hwy101

I have been to Paris twice and plan to return again and again. Since I was able to see most "tourist" sites the first time around, I devoted my second trip to long walks around the city, sometimes just wandering and sometimes using routes I'd taken from guidebooks or internet travel sites. I loved that, and I was fascinated with just about every area I passed thru on foot.

So I've been reading and collecting suggestions for meanderings to follow on my next trip back in Oct. Here's one of historical and cultural interest to me, since I loved the Les Halles?Montorgueil area last time: http://www.bonjourparis.com/story/ru...n-and-flashin/

Now, my problem is that a recent post on a different travel site has confused me. It specified that parts of this area should not be walked, and taxis should only be taken to and from restaurants in the area, etc.

I'm wondering if anybody knows the truth about that, or why that would be? It is because of the existence of porn shops/bars on some streets along this walk? If so, is that all that's meant when people use the word "sketchy"? Or would I be naive to take this walk?

Any info very helpful, and thanks!

tod

I don't know of any area in Paris I would'nt go! I,m heading there next week and have spent months researching the most out of the way and un-touristy places (that could never be as we are everywhere!) but let's just say, less frequented by hordes of tourists who are usually stuck either at the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame or in the vacinity of the 4th,5th & 6th.

Trouble is I find far too much I want to see for a two week trip but try and placate myself by looking forward to 'a next time'!
So, my answer is a definite NO, there are no areas I wouldn't go to during daylight hours and would go in a group if walking around late at night in uncrowded places. (Safety in numbers....)
My only complaint, if you can call it that, is I don't know why the French police don't clamp down hard on pick-pockets and scam artists! They are dealing with the souvenir sellers who are probably becoming a little too pesky, so why can't they start arresting the real problem in Paris of petty crime?

Suspaul

hwy101: I have been to Paris 9 times in the past 10 years, sometimes alone and have never felt uncomfortable, that said, I do use caution, am very aware of my surroundings, and of course there are several places I would not walk alone late at night, being female. It's not to say something unfortunate can't happen. Here are a few walks with small groups that I have found interesting, there may be something of interest to you also. Have a great trip.
Susan

http://www.discoverwalks.com/
www.paris-walks.com

StCirq

That walk you're planning is perfectly safe, as is every bit of Paris I've ever been in, and I've been all over. The only things that make me feel uncomfortable about Paris are the Châtelet station and the Gare du Nord late at night, so I just stay away from them.

Michel_Paris

I once walked from Montmartre to Jardin des Plantes after midnight (long story). All in all, never felt unsafe, just a few street people around.

So, during the day no issues, at night perhaps a few.

hwy101

Thanks SO much for the specific replies!

It had seemed to me that the area I wanted to walk was historic, lively, etc--colorful changes along the way, it sounds like (from garment district to porn shops to Turkish restaurants to triumphal St Denis arch).

So I was confused when I read a post on TA advising to stay away from Brasserie Julien on rue du Faubourg St Denis (right by the arch) because it was in such a "sketchy" part of town. The frustrating part is that no one ever says WHY it's sketchy, so I end up confused.

So THANKS for the reality check. Of course, as when traveling anywhere, I intend to use common sense. And I'm extra cautious at night anyway because of my poor sense of direction!

This is a nice forum. Very helpful and I like the "tone."

tod

hwy101 - If you, like me are looking for places in Paris that are somewhat off the beaten track, you may enjoy this walk (part of which I did in 2008).
http://tinyurl.com/2fkp4yv

tarquin

The area around the Restaurant Julien used to be frequented (and perhaps still is) by prostitutes. A few years they sported large dogs as accessories, my young sons were quite intrigued by the scene. But it didn't feel dangerous.

klondike

Perhaps the TA poster is confusing culturally uncomfortable with physically unsafe.

Some neighborhoods of Paris, i.e. the St. Denis area, have a higher percentage of ethnic and/or immigrant population than others. That doesn't make them unsafe.

I remember many years ago as an 18 year old couple in Marseille lost in an all Islamic quarter and realizing that not only were we the only "white people" to be seen, but I was the only female on the street and all eyes were on us. I remember being very uncomfortable and thinking, "Well, now I know how it feels to be black" (Born and raised in a proverbial white, middle-class segregated community this was rather naïve thinking on my part, but an honest thought at that juncture in my life)

Any large cosmopolitain city can be unsafe, especially if you aren't aware of your surrounding and don't take normal precautions. I have taken a cab back to the hotel before if I have enjoyed my wine perhaps a little too generously with dinner or it is very late at night and I know a big metro stop will be pretty much deserted with little help available should I need it. A few euros is well worth not losing money, charge cards or risk being accosted.

My dad always said, "Be careful after dark and don't go into unlit alleys" and "Safety in numbers". Served him well and served me well all these years. I actually feel more unsafe finding myself in the middle of a Parisian political march that I somehow have a knack for ending up in. Large groups of emotionally charged, unhappy people can turn on a dime into a mob imo, so I just turn in the opposite direction and steer clear of them. Use common sense and you usually won't have any problems.

I love my Paris City Walks: 50 adventures on foot by Christian Henry de Tessan. The 50 thick stock cards with walk description on one side and map on the verso are very handy and informative.
www.chroniclebooks.com

Happy walking!

hwy101

Thanks, all.

Tod, thanks for the link to that walk--coincidentally, I printed it and took it to Paris with me in November! I did part of the walk, just as you did, and I loved the Barbes Market, especially!

Tarquin, thanks for the specifics about the neighborhood. I figured the "sketchy" comment on TA had something to do with the reputation for prostitution in the area, but I also think, as you say, that it wouldn't feel "dangerous."

Klondike, good advice. And i will check out the de Tessan ref. Thanks

tod

Klondike - Me too! I had my little box of Paris walks out yesterday choosing a few to add to my already impossible itinerary of 'things to do in Paris'! We leave on Wednesday!!
I have so many unusual places we are visiting but will reveal all once I post a trip report - then others who are as adventurous as us can tag along!

Sue4

Tod, I'll be looking forward to your trip report.
You always have great ones!

Suspaul

klondike - after reading your reply to this post I also went online and bought Paris Walks from Amazon - have been to Paris 9 times and will look forward to making it 10!

LaGigi

What the other people have said is true. But, I'd be extra careful of your surroundings when in areas at night like Montmartre. Also, be careful of pick-pockets in souvenir areas. When my sisters and I were in Paris for a week, we didn't have any problems at all. But then we had each other too. Sometimes I think the "locals" were more entertained by us because we didn't act any different towards each other then we do at home. I think it helped that I speak french, although not fluent, we got along just fine. There is a book I'd recommend if you like walking and especially the out of the way areas and gardens. It's called "Quiet Corners of Paris" by Jean-Christophe Napais. Very informative, beautiful, and just pulls you in.

Appréciez!

MelJ

Last October, while there with a friend, we went to the Little India area and had a wonderful time! I'd been to Paris many times, but never knew it was there. We bought cotton sari's (the kind with pants--sorry I can't remember what they're called) and wonderful spices at a grocery store. Fabulous colors, smells, sites...loved it. This October I'll be with the DH and we'll be going back so he can share the experience.

hwy101

Another great book suggestion--thanks, LaGigi.

MelJ, I have been to the Little India area and loved it as well!

Thanks for all the info.