Beware of pickpocket in Notre Dame

Sorry about your theft. That's terrible, but it can happen anywhere. One just has to be aware of one's surroundings.

Some years ago a group of nuns plus other church members took a group tour to Rome. At one of the masses in one of the churches in Rome (I do not remember which one) several (about four if memory serves me right) women had their wallets stolen out of the purses. They had put their purses next to them and evidently while they were praying a pickpocket(s) took advantage of their inattention and their feeling "safe" because they were at mass. The thinking was that the pickpocketer(s) were sitting or standing behind them. I don't remember every detail but it is so easy to forget even in the most sacred places there are people that are looking to take advantage of those that do not have a criminal mind. I hope you were able to get a replacement passport easily suebent and that the pickpocket didn't get too much money.

Churches are public places - and just as available to criminals as to anyone else. NEVER let go of your purse - even if praying - and certainly don;t just sit in on a pew.
Keep it across your body in front of you at all times (or, if eating in a restaurant either on your lap or on your feet - with the strap wrapped around your ankle).

And this is not just europe - it's anywhere in the world - including your local mall.

What a shame. I too hope it wasn't difficult to replace your passport and your losses were small. I remember when we visited Notre Dame about 10 years ago, there actually was a sign at the door large print in English warning you to beware of pickpockets. Pretty sad isn't it?

Yes, Notre Dame has always been a classic spot for pickpockets...and Les Invalides, where everyone is leaning over the railing to see Napoeon's tomb - same warning as 35 years ago when I first started visiting Paris.

Major tourist spots, esp those that have free admission, are magnets for pickpockets.

I will never forget the first time I ever visited Notre Dame. I encountered a wild eyed man and was astonished to see he was, ummmmm....let's just say he was pleasuring himself while grinning maniacally. During mass. That must be a sin.

"many times over the years of riding the Metro"

With all that travel experience I find it hard to believe you carried your passport in your purse!!!!!!

Money belt or safe .

add, getting or getting out of the metro, bus or any place.

Uhhhh..do they STILL have that SIGN at Notre Dame which states, in English, that you should "beware of pickpockets" or have they taken it down since I last visited?????

Dukey, the sign might have been stolen by dishonest people.

Travel vests or purses?

If the sign was there, I'm not surprised it was ignored.

Every time I open the Fodors' web site, I am vaguely aware that there's stuff posted in banners around the page that I'm viewing. Most of the time I ignore those banners - and those banners are just another form of 'sign.'

Since other people tell me that they too ignore this information, surely that's a sign - no pun intended - that we have unconsciously learned to adapt to a visual landscape cluttered with too much information.

*******

Suebent, I'm sorry about your bad experience. Alas, churches themselves are a target of thieves. Altarpieces and other works of art have been stolen from churches - which is why so much of the remainder is largely stored in museums these days.

I think I remember a book by Victor Hugo about that. It was titled "The pickpocket of Notre Dame". It was later made into a movie starring Charles Laughton as the pickpocket.

is it recommended to leave passports back at hotel or carry on your in money belt under your clothes?

I am not sure which is more secure...??

thoughts?

I'm a money-belt person myself, rather keep it where I know where it is.

Husband & I are planning trip to Barcelona in the fall. I could't believe all the posts I got from people who had been there warning me about pick pockets - I'm sorry to hear it happened to you in Notre Dame, too!

Author: ssc2229
Date: 06/08/2008, 03:58 pm

is it recommended to leave passports back at hotel or carry on your in money belt under your clothes?

I am not sure which is more secure...??

thoughts?


ssc2229- IMO, back at the hotel, locked away in a safe.