I am staying in Paris near the intersection of rue Quincampoix and rue Rambuleau in the 4th arrondissment. It seems the closest metro stations are Les Halles and Rambuteau. I have read some comments that this could be a very dangerous area at night. Is this true? Would it be safe to be out after dark with 2 women and 2 children (10 and 13)?

It's a perfectly safe area and there will be lots of people out after dark.

Where did you read these comments? Was it a reputable source? I'm thinking it wasn't. People are always spewing forth untruths about the danger of Paris and the rudeness of its people but never citing their sources. They always "have read" and "have heard" things.

What time of year are you going? It can get dark at 5:00 or as late as 11:00. I doubt you'll be wandering around at 2:00 after sightseeing all day and with children 10 and 13.

<<I have read some comments that this could be a very dangerous area at night.>>

Really? Where did you read this?

It's nonsense.

My daughter-in-law found some reviews when she was looking for restaurants. I think some were from Lonely Planet and Destination Expert. She tends to be drawn to the negative because she is always worried about the safety of her children. I told her I would ask on this forum and I am getting the replies I had hoped for. We are going July 17th, so I think it will stay light quite late. Thank you for confirming what I already felt was true. We will be safe.

As noted , it won't even be dark till after 10, so don't sweat it,, I found my kids were so tired after sightseeing all day were usually back at hotel by 10-10:30 anyways. I took my 11 yr old daughter by myself, and on a another trip took my 13 yr old son.. so I was the only adult with a child and felt safe walking about even in the evening

Ps I will be in Paris from the 19th-26th too, so who knows, you may walk right by me with your kids in tow!

You shouldn't have anything to worry about when out after dark. We've walked those streets at all hours of the day and night with never a hint of trouble.

There are people on TA who are constantly writing that it is a horrible dangerous area in Paris.

Nothing could be farther from the truth, or else it would not be the most popular area for nightlife in the entire city.

I think it could be a case of what Americans may see and what may be the truth. I often see numbers of youths that Americans may think are gangs in this area but in fact are not and are harmless even though worrisome looking to a naive onlooker.

The real danger in Paris is during the day - pickpockets in metro stations and ubiquitous Gypsy girls who are adept at distracting your attention whilst one of them pickpockets you.

Paris has plenty of pickpockets but physical violence I believe is rare against tourists.

I stayed in a hotel not far north from this area and the metro stop there at night there was full of Afro-French young men decked out in cool duds, etc. Dozens and dozens gathered on the steps of the metro exit - I heard several folks in our hotel express great concern with what they perceived as a danger but which was really just young men gathering - so looks can be deceiving.