Why is Safety Important When Traveling to Paris?
Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world, yet like any major metropolis, it harbors certain security risks within its boundaries. The intense interest from tourists brings along pickpocketing, scams, and more serious public order issues in specific areas. Some neighborhoods in the city center and especially the surrounding suburbs (known as “banlieues”) are notorious for high crime rates and social unrest. Planning correctly and knowing which streets to avoid can prevent your vacation from turning into a nightmare. In this guide, we will examine the “invisible” side of Paris and the places to be avoided under 35 different headings, providing a deep dive into the socio-economic and security landscape of the French capital.
Why is Saint-Denis Considered a Risky Area?
Saint-Denis is located just north of Paris and is one of the most densely populated suburbs in France. While it is famous for its historic basilica and the Stade de France stadium, it is a region with a significant record in terms of crime rates. Pickpocketing and mugging incidents occur frequently, especially around RER stations. For tourists, staying in this area or wandering the streets late at night carries serious risks. The density of social housing and economic hardships increases tension in the region, creating an unsettling atmosphere for foreigners. If you must visit, you should prefer only daylight hours and stick to the main roads to minimize potential encounters with criminal activity.
Is Aubervilliers Safe for Tourists to Visit?
Aubervilliers is a city located on the northeastern border of Paris, generally hosting industrial zones and commercial centers. Although there have been urban transformation efforts in recent years, the region is still associated with high crime rates and gang activities. Snatch-and-grab incidents targeting foreign tourists and business people are particularly common here. The deserted nature of the streets and inadequate lighting make walking in the evening hours dangerous. Unless absolutely necessary, it is recommended that you do not spend time in this area and make your hotel reservations in more central, secure districts of Paris where police presence is more consistent.
Are the Surroundings of Saint-Ouen Flea Market Dangerous?
Saint-Ouen is a place frequently visited by tourists because it hosts one of the world’s largest flea markets. However, the streets outside the market area and especially the surroundings of the Porte de Saint-Ouen metro exit are weak in terms of security. Pickpockets and sellers of counterfeit products, who take advantage of the crowds, can be quite aggressive here. Additionally, after the market closes, the area quickly turns into a sketchy environment. It is of great importance for your personal safety to leave the area using secure transportation immediately after you finish your shopping, avoiding the smaller side streets that lead into the deeper parts of the suburb.
Is Bobigny Suitable for Tourist Accommodation?
Bobigny is the administrative center of the Seine-Saint-Denis department, but it is a city definitely not recommended for tourist accommodation. The region is characterized by large social housing blocks and high unemployment rates. Aside from being far from tourist attractions, the tension between locals and outsiders is felt from time to time. Using public transportation or walking in the streets, especially at night, can be very disturbing. Although access to central Paris seems easy on the map, security risks overshadow this advantage. For a more peaceful experience, you should choose the southern or western districts of Paris, where the infrastructure and social climate are much more welcoming.
Why Should La Courneuve Be Avoided?
La Courneuve is one of the most notorious among the northern suburbs of Paris. The region is known for past social events and high crime statistics. This place has a gray and harsh atmosphere that is completely different from the modern and romantic silhouette of Paris. Neighborhoods where drug trafficking and small crime syndicates are active make this one of the “no-go” areas for foreigners. If you do not have a specific sports event or a private appointment, avoiding entering the borders of La Courneuve would be the best decision for your travel safety. The lack of tourist infrastructure also means you will stand out as a target in this environment.
Are There Security Issues in the Bondy Region?
Bondy is a city located in the eastern suburbs of Paris and has frequently been the subject of French news with urban violence incidents in recent years. The city struggles particularly with gang formation among youth and drug trafficking. Not only does it have no interesting points for tourists, but the probability of encountering unpleasant incidents in the side streets entered by mistake is high. The architecture and atmosphere of the city are in a structure that does not give confidence to visitors. If you are planning a journey towards the east of Paris, you should carefully examine the routes passing through Bondy and avoid taking breaks in this region if possible.
Why is Aulnay-sous-Bois Considered Unsafe?
