to be a little scared of going to paris

[breathing]

As ive heard its a very unsafe city.?

In what specific way have you heard that Paris is unsafe? Was it for tourists? If so, I think that sounds very strange. Like any major city, you need to keep an eye on your belongings, keep bags zipped etc, but Paris attracts millions of tourists a year, and I've never heard of anyone having any serious problems. I have been many times over the years, including twice as a lone parent with children, and have never felt unsafe.

I'm wondering if this is like the friend of mine who rang me in a panic a few years ago wondering if it was safe to visit London and the UK because she'd been reading about all the knife crime in London - I think there had been a spate of gang-related stabbings in various parts of south London no tourist would be likely to visit.

Yes, travel websites and reviews mostly. Otherwise i have no problem with cities. Just saw these reports.

It is Paris, not Beirut! what on earth are you afraid of???

"thrice"?
Are you a time traveller from Cranford?

I wouldn't panic. Make sure your cash is safely tucked away, don't take cards you don't need and if you're not used to big cities, don't travel during rush hour.

I have to wonder what sort of travel websites you are reading to be so scared of going to one of the worlds most popular tourist cities.

I dont think you are really going to enjoy it if you feel this way about it as your trip is going to be spoiled by you being unable to relax for fear of being kidnapped/mugged/knocked over .. (which are things that could happen in ANY place in the world.

I am not trying to mock, honestly, but if you are so nervous, there really will be no fun in the trip for you at all. I would suggest going to the seaside, as it would probably be more relaxing for you to go to the seaside, but even there you would get crowds, traffic, pickpockets and the like. There ARE dangers everywhere, but only if you make yourself a target normally. Millions of people visit Paris every day, and if it was such a dangerous place, then then there would be warnings by the Foreign Office not to travel there.

Actually one of the sites was the foreign office/travel site which lists paris as dangerous. I think I will cease googling.

Go onto TripAdvisor and read some of the reviews that real people have written. :) That will give you a much clearer picture. Honestly.

The foreign office site for Paris is no worse than any other city.

Terrorism threat, yes, same for London.
Pickpockets, check, like any major city.
Assaults on public transport, again to do with being a city.
History of sexual assaults, again a city issue.

Paris itself isn't inherently unsafe. Almost all the above are completely preventable with a bit of common sense.

i would like to add that in spite of my purse being stolen we had a wonderful time there.The buildings are fab and after only one day we were walking around with a french stick too ! Notre Dame and Sacre Cour are wonderful places to look round,as is the artists quarters.The best way to get around is by the metro,when we were there we bought a carne of metro tickets which enabled us to use them for our whole stay, and was cheaper that way.I would say go and visit,you will be fine.

frak I wasnt looking on the bristish foreign office site but that looks better

Be careful of pickpockets - that's it! (Same as any other city in the world)

Paris is my favourite place in the world. Have visited on my own, as a couple and with a big group. I have never felt concerned for my safety even on those occasions that as a poor student we stayed in some of the dodgier areas.

The levels of "danger" are surely the same in Paris as any any other major European city?

OP, I am so jealous- it has been too long since I was last there- ie not since DC

I'm talking as a Londoner (nice-ish area of outer London, but visit the centre a lot), and I've been to Paris three times. It's certainly not a dangerous or threatening city. No worse than most places in Britain. I've been all over the world, and the only cities where I have been aware of being nervous are: Naples; St Petersburg; and Harlem in New York.

Thanks :)

YA most definitely BVU

Paris is wonderful. Been several times, both as a student, with friends and most recently with DH for our 20th wedding anniversary. Never felt under any threat. Barcelona is worse for pickpockets, but even then if you don't carry anything much on your person, not a problem.

Traveling with children in Europe can be very enjoyable. We take our girls (now 3 and 5) to markets and cafes where the local waiters and shop keepers take great delight in chit chatting to them. My french is rubbish, but we have a go, as do our girls and it makes life much more fun. The crowded tourist sites attract dodgy types, but otherwise the most dangerous thing is getting used to the driving on the right not left. If you're really worried, just mimic the local behaviour (how they walk, hold their bags etc). French people coming to England sometimes think they'll get lost in the fog and be stuck indoors because it's always raining.

If you were talking about Rome or Barcelona I'd understand as I've known quite a few people being robbed in both places. However, I've never really heard any bad stories about Paris apart from the odd person saying some Parisians have an attitude problem. Anyway you're more likely to not be a victim of crime than a victim so go and enjoy yourself.

Some people have been quite unnecessarily rude and acted like smartarses on this thread.

I know what you mean breathing, I too get nervy in situations like this.

I took my boys to Paris last August and as a rule it was lovely. As long as you're sensible and stick to well-lit streets etc, and public areas, you'll be fine. I believe you will feel a million times more confident having been, than you do now. Good for you!

Thanks :)
Im now in youtube learning some french

Oh you needn't worry too much - I found they delighted in practising their english with my kids.

Can I recommend Avenue d'Montagne just off the Champs Elysees - it's chockablock wall to wall designer boutiques but friendly ones as it's not full of tourists. The lady in Prada even gave my kids a lolly each :)

Teach your boys to say a few polite words and enjoy :)

DarthNiqabi I once read that 365 people in Paris a year go to hospital due to dog poo related accidents. I also read there as many trees in Paris as there are homeless people living on the streets.

I have no idea if either of these is true.

Most if France, IME, is covered in doggy doodoo. Every place I've ever been - and we've holidayed there every year since I was tiny.

I have no idea why.

It's like a poo chicane in Perpignan.

You have no idea why you have holidayed in a country covered in dog poo every year, or why France is covered in dog poo?