Widely dubbed the City of Lights, as well as the City of Love, Paris is one of the most visited travel destinations around the world. Even though it might be a little overrated; one’s got to be honest, it’s still popular for all the right reasons. Be it the architecture, the fashion, the food, you name it – Paris is, or was, on most of our bucket lists, especially women. That leaves us with a very important question: is Paris safe to visit as a solo female traveler? Read along if you’re curious. 

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Is Paris Safe: General Safety

When considering “Is Paris safe?”, it’s important to acknowledge that in spite of its popularity, safety in Paris remains questionable. But let me address this and answer your question – is Paris safe?

Personally, I hate labeling destinations as safe or unsafe. I believe that everyone can travel anywhere safely as long as they’re vigilant, follow common sense, and take the necessary precautions. Especially because there are lots of stereotypes about safety, in particular.

Let’s get real though and look at facts. When it comes to violent crime, it’s relatively low in Paris in comparison to other destinations. However, travelers should still remain vigilant and cautious no matter where they go, especially late at night in less crowded areas. 

The main safety concern in Paris is the increased frequency of petty theft and scams, especially in tourist-heavy areas or in public transportation. These are the main issues you should be concerned about as a solo female traveler. But don’t fret – we’ll tackle them below!

Common Scams to Watch Out For

First things first, let’s start with common scams and tourist traps. Before traveling to Paris, it’s important to know the following scams so you’d be well prepared. 

The friendship bracelet scam

A stranger will approach you and try to tie a “friendship bracelet” around your wrist. Don’t fall for this so-called “friendly gesture”– it’s a trap! As soon as the bracelet’s hooked on your wrist, they’ll demand payment! They may even become aggressive, so beware! This scam is common in touristic spots like Montmartre, especially near the Sacré-Cœur. 

The petition signing scam

Someone will approach you, pretending to be part of a charity or cause, and will ask you to sign a petition in support. Heads up: they’ll try to be as convincing as possible and emotionally manipulate you into signing – don’t fall for this! This is to distract you with signing while an accomplice pickpockets you. It doesn’t stop there – they might even demand a donation after you sign. This actually happened to me twice before (but I didn’t fall for it); once in Paris in front of Notre Dame and another time in Pisa, Italy. It goes without saying that you should always decline engaging if this ever happens to you.

The fake charity collectors

These scammers will try to guilt-trip you into donating to their fake charities – just like the petition scammers, they’ll try to be really convincing. If you feel like supporting the cause, do your own research on the side and donate to credible and trusted organizations instead. 

Aggressive selling by street vendors

Just like most tourist destinations around the world, street vendors in Paris are the same as elsewhere – some of them may use aggressive selling tactics to force you to buy from them. Common tactics include blocking your way or forcefully placing items in your hand. Politely decline to engage and keep walking. If they insist, you have to be assertive. 

Is Paris Safe: Neighborhood Overview

If you’re wondering “Is Paris safe?”, one of the first steps to understanding the city’s safety landscape is familiarizing yourself with its neighborhoods, known locally as arrondissements. 

Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements, or districts, each with its own unique character, safety profile, and atmosphere. Knowing which areas are lively and tourist-friendly versus those that might require extra caution can help you feel much safer as a solo traveler.

Areas like the 7th and 14th arrondissements are considered among the safest and most tourist-friendly. In addition to those, the Latin Quarter, or historic neighborhoods, in general, like Le Marais, are generally considered safe too. However, they still require standard safety precautions, especially after dark.

On the other hand, areas around major train stations, such as Gare du Nord, or Gare de l’Est, may feel less safe. However, it’s worth mentioning that, based on personal experience, as I’ve stayed near Gare du Nord several times, I never felt unsafe while practicing vigilance. The main downside of the neighborhood is that it’s packed with tourists, often in a hurry, making them easy prey to pickpockets. Also, the bustling area during the day becomes completely empty after dark. So, it’s important to stay alert if you’re passing by in the evening. 

Here are other areas where I believe you should practice caution:

• Some parts of the 18th and 19th Arrondissements: Such as La Chapelle, as lower foot traffic in the evening attracts more petty thieves, or Pigalle, which is basically the red light district of Paris. 
• Châtelet-Les Halles Area: The super busy shopping hub during the day isn’t the same at night – it often attracts groups of loiterers that might make you feel uncomfortable.
• Barbès-Rochechouart: Drug trade can be common there at night.
• Some suburbs like Saint-Denis and Aubervilliers are known for street crime – generally, I’d avoid staying in the suburbs, especially the northern ones, and opt for staying in central Paris instead.

Is Paris Safe: Accommodation Safety Tips

The previous neighborhood overview should help you choose the right accommodation for you. So, as you consider budget, proximity to facilities and attractions, and so on, it’s crucial to consider the area’s safety profile as well, and of course, see what’s best for YOU!

