France : Safety by City
- Bordeaux
- Le Havre
- Lille
- Lyon
- Marseille
- Martinique
- Montpellier
- Nantes
- Nice
- Nimes
- Paris
- Reims
- Rennes
- Strasbourg
- Toulon
- Toulouse
Paris is known as the “City of Light,” but not because of how it lights up at night.
Instead, part of that moniker has to do with its history, when it had 3,000 street lanterns illuminating the roads.
It also played a significant role in Paris’ Age of Enlightenment.
That’s not considering all the monuments and vibrant culture that also make it an enchanting area.
Today, the city is home to over 140 museums, fine dining options, and even a Disneyland.
Despite all its allure, though, not everyone is completely satisfied with their trip, as they get their hopes up and wind up experiencing disappointment, hallucinations, dizziness, and nausea.
However, if you’re open-minded and just want to explore a new area, that won’t happen.
With that said, though, you may still wonder if Paris is a safe area to visit.
Warnings & Dangers in Paris
OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
Overall, Paris is relatively safe for tourists. There isn't much risk of violent crimes there. That said, theft and scams are common because of how many tourists venture to the area throughout the year. While people can travel alone or with others without much risk, it's important to remain aware of your surroundings and use common sense when visiting.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
Paris taxi drivers are notorious for overcharging tourists, so you need to get a quote for your ride before your driver pulls out. Taking public transportation is safe in one way, but you have to be alert because petty theft is common on buses and metros. If you’re going to walk anywhere, be very cautious because aggressive drivers in the city can make crossing the street risky.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
Of all the potential dangers in the city, pickpocketing is the most common. Thieves take advantage of the fact that the city is a highly sought-after tourist destination, drawing in around 47.5 million visitors each year. The places where people are in high numbers are generally the most prevalent places for pickpockets to lurk. Any poorly lit areas are frequently places where tourists may experience theft.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
There isn't much risk of natural disasters in Paris. The city experiences flooding occasionally because of how close it is to the Seine River, but measures and response plans are in place to reduce its effects. Sometimes, storms, snow, or heatwaves affect the city, but these don't happen often.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
Muggings don't happen that frequently in the city. The same applies to kidnapping. Typically, any theft is from people snatching items out of a bag or walking away with possessions that weren't being watched. Therefore, travelers really don't have to worry about someone trying to rob them violently.
TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
With Paris being such a popular tourist spot, it's a prime location for terrorists. One prime example is the coordinated attack that included the Bataclan concert hall, the national stadium during an active soccer game, and cafes. The attack took the lives of 132 individuals. Paris has also been a location for violent protests throughout the years.
SCAMS RISK: HIGH
Scammers have the perfect environment in Paris for scams. One of the commonly used scams is the “gold ring" trick. Somebody will find a gold ring and demand you pay for it. Fake petitions, teenagers and other individuals offering help with your luggage, and the friendship bracelet scam are among the more common ones. Commonly traveled-to attractions like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre are prime areas for scams.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Since it's a relatively safe area without a lot of violent crime, women are safe to travel to Paris, even alone. A woman will just want to avoid Gare du Nord, Les Halles, and Jaures late at night. Moreover, a woman should avoid making eye contact with men because the locals will look at it as an invitation to make passes at her.
TAP WATER RISK: LOW
The water in Paris is continuously monitored and goes through a treatment process that meets standards implemented by the European Union (EU) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The water undergoes a multistep process consisting of decantation, filtration, and disinfection to ensure the water is clear and doesn't contain microbes that could make someone ill.
Safest Places to Visit in Paris
Le Marais (4th Arrondissement) is a historic, yet trendy area, complete with cobblestone streets, cafes, and boutiques.
It’s home to museums and more.
With so many tourist attractions, it’s a popular part of the city, deterring many criminals.
The 15th Arrondissement is a family-friendly, residential area.
People can visit the Parc Andre Citroen and the Montparnasse Tower to get a glimpse of the city from above.
There isn’t much crime here, and it’s not very crowded.
Montmartre is an artistic area and the highest point in the city.
It’s home to historic homes and Place du Tertre, and it’s where the cabaret Moulin Rouge originated.
Thieves are near the tourist destinations, but it’s overall safe.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés is an upscale area with cafes and high-end boutiques.
