ter2000

I have been visiting Paris for 20 years and have never come across any "vicious attacks". There are certainly pickpockets around, and the gold ring and friendship bracelet scams never grow old apparently - but I've never heard of anyone being actually attacked. No matter what you wear, you will stand out as a tourist, so be aware of your surroundings and be careful of your valuables.

The only place I've ever worn an under the clothing money belt was in Rome, and quite frankly it wasn't worth the hassle. And so uncomfortable! Use a cross-body bag for your valuables, and keep your hand on it when using public transport and in crowded areas and you'll be fine.

Try not to get too paranoid. Paris is a beautiful place to visit - don't let being scared spoil your trip.

CarolA

I go to Paris annually. I am a single female

You need to step away from the computer. I have no idea where you are reading all these horror stories, but I think it's "selective" retention

As for the PacSafe purse... I find the "I need a safe" just hysterical, but I have to admire the company. They have managed to raise the fear level and make tons of money that way! Of course if you leave it on the cafe table the fact that it's a "safe" won't really matter but...

Just get a money belt. If they ever take my wallet they have 40 Euros... Big deal! (And using common sense works well. just because someone speaks English I don't run hysterically away in fear LOL! As for the gold ring scam if you fall for it then REALLY? It's so pathetically see through it's hysterical. I just burst out laughing at them! )

Personally I would rather be pick pocketed in Paris then robbed in Atlanta. No guns!

jceilidh3

Some people prefer the "better safe than sorry" mentality. A PacSafe purse is nothing more than a secure purse with a cute name. It has nothing to do with a safe. Rick Steves' mentions that minor deterrents such as clips on bags or securing your bag to a chair are enough to deter most thiefs (http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/theft.htm). This is what makes the PacSafe purse or similar purses a smart idea. Also, the strap is slash and break proof. This may be unnecessary (unless you're going to Naples), but for first timers who want to feel a little more confident, I see nothing wrong with it.

CarolA

Somehow I survived Naples without the PacSafe..... LOL! I don't think they are required anywhere.

jceilidh3

Most people do, some don't. Most of us don't want to take the chance.

Sassafrass

Like Isabel said, carry passport, credit card, ID and most of your money in a thin neck bag on a string under your shirt, etc. That's it, Don't weigh yourself down.

Purse: Nothing special security wise. What the heck are you going to carry that warrants so much care? Take whatever purse or bag is comfortable to carry - over the shoulder or cross body - with enough room for only your daily needs: guide book, map, water bottle, lip balm, tissues, gum, candy, camera (if it is not out and around your neck), umbrella, and enough room to throw in a sweater and any little presents you might buy. Every single thing there is easily replaced and not worth ruining your trip with worry. Even your camera, unless you are a pro, probably isn't worthy of too much worry except for the loss of some photos, and you can take several cards so you wouldn't lose much if one were stolen or lost.

Over the years, I've taken everything from leather organizers, to cross body style to small, soft back pack style (never wore it on my back, just tossed over one shoulder and kept to the front) and soft LeSacs. Just bought a largish, soft fabric, baggy XO that I've now taken on two trips and absolutely love.

A few euros, I carry either inside the bag in a couple of different places or my pocket. I think you are less of a target if you don't look as if you are trying to protect valuable stuff.

Only time, I've had anything stolen was right here at home, at the end of a trip when I was lax. I had already taken passport out of the passport bag and put it in my luggage and had the passport bag just slung over one shoulder, empty except for credit card and driver's license. Theives snipped the cord and I didn't notice for about five minutes. Luckily, it was all easy to replace, but good lesson that US is just as good for pickpockets as any place else.

Go. Have fun. Most important advice I can give: Don't carry a bunch of valuable stuff around!

Sassafrass

Oh, I've survived Naples also - a half dozen times. It is actually one of my favorite cities.

michele_d

Scared and Paris should never be used in the same sentence. Never once felt remotely scared in Paris. Just like you would do anywhere you go, be aware of your surroundings and don't flaunt your possessions and you will be fine.

