Seeking advice on traveling to Paris in May 2023
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Seeking advice on traveling to Paris in May 2023
Hello!
I was ready to buy my round-trip ticket to Paris today when a friend mentioned that it's probably not safe to travel to France because of all the demonstrations happening all over France. The US Travel Advisory is "Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution," but the advisory was updated in October 2022. I'd really appreciate any insight on traveling to Paris during the month of May 2023.
Looking forward to your thoughts.
Best,
Joan
I was ready to buy my round-trip ticket to Paris today when a friend mentioned that it's probably not safe to travel to France because of all the demonstrations happening all over France. The US Travel Advisory is "Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution," but the advisory was updated in October 2022. I'd really appreciate any insight on traveling to Paris during the month of May 2023.
Looking forward to your thoughts.
Best,
Joan
#5
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,528
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We will be there for 6 days in May and are not worried. We’ve been in Paris when they have demonstrations before and they are localized and if you’re not interested you walk around them. My husband is attending a huge medical conference and the only worry we ever had was the metro being disrupted since he has to go out to conference center every day.
Trending Topics
#9
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No no no no no no! This is is like saying all of Chicago is dangerous because there are some bad areas.. PARIS IS HUGE and there are never demonstrations everywhere! Just avoid major area like Republique and stay in the leafy areas of Western Paris. Believe me life continues and these strikes and activities have died down. Life is NEVER black and white and the media just exaggerates and stokes fear so by all means GO GO GO! And if you're that worried opt to stay outside of Paris in Versailles or Saint Germain etc etc etc.
#10
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 568
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I returned from nine days in Paris last night. I was there on May 1, Labor Day, and it was perfectly safe. There were many armed police around (and lots of police cars blaring sirens), but that was mainly to prevent rather than respond to violence. And unless you were right smack in the middle of Place de la Republique, you probably would not encounter demonstrations, much less vandalism.
#11
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was in Paris during the demonstrations and rail strikes in March. My only slight complaint was the uncollected rubbish in some of the streets. Other than that, my friends and former colleagues advised me to allow extra time if travelling on the RER. As things turned out I didn’t have to wait more than 2 minutes every time I got to the platform. When there were demonstrations at Opera, I went somewhere else. If you’re not sure what’s going on, ask reception or the concierge at your hotel.
#12
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You can watch the demonstrations on youtube to get an idea of what they are like if you wish but our daughter lives there and we don't worry at all. There's never much physical danger in Paris at any time. We go for a month each year, walk the streets at night and have no anxiety. However, pick pockets are common during the day. Never carry a bag unzipped especially on the Metro and be wary of petitioners or any street person asking you for anything, the time, directions, etc. Sometimes they are distracting you so that their partner can lift your valuables. Otherwise, enjoy your trip.
#16
Join Date: May 2023
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you're really worried about safety, then avoid America where every paranoid schizophrenic has a semi-automatic rifle. France is much safer. Demonstrations are always announced in advance, so that people who WANT to join them have time to get there. If you hear that a demonstration will happen in a particular place at a particular time, then simply go somewhere else that day.
#17
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,528
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you're really worried about safety, then avoid America where every paranoid schizophrenic has a semi-automatic rifle. France is much safer. Demonstrations are always announced in advance, so that people who WANT to join them have time to get there. If you hear that a demonstration will happen in a particular place at a particular time, then simply go somewhere else that day.
Last edited by macdogmom; May 16th, 2023 at 04:56 AM.
#18
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 25,487
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've been in France since May 2. The first 7 days were in Paris. We did see more police around the city, but not a single protest. There is a lot of anti-Macron graffiti, but other than that we would never have known anything was happening here.
I should caution you that Paris is extremely crowded so make sure to book tickets for the most popular attractions in advance, especially the Louvre.
I should caution you that Paris is extremely crowded so make sure to book tickets for the most popular attractions in advance, especially the Louvre.
Last edited by P_M; May 16th, 2023 at 07:31 AM.
#19
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,528
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've been in France since May 2. The first 7 days were in Paris. We did see more police around the city, but not a single protest. There is a lot of anti-Macron graffiti, but other than that we would never have known anything was happening here.
I should caution you that Paris is extremely crowded so make sure to book tickets for the most popular attractions in advance, especially the Louvre.
I should caution you that Paris is extremely crowded so make sure to book tickets for the most popular attractions in advance, especially the Louvre.