The police presence is strong in the area, and it’s relatively quiet there.
Places to Avoid in Paris
You’ll want to avoid Gare du Nord and Gare de l’Est.
They’re extremely busy regional and international train stations.
Because of this, pickpockets are often in the area, waiting for someone who isn’t paying attention.
Some parts of Barbes and Chateau Rouge are known for street crimes and petty theft.
Sometimes, panhandlers will become overly aggressive.
When you’re on streets away from the main road at night, you’re most at risk.
Belleville is a historic area with markets and street art, but it’s not completely safe for tourists.
You’ll want to avoid it at night, in particular.
Stalingrad is located just near the northern edge of Paris, where canals and transport hubs are.
This part of the city almost has a completely different vibe than the rest of Paris, less touristy, to be exact.
There have been reports of harassment and drug activity.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Paris
Even though Paris is considered a safe area, you can never be too careful.
By taking a few precautionary steps, you can further keep yourself safe while you’re exploring the city.
- Don’t let your guard down. Knowing the city is generally safe might be an invitation to relax while you’re in the city. However, you still can’t let loose completely. Always stay aware of your surroundings, even when you’re looking at a map, observing a site, etc.
- Opt for a crossbody bag or money belt. Purses that go over your shoulder or backpacks often give passersby easy access to your belongings. Crossbody bags and money belts remain close to you and require someone to be near you, reducing your chances of a thief taking them or taking from them.
- Make copies of your important documents. Just in case you should happen to lose them or they’re stolen, make copies of your driver’s license, passport, and other important documents you have on you. Besides having a paper copy, it might be in your best interest to save a digital copy.
- Know emergency numbers. Either save these numbers in your phone or write them down in case you need them: Police – 17, Medical emergencies – 15
- Stay away from strangers when you talk to them. If you have to ask a stranger for help — or one offers assistance, always stay back and don’t get too caught up in the conversation. Often, they just want to provide help to distract you.
- Use the rideshare app and authorized taxi services only. Since some drivers may take advantage of you by overcharging, always use a rideshare app or an authorized taxi service.
- Only keep one credit card and a small amount of cash on you. Just in case someone should happen to steal from you, you don’t want to have all your credit cards and cash on you. Leave some at the hotel. And place your cash and card in different places on you.
- Bring a fully charged phone with you. Always fully charge your phone before you go out sightseeing for the day.
- Avoid poorly lit streets. Whenever you’re out at night, avoid any poorly lit streets. You never know who could be hiding out waiting for unsuspecting tourists.
- Don’t play street games. While street games may look fun, they’re often no-win games or just a way to keep you occupied so somebody can take from you.
So... How Safe Is Paris Really?
Paris is safe for the most part.
People can come to the city and genuinely enjoy themselves.
They can immerse themselves in the culture and sights as long as they remain cautious and keep an eye open at all times.
The main danger in the city is thieves, but they generally won’t be aggressive or threatening.
Instead, they’ll reach into your bag when you’re not looking, especially if you leave your stuff unattended.
Because it’s a city with so many tourists, crime in the area tends to be opportunistic, rather than targeted.
It does have one neighborhood that’s known for crime, including drug activity.
While you’ll want to steer clear of this section, that’s not the way most of the city is.
Ideally, you want to travel with somebody else because you’ll be less likely for something to happen when someone else is there.
You can also always have at least one of you watching carefully what’s going on around you.
Having a travel partner also means you have someone who can get help if something happens.
In comparison to other European cities, Paris is one of the safest.
How Does Paris Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Paris |
70 |
| Toulouse |
57 |
| Toulon |
64 |
| Marseille |
55 |
| Le Havre |
63 |
| Bordeaux |
63 |
| Reims |
68 |
 Metairie | 61 |
| Winnemucca | 73 |
| Muskegon | 72 |
| St. Helena Island | 78 |
 Wroclaw | 78 |
| Manteo | 75 |
Useful Information
Visas
You can stay in Paris up to 90 days without needing a visa, only a passport, if you're in a visa-exempt country like the US. Any longer, and you'll need to get a visa. You can complete the application online, but you must go to a visa center, embassy, or consulate with a valid passport, passport photos, a travel itinerary, proof of financial means and accommodations, and travel medical insurance to complete the process.
