Is Paris Safe to Visit? Safety Advice for Paris
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- čas přidán 19. 06. 2024
- One of the biggest questions we get about visiting Paris, is if Paris is safe. And for us Paris is a safe city to visit for tourists. However, just like all big cities Paris does have some safety advice that tourists and travelers should know. From pickpockets to metro ettiquette to scams these are safety issues travelers need to pay attention to when they are in Paris, France.
Filmed in Paris, France
Copyright Mark Wolters 2022
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Every point that Mark makes in this video is SPOT ON. I just returned to the US from Paris and, as a solo female traveler in Paris, I never felt unsafe. And I can confirm that the traffic is indeed CRAZY in Paris but, thankfully, I did not need to rent a car there. Public transportation worked very well for my needs. Just take note of the tips in this video and enjoy your trip!
Stop traveling "solo", it's a very poor choice. Bragging about it doesn't help anyone.
@@clvrswine there's nothing wrong with traveling solo. If done safely, well researched and planned everything will be fine.
@@clvrswine why wait for anyone to travel with? I've traveled solo between jobs in Europe and met some really cool people.
@@clvrswine Why is that?
@@clvrswine she’s stating a fact not “bragging”. I’m also a solo traveller who’s just starting and I like reading comments from women in similar situation so I can know what to watch out for.
And why would you care about the way people travel? You don’t know people’s situations not their reasons to travel alone. Stop judging.
Another excellent video - it has been several years since I have been to Paris but from what I remember, all that you say is true. Travelling light makes things easier.
Great advice! I knew these things before my trip to Paris and I still got picked on the metro leaving Musée d'Orsay. I was so concerned with being on the right train I asked a guy for advice, while he kept me occupied his partner helped himself to my phone. I knew what had happened as they just beat the closing doors🤦♂️. On my visit to Versailles the tour groups were so bad we had to leave before I got in a fight with someone. I still love Paris though😉
As a resident this is good. Honestly while parts of the north can get real sketchy at night I still do find the most annoyances to be the tourist areas. It's almost a relief sometimes when getting back to the 10th from Opera or Notre Dame cause no one bothers me up here with scams etc.
Use zippers for important things but also try to dress less like a tourist. They gravitate towards tourist-y looking people. This I find generally true for most cities.
Thanks bro for the tips!
I love your channel! You're always to the point, short and sweet and no nonsense! I so appreciate you.
He is a genuinely nice guy. It makes his videos a pleasure to watch.
thank you so much for all this advice and information!!!!
I am learning a lot from your vlogs! Can’t wait to travel from NI 👌🏼
This video was a damn good presentation. Outstanding job and very informative.
Basic travel advice. Make sure your valuables/passport are in an inside pocket, preferably zipped. Just keep the minimum cash and immediately required tickets in external pockets. But that's true everywhere in the world unless you are asking for troubles.
Awesome video and great tips, I'm potentially going to visit Paris sometime during my vacation in London with my mom this summer.
I think you definately should!! If you travel midweek on Eurostar it can be really cheap return 😊
All great tips, we went 4 years and we had a great time. We stay at an VRBO in the 10th.
Mark, I wanted to press the like button like six times!
thanks for that wolter Im going to Paris this year so that was super helpful 😄
Glad to help!
This is so informative and helpful.
Definitely a lot of great stuff you covered in terms of safety tips.
Well done and have a fantastic trip to Paris everyone!
I love ❤️ Paris the food was so good, he's right make sure you have comfortable shoes we walked about 5-10miles everyday.
Watch out for African men in the Metro.Five of them surrounded me in a train,tried to intimidate me and grabbed at my luggage as they left the train. I was 115kg back then and my grip was too strong.The following day the terrorist attack occurred and most of Paris closed down for three days.
Great tips. I also heard it said it's safe to eat pastries at least three times a day.
It'a a requirement. 😅
Thank you!!
Great video
For me , I always adopt the same stance no matter where I go . Keep my wits about me , if I get a bad vibe , I don’t continue & make it a bad decision . Listen to your government’s advice of / on your destination .
Good advice. I saw a pickpocket in an elevator in a Paris department store stealing from someone's shopping bag.
Hope you shouted at him or her
Just got back from Paris. Had an amazing time. Thanks again for another great video
I’ve learned so much ! I’m so prepared for my September visit! Thanks Mark😊
Have fun, Ann!
Always say "bonjour" and don't touch the fruit!
I've found people in France to be helpful and friendly. Do try to learn a little French. It helps a lot.
