Is Paris Safe For Travel? Crime & Safety Guide 2025

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Curious if Paris is safe for travel? I moved to Paris in 2024 and want to share my top tips to stay safe and enjoy your time in the City of Light!

Paris is one of my favorite cities in the world – it’s the kind of place that I returned to again and again because I’ve never gotten tired of it. Then, in early 2024, I had the chance to move to Paris and I took it, so I’ve been able to explore as a local ever since. 

As someone who grew up in the US and has traveled a lot (mostly in the Americas and Europe), I usually feel perfectly safe walking around in Paris. The biggest difference between Paris and many other European cities I’ve visited is the number of people who approach me on the street – something we’re more used to in the US. 

I can’t think of a time someone has come up to me to bother me in London or Berlin, but it happens all of the time in Paris. Because of the huge number of tourists every year in Paris, there are more scams and pickpockets who target visitors. Luckily, they’re relatively easy to avoid if you’re used to moving through large cities (or willing to learn!). 

Table of Contents
Is Paris Safe For Travel?
Safest Places In Paris
Places I Recommend Avoiding In Paris
Top Safety Tips
How to Protect Yourself From Pickpockets and Scams
FAQs
Conclusion

Is Paris Safe For Travel?

The most important thing to know about safety in Paris is that millions of people visit the city without any issue every year. It’s not the safest European city that you can visit, but it’s not the least safe, either. On the range of places I’ve been in my travels, I would rate its overall safety as “average,” but with the caveat that the risk of pickpocketing is very high on public transit and near tourist areas. 

You don’t need to be vigilant the entire time you’re in Paris, but petty crimes and more serious incidents DO happen – so you need to be aware. The biggest “problem areas” for tourists are near tourist hotspots, like the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, and around the Metro. That said, if you’re aware of your surroundings and vigilant, you probably won’t have any issues. 

Like in most places where pickpocketing is pervasive, your best bet is to try not to be the easiest target. Stay alert, keep your phone and valuables out of easy reach, and be extra careful when in crowds.

Safety in Paris at Night

I want to start by saying that Paris is a really fun city, with tons of things to do at night. From nightclubs to cozy wine bars to rooftop patios, the city is buzzing at night and you should definitely try to experience it while you’re here.  

Like any big city, you’ll want to take a few extra precautions at night when wandering around Paris. Although Paris is not especially dangerous after dark, I would still avoid secluded areas and those that are especially dark. In particular, I would not walk through empty parks or along the lower road next to the Seine after about 10 or 11pm (the upper/normal route is much less secluded). 

Remember: you can always call an Uber or a Bolt if you feel unsafe walking or taking public transit late at night.

Safest Places In Paris

No place in Paris is perfectly safe or unsafe. It’s a big city, and you should be careful everywhere you go, regardless of the area’s reputation – just like you would in San Francisco, New York, or London. That said, there are some parts of the city that are generally considered to be safe to visit and live.

If you’re trying to decide where to stay, I previously shared a list of budget-friendly hotels that I recommend in Paris.  

📍 7th arrondissement 

The area near Invalides in Paris is part of the 7th arrondissement, one of the safest places in Paris to walk at night and stay. The residential areas are typically quiet and upscale, with lots of 4 and 5 star hotels mixed in. 

If you choose to stay in the 7th eme, just be aware that there isn’t much to do at night, nor are there many budget-friendly restaurants. Take a taxi or the Metro to get to livelier areas during the day, then return to the 7th when you’re ready to settle in. 

Note that the Champs de Mars is located in the 7th. I would still recommend that you avoid this park and the Eiffel Tower late at night (after 11pm or so) unless you’re with a group. 

📍 Montparnasse (14th arrondissement)

South of the 7th is Montparnasse, a relatively calm and affordable area of Paris. Most of this arrondissement feels residential, but you can find some busy, bustling streets, too. 

Although it’s livelier than the 7th, there’s still not a ton to do in Montparnasse, aside from eating and enjoying the bar scene. You’ll probably need to take the Metro to get to the monuments and more popular areas of Paris like Le Marais and the Latin Quarter. 

Should you want a relatively safe and local-feeling part of Paris, without the price tag of the 7th, Montparnasse is definitely a good option. 

📍 Montmartre (18th arrondissement)

Montmartre is an area in the 18th arrondissement that’s popular for having great restaurants, beautiful views, and trendy coffee shops. Some of my favorite restaurants in Paris are in Montmartre or a short walk away in Pigalle. 

The central, touristy areas of Montmartre feel very lively and safe – perfect for your Parisian vacation. I especially like the area near Rue Francœur by Two Doors Coffee-Shop, but it’s by no means the only nice part of Montmartre. 