Currency
The euro (€) is the official currency of Paris. The change includes 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents and €1 and €2 coins. The euro notes include €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, and €200. If you happen to receive a €500 note, you may not be able to spend it because it's no longer in circulation, and most places won't accept it. You can use credit or debit cards in many places.
Weather
Paris has a temperate climate. Winters are mild, and summers are warm. Rain happens throughout the year, but it’s usually light and not associated with storms. The winter temperatures are usually in the 40s. It usually doesn’t snow there, but it has and could. Snowfall is usually light. During the summer, it’s usually between 65 and 80 degrees and sunny. It could get over 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Airports
The largest airport in France is Charles de Gaulle Airport. It offers international flights. Airlines like American Airlines, British Airways, and Delta fly in and out of it. Orly Airport is the second-largest in the city. It offers both domestic and European flights. Air France and easyJet are two of the carriers. Beauvais-Tille Airport offers low-cost flights, but it’s about 1.5 - 2 hours outside of town.
Travel Insurance
If you're on a Schengen visa, you'll need at least €30,000 of travelers’ medical coverage. Anyone else doesn't need travel insurance, including medical, but they may want it so they don't lose money on their airfare in the event of a delay or cancellation, or they can receive medical care if they need it while on vacation. It could also protect against theft, which is common in Paris.
Paris Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C |
7 | 8 | 13 | 16 | 20 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 21 | 16 | 10 | 11 |
| Low °C |
1 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 5 | 6 |
| High °F |
45 | 46 | 55 | 61 | 68 | 73 | 77 | 77 | 70 | 61 | 50 | 52 |
| Low °F |
34 | 37 | 41 | 45 | 52 | 55 | 57 | 57 | 55 | 50 | 41 | 43 |
France - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Bordeaux | 63 |
| Le Havre | 63 |
| Lille | 56 |
| Lyon | 72 |
| Marseille | 55 |
| Martinique | 78 |
| Montpellier | 48 |
| Nantes | 56 |
| Nice | 73 |
| Nimes | 65 |
| Paris | 70 |
| Reims | 68 |
| Rennes | 65 |
| Strasbourg | 74 |
| Toulon | 64 |
| Toulouse | 57 |
SCARY
It is just awful , people are trying to mug you , you just cant walk and feel safe near the refuges , smell of piss is everywhere , Paris was the most beautiful city I have ever visited , but right now I would not recommend to anyone to go near it .
Probably governed by liberals
I love Paris and I go often. With like any city you just have to be aware of your surroundings. Paris is safer than any American City. The people of Paris are wonderful . The Food is like no other in the world. If you have taste you will love Paris
Don’t come to Paris
I agree and I m French.
Avoid
Paris is a ghetto nowadays. Be REALLY careful there, and don’t go if you can avoid it. Even the city centre is dangerous now. If what you are looking for is visiting a big European city, there are way better options like London which are way more safe (and beautiful too).
my daughter and her friends visited while in school in europe ,,they were robbed 2x in 2 hours by gangs in train station not non violent pickpockets gangs ……
Dangerous place
Gare du Nord is a horrific place. Swarms of gangs looking for innocent victims to rob. The metro is even worse. Most awful travel experience.
Paris is no longer Paris
Can you believe that Paris has a better safety-rating than Moscow or Ukraine?
I lived in Paristan. It’s 30% safe at best. Such an overly expensive ghetto.
Do NOT go to Gare du Nord.
Do NOT go out at night in town, especially if you are a lady on your own.
AVOID the metro and the RER after dark. Nothing much is open late but kebab shops and halal grocery stores, anyway.
Very sad, I know.
Dump City
True, Paris needs to clean up its act fast.
I went 5 yrs ago, never again.
Filthy 3rd world people everywhere.
Avoid.
Really Sketchy place
Mugging risk, unlike stated in this article is really high. Just don’t make the wrong turn.
Beware! Pickpockets! Human trafficking! Not safe for solo female travelers!
This rating is way off. Paris is not safe for solo female travelers! Especially young women, even those traveling in pairs. Pickpockets and men pulling at you. Be wary, you could be a victim of human trafficking.
