To have found certain parts of Paris edgy

I’ve travelled all over the world, often alone, and Paris is the only place I’ve ever felt truly unsafe. Last time I was there I had to physically break up a mugging and the police were completely dismissive and rude. I’ve visited multiple times and this impression hasn’t changed. Make of that what you will.

eta I was born and grew up in London, adore new york and rome, and now live in another large UK city with a reputation for being a bit edgy so am far from a country mouse 😁

Flags. Defo flags.

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Ah do you mean South Ken cos the streets are so quiet at night cos all the houses are owned by rich foreign nationals who don’t live there… that does make sense tbf

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Never been to Paris but this has always been my impression of it, always heard slightly worse things about it than other western European capitals to be honest.

I’m sure you’ll be along to enlighten everyone.

I’ve definitely felt a change in Paris in the last 15 years or so, and worse than other European capitals. In the last couple of years I’ve felt it was a proper sh*thole tbh

I feel the same way about London.

Again think about why an area is sketchy

Paris sketchy in parts but so is London & Birmingham. Some kid attempted robbing me in Paris last year but got my stuff back out of his thieving little mitts.

The area round Les Halles, North East Paris, bits of Canal St Martin, Puces St Ouen. There are lots of sketchy areas in Paris, have been for at least 40 years.

Paris has its bad parts, so do most large cities. Just know where they are.

Used to live there.

It was fine.

Had a lovely weekend in Paris recently. Didn’t notice anything dodgy or unsafe particularly. I live near Brixton though, which I would argue is extremely edgy, even in the daytime. There are so many drug addicts everywhere there. I go there a lot, but I often wonder why I don’t move somewhere else!

Budapest is safe as well.

You’ve described most cities I’ve ever visited tbf…were you expecting to be wandering the set of Amelie? The only one that hasn’t felt like that was Copenhagen and it was almost disconcerting to be in a capital city that felt clean and quiet around the stations.

Yes we had the same and they were incredibly aggressive- grabbing our wrists and blocking the way. Always around the tourist hotspots unfortunately. It’s a shame as otherwise an enjoyable break.

I mean what's so great about a corner shop? I never really enjoying going to one. They just exist. I don't find them to be a cornerstone of a community.

I didn't go to Costa or Nero. I went to a lovely brunch venue (it's independent) and ordered some stuff I liked. I got to sit outside and really took in the view. I then walked and found a nice restaurant to have lunch in. I just walked in and had a really great chicken soup followed by a chimichanga. Saw some great pubs. Walked around and had such a great time.

The nicest parks are the royal parks in London. I loved going there.

I lived in Paris for 16 years.

I was never mugged, pickpocketed, burgled or attacked.

I was once possibly being followed in the metro at 5am after a night out and I'd lost my friend, but I just yelled at the guy to stop it and he went away...

For me the worst was the dog shit everywhere.

Years ago in late 80s I visited Bastille area when I was 17 with mes parents. Stayed in a cheap b&b. Luckily my French then was almost fluent (not now!) and so was my mum’s. Well, conversation wise. I just found it grotty a bit. Not unsafe.

A Japanese female tourist who stayed with us had a horrific experience there a few years ago, but apparently this is a thing. Other Japanese have had it. She wouldn’t tell us what it was but she was a shy young librarian. Guessing mugged?

I was in Birmingham about a year ago just before Xmas I think for an away day. Had to organise a walking tour all round it. I have no idea which areas are safe or not though! Seemed safe enough to me. We went near the canal area, curry area, jewellery quarter, university, mail box, library, museums and then to Dishoom in the centre. Away day was trendy warehouse in curry area. Think I sourced that venue! We did do it by daylight and afternoon. And a huge group of us. Though I did get stuck and got a very late train home from the main station, forget name. Again absolutely fine! The only thing that might freak me out is the huge metal bull in the station!

Stick to the main streets and you’re fine. Even the back streets are ok, as long as you keep your wits about you and don’t walk around like an idiot flashing your phone, designer bag especially at night then you’ll be sweet.

Yes, compared to some other places where more normal/less wealthy people live. No corner shops or greengrocers. The odd Costa or Nero or something else uninspiring, and super-exclusive restaurants behind fences and blinds.
They feel soulless at weekends in particular, when I suppose all the people who have their pieds-a-terre there go elsewhere.
There are some nice trees, sure, but there are nice trees all over London.

I'd admit that there may be some "nice" restaurants.

But of course the entirety of Peckham and Brixton isn't safe. Same reason whilst Gare Du Nord might have nice Indian food, I'm not going to go there at night.

I have only experienced Birmingham to walk from New Street to Moor Street a few times for a connecting train to Oxford and Jesus wept, it was ROUGH. I actually sped up and felt a bit on edge tbh.

Paris is rough too OP, it’s the only time I’ve nearly been mugged. I was standing waiting for a tube and a group of kids approached me from behind, surrounded me and started speaking nonsense really quickly. I clamped my hands firmly in my pocket over my phone (which was the only valuable I had on me) and told them to dégagé. They scattered thankfully. The Pigalle district close to the Moulin Rouge is terrifying at night.

My Dad is French and hates Paris but to me that’s only the same way lots of British people hate London. I’ve never ever felt unsafe or afraid in London.