I was reading a response to a question about Paris arondissements in which the writer warned about using certain metro stations at night (but did not specify which ones they were). I will be going to Paris in June and would like to make sure that the hotel I decide to stay in is serviced by a metro station which would be safe at night. I would be interested to hear of any &quot;no go&quot; stations. Thank you.<BR>Julia

<BR>When I read the sites for consular advice to travellers I find that their main warning is about the number 1 subway and RER line B <BR><BR>USA State Department: http://travel.state.gov/france.html<BR>- The Number One Subway Line, which runs by many major tourist attractions (including the Grand Arch at La Defense, Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees, Concorde, Louvre, and Bastille), is the site of many thefts. Pickpockets are especially active on this metro line during the summer months.- Gare du Nord train station, where the express trains from the airport arrive in Paris, is also a high-risk area for pickpocketing and theft.<BR><BR>Canada: http://www.voyage.gc.ca/destinations/menu_e.htm<BR>There has been a significant increase in thefts on the Paris subway and on the &quot;RER&quot; train linking Paris and Charles de Gaulle Airport. Guard against pickpockets near major attractions<BR><BR>Britain, Foreign Office: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket%2FXcelerate%2FShowPage&a mp;c=Page&amp;cid=1007029390590&amp;a=KCountryAdvi ce&amp;aid=1013618385929<BR>Thieves and pickpockets operate on Paris metro and RER lines especially RER line B, which serves Charles de Gaulle airport, Orly airport and Gare du Nord.<BR><BR>Ben Haines, London<BR>

While the information on pickpocketing is very useful, bear in mind that this is most likely to occur during the day, especially at rush hours when trains are at their most crowded. Youngstsers are often responsible (a friend of mine had her bag emptied by a group of Eastern European girls)- be careful if you are pushed or shoved when boarding a busy train. Keep your wallet in an inside pocket and keep an eye on your bag at all times (I always hold mine under my arm). Apparently, the worst lines for pickpocketing are the line 13, line 2, line 4 and line 1, but it could happen anywhere. <BR>To answer your question about metro stations at night, I wouldn't say that they are dangerous on the whole. I've never heard of anyone being attacked in a metro station or anything like that. But there are some stations that you might feel uncomfortable around at night: the stations along the line 2 between place de Clichy and Nation, Gare du Nord and Barbes Rochechouart, for example. Chatelet/les Halles is always busy but can be overwhelming due to its size, and the fact that there are often groups of youngsters hanging around. The same is true for Charles de Gaulle/Etoile. <BR>On the whole, though, you'll find that if you are going to/from the main tourist areas by metro at night, you'll not feel unsafe at all - even at 11pm. Trains are busy even at night, unless you are travelling right out to the end of the line after midnight. I would avoid travelling by RER at night, however.

It's probably best to look at the metro map and avoid stations late at night where several lines and the RER intersect. These stations are huge, often with several levels and long, long hallways. You can always board or get off one station away.

I have an article from a French newspaper that enumerated the crime statistics in the various metro/RER stations. There definitely are some assaults in metro stations (and I've heard of a few), but most of it is theft or property crimes. <BR><BR>In general, it seems like the worst ones are among those on the edges and some with train stations (Gare du Nord is one of the worst). Line 1 is very bad for pickpocketing, as noted, partly because there are so many tourists on it, it is like a pickpocketer's paradise (people not paying attention with lots of stuff for the picking in backpacks, pockets, etc). I saw a guy get pickpocketed on that line and he was literally doing everything wrong, so it's not really surprising (standing in front of the metro door, talking loudly to his companions in English and not paying attention to his belongings or surroundings, carrying a backpack, arms overhead, had a wallet in his pants pocket).<BR><BR>If you choose a hotel in central Paris, there are few metro stations I would say you should definitely avoid, except I would not pick a hotel that had Chatelet/Les Halles as the main station I had to use. I also wouldn't choose any that was a train station (partly for convenience reasons). If you stay on the edges, it's harder to say, because there are dozens and dozens of metro stations so hard to name them all. I think it would be easier if you narrowed your hotel choices down and then asked about a specific location if you were concerned.<BR><BR>As for the statistics, these are the stations with the greatest number of crimes, (the most being at the head):<BR>Chatelet/Les Halles<BR>Strasbourg/St Denis<BR>Opera-Auber<BR>Nation<BR>Gare du Nord<BR>Republique<BR>Bastille<BR>Etoile<BR>Gare de Lyon<BR>place d'Italie<BR><BR>Part of the reason for numbers of crimes is the size of these stations, other stations with a lot of crimes (but perhaps not in the top because they are smaller) are: Invalides,Barbes-Rochechouart, Belleville. La Defense and Bobigny are high in the suburbs.<BR><BR>This article was from Le Parisien in this year but the stats were from 2000. They noted that pickpocketing had gone up 40 pct, but these particular statistics referred to other more aggressive attacks. Chatelet had more than 252, for example, whereas the ones at the bottom of the list like Invalides had only 35-71 (over a year).