StCirq

Been to Paris 100+ times and never been pickpocketed, never even heard of "vicious attacks," read French news all the time and don't recall stories of anything like what you mention. It's FAR more likely that I'll be some sort of victim right here where I live in Washington, DC. I don't know where you've been reading this nonsense, but that's what it is, and unless you are guileless and gullible and don't protect your valuables, you'll be as safe in Paris as anywhere. By the way, scared people LOOK scared and ACT scared and thus make themselves easy targets.

crosscheck

I'm in Paris now - feels extremely safe, as safe as US cities. This is my go-to travel purse:

http://highwaybuzz.com/products/cate...-pocket-series

A shopkeeper in the Marais just asked me where I got it.

ajcpks

Here are some of the topics that started the fear:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic....html#48157133

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic....html#48156066

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel...fety-BR-1.html

The first comment on that one all the way down the page by a member named 'LegalOz'

ter2000

@ajcpks Both incidents are very nasty but none that I would categorise as "vicious". Keep your wits about you and you'll be fine.

StCirq

And the woman who got robbed at the ATM was just not using her brain. She'd already seen the suitcase-flapping thieves do their bit on the customer ahead of her, and she still went ahead to the machine - DUMB!!!! Always use an ATM inside a bank, and for God's sake, if you see weird activity happening to the customer ahead of you, use your head and move on!

crosscheck

Hmm. Yes, nasty, but for every one of these incidents, there are thousands and thousands of people who visit without issue. If you're really nervous, just carry one credit card and some cash in your pocket. And only use ATMs in hotels or bank lobbies (which is a good idea at home as well). But as I said, it feels just as safe, if not more safe, than any US city.

nytraveler

Sorry - but this info is completely incorrect.

Paris is WAY safer than major US cities - even safer than NYC.

Granted their are pickpockets everywhere (even at your local mall) and you need to watch yuour belongings everywhere.

Fear of bodily harm is ridiculous unless you wander down dark alleys alone at 3 am or hand around the town's worst neighborhoods looking like you just fell off the turnip truck.

Back packs and fanny packs are NOT safe - since they are behind you and you can't see them. You need a sturdy bag you can wear across you shoulder in FRONT of you. (I have used a variety of smallish Sportsacs over the last 25 or so years and they work find - strong straps, made of parachute nylon, expand to hold whatever you need for the day and very modestly priced.

The 3 keys are:

1) Always be aware of what is going on around you and pull over to the side if you need to look at a map or guidebook (with your back against a building)

2) Never let go of your belongings - even in a shop a restaurant or a hotel dining room (keep your purse on your lap if sitting down)

3)You do NOT have to be nice to strangers - feel perfectly free to ignore them (or shout police is they bother you) - they can;t scam you if you refuse to interact with them (parents who tell kids to be friendly and polite to everyone do them a real disservice - it can cost you money and more)

After more than 100 trips to europe have never had anything stolen (although I lost a pair of sunglasses by walking away and leaving them on a cafe table - my own fault) and have never used any form of money belt, bag, money pinned in bra or anything else similar.

Caveat: I am a native New Yorker and things that seem totally obvious to me apparently are not always to people who grow up naive and unsuspicious.

vjpblovesitaly

I think the OP is probably not used to cities in general and drives everywhere parking in parking lots and then going into a place and then back out and getting back into the car and driving to the next destination and doing it all over again

ajcpks

I don't even drive - I've been to London, actually, Aruba, NYC a dozen times, Miami, and had no problems there and I brought a small backpack...I didn't have any fears of Paris until I started reading this stuff online.

vjpblovesitaly

Whatever you do in those places should be just fine

PatrickLondon

For anyone who feels the need to tell someone to push off (but do be sure, and don't just go on a first fearful reaction), there is an officially-approved phrase for that in French (or at least, a President's used it and the courts have ruled it isn't legally actionable):
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21783922

sueciv

Sassafrass mentioned "Like Isabel said, carry passport, credit card, ID and most of your money in a thin neck bag on a string under your shirt, etc. That's it, Don't weigh yourself down."
If the bag disrupts the line of your clothing or some such; under your closing, simply wear it under your arm, as if it was a holster (the kind cops wear on those crime dramas on TV...) It doesn't show. If you can arrange to have it under your "strap", you know what I mean, wink wink, who could get it then? I've been to Paris solo 3 times. CAN NOT WAIT to do it again!