Networks of pickpockets use distraction techniques. Do not take your eyes off your belongings when moving to and from your hotel or rental. You will have to be rude and ignore people who talk to you at times. Hoards of idle men loitering in the streets and especially near metro stations. I was surprised by how many men there were and very few women.
I had my backpack stolen with a computer, hard drives, and pro camera within minutes after arriving – my carry on. Was right at my feet for less than 30 seconds outside my AirBnB in the 18th, before some guy started talking to me – and as I instinctively looked at him for briefly, the other guy grabbed my backpack.
Police told me they can’t keep up with these networks. Found Paris to be a very scary city overall. This is coming from a Chicago native, and very vigilant about safety and belongings. Nothing I could’ve done differently but never take it off or use both belt and chest straps. Thankfully my passport and cards were in an RFID wallet tightly attached.
Lyft/Uber drivers will frequently cancel rides claiming you are a “no-show”, while you get charged the cancel fee – and they get paid.
France is a safe place everywhere except in Paris. You should avoid this city, or stay in rich area. You should discover the real France, not this pathetic third-world city who not belong to France anymore.
Two women felt quite safe
My daughter and I went to Paris recently in summer 2020 and felt quite safe. I would feel worried if my daughter was traveling alone in any large city because she doesn’t have experience with ignoring unwanted attention or requests, nor assessing the level of threat and best response/reaction one should take. However the 2 of us together, we never felt unsafe, with one exception. The exception was COVID-19 in crowded metros, especially with some men speaking loudly to each other with their masks pulled down. In some neighborhoods, there are languages spoken other than french, where the men speak extremely loudly to each other on the sidewalks, forming a sort of corridor that you’d have to walk through. To avoid the risk of contamination, we’d detour around such groups, crossing the street if needed. You have to use common sense and ignore people with weird requests, like asking you to read a postcard or weird stuff, but surprisingly on this visit, those people were non-existant. We visited all the usual tourist spots, traveled on the metro in the evening, and walked a lot, in perfect safety.
Naïve!
Biased review
After reading that page and the one for Shanghai I’m 100% sure the author never visited those cities but instead did little more than naively copy-paste biased reviews from other websites.
I am originally from Paris and I live since several years in Shanghai.
I find unbelievable a dangerous place like Paris gets higher rate than Shanghai (which is one of the safest city in the world along with Singapore and Tokyo).
You never got the right experience of Shanghai or Paris, sorry ma dude…
Agree with you
Completely agree with you, as another former parisian who moved to China almost 5 years ago. Paris is no longer what it was.
France no longer doing well....
I am french and left the country 20 years ago… for family reasons. The reason why the country drastically changed is due to European borders opening in 2000. The famous Europe! that was supposed to unify….
The rich left and the poor came, But mainly it is due to passive and stupid politicians. They decided to let anybody in and also to let incivility and violence take place. Bad choices, removed also mandatory one year military trainings … a good way to strengthen some minds!!
..Police and teachers are under paid and under respected… i can go on with so many reasons why the country turned bad…Plus Paris attracts more than other cities.
Haven’t been and after reading all of the ratings, I have decided not to go. Stupid politicians and opening the borders sounds familiar (US). Thanks for your input.
you should go,i have been there and it is decently safe,trust me
Uh no thanks
Beautiful in the centre of the city. But surrounds are some of the worst ghetto suburbs you’ll ever see.
It’s an amazing city to visit, issue is, scams at the Mona Lisa Museum are bound to happen.
Avoid
Don’t think of Paris as a romantic place for late night walks and everyone is smiling… be safe go elsewhere
It should be more realistic
France is not safe but not because of terrorism but because of France itself
I think thst Paris is super safe and fun
Not at all what we had hoped for
Pretty much in tandem with some of the other travelers! Awful at night, even for a couple traveling together. The whole Parisian vibe we were hoping to experience can pretty much be summed with just one word: overrated. Sure, the pandemic affected the traveling sector but this has happened worldwide. I am referring to the smell, the crowds upon crowds of people, those beady eyes constantly scanning us to look for potential exposed belongings. I don’t know when this became the norm but I know for sure I won’t be coming back anytime soon.
Paris should not be the capital of France anymore, its the terrorism capital of Western Europe.
The safety is much lower than 68. Paris has lot of gun crime even the metro also has lots of crime. In fact, Paris has little peace. The city has lots of ghetto places. Better stick to the place with fewer guns.