Importantly, the 18th can be block by block in terms of safety, especially when you get a short ways away from the tourist centers. If you’re looking at hotels in Montmartre, take a moment to search through the reviews for notes on the location before you book. You can also take the address and look at their Google Street View so that you know what to expect. 

Note that Sacré Coeur is in Montmartre. I still would recommend avoiding Sacré Coeur after sunset, when the crowds start to thin out. Before and during sunset it’s perfectly safe, albeit prone to pickpockets. 

📍 Le Marais (3rd and 4th arrondissement)

Le Marais is a hip neighborhood in Paris, famous for being both the historic Jewish Quarter and the LGBTQ area of Paris. It’s also home to some of my favorite restaurants in Paris (along with Pigalle and Montmartre). Prices also tend to be lower in Le Marais than in the 1st, 2nd, and 7th arrondissements. 

Whether your idea of the perfect Parisian vacation includes sitting at cafes, shopping, or taking beautiful photos, you can do it all in Le Marais. 

While nowhere in Paris is perfectly safe, there aren’t many “bad” areas in Le Marais so you don’t need to be very careful if booking a hotel in this neighborhood – at least from a safety perspective. Do check the reviews and Google Street View, just to be sure you’re not surprised when you arrive. 

📍 Latin Quarter (5th and 6th arrondissement)

The Latin Quarter is one of the liveliest areas I’ve included in this list, but I’ve felt pretty safe walking around here most hours of the day and night. Like Le Marias, this neighborhood is full of restaurants, bars, and shops with everything you’ll need during your visit. 

As the name implies, the Latin Quarter is one of the oldest areas in Paris, complete with some small and winding Medieval streets. This neighborhood is also famous for being the student quarter in Paris, as it is home to some of the city’s oldest and most prestigious universities. 

Although I think of the Latin Quarter as being a perfectly safe part of Paris, I would still consider the 7th and 14th to be the reliably safest feeling parts of the city. So, if you’re worried or want to be extra cautious, stick to those two arrondissements. 

Places I Recommend Avoiding In Paris

I want to start this section by saying that Paris is a large city. Bad things can happen in nicer parts of the city, and you can have a perfectly fine time exploring some areas that are generally considered to be “less safe.” 

For first time visitors to Paris, I wanted to share the areas that I avoid late at night, especially when walking around alone. I personally notice a shift in how safe the city feels around or just before 11pm; that’s when I start to pay more attention to where I’m walking, who is around me, and the overall feel of the crowd. Thus, I’m defining “late night” to be around 11pm. 

❌  Underneath the Eiffel Tower (Late Night)

The area just around the base of the Eiffel Tower is a hotspot for tourists and some locals to hang out on the lawns until the early hours of the morning. As a general matter, where you have densely packed areas filled with drunk people, you have a high potential for shenanigans. That’s basically the situation at Champ de Mars/under the Eiffel Tower. 

I usually feel comfortable hanging out here until 11pm, depending on how rowdy the crowds are on a given night. If it starts to feel sketchy or you notice people lurking around, it might be time to pack up. 

❌  Along the Seine’s Lower Level Walkways (Late Night)

One of my favorite spots to hang out in Paris is along the River Seine. I especially like to sit by the water and watch boats go by from the lower level walkways, which are usually full of people enjoying picnics and drinks. There are also a few cute bars set right along the water, usually playing some great music. 

Although these areas are perfectly safe during the day and into the evening, I would personally clear out by about 10 or 11 pm if traveling alone or when the crowds start to thin if I’m with a group. In 2022, a woman was attacked in a public restroom around 1am, not far from bars that are set up along the river. 

❌  Gare du Nord/Gare de L’est and North Along the Tracks (Late Night)

Gare du Nord and Gare de L’est are both major train stations in Paris, and with that level of transit, these areas can just tend to feel sketchy. With people constantly moving in and out, along with the visually ugly clusters of train tracks, this is just not the nicest or most pleasant part of Paris. 

I’m not trying to tell you that there aren’t any nice parts of Gare du Nord or Gare de L’est – I’m sure there are! – but this is an area I’d personally avoid until you’re more familiar with the city. 

Don’t worry about transiting through here during the day – that should feel safe enough (watch for pickpockets, though!). I just wouldn’t personally recommend that you choose a hotel in this area, especially for your first visit to Paris. 

Canal Saint-Martin is very close by and that area is generally considered safe.

❌   Sacré-Cœur, Pigalle, Barbès (Late Night)

Similar to Champ de Mars, the area around Sacré-Cœur (including the steps) can get seedy late at night. If you go to Sacré-Cœur for the sunset, just be sure to file out along with the crowds. You don’t need to be in a huge hurry or anything, just don’t linger too long when things die down. 