Aulnay-sous-Bois is known for being one of the centers of the major social uprisings that took place in 2005 and 2017. The tension between the police and neighborhood residents in the city is the biggest factor that makes security unstable. The areas called “cités,” where high-rise buildings are located, are very risky areas for foreigners. In such places, where it is recommended to keep doors locked even when passing by car, walking around requires great courage and risk management. Avoiding this city, which has no value from a tourist perspective, is the most logical step to take to preserve the peace of your trip and ensure your personal well-being.
Why is Sevran a City to Be Avoided?
Sevran is a city known as the crossroads of drug traffic, possessing some of the highest crime rates in the Paris region. It frequently ranks high in lists of “the most dangerous neighborhoods in France” in the French media. Frequent police raids and clashes between local groups in the region are sufficient reasons to completely remove this place from your travel itinerary. In Sevran, where there is no infrastructure or security guarantee for tourists, it is difficult to feel safe even in the middle of the day. Such suburbs of Paris are diametrically opposed to the city’s tourist image and offer nothing but potential danger for the uninformed traveler.
What is the Security Situation in Clichy-sous-Bois?
Clichy-sous-Bois is one of the poorest and most difficult-to-access suburbs of Paris. The fact that it was the place where the riots that shook all of France in 2005 began summarizes the socio-economic situation here. This region, which is not directly reached by the rail system network (metro or RER), has created a suitable ground for crime syndicates due to isolation. The buildings in the region are poorly maintained, and the streets are generally sketchy. The entry of foreigners into this neighborhood is noticed immediately, and this can draw unwanted attention to you. There is no tourist or cultural reason that requires you to go to this area during your Paris trip.
Why are the Neighborhoods of Montfermeil Risky?
Montfermeil is a residential area that is a neighbor to Clichy-sous-Bois and shares a similar fate. This region, which inspired Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables, is a place where modern misery and security problems are experienced today. Some neighborhoods of the city have the status of “sensitive zones” where even the police have difficulty entering. Tourists walking here maximizes the risk of mugging or theft. The social fabric in the region is quite distant towards outsiders. A visit to this part of Paris is both logistically difficult and carries serious question marks regarding life safety. It is best to stay within the ring road (Périphérique) for your explorations.
Why is Grigny in the Essonne Region Notorious?
Grigny is a point located south of Paris in the Essonne department and is considered one of the poorest cities in France. Especially the huge housing estate called “Grande Borne” is known as a place where crime rates peak. Frequent armed clashes and attacks on police vehicles in the region make it extremely dangerous for an ordinary visitor. Although it is relatively far from the center of Paris, the presence of some cheap hotels here can mislead tourists. To avoid risking your life and property safety for the sake of cheap accommodation, you should definitely stay away from Grigny and its immediate surroundings.
What is the Security Status of Corbeil-Essonnes?
Corbeil-Essonnes is a city located in the outer ring of Paris and has been mentioned in recent years with local government corruption and an increase in crime rates. Some neighborhoods of the city are centers of drug trade and violence incidents. Although the number of security personnel increases around the train station in the evening hours, this does not completely eliminate the risks. Staying in this city, which has no attractive side for tourists, means taking a long and unsafe journey every day. This southern suburb of Paris has a disturbing atmosphere that should not be included in your travel plans if you value a stress-free environment.
Why is Sarcelles a Place to Be Careful About?
Sarcelles is a cosmopolitan city located north of Paris where different ethnic backgrounds live together. However, this diversity can occasionally provide a basis for social tensions and conflicts. Theft and violent crimes are well above average in certain neighborhoods of the city. Side streets that tourists enter by mistake may be under the control of local groups, and this situation can lead to results ranging from verbal harassment to physical attacks. Sarcelles is a location that inexperienced travelers should completely remove from their route, as it is on the list of “sensitive urban zones” of Paris where law enforcement struggles to maintain order.
Is Garges-lès-Gonesse Risky for Foreigners?
Garges-lès-Gonesse is another suburban city neighboring Sarcelles with a similar security profile. Urban neglect and high unemployment are the main factors triggering crime rates in the region. Especially harassment and theft incidents experienced on public transportation vehicles can turn this place into a nightmare for visitors. There are no nightlife or tourist activities in the city, and the existing street environment does not welcome foreigners. If you are looking for a safe harbor in your Paris trip, staying away from such suburbs in the north as much as possible is a vital choice to protect yourself and your belongings.