Thank you all very much for your advice. It is much appreciated.<BR>Julia

And remember: statistically, you are much more likely to be mugged on the street than in the metro...

I would not worry about violent crime, but I know two people who were pickpocketed at the arc de Triomphe metro station. Both made theselves easy victims - one man with his fat wallet in his back pocket - the other a woman, with her purse open and her digital camera hanging half out. If you are not making yourself an easy victim, you wil not be bothered.

I dislike the Paris Metro, particularly at night, to the extent that I now opt for a cab even if it is more expensive. <BR>I cannot put a price tag on safety!!<BR><BR>In the day I will take a bus if one goes where I want to go.<BR><BR>Rarely, particularly at night, have I ridden the Paris Metro without some major incident.<BR>Either a pickpocket tried to rob me, a drunk in a blackout was pounding the walls of the car, groups of tough young males were walking roughshod over whomever they chose, or hostile looking Frenchmem were eyeing me and my wife to the point I felt threatened.<BR><BR>I have also used the U-Bahn system in Munich and Vienna at night. At no time have I felt as uncomfortable there as I have in Paris. <BR><BR> I think the ultimate Paris incident was last year. I was trying to board a Metro car when the doors suddenly closed and I was clamped so tightly I could not move. I was trapped. No amount of struggling was going to free me. Had two young Brits already on the car not reacted quickly and forced the door open, I probably would not be writing this. <BR><BR>So I would say that my answer to your question is that the whole system is unpleasant, even unsafe, to use.<BR>Were it just one isolated incident, I would chalk it up to bad luck. But once is an accident, twice is a coincidence, three times is habitual.<BR>I am up to about 5 very unsettling experiences. None of them involved the notorious places of Chatalet le Halle or any of the stations in the eastern districts.

Have closed down the metro stops in Paris many times. Arriving late, after dinner and drinks to return to hotel. Never ever, in four visits have I and my wife ever had any trouble. Quite the opposite matter of fact! Met people who wanted to take us to other parties, and dance clubs. I feel as safe in Paris in the evening as I do walking down my neighborhood street here in the midwest. Enjoy and remember, what we think about...multiplies! So, think about relaxation and fun!

Was there in July 2002 - Luxembourg area - Metro safer friendlier and welcoming at all hours for me and my family - Just one simple rule - be confident and alert and people will notice and not try anything - Halles is the only stop which appears scary but that is only due to it immense size.<BR>I worried b4 arrival and after the first day, knew my fears were unfounded - You will have the greatest time - paris is THE place to be...<BR><BR>fantaman

Just a note regarding mr Brown's unfortunately experience of being clamped between closing doors... All Paris metro trains sound a buzzer and show a flashing light before the doors close. Anyone who attempts to board after that sound risks getting trapped in the doors. There are signs up in the metros warning people about this. The mechanism is such that the doors do not &quot;suddently close&quot; without a warning alarm. I rode the metro at least twice a day for three years and though it's not always the most pleasant environment, Bob Brown's view of it strikes me as very paranoid - or else he's just been *very* unlucky.

I am new to this forum - but last week we were in Paris and I got trapped between the Door of the Metro Train, it 'dead armed' me - I have a slipped disc also - I am still unable to move my arm without pain. The doors need a complete overhaul they are damgerous espectially when people push you back into them!!!!! Did not like Paris full of scammers, beggars and dirty horrible place. The best thing where we felt safe was two days on an open top bus tour.

Choose a different country next time.

Are you one of those people who thinks the doors are going to stay OPEN for you until you decide to fit yourself in? Sorry, little compassion here and hope part of the healing process includes re-thinking this sort of situation in the future.

I'm sorry you didn't like Paris, but isn't it nice that you just don't have to go back...more room for me.