Paris No-Go Zones?
Jul 30th, 2010 | 04:30 PM
#3
Joined: Feb 2010
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I am a single 50 year old female who just spent a week walking the streets of Paris. Very safe, there are tourist everywhere in Paris, so you are never alone. Some areas are alittle seedy at night, but I just stayed in the main touristy areas where there were lots of other tourist wondering around.
Jul 30th, 2010 | 04:35 PM
#4
Joined: Apr 2007
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Within the 20 arrondissments, areas most often frequented by tourists, you are generally safe. This is not to say that you should not be cautious, particularly at night, but there are no specific areas that you should completely avoid.
Jul 31st, 2010 | 08:06 AM
#5
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 24,040
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A close friend of mine was pickpocketed at Gare Montparnasse yesterday while boarding his vacation train. So this should put worries about no-go zones in perspective. Pickpockets will go wherever people will valuables on them are. I live in the poor part of town, and you know what? We never hear about pickpocketing here.
Aug 3rd, 2010 | 08:09 AM
#6
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
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No, there are not. However, there are some sleazy areas that could cause you to wonder briefly.>
Yes indeedy like at night at the Chateau d'Eau metro exit on the Blvd Strasbourg - like Haarlem, NYC - tough looking young blacks hanging out - over the railings watching folks come out - gaggles of them - at first glance i rather trembled but after watching a while it seemed just like a social gathering place - but it would give the average American tourist much pause for concern IMO
Yes indeedy like at night at the Chateau d'Eau metro exit on the Blvd Strasbourg - like Haarlem, NYC - tough looking young blacks hanging out - over the railings watching folks come out - gaggles of them - at first glance i rather trembled but after watching a while it seemed just like a social gathering place - but it would give the average American tourist much pause for concern IMO
Aug 3rd, 2010 | 08:33 AM
#7
Joined: Jan 2003
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There are certainly areas of Paris with higher crime rates, and I suspect the OP was not referring to pickpocketing, but usually when you ask questions like that you are referring to assault of some kind.
However, the average tourist who has never even been to Paris is highly unlikely to get to any area that might have higher crime rates or be more dangerous. I read the French newspapers, I know they've been having a lot of trouble in some areas of Paris and Sarkozy appointed a new chief of police up near St Denis, I believe, or something like that, who is supposed to get tougher, and there is a new head of the gendarmerie. I think the CRS was attacked up there within the last 6 months.
But in any case, tourists ask this same question about my city, Wash DC, and sure there are more dangerous areas but there isn't any way an avg tourist would ever be in them. It would be bizarre. Same for Paris.
However, the average tourist who has never even been to Paris is highly unlikely to get to any area that might have higher crime rates or be more dangerous. I read the French newspapers, I know they've been having a lot of trouble in some areas of Paris and Sarkozy appointed a new chief of police up near St Denis, I believe, or something like that, who is supposed to get tougher, and there is a new head of the gendarmerie. I think the CRS was attacked up there within the last 6 months.
But in any case, tourists ask this same question about my city, Wash DC, and sure there are more dangerous areas but there isn't any way an avg tourist would ever be in them. It would be bizarre. Same for Paris.