The hip and trendy neighborhood of Pigalle is another place that is perfectly safe and fun during the day and into the evening. When the restaurants and bars start to close, however, you should move along, too. 

Tiktoker Amanda Rollins shared that she had several phones stolen between Blanche and Pigalle while walking late at night. That doesn’t mean it’ll happen to you, but do be careful to walk with purpose and keep your phone secure in your hand or a zipped pocket when walking here late at night. 

Paris Safety Tips

Most Paris safety tips come down to a few simple steps: take normal precautions, be aware of your surroundings, and keep your valuables out of easy reach. That said, here are my top safety tips for Parisian travel, including some that are “common sense” and others that might be less obvious, depending on your background and the travel experiences you’ve had. 

Ignore People Who Approach You on the Street

You’ll find that people in Paris will often approach you on the street and try to get your attention, especially near tourist areas. Unless it’s a child looking for help or some other unusual circumstance, you can usually safely ignore the person (and avoid most scams). Just like you would in New York, just don’t respond and keep walking. 

A normal, well-meaning Parisian is very unlikely to approach a tourist and ask any questions. Think about it: how often do you approach tourists in your city and ask them questions? Probably never. So, it stands to reason that the people who approach you are usually looking for something from you, and therefore best avoided. 

The obvious exception is any sort of some extreme situation, like if someone got hit by a car. 

Stay Aware of Your Surroundings

Situational awareness is always important when traveling. By staying tuned into everything happening around you, you’ll be more likely to notice if something feels off or goes awry. You don’t need to be constantly looking around, but do stay off of your phone and glance around every once in a while. 

Avoid Isolated Areas at Night

Like most other cities in the world, you’ll be safest if you avoid isolated, dark, and secluded areas in Paris at night. If your route takes you through a dark park at night (and it’s unavoidable), I recommend that you take your headphones out, stay off of your phone, and be vigilant. Walk with purpose until you get back to a populated area. 

Be Careful Walking With Flashy Valuables at Night

As a matter of personal preference, I tend to keep a low profile when I travel, including when I’m in Paris. Still, if you’d like to wear your designer bags or jewelry in Paris, you definitely can. Just be careful not to walk in isolated or less safe areas late at night, because you could be more likely to get targeted. 

It’s also worth asking yourself if wearing flashy pieces will feel empowering or stressful while you’re out. If wearing your grandmother’s ring makes you feel anxious about losing it all day, you’ll probably have more fun if you leave it at home or tucked into your suitcase. 

Watch Your Drinks

Like other large cities, there are some unsavory characters in Paris – be they locals or other tourists. When you’re out at bars and nightclubs, keep a close eye on your drink and follow all of the precautions you’d take at home. If you leave a drink unattended or have a bad feeling about it, just get a new one. 

Trust Your Gut

If something in Paris just doesn’t feel right, listen to that feeling. Paris is a huge city that attracts people from all over the world, so you can never be quite sure who is around you at any given time. 

You don’t need any other excuse to leave a place or stop talking to someone than, “It just didn’t feel right.” You might never get to know if you were right to be concerned, but that’s OK. 

Look Both Ways Before You Cross the Street

After living in Ireland, where they drive on the left side of the road like in the UK, I started telling people that some of the best advice I’ve ever received is to look both ways before you cross the street. Yes, even in crosswalks or where you have the right of way – it just takes a second to glance in both directions. 

While cars in Paris drive on the right side of the road, there are still bike lanes and one way streets, where cyclists and drivers can be traveling in a direction you’re not expecting. The biggest culprits are one way streets where the cyclists are traveling in the opposite direction from the cars. 

Be Careful With Food That Has Been Sitting Out

Most of this post is dedicated to helping you avoid dangerous situations, but a bout of food poisoning also has the potential to ruin your trip. You’ll notice that there are lots of food vendors who keep foods out in unrefrigerated conditions all day, even things like cut melon or fish salads. 

I’m sure you’ll meet people who never get sick, but I have a weak stomach and don’t want to mess around with travelers’ gut. I don’t buy foods that look like they’ve seen better days, I avoid cut fruits and veggies that aren’t refrigerated, and I always opt for restaurants that look busy. 

A restaurant that is absolutely slammed all day, every day is very, very unlikely to get you sick. You might have to wait in a longer line, but you probably won’t need to stay near a toilet later. (This, by the way, is a universal rule of travel!)

How to Protect Yourself From Pickpockets and Scams

Keep in mind that the pickpockets and scammers in Paris are, by and large, professionals. They work in groups and target tourists day after day, so they’re good at knowing when you’re distracted enough to make their move. 

Be Very Careful at Tourist Spots and on the Metro

As a general rule of thumb, you’ll want to be careful whenever you’re at busy tourist spots or near the Metro. These areas are popular for pickpockets and scammers, most of whom will be on the lookout for unsuspecting or distracted tourists. 

