Paris = An Unsafe City? A Long-Time Local Points Out 2 Major Travel Issues

France’s Paris is often seen as a fashionable and romantic capital. However, compared to the crowds of European and American tourists, Asian visitors this August seem to be less enthusiastic than in previous years. Whether it’s the rising euro, the looming threat of terrorism, or concerns over public safety, many people planning trips to the city are worried about the current travel situation. In response, a Chinese resident who has lived in France for many years shared that travelers who view Paris as a terrifying city or France as a chaotic nation often share two common misconceptions.

Full text from “Diary of Life in France”:

Before I knew it, summer vacation was already halfway over. I’m not sure if it’s because of the rising euro, the threat of terrorism, or safety concerns, but although European and American tourists have returned, Asian visitors this August seem fewer than in past years. Even now, some fans and readers still private-message me to ask about the current state of travel in Paris, deeply afraid that they’ll come to the City of Light only to have their pants stolen instead of their wallets emptied.

I’ll be honest—Paris’s security isn’t as peaceful as it was over a decade ago, but it’s not so bad that the entire metro is filled with pickpockets and random muggers. France is, after all, a country governed by the rule of law, where private gun ownership is prohibited, and there are no large-scale organized crime syndicates like Italy’s Mafia or Japan’s Yamaguchi-gumi. With tight patrols by military and police, the widespread negative reputation of Paris’s travel safety is partly due to hearsay and the “a lie repeated often enough becomes the truth” effect.

From my observations, travelers who describe Paris and France as dangerous or chaotic cities usually have a few things in common:

First, joining cheap tour groups:

France is a country with a well-developed tourism industry. The costs for meals and transportation among various travel agencies are actually quite similar, but the reason why tour prices can differ by tens of thousands of Taiwan dollars mostly comes down to the location and quality of the accommodations. Hotels of the same tier can cost up to ten times more depending on whether they’re in a good or bad area. You get what you pay for—some guests who join budget tours to save money are inevitably placed in less safe, less reputable suburbs. Yet, they still go on wild shopping sprees for luxury goods. It’s no wonder that local criminals who know the area and are desperate see them as easy targets...

What’s even worse is that tour guides dare not plainly tell customers that the so-called four-star hotel they’re staying in is actually located in a “high-crime area,” for fear of being blamed for choosing such a terrible place (though the hotels themselves are safe, it’s just necessary to be cautious of international pickpockets at the lobbies and front desks). So, guides repeatedly warn everyone that “theft and robbery happen everywhere in Paris.” This not only preps people for safety concerns but also ensures the guides won’t be blamed if something does happen. Over time, the notion of “Paris = an unsafe city” has spread like this...

Second, going to the wrong places at the wrong times:

In Paris, outright muggings in historical sites or tourist areas are actually quite rare, and violent crimes are even rarer. More attention should be paid to petty theft and pickpocketing. But walking through sparsely populated neighborhoods with complex resident backgrounds at night, or taking late-night metros in the suburbs, increases the risk. Many victims let their guard down because they find the City of Light so romantic and beautiful, only to unknowingly wander into dangerous areas and suffer misfortune. This is much less common among locals, who know how to avoid risky situations and steer clear of trouble.

Usually, these “No-Go Zones” in Paris aren’t places that group tour visitors get the chance to explore during the day. Most problems occur with independent travelers, those visiting relatives, or those seeking cheap homestays. Not understanding the safety levels of certain districts but still wandering around carelessly often leads to unfortunate incidents. Areas in northern Paris suburbs like Aubervilliers, Bobigny, Saint Denis, and Saint Ouen are so dangerous that even local residents rarely go out at night. Out-of-town tourists really don’t need to take unnecessary risks by visiting these places.

※This article is published with authorization from the original author.※