Is Paris Safe? The #1 Parisian Safety Guide for First Timers

Despite what you may have heard, no, Paris is not full of crime. Just like most cities, Paris isn’t a stranger to smaller crimes like theft, but the idea that you can’t walk the streets of Paris without witnessing crime around every corner is rubbish.

Yes, you need to watch your belongings and be mindful of who’s around you, etc., but you need to be doing these exact same things practically wherever you travel around the world!

Simply take the proper precautions before visiting and do your best to follow normal safety guidelines as you would in any city and you are more than likely to have a wonderful experience.

Just like any European city, crime rates rise at night in Paris. Especially on public transportation (the metro in Paris should be avoided after dark), in taxis, and in residential neighborhoods, crimes take place far more often.

That being said, this type of crime is rather easy to avoid as long as you know where you’re going.

If you plan to visit a few bars or clubs after dark, then try and do so close to your accommodation. This will limit your walking distance (good in general but especially if you are under the influence).

By limiting the distance you’ll need to walk after dark, the less likely you are to fall victim to these crimes. As I said before, walk through well-lit areas that are well-populated and avoid taking any “shortcuts.”

Also, unfortunately like many cities in Europe, date rape drugs aren’t uncommon in bars and restaurants at night. Be mindful of who you’re with, where you’re going, and who is around you at all times.

Do your best to avoid shady areas altogether after dark and don’t trust anyone you don’t know personally.

In my opinion, Paris is the most romantic at night, so it’s definitely worth checking out as along as you follow basic safety precautions. In fact, here are 11 Seine River cruises to consider for a romantic evening on the banks of Paris!

Since it will be slightly harder to stay in groups as I mentioned, Paris will become slightly less safe if you’re traveling solo.

That being said, this issue can easily be fixed by sightseeing in groups such as free or guided walking tours and making friends at your hostel or hotel.

But, even if you are traveling alone, as long as you follow the above guidelines and tips, you should avoid most crimes that occur more frequently (i.e. avoid the metro and walking long distances after dark).

Also, if you plan on backpacking, keep your backpack on the front of your person especially if you’re carrying your passport, wallet, etc.

Yes, you may look silly, but having backpacked across over 16 countries in Europe, it saved my butt a couple of times! Paris is absolutely safe to travel alone, but you won’t have anyone else to watch your back.

This makes you an easier target for crime, but as long as you are taking the proper precautions and are mindful of your decisions, you shouldn’t have any problems.

Overall, yes, Paris is safe for American tourists. I will say that there is still a stereotype revolving around “stupid Americans” in the French capital, but it is much more petty and ignorant than aggressive or violent.

Just like any city that gets a lot of tourism, tourists tend to be rude. So, Parisians may seem to be rude just to Americans, but in fact, most locals in most cities are rude to most tourists of most nationalities – that’s just part of traveling in major cities across Europe.

I am an American and found the locals in Paris to be very nice and hard working. I can speak a good bit of French which I’m sure made things easier for them, but even still they were polite. Very few were overly happy, but you shouldn’t expect that of a perfect stranger anyway.

Unfortunately, there have been spikes in violent crimes against Muslim and Jewish tourists, however. In recent years, anti-Semitic attacks have continued to rise throughout Europe and are a source of terrorist attacks in Paris.

But, for the most part, Americans don’t need to worry much about having issues related to their country of origin. As usual, if you are kind to the locals, they will likely reciprocate. It goes a long way to be polite!

Yes, Paris actually happens to be one of the most gay-friendly cities in Europe with gay bars scattering the city.

They also host the infamous Paris Pride Parade, or the Marche des Fiertés LGBT, in June in celebration of pride month. You won’t need to worry as much about public displays of affection in Paris (within reason, of course). Don’t forget that it is also called the “City of Romance” for a reason!

In fact, most cities across Europe are gay-friendly. Because of this, there are always some hopping bars and nightclubs everywhere you go.

Very unfortunately, we still don’t live in a world where the LGBTQIA+ community is fully accepted, but Paris is a fantastic place to visit if you or a friend are an LGBTQ+ member!

There are rare occurrences of hate crimes against members of this community, but these can and do happen everywhere and at random for the most part.