@@jamesbinns8528 lol you got a bad experience with the fruits ?
How was your visit?
I would just like to add with the issue of luggage, it is also very difficult to bring too much because the stations generally do not have escalators or elevators or such do not go all the way up or down. If you have mobility or age issues, it will be very difficult to carry all your bags up and down. :)
I travel with a moderately sized backpack.
When we were there in May, we felt very safe.
I just returned to the United States. I traveled with my daughter and as two females traveling alone, we never felt unsafe
This kinda video is more for people other than Americans lol. Of course you would feel fine from the U.S because American cities are much more dangerous😂
Also, back up your phone, activate location finding and add a passcode. Phone theft happens in Paris, if you leave your phone on the table unattended or what not. I should add that all of that is happening a lot less or not at all in other smaller cities in France like Nancy, Biarritz, etc.
Lmao a guy tried to pickpocket my dad on the metro by the Louvre. Yeah my dad slapped his hand away and cursed him out. The entire train just stared at the guy and he stood there defeated. Can’t pull a fast one on New Yorkers.
Thanks for that info. We'll be going to Paris for the first time very soon so I'm looking for info. Quick question for you, are there any options for transportation aside from the metro/subway? Do they have ride share services like uber? I have kids and it's a challenge getting them around on subways with luggage so I appreciate your comment about that. Also, one other thing. Are most places cash only? I normally like to just use a credit card for foreign countries. THoughts?
so nice paris holiday
Paris is safe! It’s true that pickpockets exist (just be aware of your stuff) and the suburbs have some rough areas (not that you’ll be going there anyways), but actual crime itself is not that prevalent. Paris has a lower crime rate than 90% of US cities
Another great video
A lot of good advice here, but not only for Paris. Applies to ANY city anywhere, Europe, North America, Asia.
On the cup game, they sometimes pickpocket you awhile you are watching the cups, another person will take your wallet, empty it and put it back as it was my case in Berlin.
Just as a side notes, in many other French cities, all these things are not nearly as present as in Paris (well... except for Marseilles maybe) , so even if your experience in Paris wasn't great, do take some time to travel around if you can, you might be surprised.
Paris is beautifull place...it is worth it to visit...
Very informative video. I had no idea Three card monty scam is alive and well in paris.
My 16 year old daughter and I were there in July and had no problems...but we were aware & watched your scam video 😀
I'd love to hear more about handicap access? Renting an Amigo? Especially someone who is challenged at walking an may need a wheeled chair?
Thanks for your consideration.
Good point. We went to Italy last month, and noticed several smaller train stations were not handicap accessible. Unless I am missing something, I would not recommend my elderly parents and in-laws to go Europe.
@@TeeDOG6 Not all of Europe is the same.
Oh and just to add, personally I'd never use a hotel room safe. They're basically worthless. Pretty much only staff have access to your room and they all know the override code to the safe if they have any ill intentions. Don't just leave valuables in easy grab view but the best thing to do is use a Pacsafe portable safe and sturdy padlock that uses a key, not a combo. Then throw the nickable items into that, attach to a solid object like a radiator and don't worry any more. You can also buy a Pacsafe exomesh cover to go over a bag and do the same. I've got both. No I don't work for Pacsafe and I have no relationship with them. Don't cheap out on padlocks either. It's unlikely anyone is going to try to pick a lock in your hotel room, the staff are looking for an easy score but don't use a nasty cheap one that can be low skill bypassed with a simple rake attack with a cheap pick or shimmed with a coke can. A moderately priced Abus padlock is fine.
Dont just watch out for cars when crossing. Bikes and electric scooters are everywhere, look far ahead when looking both ways!
I absolutely love Paris!
we need one of these for Beirut, they are trying to rebuild there economy but on the other hand a huge grain terminal just collapsed .
Paris can be dangerous for sure, but Paris is also beautiful and worthwhile.
Would be nice to see an up to date one on safety in NYC.
You know the answer.
Leftist policies are destroying American cities. Not worth visiting.
@@alexc9638 I don't care about your right wing views.
@@clvrswine Presumptuous, if I knew the answer I wouldn't have asked.
New York is a lot safer than Paris
Just be careful of pickpockets . Violent crime is rare in most European cities. In Paris watch out if you arrive by Eurostar, they are watching for tourists straight away. Notre Dame , Metro and Eiffel Tower, put your hands in your pockets. Just keep yourselves safe and enjoy!
