SkipHudgins

Thinking about stopping and seeing it when returning my car from Normandy to airport. Is it easily accessible from main highway and is there reasonably safe parking nearby since our car will be full of suitcases?
Thanks in advance for the input.

fuzzbucket

I would not recommend parking on the street, especially if your car is full of suitcases - and if they are visible.
You should make every effort to hide your belongings, even in underground parking lots - might think to take a tarp or two with you. Take cameras, laptops, and anything you think is valuable with you to the basilica.

Here is a commercial underground garage not far from the basilica:
http://www.centre-commercial-basiliq...e/plan-d-acces

kja

IMO, there is always a risk if leaving luggage in one's car, but there are some things you can do to reduce those risks. These steps include
- Don’t ever leave anything in the car that can be seen through its windows
- ALWAYS keep key documents including your passport, cash, and bank cards with you (preferably in a under-the-clothes passport pouch, with only what you need for the day outside of that pouch), and be sure that that pouch also has a copy of any key documents you might need on one or more days
- Don’t ever move things from the interior to the trunk in the place that you will leave the car – do that somewhere else, even if it means pulling off the road briefly a mile or so from your destination
- Try to park in a well lighted area where other people might have eyes-on (not so much because they might act, but because their presence might discourage thieves)
- If possible, park your car in a way that would make it difficult for thieves to gain anything – for example, consider backing the car up to a wall to make it difficult to open the trunk or remove anything from it
- Be sure you know how to contact your rental car agency and insurance agency as soon as possible after any incursion
- Only leave your car with things in it if you are willing to come back and find that they are gone

Good luck!

WoinParis

The reason I don't feel safe there is tat I walked from Stade St Denis and witnessed a car jacking. 2 motorbikes, 3 guys. One guy at the back, dismounts, break the window, snatches the bag, jump on the other motorbike and they are gone.

But again, just pay extra precautions and it will be ok, and yes he cathedral is great.

I guess there must be paying garages, safer.

kja

@ Woinparis -- Ack! How long ago was that, and at what time of day?

kerouac

kja, that can happen anywhere, including downtown Paris at noon. It is a classic when an expensive handbag is lying on the front passenger seat or if fancy shopping bags or a laptop are displayed on the back seat.

In terms of thieves on motorcycles, during my lunch break I once saw a bag snatched on the Pont de Grenelle as a lady was crossing the street. But she didn't let go, so was was dragged completely across the intersection before losing her grip or letting go. So instead of just being robbed, she was robbed <b>AND</b> injured.

WoinParis

Kja
2pm 3 years ago. In the evening I can (could) tell you were to buy dope, I know who knows.

kja

@ kerouac: Of course! I was just curious about Woinparis's experience. Letting oneself became physically injured rather than let go of one's person may be an understandable reaction in the moment, but is not necessarily a wise choice.

@ Woinparis: I don't believe I have need of that particular bit of wisdom, but should circumstances change, I'll let you know. ;-)

kerouac

President Hollande came to Saint Denis today at the invitation of the communist mayor of the city to inaugurate the first stone of the reconstruction of the missing tower. So this project might go a lot faster than expected.