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?

Ah, didn't realise elections

They said there was lots of street crime, bag grabbing etc. I realise that you can get in London but wasn't considering London.

Eh?

My mate is living in Paris at the moment. I'm off to visit in a few weeks time. He's having the best time, eating well, drinking wine, living the bloody dream. True, he's pretty central in the Marais and not in Stalingrad but he wanders about like he'd wander about in London: being streetwise, not going to dodgy areas at night, keeping his valuables safe.

There's a bizarre narrative about cities being really dangerous at the moment, mostly from people who don't live in one and rarely visit them. Anywhere that is densely populated and has lots of tourists is going to attract some crime. It's nothing new - just look at the fabulous poverty maps of London from Charles Booth where whole streets were labeled "vicious, semi-criminal!"

Thanks, for your 'useful' input. Most helpful 🙄

It’s easy to forget if you live in a big city that you’re probably a bit more streetwise than posters who worry about visiting. You do need to be sensible - but the only real risk in any part of Paris (or London) that you’d be visiting as a tourist is pickpocketing. Take sensible precautions keep bags and pockets zipped, don’t have your phone out if you can help it. I love Paris, I’m taking the kids next weekend. We’ll do The Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, wander round the Latin Quarter and eat crèpes and we’ll all be very happy.

Budapest is a lot nicer and safer though. Absolutely loved Budapest.

I was last there after the bombings in the concert hall. I stayed near the Eiffel Tower took the metro and walked by myself and I was safe. Treat it as any other big city. My aunt lives in Paris too and she wouldn’t be there if she didn’t feel safe.

I was there last summer, it's lovely and we felt very safe.

I adore Paris.

Just like any other big city, don't leave your phone on cafe tables or wander around with your bag hanging open and you'll be fine.

I’ve heard that Lady Bug and Cat Noir have it all under wraps and keep the City safe from crime.

It’s Paris, not Haiti. It’s fine.

I want to go back again now!!

I've been several times and never felt unsafe in Paris - and I say that as a chronic insomniac who would go out for walks at 3/4am when I couldn't sleep.

I felt less safe doing the same thing in Milan and Central London.

I live in London, went to Paris in Dec and NYC in Jan. felt safe in all of them and loved them all. I am a city person though ;-)

@Marylou2 I'm sorry what? I've lived in London for 25 years and have been visiting it for over 40. London is signifiantly cleaner and nicer than it was in the 80s and 90s.

Yeah but they never go after the criminal mastermind. I think they like fighting crime too much to actually try to stop it

This is very true of Edinburgh, some of the most desirable places to live are areas I wouldn’t have set foot in when I was a student in the 1980’s. Glasgow is similar.

Not this again. There was an identical thread yesterday about London. I mean, these are European capital cities, not South Central LA at 3am. If you’re that anxious just stay at home and don’t go anywhere.

Very much this. I'd lived in London since 1982 and it was a lot grubbier, less efficient, less pleasant place then. London is improving all the time IMO.

Is this the same poster / entity that asked if London was safe a few days ago?

🧐🧐🧐

Jesus. There are parts of my small town (12k people) I don't like to walk through after dark but I live here so I know not to walk down dark alleys on my own with my best holiday clothes on and a map in my hand.

There are dodgy parts of all cities. Keep your wits about you and don't wear your Rolex in Pigalle. I love Paris, have been many many times with work and family and friends, it's as safe as any city!

It's fine. I went for a few days in October half term, just me and my 11 year old daughter. We went all over on the Metro, the bus, on foot. We had a great time and no trouble. Obviously took precautions to be wary of pickpockets but I would do that in any city or big town including the one I live in. I love Paris, that was my fourth trip.

Prague is also lovely though I've not been back for years.

You may not have liked this response, but there have been a slew of 'one post wonder' posters recently, asking faux naive questions about the safety of cities (usually/mainly London), often because 'my friends have said ...' - which seem to reflect a far-Right narrative about the breakdown of law and order.

As PP have said, Paris is like any other major city - there will be areas best to avoid, and beware the usual crimes/offences directed towards tourists, e.g. pickpocketing, begging etc.

No, wasn't me. There are thousands of MN users.

Much more useful response. 👍