Traveling to a new place, whether for leisure or business, can be daunting. If you’re traveling out of the country, it can seem like a whole new world. Understanding the basic laws of the area and social standards is probably one of the best ways to stay safe in an unfamiliar area. Say you’re visiting Paris, France. Are there parts you should avoid at night?
Paris is just like any other large city when it comes to safety, there are certain parts to avoid completely while other areas are perfectly fine, even for the most curious tourist. Paris overall holds a slightly higher risk than some other tourist destinations, but it is far from the most dangerous.
Learning ways to keep yourself safe while traveling is of utmost importance for any traveler. Safety should never be taken lightly and the best way to ensure that you are fully prepared for your trip to Paris is to keep reading about the places to avoid when the sun sets on “the city of light.”
Areas To Avoid In Paris At Night
Since Paris is such a large city and is visited by many tourists, it can be dangerous to walk around at night.
Here are some areas to avoid in Paris at night:
- 1st Arrondissement – This is the most popular area for tourists so it’s no surprise that it becomes a huge attraction for pick-pocketers and scammers.
- The Metro – While the train may be more convenient it has a very high risk due to the recent terrorist attacks in Paris
- Porte de Montreuil Hotel – Located conveniently near the airport many tourists are drawn to this hotel, however, at night it becomes a hub for creepy stories known to ruin a vacation.
- Paris 19th – This area should be avoided night and day at all costs, it has the highest crime rate in all of France.
Now, let’s take a look into more things you should consider when visiting Paris.
Is It Safe To Walk Alone At Night In Paris?
Many tourists and locals state that they have spent some time traveling around the city past sun down for years with no problems. Paris spends a lot of money ensuring streets are brightly lit and police patrols are freely available throughout.
If you plan on walking around by yourself at night use extreme caution, as with any city use your common sense and follow your gut feelings. Avoid streets that are unlit and locations with fewer police presence. Pay attention to your surroundings and try not to be buried in a map or your cell phone.
The 18th, 19th, and 20th Arrondissements should be avoided at all cost due to the high volume of drug users, escorts, and adult shops.
Things To Watch Out For In Paris
There are other dangers to avoid in Paris besides just at night. Keep reading to find a list of things to watch out for in Paris on your visit.
Pick-Pocketers
Pickpocketing is one of the highest forms of crime in Paris, with so many tourists in awe of the city it’s easy for someone to grab things without being noticed. Keeping your valuables out of sight for others and close to you at all times is a must.
Taking pictures of your trip is something you are going to do no matter what but avoid dangling that expensive camera around your neck all the time. Try to avoid walking around with a huge backpack and only carry the essentials, try to carry a purse or a shoulder bag like you would on any outing at home.
Scammers
Watch out for scammers using the “Do you speak English?” lines to lure you into a sob story trying to convince you to give them money. These people are known to target tourists and scope out the kinds of money they carry as well as any belongings they can see.
Confusing Paris Neighborhood Structures
The first thing that stands out about Paris is its city structure. It is unlike any other city on the map. Paris is broken up into Arrondissements, which are administrative divisions. Each of these Arrondissements has its Mayor, Politicians, council, and even a town hall.
Each Arrondissement is broken into many districts. Keeping track of all this may seem difficult, however, Paris planned this out perfectly, probably better than any other city. It’s still possible to get lost, so make sure you learn the neighborhood structures.
The 1st Arrondissement begins in the center of the city then the numbers climb in a clockwise spiral towards the outer city.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Paris is just like any other large city and visitors should always be cautious of their surroundings. Certain areas should be avoided at night, but for the majority Paris has taken a lot of necessary steps to ensure the safety of their guests.
