First time solo - Paris
 

Hi,

I'm panning my first solo trip ever, to Paris.

Im 22, male, engish, but am not well build (possible easy target), and feel saftey could be an issue.

I plan to get the boat up to st. Malo and train direct into Paris.

so far i only found one other topic on this.

any advice? I'm mostly im hearing good things, and the only real danger is pocket pickers.

I plan to stay in the 1st district.

any advice welcome.

thanks
AW

I think you will be fine, just carry most of your cash, credit cards and ID in a concealed waist pack or leg pack. Don't put anything in your pockets that would be inconvenient to lose. Just keep aware of your surroundings and don't fall for the scams!

I have heard from friends that men sometimes are given a hard time from other men being aggressive towards them, but I would think no worse than in London or any other British city.

Just be aware and be sure and have fun!! Let us know with a trip report.

If you read some of the advice in the Europe board about Paris safety, that should help. Mostly as SeaUrchin says, don't put valuable things loose in your pockets (or in a backpack on your back), keep them in a moneybelt or safety wallet. Be aware of your surroundings - if you see someone getting sick in the street, etc., don't become engrossed with the scene and lose track of who's around you.

Also, because you're alone, keeping your luggage to an easily managed size so that you can haul it into the restroom with you, etc. will help a lot.

I don't think size has a lot to do with pickpocketing (unless you're mean and ugly too and then they stay away :) ), mostly it's how inattentive you are that will make you a target.

I would use a money belt under your clothes for valuable. Only keep in your pocket the cash you need for 1 day.

As a young male smaller in stature, I would think similar ideas would work like for women traveling solo...

Don't stand on a street corner looking lost. Try to walk with purpose like you know where you are going. Overall develop a confident stance on the streets (even if you don't feel that way).

Paris is a big city, with all kinds of different neighborhoods. 1st is central so seems like that would be a good choice to stay (but I am no expert on Paris, have only been there once myself).

Safe travels.

I'm a 5'0" rather frail looking female, and I just came back from a solo trip to Paris. I was a little afraid of being easy prey as well because of my size, but I had absolutely no problem, and truly felt safer than I do back in the metro area of my own city. I had a zippered money pouch type of thing that you wear under your sweater, but I wore it lower, so it was in the waistband of mypants or skirt, and I kept my passport in there, as well as one credit card, one cash card, and some cash. In my locked suitcase back at the hotel, I kept another cash card and credit card, and some cash. In my wallet, I kept one cash card, one credit card and some cash, and a copy of my passport, and I kept it in a zipped wallet inside the zippered pocket of a zippered purse, which I wore towards the front of me, rather than swinging from my shoulder. I took the metro a lot, including late at night, and felt safe. At all times, I was aware of who was around me and what was around me, and the only time I had a gut feeling that was a little bad was a few moments at the flea markets, and I just quickly moved out to a more open area of the street. Like others here have said, if you look like you know where you are going, and try hard not to look "lost" even if you are, you blend in more and are probably a less likely target. I was particularly careful around the heavily-tourist-populated areas like the Champs Elysees. I also carried an umbrella all the time, just in case, and not always meaning in case of rain. :)

I go to Paris twice a year and rent an apartment in the 6th. I walk everywhere and ride the metro. I behave and dress exactly as I would in my home city; I wear jewelry and carry what I need in a nice looking shoulder bag. If I didn't do that, I'd probably look more like a tourist, and perhaps a "target." As in my own city, I am careful in neighborhoods where I have heard there is crime, and for the most part confine myself to well-lit areas at night to the extent possible. After all, Parisians don't go around hiding their money in money belts. By the way, I am female, about 5 feet tall, 112 pounds, with silver-grey hair. Having said all that, if you are not a city-boy, by all means take more precautions, but do go to Paris and enjoy it!
Jess

well,

i've done it, ive booked it all.
5 nights in france (1 in St. Malo 4 in Paris)

going to train it up from St. Malo to Paris direct.

Congratulations!! You will have a great time. Be sure to come back afterwards and tell us all about it.

i too travelled alone to Paris (I am female and I was 27 at the time) I had no problems whatsoever. I had a scarf go missing on a windy day, don't know what happened, but that was the worst of it.

I stayed in the 3rd (Huchette) busy street and very touristy, but it's because I didn't want to be going down a dark street to my hotel at night. No worries about that on Huchette. Tons of shops and vendors open late. I stayed above a Greek restaurant, if you don't mind breaking plates and OPA til after midnight, then it's a pretty safe street to stay on. Let me know if you want more details. (it was a very budget friendly hotel)

I just got back from Paris a few weeks ago. Act just like I would at home. I don't worry about pickpockets in NYC, so why worry about them there. If you see someone in a rage and walk toward them, that would be a bad call. Otherwise, you might as well get on with it because are free to move around the same as you are.

I did whatever the guidebooks tell you not to. Took the RER train into the city, met a nice Frenchman who lives in the States. Got lost on the Metro and met four people who spoke English and helped me get to my hotel.

Never done a money belt. I'm a purse and wallet kinda girl.

We could be killed inside our homes, so what's the use of fearing everywhere else?

Have a blast!

"We could be killed inside our homes, so what's the use of fearing everywhere else?"

True -- I got pickpocketed twice while shopping the first year I moved to Minneapolis, and had apartments and cars broken into when I lived in other cities. Dealing with the stolen credit cards and identification was NOT fun, and I imagine it could only be worse when one is farther away from home. So the money belt for the passport and a just-in-case credit card and cash made me feel a little more comfortable.

sorry its been awhile since ive been on here - been really busy with work and stuff.

the time is alsmost here on friday i am off to Paris.

Have a wonderful time and give us all the details!

so- if you fear pick-pocketer's put your valuables in an inside pocket. There's more honest-decent people than the ones out-to-get-you. Best thing, don't go to secluded area after night-fall - until you feel secure. And if,bychance, you get robbed, handle it then. But think wise about where &when you go to areas and have a great trip.