Pickpockets will often wait until the Metro is so crowded that you won’t notice someone bumping into you or slipping a hand into your bag. So, if it’s crowded enough that people are touching you, be extra cautious and keep valuables tucked away (and ideally in your line of sight). 

Hold Bags Zipped and in Front of You

If you look around on a Paris Metro train, you’ll almost certainly notice that people keep their bags zipped closed and in front of their bodies. Bags that don’t zip closed will likely be held by the open top – again, right in front of the person. 

People do this for a reason: you’re much more likely to notice someone reaching into your bag if you have it in front of you, where you can see it! For this reason, it also acts as a deterrent; most pickpockets will simply move on to other targets. 

Keep Your Phone Safe

The best place for your phone when traveling on the metro or in tourist areas in Paris is in a zipped inside pocket, a cross body bag in front of you, or in your hands with a firm grip. Money belts are also a very safe option, though less comfortable (and, admittedly, a little less cool). 

Be very careful when standing near the doors of the metro with your phone in your hands, as thieves will sometimes reach into the train and grab phones right before the doors close. 

Ignore Anyone Asking You to Sign a Petition

One of the most common scams in Paris is perpetrated by people who walk around with clipboards and ask you to sign a petition. The petition is always fake; it’s a scam. After you sign, the person soliciting petitions will sometimes ask you for a donation or use the opportunity to pickpocket you while you’re distracted.

Just say, “Non,” and keep walking if someone asks you to sign a piece of paper while you’re in Paris.

Buy Travel Insurance

Because petty theft is the most common crime targeting tourists, a great way to protect yourself is with a travel insurance policy. Although you’ll need to go through some hurdles to get reimbursed, it’ll be nice to have some financial compensation if something does get stolen. 

When I was in Ecuador in 2018, I had a backpack with my down jacket and my sister’s cell phone in it sitting under a table while I was eating lunch in a relatively nice restaurant. A man skillfully stole the entire backpack during our lunch, though we didn’t notice until after we paid our bill. Luckily, I had travel insurance and was able to file a claim. 

As someone living in Paris, I have AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss protection for my iPhone. If someone were to steal my phone on the Metro, I would be covered. For regular travel insurance, most policies will cover thefts of large items while abroad (but always read the fine print to be sure).  

FAQs: Is Paris Safe?

Planning your visit to Paris and still have questions about safety and security? Here are the answers to some of the most common queries from other travelers. 

Is it safe to walk around Paris at night?

Generally speaking, it’s perfectly safe to walk around Paris at night, so long as you take normal precautions. Stay aware of your surroundings, avoid isolated areas, and walk with purpose. The city starts to feel a little less safe around 11pm, so start to be more cautious around this time. Walking in crowded and busy areas, even late into the night, generally feels safe in Paris. 

Is it safe to be in Paris right now?

Yes, Paris is a perfectly safe place to visit in Europe and most people visit the city without any problems. It is, however, a very large city, and that comes with large city threats and problems. Be extra cautious near tourist areas, on the Metro, and if approaching a protest in progress. 

What to be careful about in Paris?

The biggest risks that tourists face when visiting Paris is petty crime. Phone and purse snatchings, pickpocketing, and scams targeting tourists are the most common threats that tourists will usually experience. If you see protests in progress, do your best to stay out of the way and keep your distance. 

Is Paris safer than London?

No, Paris is not substantially safer than London. Paris is generally considered to be more dangerous than London. Anecdotally, I also feel safer as a woman traveling alone in London than I do in Paris – though I feel comfortable enough to travel freely in both cities. 

Is Paris safer than New York City?

Yes, Paris is a much safer city than New York City, though it’s more prone to petty crimes like pickpocketing and scams. In general, France is much safer than the United States. Per the Global Peace Index, France ranked 67th in the world, while the US came in at 131st in 2023. The GPI uses measures like homicide statistics, incarceration rates, and political instability to determine each country’s relative peacefulness. 

Conclusion: Is Paris Safe?

Paris is a reasonably safe city to visit in Europe, and most people don’t experience any issues during their trip. So, there’s no need to be worried about visiting Paris or afraid while you’re here. That said, it’s a good idea to be aware of your surroundings, safeguard your valuables from thieves, and take normal precautions to stay safe. 

More than other places in Europe, I would suggest that you stay away from protests. Although protests don’t often get violent or out of hand, you don’t want to be nearby in case things start to escalate. Take photos from the sidewalk or across the street if you want, but give the protests space to avoid the appearance that you are taking part. 

You can avoid being the victim of most crimes in Paris simply by staying alert and aware of what’s going on around you – so it really pays to look up from your phone and take it all in!