This can happen in Paris as it can in any city, so don’t decide not to visit out of fear of acceptance. For the most part, Parisians are a very diverse bunch with open hearts, so you can feel safe to be you!

While Paris is safe to visit for families for the most part, parents can easily be distracted by their children which can make them easier targets for pick pocketers.

Also, it goes without saying that kids are a whole lot of fun, but they can run off in an instant. Paris is a very big city and it would be easy for a child to get lost. So, it’s important to keep your eyes on them at all times.

It may seem strange or even harsh, but having your kid wear a backpack with a leash attached isn’t a bad idea. This way they can walk around on their own but still be connected to you if they’re a little bit older.

It’s also very helpful if you’re crossing busy roads or are at popular attractions or landmarks with a lot of people. I’m no stranger to this if it helps you not feel like this is silly.

My parents had a leash attached to my backpack between the ages of 4 and 8 and they still say to this day how many times I would have gotten lost had I not been literally attached to them!

Overall, Paris is a very safe place for families. The trick is evenly distributing your focus between your kids and your belongings.

There is no denying that Paris has had its fair share of horrific terrorist attacks in previous years. In 2015, a series of coordinated attacks took place within the city that ended up killing over 100 people and injuring hundreds more.

So, unfortunately, no, Paris is not safe from terrorism. But, neither are most places in the world. Boston, New York, London, Las Vegas, the Philippines, the Netherlands, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, India, Austria, New Zealand, and dozens of others have been victims of terrorist attacks over the last 20 years.

Terrorism has been and will continue to be a concern for many years ahead, very unfortunately. But, that shouldn’t stop you from traveling.

Statistically speaking, you are far more likely to become injured or perish in a local accident near to your home on any given day than in a terrorist attack. This fact isn’t meant to downplay the seriousness of a terrorist attack, but just to help you see how unlikely it is for you to fall victim to one.

So, instead of avoiding Paris due to fear of falling victim to a terrorist attack, there are a few things you can do to help you stay safe.

↪️ First, read up on any recent issues in the city.
If protests, riots, or terrorist attacks have occurred more frequently in recent weeks or months, possibly consider pushing your trip out until things settle down.

↪️ Additionally, check your government’s embassy website before visiting.

In the United States, they rank each country on safety from levels 1-4, with 4 being “Do Not Travel.” Your government will provide you with the most up-to-date safety information on Paris that you can use to help guide your decision on whether or not it is safe to visit.

Always take this with a grain of salt, personally, since many countries that I have visited had a Level 4: Do Not Travel warning but I felt perfectly safe the entire time, including France.

For other countries, you may not see a 1-4 safety scale, but they will provide you with the safety information you need nevertheless.

↪️ Try to avoid mass public gatherings and outdoor demonstrations as well as places of worship.

These are typically larger target areas for terrorist groups and often have a higher likelihood of attacks.

Overall, everywhere you go there is a risk of a terrorist attack happening. As sad as this is, don’t live in fear! Get out and enjoy Paris by taking the above precautions and making the most out of your time.

While it is safe to drive in Paris, I don’t think you’ll necessarily want to drive in Paris. The streets can become extremely crowded with people and other cars, and traffic can be a real nightmare.

You’ll also quickly notice that parking can be difficult to find and usually requires payment or a residential sticker and many roads are one-ways or pedestrian-only.

So, if you’re thinking that a rental car will allow you to park right in front of the Eiffel Tower so you can hop out, grab a few pictures, then be on your way… think again!

Instead, I would opt to take the metro to anywhere you don’t feel like walking to. It’s extremely affordable and easy to use!

If it is late at night, have either your hotel call you a taxi from a reputable company or take a rideshare if you’ll be traveling with a group.

If you’re traveling alone, then the metro after dark isn’t a great option, but if you know where you’re going and are comfortable getting on and off by yourself, then you can do that too.

Overall, it is very safe to drink the tap water in Paris. It can be confusing to know which cities and which countries across Europe the tap water is safe to drink, but all you need to know is that Paris’ is just fine.

If it makes you more comfortable, you can always opt to travel with a reusable water bottle with a filter. This way you can be sure that you’re not consuming any bacteria that may be harmful. You can also opt to simply stick to bottled water.