Is Pierrefitte-sur-Seine a Safe Location?
Pierrefitte-sur-Seine is a small city located north of Saint-Denis that shares similar security problems. Crime statistics in the region show that theft and physical attack cases are intense. The streets of the city are generally poorly maintained, and areas that become deserted in the evening hours harbor serious dangers. Train lines providing access to Paris may experience frequent disruptions due to security problems while passing through this region. There is no valid reason for tourists to choose Pierrefitte for accommodation or sightseeing; on the contrary, there are many security-based reasons to avoid it entirely in favor of more established areas.
Why is Stains Not a Preferred Destination?
Stains is a city located in the heart of Seine-Saint-Denis and is one of the focal points of social unrest. Neighborhoods such as “Clos Saint-Lazare” in the region are places where crime networks are concentrated and quite harsh reactions are given to outsiders. The presence of tourists in this region can cause them to become direct targets. Stains is far from the charming atmosphere of Paris and the only thing it offers is a high-risk urban environment. To avoid risking your trip and accumulating unpleasant memories, it is strongly recommended that you stay away from this city and similar neighboring districts that lack the basic safety nets required for tourism.
Does Villeneuve-Saint-Georges Cause Security Problems?
Villeneuve-Saint-Georges is a city located southeast of Paris that struggles with high crime rates as well as natural disasters like floods. The station and its surroundings have become a haunt for drug addicts and suspicious individuals, especially in the evening hours. In this city, which offers no safe areas for tourists, the possibility of encountering crimes more serious than pickpocketing is always present. The general atmosphere of the city is gloomy and uneasy. Those traveling towards the south of Paris need to be extra careful when passing through this stop or preferably not enter the region at all, as it serves as a transit point with significant social challenges.
Why Does Vitry-sur-Seine Require Caution?
Vitry-sur-Seine is a city located just south of Paris and hosts a large art museum (MAC VAL). Although the museum surroundings are relatively safe during the day, there are security vulnerabilities throughout the city. Crime rates are high, especially in neighborhoods near industrial zones and housing estates. Although its fame for street art draws some tourists here, walking alone in places outside the main street can be risky. If you are going to Vitry, you should limit your visit only to daylight hours and return to central areas as soon as your museum visit is over, avoiding the temptation to explore the deeper residential pockets of the suburb.
Is Ivry-sur-Seine a Safe Area for Travelers?
Ivry-sur-Seine is a place frequently preferred by tourists for accommodation because it is very close to the Paris border. However, not every part of the city is at the same security level. While especially the northern parts are close to the 13th district of Paris and are safe, some neighborhoods in the south and the RER station surroundings are sketchy. Wandering in these areas late at night increases the risk of snatching and harassment. If you are going to stay, you must definitely choose the areas close to the river and more adjacent to the center of Paris. Avoiding entering the inner parts of the city and deserted streets is important for your security.
Why is Gennevilliers Not Recommended?
Gennevilliers is a large port and industrial city located northwest of Paris. Some neighborhoods of the city, especially the “Luth” region, have been on the agenda with crime rates and social conflicts for a long time. Gennevilliers, which has no interesting point from a tourist perspective, can offer a complex and sometimes hostile environment for foreigners. Unemployment and social isolation in the region cause crime rates to remain high. Unlike the luxury and safe areas in the west of Paris, Gennevilliers has a harsh urban reality. For this reason, it would be the most logical step not to include this region in your travel plans.
Is Argenteuil Risky in Terms of Security?
Argenteuil is one of the cities with the highest population density among the northwest suburbs of Paris. Although it has a past that inspired Impressionist painters, modern Argenteuil struggles with serious public order problems. Especially the neighborhoods located on the hills of the city and the train station surroundings are areas where crime networks operate. For tourists, being in these regions brings along the risk of encountering theft or verbal harassment. Since the city spreads over a very wide area, even a neighborhood entered by mistake can create trouble in terms of security. Argenteuil is not an ideal stop for your Paris trip if you seek a relaxed environment.
