Is Paris Safe for Travel Right Now? (Honest Local Advice) (2024)

👉Jump to:Is Paris Safe?|Advisories | Crime|Scams|Weather| Metro Safety |Red Light District| Nightlife | | Water|Safety Tips|FAQ

You’re probably wondering: is Paris safe for visitors?

As a Paris, France local, the short answer is yes, Paris is fairly safe to visit if you take some precautions.

The most common type of crime in Paris are nonviolent. Petty theft and pickpocketing are the biggest problems. This guide covers everything you need to know to be prepared for a safe visit to Paris. This way, you can enjoy Paris attractions with peace of mind.

A little local knowledge and preparation go a long way. This is especially true in 2024, when the Olympic Games will draw many visitors.

Is Paris Safe?

Paris, France is generally safe for visitors, including solo travelers and women. However, visitors should be aware that while violent crime is relatively low in Paris, petty theft and pickpocketing are high.

The French capital is a major city, and it comes with the same dangers as any other European city. These will increase around the summer Olympic Games as more people come to the city.

A few basic precautions will minimize your risk when you visit Paris. For example, avoid pickpockets and petty thieves by leaving valuables in a safe place and be mindful of your surroundings.

Health and safety concerns may also play a role in planning your trip to Paris. The French government was very reactive during the COVID-19 pandemic. It generally takes public health very seriously. Health risks are not a major concern.

Things to Know About Safety in Paris

Paris Travel Advisories

The U.S. Department of State currently rates the risk of traveling to France as “Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution.” It lists potential terrorist attacks, pickpocketing, and demonstrations as risks. There are no current travel restrictions between the United States and France.

However, Canada recommends that visitors “Exercise a high degree of caution.” This comes after a March 2024 “attack emergency” level issued from the French government after a Moscow terrorist attack.

Paris has experienced terrorist attacks in the last decade, notably in November 2015. The current likelihood of a terrorist attack is relatively low. But it is a remote possibility.Again, the Olympic Games in July and August 2024 increase the risk.

Crime in Paris

Paris crime rates rose in 2022 in most areas. But this is relative to the previous years. France generally has very low violent crime rates. There were 948 homicides in 2022, for example. Violence against strangers is rare, statistically speaking.

The major crimes affecting tourists are theft and burglary. Petty theft like pickpocketing is particularly bad in tourist areas, such as central Paris. The French government reported 465,000 scams and 663,700 non-violent thefts in 2022. However, violent thefts improved by 25% in 2023 due to increased police presence in busy areas.

Common Scams in Paris

Paris is not safe from scammers. Scams are rampant in busier and more visited areas.

Common scams include:

💍 The “Gold Ring” Scam – Someone comes up with a gold ring, saying you’ve dropped it. When you say you haven’t, they start talking about how valuable it must be and try to sell it to you. This has happened to me and my father outside the Louvre.

💵 The “Friendship Bracelet” Scam – Someone will take your wrist and very quickly weave a friendship bracelet around it, then try to charge you for it. I have seen this happen multiple times outside Sacré-Coeur.

📋 The “Petition” Scam – Someone will approach you to sign a petition and then aggressively ask you for a donation. I have encountered this outside the Pompidou Center, although it also happens in other popular places, too.

Hazardous Weather and Natural Disasters in Paris

Paris is mostly safe from extreme weather events and natural disasters. The major weather events in past years have been high water levels and extreme heat. However, the government has been responsive to the heat waves and has made plans to help Parisians and visitors cope with it moving forward.

📚 Related Reading: Best Time to Visit Paris

Paris Metro Safety

Public transport in Paris draws pickpockets and petty criminals. Paris is safe to travel through via public transportation if you are careful.

Ensure you close your bags and keep them and other possessions in front of you. Put wallets in your front pocket instead of your back pocket. Also, be mindful of the people around you. I also recommend ignoring anybody who approaches you while on public transportation.

The commuter train RER B is particularly known for pickpockets. People traveling alone on this commuter train should be especially wary of anyone sitting next to them. I have had a pickpocket slide his hand into my hoodie without me noticing.

Be particularly careful with phones on the Paris Metro as well. One common technique is for a thief to grab your phone just as the bell sounds before the doors close. The train moves on with you in it, and they are on the platform. This has happened to me twice.

French police and transport police are aware of these problems and patrol busy stations.

Safety in the Red Light District

The red-light district centered around Pigalle in the 9th arrondissem*nt features the Moulin Rouge, so it can be quite touristy. This unfortunately means that it attracts criminals, too.

