, especially those targeting unsuspecting tourists.
Here are some of the common crimes to spot in Paris, but I highly encourage you to do more research beyond this blog as theres definitely more to what I'll cover here!
Petty Theft - Pickpocketing in Paris
Petty Theft, such as pickpocketing, bag snatching, and scams are very common in Paris.
Pickpockets in Paris, especially, are known to target tourists as they're oftentimes distracted.
Apple products are among the most stolen. This is because Apple computers and phones are sold for more money in France than in the United States.
Pickpocketers in Paris are also commonly under the age of sixteen. Do not be fooled by any teens that are standing too close to you.
Thieves usually operate around major tourist attractions such as the Montmartre or Eiffel Tower, as well as on public transportation such as the Metro and RER train stations.
They might try to quickly grab your phone or wallet and run away. The best way to avoid this is by being aware of your surroundings at all times and keeping your belongings close to you.
Do not put your phone in your back pocket, as this makes it easier for someone to quickly grab it and take off running. If possible, keep your passport and other valuables in a hotel safe or locked bag.
The best way to prevent thefts like pickpockets or bag-snatching is to get a cross-shoulder bag instead of shoulder bags or storing them in your pocket. You can also opt for a money belt and store them inside of your clothes, and store some backup cash in your shoes.
Stay Cautious & Alert
Being cautious, alert, and using common sense can prevent most travel-related crimes.
There are also some items you can purchase to help you with this! My mom used to rave about how convenient her fanny pack was.
Alongside the cross-shoulder bag and money belt, a fanny pack can keep your personal belongings glued to your side the whole day. Even better, you can put a coat or jacket over it in the fall and winter months.
Purses can be an easy target as they normally stay to the side, in the plain view, making it an easy grab for robbers or pickpockets.
What happens if you get pickpocketed?
We always think about our credit/debit cards whenever our wallets are lost, but you shouldn't be. Credit cards and debit cards are easily replaceable and are usually very secured these days.
First, call your bank and credit card company to put a stop on your card. This is helpful to do before any purchases are made by the robber.
Your licenses and credentials will be the most crucial and hard-to-replace items. This is why it is recommended to never carry your passport with you. Leave it locked in your safe in your hotel room.
Replacing your local IDs and credentials should be easy once you're back home, but your passport is everything. If your passport is stolen you will need to contact the nearest US Embassy (or whichever embassy your nationality permits) for the next steps.
Don't forget, some embassies are closed on Sundays and federal holidays.
If your iPhone is lost and you have Find My feature enabled, you can lock and/or track your device with a secondary device (Macbook, iPad, etc) easily.
Robberies in Paris
Robberies, often Violent, have happened in Paris, especially with tourists.
The most common neighborhoods for robberies include Latin Quarter and areas near Gare du Nord, but also places with public transportation like trains from the airport.
Can't stress planning ahead enough. Whether you use Pilot to plan your trip or not, you should always have a plan on what you'll do when things go wrong. If possible, take a taxi instead of the public transport.
This is especially true if you're planning on going out at night, drinking, solo-traveling, and/or a women.
Having a plan on where you'll meet up and who to check up on you is crucial to help you have a peace of mind when going out for drinks. Plan your routes accordingly, and make sure you know the way back to your stay.
It's always good to be safe than sorry!
Shams & Scams - Confidence tricks in Paris
Confidence Schemes are the second most common crime in Paris. This type of crime includes asking pedestrians to sign a petition or even take a survey.
They normally ask for money or donation, which does not end up going to the cause. This is an easy way to guilt-trip tourists, who think they are helping the city. When in return, the money will go to the criminal who is ripping you off.
Other scam tactics in Paris
Other ordinary tactics are locals selling goods on the streets.
If someone shows you a bracelet or ring, do not touch it. Once you lay your hand on the item, it is yours. They will force you to pay for the item. This can also be used as a distraction tactic.
While you are arguing with the seller, someone could come behind and pickpocket you. It is important to buy your local items from markets in the area, rather than directly off the street.
What Precautions can I take?
For those who are worried about being safe, don't be.
Luckily, there are precautions you can take before traveling and boarding your plane. Certain things can make you less of a target.
The first rule I always follow when I travel is to dress NOT to impress, unless necessary. I know, your instagram pics may take a hit, but you can always pack ahead to change if need be.
If you dress to blend in or dress not to impress, you're less likely to be the target for robberies or pickpockets. These individuals target victims that carry or wear designer apparels, expensive jewlery, or pricey tech like iPhones and Apple Watches.
In addition, here are some items that can help you discretely protect against theft and crime.
The Daitet Money Belt, similar to a fanny pack, is gender neutral and perfect for keeping your money safe. It has a hidden travel wallet and a secure passport holder.
This Travel Security Belt has a hidden money pocket inside the belt! This is recommended for those who don’t want to carry anything except their ID and cash for the night.
For girls, you can even hide your money and ID in this Anti-theft wallet that attaches to your bra! There is an option for everyone, thanks to Amazon! These items can give you extra security when heading out into Paris.
What should I do if I am a victim of crime?
If you unfortunately become a victim of crime, the first thing you should do is stay calm.
Then, try to remember as many details as possible about the perpetrator. If you can, take a picture of the person with your phone or make a mental note of what they look like. The more information you have, the better.
After that, you should contact the police and file a report. The police will then be able to help you and give you further instructions on what to do next. You should also contact your bank or credit card company to cancel any stolen cards and notify them of the situation.
And finally, you should contact your travel insurance company and let them know what happened. They will be able to help you with anything you need and may even cover some of the costs associated with the incident.
Even though Paris is a relatively safe city, it is always important to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions when traveling. By following these tips, you can help ensure that your trip to Paris is a safe and enjoyable one.
So, how safe is Paris?
To answer the question of “Is Paris Safe?”. Yes, it is. Paris is pretty safe compared to other European cities. All big cities, inevitably, have crimes. Crimes in Paris seem to be more focused on robberies and shams rather than shootings and murders. Big-name cities such as Istanbul, Athens & Naples are ranked more dangerous than Paris. Stay alert and aware when traveling to other countries.
If you're looking to avoid areas that might be questionable, check out all the Paris arrondissements that you should stay in and which districts to avoid.
Travel to Paris!
The best part of traveling is being open and free while you explore new destinations. Don’t let the fear of being a part of a crime ruin your trip! All you have to do is remember to stay alert and cautious.
Go ahead and book that flight to your dream destination! Just remember to keep your wits about you and use our tips for staying safe while traveling.
Plan your trips with Pilot
And when in doubt, check out our social travel planner Pilot– it’s the perfect tool for keeping all of your trip details organized in one spot!