The three cup game is a whole planned scam with lots of accomplices. I ended up watching a “game” and I actually got excited seeing how people were winning more than losing. I was almost going to play, but then I saw how the guy asked “where is the ball” and it was COMPLETELY OBVIOUS the ball was under the middle cup, however, one lady (who was for sure an accomplice) purposely pointed at the wrong cup and lost all her cash. That was so dumb and unreal to me that I just left. They also won’t allow you to record lol
When I visited Paris a few years ago I thought something about it felt very unsafe. A lot of the streets looked very sketchy and a lot of sketchy people were walking around (more than I’ve seen in any other city I have visited) I thought it was a dump and very badly kept!
Walked all over central Paris after 11pm a number of times. Never had an issue. Then again, I'm 6'2 and 275 pounds....and always aware of my surroundings. The whole "nasty Parisian" is also a myth. No more nasty than any other big city. You're nice to them, they're nice back. Easy.
Super helpful thank you! Are there any dangerous neighborhoods to avoid?
What do you think?
J' adore les musées de la belle ville de Paris, I love the lovely french museums of Paris
So do I !
I spent several years on active duty & traveled to more places than I can remember including Paris. I'm also born & raised in Chicago, I currently live in the DC area & work in downtown DC. Here's the thing people need to know, other than language cities like Paris, Naples, Berlin or ANY medium or large city in Europe aren't any different than their counterparts in the US. You have areas of these cities that are at all different levels of safety from high to low & the exact same precautions need to be taken. I never once felt unsafe other than when I was in Istanbul where it was a little more sketchy.
Istanbul isn’t sketchy. Where the heck did you stay? I’ve spent 5 months here on both the European and Asian side. Loads of nonsense. It’s no different than DC.
@@charlesm.hernandez264 first let me point out that I’m from the south side of Chicago & grew up there when crime & murder rates were 3x what they are now. To add to that I went to grade school which at that time was in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the city & it was right across the street from one of the most infamous housing projects in the city so when I say sketchy I’m not over stating it & know what sketchy is.
Second, I was there in the summer of 95 while I was in the military & when the first thing you see is armed military personnel walking around downtown areas they aren’t there just for their health. You don’t have that in Chicago or DC for that matter. We also were given hazardous duty pay for being there because it wasn’t the safest place to be.
Any luggage recommendations for traveling and walking on all those European streets?
We have had great success with using bags from Tavelon. Very secure and safe at protecting your valuables.
Obviously pick pocketing is about people pockets but will pick pocketers strick rucksacks or zipped bags too or are those safe?
They cut a hole in them with a razor blade
“Babe wake up Wolters World uploaded”
For the pickpockets and petitions, most part of the time it is from small groups of young gypsy girls(tanned skins) from Eastern Europe.
Some parts in Paris aren't safe, for example; Saint Denis, Gare du Nord, Gare de l’Est, Porte de Clignancourt, Porte de Clichy... and 18 and 19 districts of Paris.
Whole Paris is usually safe. If you are in the wrong place and in a a wrong time, you will feel it. Sometimes its better to make some steps back to be safe throughout whole your visit in Paris :)
Gard du Nord looks like some place in North Africa. I am not a guy for night life, so I'm back to my room at a reasonable hour.
@@jamesbinns8528 My daughter read me some comments from the Internet, that tourists from this parts of Paris day by day had to call for Uber, because they were afraid to leave the hotel on foot.
So if there are some dangerous place in Paris, we should talk about it.
Every times I go in Paris, two or three times per year, I visit my family in the Sri-Lanka neighborhood, between Gare du Nord and La Chapelle. It can feel unsafe, but I never was annoyed or threaten by anyone. Just act natural, and nobody will mind you
Gare du nord and l'est I have never had an issue with. Gare du nord is s bit sketchy at night tho.
@@maciejnowak2768 I stayed in St Denis a few years ago. Of course I had booked a room online, and my first evening out to get a bite I learned that I was staying just by a strip club, and there were prostitutes within steps of my hotel. I didn't have any problems.
My Mormor has always said “The french drive like maniacs” and I really do stand by that lol
I was in Charleston SC recently, and they have young men selling flowers made from corn husks there. I said no and they were very rude about that. Please don't encourage people like that.
I never felt unsafe either and I just came back
Is it the law that we need to carry our passport on us? I’m afraid to walk around with it
You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off you. --Maya Angelou.
Cargo pants with zipper pockets! There are some that don't look too bad but even if they are ugly it's worth not losing your stuff.
The E.U. is just much safer in general.
Is ________ (insert city here) safe?
Same basic rules apply in any city.
Be aware but enjoy where ever your traveling.
*you're.
