We'll be staying in a small hotel in the St. Germain area. Is it safe to leave valuables ( passport, jewelry,camera, etc) in the safe in the room? Any bad experiences?

I have used room safes in London and Sao Paulo, Brazil and never had a minute of trouble. I preferred the safe in London because you used your own credit card to program the combination. The credit card was then the key to open and close the safe. I tested the safe by trying other cards with a magnetic strip but it didn't work. I felt better about my valuables being in the safe than on me while doing the tourist thing. Have a great trip.

I've never had a problem using the room safe in hotels, but a friend of mine had some money stolen from his room safe. It was his own carelessness - he left the key to the safe hidden in his toiletries. The thief found the key and used it. It seemed self-explanatory to us, but obviously if you're going to use the room safe, you'll want to carry the key with you!

Actually, the "credit card" safe is not safe. The next guest in room can easily use a scanner and obtain all the information provided by your credit card. They can then use the number for all kinds of credit card feuds. So if you do need to use one, don't use your AMEX, VISA or Master. Use a phone card or something else.

Johnny is right !!! I forgot to tell you that I used my phone card. The safe I used would work with any card with a magnetic strip.

There was a thread on this same subject several months ago. Some people talked about thiefts from their room safes.

Not necessarily... I've heard from fellow travelers that setting one's own combination, or a key "no one else has" are no guarantee that your stuff is really safe. Actually, a front desk or office safe is much more secure in that someone else is actually "responsible". But, this is no guarantee either. Others have reported that things they placed in front desk safes vanished. Or, they were unable to achieve access to their belongings when necessary (such as on their way to the airport). It all depends on the reliability of the proprietors where you stay and their "help". Your best bet is to "wear" your passport at all times in an under your clothing security pouch, leave your jewelry at home, and bring a small automatic-everything pocket camera which can be tucked into a pocket or held in your hands at all times. On the one hand, there's probably no need to be too paranoid, but proper precautions are advised. Your best bet is to heed all the advice (photocopies of your passport, bring extra passport photos, leave the flashy gems and jewels at home, along with anything else you don't need). Lots of folks will tell you they've "never had a problem", but there are horror stories as well. All in all, I suppose you should size up the "security" of the place upon arrival and proceed accordingly.

Just don't forget you left things in the safe! Make it a part of a "cockpit check" just before leaving (as well as checking tables, closets, drawers and bathrooms for stray goods. Heard many horror stories of people who left things behind, and some, even when they remembered the things, forget where they saw them last (on a trip with many different overnight stays this could be a big problem).