Why is Mantes-la-Jolie a Place to Stay Away From?
Mantes-la-Jolie is a city located west of Paris, about 35-40 minutes away from the capital by train. The “Val Fourré” region of the city is known as one of the largest and most problematic public housing areas in France. Crime rates, clashes with the police, and social tension are at their peak here. Being in this city, which has no attraction for tourists, means taking an unnecessary risk. While using the suburban trains (Transilien) of Paris, you should be careful on the lines going in this direction and take care not to get off at the wrong stop. Mantes-la-Jolie is always marked as a red zone in security lists and provides no tourism value.
Why is the Trappes Region Unsafe?
Trappes is located in the Yvelines department west of Paris, but it has a completely different world from the wealthy Versailles region it neighbors. The city frequently comes to the agenda with high crime rates and debates over social radicalization. The social fabric here is quite closed to foreign visitors, and walking in the streets can be unsettling. Although not being on a tourist route is an advantage, it can sometimes attract those looking for cheap accommodation. However, for life safety and a peaceful trip, Trappes is a settlement you should definitely remove from your list to avoid potential confrontation with local criminal elements.
Is Évry-Courcouronnes Safe for Visitors?
Évry-Courcouronnes is a modern suburban city located south of Paris. Although it hosts a large shopping center and a university, some neighborhoods of the city have been classified as “sensitive” due to crime rates. Theft incidents are common, especially around the stations through which the RER D line passes. The wide concrete squares and deserted passages of the city take on a sketchy state, especially after the sun goes down. There is no cultural attraction center that requires tourists to go to this region. Unless you are going for business purposes, it will be to your advantage to avoid this distant and risky suburb of Paris.
Why Should Creil Be Avoided During a Paris Trip?
Although Creil is geographically outside of Paris, it is tightly connected to the city by suburban trains and is seen as part of the Paris crime ecosystem. The city is known for high crime rates and drug trafficking. Tourists who find a hotel or rent a house here because it is easy to reach Paris usually find themselves in an environment where they do not feel safe. The streets of Creil can be dangerous for foreigners, especially at night. This transit point north of Paris is one of the weakest links in terms of travel security and should never be considered for accommodation or late-night explorations.
Why Avoid Barbès-Rochechouart in the 18th District?
Located in the 18th district in the center of Paris, Barbès-Rochechouart is one of the most chaotic and risky points of the city. The huge market under the metro station and its surroundings are the center for pickpockets, illegal sellers, and scammers. The crowd is so intense that it is impossible to realize that your bag has been opened or your phone has been stolen. Additionally, the atmosphere becomes increasingly tense in the evening hours due to drug traffic in the region. Although it is very close to Montmartre, it is definitely not recommended for tourists to pass through this area on foot or linger here for any reason.
Is Goutte d’Or in the 18th District Safe?
Goutte d’Or is a region located right behind Barbès and is one of the poorest neighborhoods in Paris. In this neighborhood, known for its narrow streets and dense population, theft and physical attack cases are frequently seen. There are many homeless people and drug addicts among the neighborhood residents, which disturbs the peace in the streets. Side streets entered by mistake by tourists can cause them to find themselves in an unsafe environment for snatching. This neighborhood, located just a few streets away from the tourist glitter of Montmartre, represents the “real but dangerous” face of Paris; therefore, it should be avoided after dark.
Is La Chapelle in the 18th District Risky?
La Chapelle is located in the north of Paris, at the intersection of the 10th and 18th districts, and has been struggling with a “crack” epidemic for a long time. It is possible to see people clearly using and selling drugs in the streets. This situation makes the region extremely dangerous not only for tourists but also for local residents. Violence incidents, fights, and theft are part of the daily life of this neighborhood. It is particularly risky for female tourists to walk alone in this region. This part of Paris is the most obvious example of urban decay and should never have a place on your travel itinerary if you wish to maintain a sense of safety.
Why is Stalingrad Square in the 19th District Dangerous?