I’ve seen this wallet that fits like gun holster. Anyone here ever use that? Would you recommend?
One of my group members brought one on our Europe trip. It comes in handy when you don’t have secure pockets or a bag. You just don’t want to make a scene pulling money out and potentially making yourself a target or dropping some cash.
👏🏻👏🏻
Well I am from Ireland. The amount of tourists robbed in Ireland is amazing. Motto be careful everywhere.
Really? I thought Ireland was super safe. Still won't stop me from visiting one day, it must be a very beautiful country.
@@nicosimioni7363 It is very beautiful. But the cities especially Dublin have big drug crime. Lots of pick pockets. Like the Metro I was mugged just getting on a bus!
@@maryrosed8475 how did Dublin get such big drug crime. ?? I had visited Dublin about five or six years ago and it seemed fine then.
@@enjoyslearningandtravel7957 We have huge criminal families in Ireland. Two main gangs shooting and killing each other. They are also know in Spain the Kinihan and Hutch gangs. They have flooded Ireland with drugs. Only last weekend they flew a light aircraft into a remote part of the country with over 8 million worth of cocaine. Luckily they were caught. We have a great Drugs squad. They also launder a lot of money through Ireland. A lot are now serving long term jail sentences! So many homeless are drug addicts. They get kids in power areas hooked on these drugs, the kids end up their slaves and usually are dead young. Every town in Ireland has a drug problem. You see lots of drug addicts hanging around the city in Dublin down alleyways and the boardwalk beside the Liffey.
@@maryrosed8475 thanks for your quick answer and information.
That’s really a shame that’s happening in Ireland and Dublin. I met a lot of nice people in Ireland and it’s a shame that it’s changing for whatever reason, the gangs, the youth that turn to drugs and get addicted.
I hope that drug squad can change things for the better because Ireland is a beautiful country with a lot good friendly people.
Not really that safe in Paris. We traveled to Paris and walked around like we do in all European capitals from Rome to London and it was Paris ONLY Paris where someone almost tried to take a ring of ours going to Sacré-Cœur church near Pigalle. Robberies and pickpockets are a concern as well.
Word of advice: Keep valuables at home.
Is August a good month to visit Paris?
As a local...yes and no... Less local but packed with foreigners. Parisians start coming back in town the last week of August 😉 "Small shops, bakeries" will be closed though
I spent the month of August in Paris last year and I had a great time! There were probably fewer locals than normal, but they were still around and it wasn’t overrun with tourists (I think that was partially also because it was the beginning of opening up for post-Covid travel). There were some stores, restaurants, coffee shops, etc. that closed for a couple weeks in a row, but there were always tons of open options available, so the closures never really impacted me.
Is it safe for a woman to travel alone.?
Also…and this applies to ANY travel through an airport, not just CDG. Keep a close eye on your passport going through security.
I put mine in a tray at Seattle airport before going through the metal detector, then as I was getting my stuff together I noticed it was gone. I looked and asked staff, nothing.And there it was when I peeked around the machines, lo and behold - out of sight behind the luggage screening box sitting beside an airport employee.
How handy and risk free is that crime, eh? Take the passport, put it beside you innocently. Hopefully the traveller forgets about it until it’s too late and you’ve got a thousand dollar item to sell. If they remember and ask for it, no big deal. Low risk, big reward. .
I keep my passport in my hand now, I don’t care what they say.
Just know where to go.
Biggest "safety" issue in Paris is no one cares.
More and more, everyone seems to be on his own bubble. No emphaty. Full egocentrism.
This is not a french character trait, only a parisian's one.
Spoiler paris isn’t perfect
Bingo
Someone tried the dropped ring scam on us. We gave her a Euro to get her to go away.
Maybe the government can rid of all the garbage that came illegal and tourists start feeling more save? Just an idea
A lot pickpockets in France and specially in the capital Paris,it's not the French people. But this problem came with others countries from union Europeans.
I've been to France a few times. I always dress a bit formally when I travel---button down shirt, sport jacket, no jeans, leather shoes. I can tell an American tourist right off---always wearing tennis-shoes, and often shorts and a baggy t-shirt---usually looking like a slob, as they do in the US.
When I see the petition people coming my way, I give them a stern look, shake my head and wag my fore-finger. They quickly turn away. When the ribbon guy reaches for my wrist, I jerk it away and yell a "HEY!" It seems to work!
My country has a Travel advisory out for France because of terrorism and civil unrest. You touched on the unrest and the advice was just avoid it.
What about the terror? Is that just part of staying out of the wrong neighbourhood? Or is that a serious concern at popular tourist locations?