However, if you want to avoid the water entirely, then you’ll need to be mindful of avoiding fruits, vegetables, and legumes in your meals since they are typically rinsed in tap water before serving.

This can become quite difficult since most Parisian dishes have some form of produce in them.

I wouldn’t worry though, as I found the water in Paris to taste quite good and it was perfectly clear without any obvious dirt or rust. I also didn’t experience any stomach issues and was drinking it rather consistently during our visit.

There is no “safest” way of getting around Paris in general. It entirely depends on the time of day, the size of your group, and other factors.

But, to help you decide what method is best for you, here are a few tips.

First, I never take the metro after dark alone. If I absolutely have to, I’m sure to travel with other people and keep my belongings on my lap at all times.

I personally prefer to walk everywhere in new cities since you get a better perspective of the city as a whole, and found this to be very safe.

Most places you’ll want to visit in Paris other travelers want to visit, as well. This means these areas will be well-lit and heavily trafficked, so the risk of more dangerous crimes isn’t as high.

What I’m saying is, don’t wander down dark alleys no matter what time of day it is.

This isn’t a tropical beach paradise with hidden coves scattered around the island, so if you don’t see other people somewhere, that doesn’t mean that it’s likely a secret gem that no one has discovered yet – it means you probably shouldn’t go there either!

Driving a rental car is safe, but boy would it be frustrating.
I don’t recommend this option as it will be expensive and finding parking and dealing with the tens of thousands of pedestrians is going to make it take a lot longer to get between landmarks and attractions.

Plus, car break-ins have been on the rise against tourists in Paris in recent years, so it’s just overall not a great option.

Ubers and taxis can be quite safe, but be sure that the taxi is from a reputable company and the Uber driver and car match your booking reference before getting in, especially at night.

I would also suggest only taking taxis or Ubers if there is someone else with you if you’re traveling at night! Overall, during the day the metro, taxis, Ubers, driving, and walking are all quite safe.

At night, keep your wits about you and try to travel in a group, if possible.

Considering Paris just so happens to be one of the largest and busiest cities in all of Europe, it is actually a very safe place to live.

Typically, bigger cities, especially ones with high tourist populations and almost any level of poverty, have higher crime rates than more rural or small destinations.

Of course, things like petty theft and pickpocketing are an issue in places like the metro, at the train stations, and near iconic landmarks, but for the most part, locals aren’t the main target for these crimes (tourists are!)

Pretty much all of the neighborhoods in Paris are considered safe places to live with no single arrondissement flying red flags to newcomers.

Keep in mind that Paris is a bustling metropolis, and every area will have its good and bad people. The same goes for any rural village and big city across Europe.

With that being said, while Paris is a rather safe place to live, it isn’t necessarily the easiest. Living situations can be expensive and difficult to find, with most apartments and flats being snatched up the first second they go on the market.

Finding long-term accommodations can also be competitive, especially if you need one close to the metro station to get to work.

Also, if you’re looking for a nice flat with a view of the Eiffel Tower, get in line. Those typically run as some of the most expensive accommodations in the city for tiny studios and rarely go on the market.

As for houses, there are only a few residential neighborhoods with nice-looking houses and they are going to cost you a pretty penny.

Paris’ housing district remains one of the most expensive in the world, with prices increasing by over 8,000 Euros per square meter! So, while Paris is a safe place to live, it typically is out of reach for the majority of the population.

Overall, Paris is a very safe city that you surely shouldn’t miss! It’s very similar to other cities found throughout Europe, where the worst issue that you may or may not experience is the common stolen phone or wallet.

To prevent this, be diligent in watching your belongings and opt to leave any unnecessary bags, money, or items in your hotel room.

Otherwise, it is on the rare occasion that you would experience more violent crimes and you shouldn’t let the small chance of something like this occurring hold you back from visiting Paris.

In fact, the most you may witness during your travels is if you decide to visit during a protest. Public transportation (primarily the metro) workers have protests (called “transportation strikes”) that are actually scheduled throughout the year!

You can view this information ahead of time online, and plan your visit around these protests if they make you nervous.

For the most part, the only thing they affect is your ability to ride the metro since the workers refuse to work during these times. Otherwise, they are rarely violent and can be planned around. If you want to take a peek at the protest schedule, click here.