Stalingrad Square and its surroundings are the scene of one of the biggest drug and homelessness crises in Paris. Makeshift tents set up along the canal and drug use in the open air have made the region extremely repulsive and unsafe for visitors. Security control around the square and metro station can be completely lost in the evening hours. Tourists going to restaurants in this region or walking along the canal can result in unpleasant harassment incidents. This point in the northeast of Paris is the place that harms the romantic image of the city the most and is the place most to be avoided in terms of security.
Why is the Cambrai Neighborhood in the 19th District Not Recommended?
Cambrai is a neighborhood located in the north of the 19th district and surrounded by high-rise social housing projects. Crime rates in the region, especially property crimes and violence cases, are well above the Paris average. There are no tourist reasons to go here; however, they can sometimes be attracted here due to cheap rental houses. Staying in Cambrai means having to walk in deserted and dark streets late at night, which increases the risk of attack. This inner suburb-like neighborhood of Paris is definitely a wrong choice for those looking for a peaceful holiday away from urban tension.
Is the Area Around Gare du Nord in the 10th District Safe?
Gare du Nord hosts tens of thousands of tourists every day because it is the busiest train station in Europe. However, the inside of the station and the streets immediately outside are the center of pickpocketing and scams. Especially tourists carrying suitcases are the first targets of scammers. Bars and streets around the station take on a sketchy atmosphere late at night; the density of drug addicts and homeless people increases security concerns. If you are going to leave by train from here, you should take care of your belongings every second and take care not to spend unnecessary time around the station entrance.
How is Châtelet-Les Halles in the 1st District at Night?
Châtelet-Les Halles is a huge transport and shopping center located right in the heart of Paris. Although it is very safe and crowded during the day, the atmosphere changes rapidly after midnight. Especially the metro underpasses and the surroundings of Forum des Halles become a place where gang-like groups gather and theft incidents increase. In this region where young people gather, fights due to alcohol and drug use occur frequently. Even though you are in the center of the city, wandering alone in this huge underground labyrinth late at night carries serious security risks that can be easily avoided by staying above ground.
What is Happening Around Porte de la Villette?
Porte de la Villette is the northeastern gate of Paris and has hosted temporary camp areas where drug addicts were evacuated in recent years. This situation has completely disrupted the security balance in the region. Although the City of Science and Industry museum is here, the streets outside the museum area are quite dangerous. Especially walking from the metro to the hotels in the region in the evenings carries a great risk due to drug users and suspicious individuals. Accommodation or going on a night tour in this region for tourists is a situation definitely not recommended by security experts and seasoned travelers.
Why Should Bois de Boulogne Not Be Visited at Night?
Bois de Boulogne is a huge and very beautiful park located in the west of Paris. Although it is a favorite place for families and athletes during the day, it turns into a completely different and dark world after the sun goes down. During the night hours, the park becomes a center for prostitution and illegal activities. Inadequate lighting and huge wooded areas make this an ideal hiding place for committing crimes. It can be dangerous even for tourists to pass near this park at night. You should not fall into the misconception that “West Paris is safe” and enter this forested area at night time.
Are the Nights at Bois de Vincennes Dangerous?
Bois de Vincennes in the east of Paris shares a similar fate with Bois de Boulogne. The park, which is a great place with its castles, lakes, and zoo during the day, turns into a sketchy area where crime rates increase when it is night. Those camping illegally and drug addicts can be found in the depths of the park. Police supervision remains inadequate in such a wide area during the night hours. For this reason, the idea of taking a walk in the park after dinner is one of the biggest security mistakes that can be made in Paris. For your security, it is essential that you leave the park with the sunset.
Final Tips for Staying Safe in Paris
Avoiding the regions listed above is the first step to a safe trip. However, you should not forget that the risk of pickpocketing always exists even in the safest regions (for example, the 7th or 16th districts). Not leaving your phone on the table, always carrying your bag in front of you, and being distant towards strangers approaching you in crowded places (those doing signature campaigns, trying to put on bracelets, etc.) is life-saving. Paris is a city that will offer you unforgettable and charming memories as long as you stay in the right regions and follow basic security rules. Enjoy this fascinating metropolis by keeping your security at the forefront.
