marseilles safety
 

A number of books I have read have suggested that the idea of Marseilles as unsafe is outdated. This said, I know someone personally who has been mugged there recently and another friend said they felt unsafe around the port area - this is a shame because the impression I pick up from guidebooks is that the port area has some pretty good fish restaurants. I am never usually cautionary in travel despite having all my luggage abducted in Paris.
Any views ?

Hi S,

> I am never usually cautionary in travel despite having all my luggage abducted in Paris.<

Lightning rarely strikes twice.

((I))

I asked my daughter (late 30's) if she felt uncomfortable exploring alone and with one other woman.

She said she did not and that the port area was fine. The Metro closes relatively early, though, and she said she would not have wanted to wander around really late at night looking for a cab.

Actually, she said that if someone were the type that enjoyed going clubbing into the wee hours, they might be uncomfortable looking for a cab really late.

I was in Marseille in 2006 and wished I had more time to explore the city, we only did it as a day trip from our house rental. We did not feel unsafe at all.

Many thanks for your reassuring notes, I might be building the thing up - which is out of character. I think I will go with an open mind.

Steve, I posted the following on another Marseille thread. Regarding security, at least from my experience of about 10 visits in last 5 years, each time 2-4 night stay by the Vieux-Port, the quay area remains just as nice at night. Since my hotel is always nearby, I often stroll around along the port till late after dinner before going to bed, sometimes even after midnight and I never felt uncomfortable.

Thanks kappa, I noted your message on my other post.

There are areas of the city to be avoided, but as a tourist it's unlikely that you'll stray into them if you stick to the principal sights.

Marseille is perfectly safe in any place that a tourist would go. Of course, one should have street smarts everywhere, to avoid pickpockets and con men.

I spent six days on my own (solo female) in Marseille staying in a small Vieux Port hotel and never felt unsafe. I didn't venture too far away in the evening but there were so many people on the main streets around the port at night that I didn't feel threatened at all. I enjoyed walking through the Arab quarter and browsing shops and bakeries during the day.

Yes, there are some good and reasonably priced fish restaurants near the old port, I had dinner there several times.

I also noticed several policemen on the street after dark.

I enjoyed my time there very much and wouldn't hesitate to return.

I would check the circumstances of where and how the person was "mugged" and if it was actually a mugging and not a pickpocketing -- which you have to beware of almost everywhere. I'd also ask where "around" the port area and if it was the Vieux Port or the major port. A friend had her debit card stolen while at an ATM so that's something to watch out for too -- but again -- be vigilant everywhere when using ATMs.

There is a red light district not far from the Vieux Port and I would avoid that. That could be where the alleged mugging occurred.

I say go and have a good time. Be cautious but not frightened.

Stevelyon, I'm curious as to how your luggage got "abducted." Could you relate the story, or post a link if you mentioned how it happened on another thread?

Thanks!

It was stolen from the boot of a car outskirts of Paris. We were on our way back to the UK and parked up to go to a restaurant. The reporting aspect was a nightmare and it was touch and go whether we caught our flights. I wasnt that traumatised but Trish was - I got a new tennis racket out of the insurance. The big regret were the photos on the camera were gone - and we had had a fabulous holiday in the Loire with lots of family pics. I must say The French were tremendously helpful - and thats my usual experience with them; they couldnt do enough to help.

I had the same thing happen to me on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles in the middle of the afternoon. It can happen everywhere. :(