cole2222

I am a 22 year old Canadian student going backpacking Europe this summer. I have booked a hostel in this part of Paris and am now starting to read a lot of posts that bring in to question the safety of this area, many of which criticize the safety of the Gare Du Nord metro station which I intend to use (including at night).

However, a lot of these posts are 3-5 years old and I am wondering if maybe the area is safer now. If you are a local or just very familiar with the area, any input would be greatly appreciated.

bilboburgler

busiest station in europe, going to always have a few problems, but not bad

Whathello

Been there every week since 10 years inc after midnight.
Never seen anything bad happening.
Nearly got caught in a fight that I would have avoided altogether had I kept my mouth shut.

PalenQ

Stayed once just a few blocks from Gare de l'Est-next door to Nord and one metro stop just south of the station - Auvers??? Anvers?? when we came back to our hotel we found the door locked and no one there to open for about 15 minutes - we were on the street and right by that metro entrance which looked like something out of the Bronx- tough looking guys hanging out all over - a bit unnerving but I do not think it was dangerous.

Looks can be deceiving at times- don't judge an area by its crowd. Never ever had any problems in that area at night- there is a lot of pickpocketing, etc in Nord station itself apparently but the streets are as safe as your college town at night or safer.

StCirq

It's a big train station. Big train stations always attract unsavory characters. But not armed and dangerous ones, just pickpockets and fake taxi drivers. Nothing has changed in 20 years or more at the Gare du Nord. You'll be just fine if your valuables are hidden and protected and you don't engage with strangers. Use common sense and be aware of your surroundings.

Christina

I go there to do my business, of course, but yes, there is more crime at that station than some others, and that area. Those are just statistical facts from police reports.

I have seen the official police reports, not basing my opinion on nothing happening to me when I happen to be there.

I don't think I would particularly want that to be the metro station I use every night, though. But I don't know that I'd tell you not to stay there.

Here is one article on theft in metro stations which shows the highest level (worst) for those with violence is Chatelet les Halles and then Gare du Nord. Of course they have more traffic, also. This is about 5 years old, not sure I can find something more easily

http://www.lefigaro.fr/actualite-fra...angereuses.php

kerouac

Gare du Nord presents absolutely no problems to any sort of alert traveler, and the area has improved immensely in recent years.

Since it is the busiest train station in continental Europe, one thing that you will never have to worry about, including in the metro stations beneath it, is finding yourself isolated, which is one of the things about which people seem to worry the most. There are always a lot of people around, including the homeless, young runaways, and refugees from Asia and Africa. Those are the only people who really need to worry, because they are easy victims.

fitmachine

It just feels like any busy city area, with lots of cafes and shops and things. It's crowded, but not dangerous.

One good way to see what a neighborhood is like is to look it up on Google Maps and go to street view and just look around.

fuzzbucket

If you are really concerned about having to use Gare du Nord as your primary station, all you have to do is get off one stop before or after Gare du Nord. Things will be much more calm, there, and it won't put you out of your way - just a few meters.

cafegoddess

If you are my 22 year daughter or son, I would not want you to stay around that area. It is dirty and it stinks.

Jay_G

cafegoddess - that description applies to vast swathes of Paris (and an awful lot of Europe too). Nothing a hot shower and a light breeze can't fix...

As other posters have mentioned, it's lively but just as safe as any other large train station in a capital city.

flanneruk

"If you are my 22 year daughter or son, I would not want you to stay around that area. It is dirty and it stinks."

When I was 22, I couldn't have imagined a better argument for staying somewhere. Frankly, it still sounds a pretty good recommendation nearly fifty years later.

Are today's kids complete wooses? Or are today's parents far more out of touch than they were in my day?

Jay_G

Spot on flanner.

I think it's a little from column "A" and a little from column "B"...

Whathello

Good post Flanner !
Of course a Goddess is used to travel in limo so how could she know about a train station ?
Actually it doesn't even smell. Street tramps have their own toilets towards the hospital. And mind you the French clean their stations.

kerouac

Probably some of these new arrivals have to pay excess baggage charges for all of the antiseptic wipes that they bring with them.