My biggest tip of all when choosing accommodation in Paris as a solo traveler is to opt for a hostel. Generally, I’m not a fan of renting apartments as a solo traveler, unless you’re staying for a long period of time and traveling as a digital nomad. And sure, there are lots of fancy hotels in Paris, but I personally prefer hostels, and here’s why.

Aside from being more budget-friendly for solo travelers, and there’s a higher chance to make friends in a hostel, I believe there’s an added sense of security in numbers. And if you’re not a fan of sharing a dorm room with others, there are lots of hostels that offer private rooms. 

If you’re wondering “Is Paris safe?” when choosing a hostel, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Choose hostels with good online reviews.
• Look at the hostel’s security measures. 
• Research the area – What’s the safety profile like? How far is the hostel from the nearest metro station? Even if it’s empty after dark, is it poorly lit or not?

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Is Paris Safe: Public Transportation Tips

Given that most petty theft occurs in public transportation, that makes you ask yourself “Is Paris safe?” even more. That’s why it’s important to know how to navigate public transportation in Paris safely. Here are a bunch of useful tips:

Plan your route before you head out

Before heading out of your hostel, make sure you plan your route ahead so you won’t look lost. This way, you wouldn’t have to check your online maps the whole time that your eyes would be glued to your phone, making you look less of an easy prey. 

Use local public transportation apps 

In big cities like Paris, where the transportation system is quite extensive, downloading local public transport apps will come in handy and will introduce you to the best possible ways to get around. 

Bonjour RATP is the primary transport app in Paris that allows you to check routes and schedules. Another great tool I love to use is Google Maps’s ‘directions with transit options’ feature. It breaks down transportation options and often helps me figure out which routes or modes of transportation are best to get to my destination.

Avoid isolated stations and late-night travel

Try not to arrive at or leave Paris late at night, and if you have to, it’s best to request a ride-hailing service or hire a private driver to get to the station/airport. Also, try to avoid isolated stations, especially after dark. And if you’re a night owl and big on nightlife like myself, try to always commute with other solo travelers from your hostel.

Is Paris Safe for Solo Female Travelers: Best Practices

So, is Paris safe for solo female travelers? Absolutely, with some precautions and planning, of course. It’s all about using common sense and staying vigilant. So, besides all the previously mentioned tips, here are a few other practical tips to stay safe while exploring Paris:

Stay Aware of Your Surroundings

Given that petty theft and scams are quite common, to stay safe in Paris, you’ve got to stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings at all times. Especially when you’re using public transportation or in busy spots and major tourist attractions. 

Keep Your Valuables Secure

Keep your valuables close, especially around busy places. A fanny pack or messenger bag will always come in handy – or even better, Curls en Route’s pickpocket-proof Travel Hoodie.

You can also invest in a money belt if you want to be extra cautious. 

Stay connected to the internet 

Aside from allowing you to easily navigate, staying connected to the internet adds a layer of security. You can send your live location to a friend back home, navigate back to safety when you’re lost, or call for help when necessary. That’s why I always download an eSIM – I recommend Airalo or JetPac. 

Download one of the ´Elan eSIMs for France or Eurolink eSIMS from Airalo. Get my exclusive 10% discount here. Or opt for JetPac and benefit from their free lounge access for delayed flights and fast-track passes through immigration! Check out their Europe eSIM packages here.

Invest in travel insurance 

Travel mishaps are more common than you think, and one common mistake solo travelers often make is neglecting the importance of travel insurance. My personal favorite is SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance!

Hide an AirTag in your purse/bag

One of my all-time favorite solo travel safety hacks is dropping an AirTag in my daypack/purse/fanny pack. This way, if God forbid, it got snatched, I can easily track it.

Add these phrases to your French dictionary

My main Paris travel tips include learning a few French words and phrases to be able to get by. As you learn those, make sure to add phrases that’ll come in handy if you’re ever in trouble. Phrases like “aidez-moi”, French for “help me”, can save you in case someone snatches your purse, for instance.

Save those emergency contacts

If you ever feel the need to contact French emergency services, the hotline is 112 – for police specifically, call 17, and for an ambulance, call 15.

In Conclusion…

Now, what do you think? Is Paris Safe? Personally, as I mentioned earlier, I believe that everyone can travel anywhere safely as long as they’re vigilant, follow common sense, and take the necessary precautions. Most importantly, trusting your instincts and intuition is key! Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance!

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SafetyWing offers different travel insurance packages, tailored to your needs, but their Nomad Insurance is my favorite option.

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• Paris Travel Tips: How to Make the Best of Your Solo Trip
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• How to Plan a Trip to Europe: Effortless Planning for First-Timers

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