Dirty
Just returned from Paris. I would never visit again. Subways are not safe. Taxis are gross and food is very very expensive. There is absolutely no where to go after dark. I am a 55 year old Dad traveling with my daughters. I was with my 60 year olf brother and his girls. Absolutely run over w trash and filth.
Lived in Paris 22 years ….. i’m safe, thank you.
BUT
OK. You need to know where, when, whith who, how, you go … it’s not a dangerous place at ALL if you’ve traveled a little … it’s just a capital ….seriously, it’s not so bad, but yes you have to take care of yourself anytime. Like … everywhere ?
Have a Nice trip
Go and see
Well, I dont like Paris. Some places you don’t see any black people but when you far the Paris everywhere black and you find it white like there’s a needle in a haystack. and a lot bad stuff.
haha
Ok turk
Just so you know, you West asians and north africans overwhelmingly dominate the sector of “bad and problematic” minorities in France and Europe beyond far more than blacks do
What can you expect from a major city?
Remember, Paris is huge. When you have a city of this size, it’s going to have problems. But I’m not sure that the net ratio of problems per capita is any higher than Chicago. Overall, expect large crowds and bad traffic most times, regardless of which part of the city. I personally saw the aftermath of 2 crashes on the road even though I was only there a brief period. Paris is certainly nothing alone the lines of an open war zone, but there are safer cities of similar size elsewhere in the world. Treat it with the same respect you would any metropolis, and you are not likely to be a victim. If you are worried about being pick pocketed, get a chain wallet and Ykooe cell phone holster. If your clothes don’t support wearing a belt, you are putting yourself at a disadvantage. For anyone who is not aware… going out to a bar and getting drunk late at night, especially while alone, is an excellent way to make yourself vulnerable, regardless of whether in France or a much safer locale such as Scandinavia. Use common sense…
Only place in the world I have been robbed three times. The first two times I was living in Paris. Children and women are the typical culprits and they are professional. I have been all over Europe, Africa and Asia and only robbed in Paris. This misinformation is why so many traveling to Paris are unprepared, deemed safe because its Europe, not because its actually safe
never again.
We traveled in a large group. After eating in the Georgian restaurant in the Paris center, we where robbed by a black males who ripped off the watches and ran off. Police said don’t wear expensive watches.
Overall- durty delipidated city with unfriendly people and nothing interesting created in the 100 years. Go to Asia or Eastern European instead.
Paris is not good to travel
I do not recommend Paris for tourists because of police the Paris police not doing there job well they see there is pickpockets and robbers but they ignore them so why everyone is free to do anything if police do there job that will be the best city for ever i don’t know that police have link with them or what but police is nothing in Paris
Still a pretty safe country to visit. Forget your worries about crime and Emmanuel Macron
My info is probably biased, so it is fine if you get me wrong.
I went to Paris and did not sense any insecurity, aside from the strikes and the protests of course. However, you still should be on the lookout for any robbers or pickpockets, as this is common. This year, police efficiency increased, and crimes began to fall. Marseille is still pretty safe, but the number of murders went from somewhere like 32 to 36, so that’s also where police presence increased I think.
I semi-agree with what @David above says, but is not like the police don’t want to reduce crime rates (some police officers are like that), they are not told to enough, and political correctness made by “Mr Unnecessary,” aka Macron is to blame!
Visited this November, and had a great time.
Felt safe everywhere I went I just saw a few scams from gypsies’ girls. If you don’t talk to them you are fine.
There’s something about strolling through the streets of Paris that just feels like stepping into a dream, even with the occasional letdown that comes from unrealistic expectations; the blend of history and culture really wraps around you, even more than the iconic landmarks do.
So you’re telling me the “City of Light” could just as easily be the “City of Disappointment” if you’re not into hallucinating while dodging tourists? Sounds like a dream vacation.
Did you really feel dizziness and nausea during your trip, or was that just a weird fluke?
Have you ever felt that queasy, dizzy feeling after wandering past where those 3,000 street lanterns used to be along the Seine at night, and how did you shake it off?
The dizziness line made me laugh, because after wandering through a couple of the 140 museums my head was actually spinning and I couldn’t stop smiling at how ridiculous it felt.