Where do you live? Last attacks were 2015 so I dont think its a real concern.
@@MrDingez Canada.
Didn't that priest get decapitated in the street more recently than that? Obviously not targeting tourism or the general public but still an act of terror in my estimation.
Of course, the advisory could just be about the yellow vest protests and the category is "terrorism and civil unrest"
I got hit on the Metro. They boosted my iPhone. Totally ruined my trip, because then I had to deal with the French Apple Store employees.
Just got back from Paris. Was awesome! Protesters are required to get a permit prior to protests, so very orderly and controlled. Everyone was very nice, no bad encounters with anyone. Enjoy!
The thing to do about the bracelet scame is to buy a fake hand with an arm bone sticking out at a halloween store. Wear a long sleeve jacket and hold the fake hand and let one of those scammers grab it. Fun!
Hi.how are y and your family.have you ever been in Morocco؟؟؟
Cash in front pocket. No.. bad idea. Just use a money belt. Too much drama. Please guys Are like New York guys, they can get your wallet and you don’t even feel it. By money belt I mean under your clothes. Or buy one of those belts that has a zipper to put your money in the belt part in a hidden area.
Or if you carry a bag, bury it deep in a pocket inside (and make sure the bag closes).
Paris is the only city in Europe that I've been followed at night and another time confronted by a group of young guys.
Are you a guy or a girl?
Paris is the best city in the world, and I’m not saying that because I’m Parisian
👍👍👍👍💚💚💚💚👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Is Palermo and Taormina safe ? I'm flying to Sicily. :)
Have a safe & enjoyable trip ! Be aware of your surroundings , don’t look like a tourist , wear your passport and money on your body etc just common sense
Palermo is fine, but personally, I wouldn't want to walk late at night in Brancaccio or parts of the harbour
@@AndyKing1963 Personally I'd avoid a port city harbor area late at night globally.
@@Tamar-sz8ox Passport on your body? Just leave it in the hotel.
@@tompiper9276 hmm sometimes, but not everywhere, I've been to Hamburg and it's brilliant
See the sights, avoid the people.
Least safe feeling European city I've been in thus far. The hundreds of military-aged males loitering around just watching people (their not selling things) is crazy and creepy.
Which European cities have you been to?
@@TY-sx3jb Paris, Athens, Berlin, London, Edinburgh, Dublin, Cork, Galway, Stuttgart, & Frankfurt
None of them European of course
"Magic fanny pack"😂
My daughter tried to cross the street in the traffic circle during a school trip. She made it across safely, thank God, but feared for her life.
but honestly a. why does 3 cup monte still exist and b. who is still getting tricked by this? it's 2022 we've certainly established by now that games on chance on the street are rigged.
@Colleen Kelly yeah even i true that would not be the employees responsibility those oil companies have billions of dollars to utilize.
I was ther in october 2021, I visited mon matre in the nort, with daylight, its unsafe they say , there were two dark complection guys discusing in the street, so you can make conclusions of the zone.
You haven’t truly been to France until you have experienced a strike or protest.
@Linus From what I can tell there are no requirements for any Covid related protocols. This doesn’t stop individual organizations from requiring Covid protocols.
Lesson #1- Don’t be an idiot
I can think of cities far less safe than Paris ---- in AMERICA:
CHICAGO
LOS ANGLES
WASHINGTON DC
SEATTLE
PORTLAND
MINNEAPOLIS
NEW YORK
BALTIMORE
....ALL BLUE AREAS.
They're blue areas but I don't think being blue is the problem... Vermont is blue and one of the safest States.
Who's committing the crime in those cities?
@@mariobotelho32 it is 100% the problem. Because vermont doesn't have a crime problem and is blue doesn't correlate to the big cities. Big blue cities universally pollute the social infrastructure that encourages minority crime.
That doesn't happen in red states.
You didn't answer. Who's committing the crime? Is that "oppressed" and magic community?
I visited NYC recently and it didn't feel unsafe. Even went uptown during the day and it was perfectly fine. Same with LA unless you walk into skid row or something.
A lot of American cities have been gentrifying so fast since new generations are liking cities again. They really don't have the roughness of 30 years ago. Cities with more crime are usually in the middle of the country away from the wealthy coasts.
@@kueller917 good for you.
But statistically you are wrong.
The top 5 big democrat cities make America #3 in the world for murder rates, dump thos cities and America is 186 out of 193.
New York is one of those cesspool cities.
Then their is the covid I sanity they pummeled people with.