Public transport in this area can be far from attractions, meaning long walks late at night. Stick to well-lit areas.

The bars and clubs in Pigalle have a very different reputation from the vast majority of Paris establishments, which are safe to visit. Some bars in the Pigalle area will charge you huge amounts for a drink without your knowledge, and then refuse to let you leave. The best option is to phone the police by dialing 17 if this happens to you.

Nightlife in Paris

Paris clubs and bars are as safe as those in any big city. Using the subway to get home is the biggest risk in most places. Taxis are a better option.

Solo female travelers should pay close attention to their drinks, as it is possible to be drugged. Paris also has many gay bars and clubs catering to different crowds. Hate crimes have unfortunately risen in the last year. It is important to be aware of your surroundings entering and leaving these bars and clubs.

Paris Health & Safety

Paris is as safe as other major cities for your health. The CDC suggests only routine vaccines for travelers. You should also be careful to avoid contaminated water and bug bites, as you would in other destinations around the world.

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Paris?

Paris is a very safe city for drinking tap water. Parisian water undergoes a three-step cleaning process. This is not true in all European cities, so always check the drinkability of tap water in other countries before consuming it.

9 Safety Tips for Paris

Tip #1 – Keep Your Belongings Inaccessible to Others

Paris attracts many visitors. Unfortunately, this includes pickpockets. Petty theft is by far the biggest issue tourists face.

Common sense can help minimize your risk. Keep your belongings close to you on public transportation. Leave valuables like your passport in your hotel room or hotel safe instead of carrying it with you.

Tip #2 – Be Vigilant in High-risk Areas

Visiting Paris involves a lot of sightseeing and shopping. But these can be high-risk activities for getting pickpocketed in a big city. For example, the city center may feel safe. However, the first arrondissem*nt (district) has some of the highest non-violent crime rates in the city.

Don’t lose sight of your possessions even while window shopping. Department stores are a common site for petty theft. Famous attractions like the Eiffel Tower are also magnets for pickpockets.

Tip #3 – Pay Attention on Public Transport

Crowded areas make violent crimes less likely. But it makes pickpocketing more likely. It is easy to zone out on the bus or the metro, but this is when you are most vulnerable.

Pay attention to your belongings and who is around you at all times. This also applies if you’re taking public transportation outside of Paris on any day trips.

Tip #4 – Avoid People Approaching You

The best way to avoid petty thieves and scammers is to keep your distance from others. This applies at the Eiffel Tower as much as it does at the Gare du Nord train station.

Tourist attractions are pickpocketing centers in many European cities. Train stations can also be dangerous in big cities. Act as you would in most places and walk away quickly from anyone unofficial who may be approaching you.

Tip #5 – Stay in Well-Lit, Busy Areas at Night

Paris is not a very big city compared to many in Western Europe. But stay in busy areas at night, as you would in other major cities.

For example, a solo female backpacker should choose to walk down the busy Boulevard Saint-Michel in the Latin Quarter. This will keep her safer than going down a charming but more dangerous side street at night.

Tip #6 – Prioritize Your Physical Safety

It’s normal to want to keep your money safe. But prioritize your physical safety over your belongings, no matter what they are. Your primary concern when a crime is happening should be to keep it from escalating into violence. You can always replace your wallet or purse if you need to, but your physical safety is most important.

Tip #7 – Avoid Protests

The French often express their anger with the government through protests and marches. Civil unrest in Paris often centers around the Bastille and République Metro stations.

Most locals protest peacefully. But sometimes these protests do become violent. Tear gas and water cannons are common when the police get involved. It is better to avoid these events.

Tip #8 – Use Licensed Taxis After Dark

It is tempting to use public transport when you are within walking distance of a Metro station. But taxis are worth the extra cost after dark. Licensed taxis are generally more reliable than rideshares in Paris. The main app for hailing a cab is G7.

Tip #9 – Don’t Respond to Provocation

Visiting France can be overwhelming. The easiest way to avoid your trip turning violent is to avoid any locals who call out to you. French people don’t do this much generally. So, if this happens, it’s probably someone looking for a fight. Just walk away.

FAQs About Safety in Paris

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I hope this guide helped ease any worries you have about visiting Paris. Paris is a large city that’s generally safe to visit. For more travel tips and information on safety, read our guide on where to stay in Paris.

(Featured Image Credit: Just dance / Shutterstock)