Is Paris unsafe?

[SpringWithWinterWeather]

Not been to Paris for years. Is it really not safe anymore. Friends suggest avoid and try other cities such as Praque or Budapest.

Are they unreasonable?

https://www.france24.com/en/france/20260312-the-race-for-paris-will-more-armed-police-and-more-cameras-make-the-city-safer?utm_medium=push_web&utm_campaign=editorial&utm_source=editorial

Says they are trying to make it safer?

It’s as safe as any other European capital imo. Been almost annually last ten years.

It’s like any big city in the world - safe bits and less safe bits. It’s no less safe that London.

I have been twice in the past year and it was entirely safe. I spent time in various parts of the city, including out late at night and never once felt unsafe. You can’t be a fool and wander round with your bag unzipped or waving your phone about but a low level of vigilance was enough I felt.

On what basis is it supposedly unsafe? Is it the usual right wing press diversity = danger bollocks, or do your friends have some direct experience?

Just be city smart and keep your wits about you. We got mugged there but was years ago early 2000s and we were being daft tourists on the metro looking at a map at night. DH and I fought them off and kept hold of my handbag. It’s one of our finest moments!

Have you been there lately?

It’s perfectly safe if you take the same elementary precautions you’d take in London.

Why are so many people scared of everything all the time now? It's endemic on MN. People scared to go to London, people scared to fly, people scared to answer the door after dusk. Perspective has gone out of the window. I miss the days before rolling news and social media!

Last went in November

Oh come on. Millions of people live in Paris. I think they’re all alive and OK.

Currently live in Paris. Feel very safe.

I've been once in 2016 and really didn't like it. I've travelled extensively around Europe and beyond. I wouldn't say it felt as safe as Brussels, which I've visited many times, but not worryingly unsafe. You definitely need your wits about you though, especially around the Eiffel Tower/ Gare Du Nord area. I went as a solo traveler and you definitely get hassled for money/ food/ people trying to sell you things and the Parisians are not particularly friendly. I keep being told I should give it another chance, but there's so many far nicer cities in France that I'd rather visit (Lille and Reims spring to mind straight away).

I don’t get this at all. I’m by nature quite anxious (see username). Paris has nice bits and some not nice bits. The same as London. I was pickpocketed once in Barcelona but wouldn’t say I felt ‘unsafe’ more that I was young and naive then. I have my wits about me more now.
i have felt unsafe in parts of New York but again you just have to be alert.

We’re thinking of a trip to Paris soon. Having skimmed through the linked article doesn’t in any way deter me.

According to the crime stats it is safer than Birmingham, not quite as safe as London.

As safe as any big city.
Had a fab trip in feb. Everyone helpful and polite. On and off the metro, so easy to get around. Eating out was reasonable. Coffee and croissant in hand was cheap as chips.
We had a ball. I love paris. Been maybe 5 times in the last 3 years. 3 od those trips for concerts with huge crowds and their organisation and crowd control was second to none. Felt very safe there with just me and my dds.
Be as careful as you would in a city like london. Give me the metro over the underground any day of the week too.

We were there last week. I never felt unsafe. We were warned about pickpockets in the Louvre and Versailles but other than that we just did normal big city things. We weren’t out very late or in dodgy areas.

Of course Paris is generally safe. I mean don't wander around banlieues like Seine Saint Denis after dark with your latest iphone out and be careful of the hustlers around Gare du Nord and Sacre Coeur but generally you will be fine.

What is it with people and deciding major European cities are "unsafe" at the moment?

It's absolutely a crime ridden hell hole, stay away from it, and from London, Barcelona, Berlin, Rome, etc. In fact if you could all stay away for your own safety during the last three weeks in July when I'm on holiday travelling around Europe that would be great. 😁

No more dangerous than any other major city, IMO.

As for that article quoted above, remember it's an election year and the Left are fighting to hang on the Mayor's job. They are obviously playing the "law and order card" before the Far Right does.

I think older people, perhaps 50+, including myself have watched the decline of European cities over the last 30 years. There are certainly more no go areas and petty crime in most cities. I try not to think like this as I still travel widely as part of my job but it's getting increasingly difficult. Was shocked by Paris when I visited in November.

Thanks wasn't sure. Im still thinking of Praque instead, just in case.

Both are beautiful, in their own ways. Enjoy yourself x

What was it you found shocking the most? Does it feel unsafe or is it general dirt or traffic?

Thank you 😊