Is It Safe To Travel To Paris?

Paris is among the most visited destinations in the world, with more than thirty million tourists visiting the city annually. The city is famously referred to as the ‘City of Light’ and its attractions include beautiful architecture, art museums, cafes, and a generally beautiful setting for lovers.

Yet, in the recent past, Paris has also been subject to deadly terrorist attacks and this brings the following question into question: is Paris safe for tourists? Let me, therefore, reiterate the answer to the original question – is Paris safe for tourists? – and say that, while it’s impossible to guarantee safety in any location, the answer is yes: Paris is relatively safe for an international traveler who follows the same level of caution as they would in any other unfamiliar city.

Assessing the Risks

The terrorist attack in multiple locations in Paris in November 2015 led to more than 130 people being killed and was a traumatic experience for people in Paris and visitors to the city. These included the attack on a concert hall, restaurants, and within the vicinity of the national stadium. The perpetrators of the attacks had links to ISIS. This drew attention to the global impact of terrorism.

Lastly, social unrest including riots and demonstrations on economic and social instabilities have from time to time occurred in Paris. They are often contained but sometimes can escalate into riots, for example, the anti-government ‘Yellow Vest’ protests of 2018-2019, which destroyed property, arson, and looting near significant sites and roads.

France is still technically in a state of emergency due to the terror threat all around the country. T Gill, There is heightened security around areas that attract tourists and the general public. Travelers might see soldiers patrolling with their weapons on display.

However, based on its recent history of unrest, it may be surprising to visitors and citizens of the capital that life in Paris continues quite as usual. Occasionally violent disturbances are still a very rare phenomenon, mainly outside the core tourist zones. Tens of millions can freely visit Paris each year. Paris has average or below average levels of violent crime for a city of its size compared to other global cities. Some types of crime like pickpocketing or bag snatching still exist though they are not as rampant as before.

Tips for Staying Safe

While no city is guaranteed safe, there are reasonable precautions travelers can take to minimize risks in Paris

• Stay vigilant especially in places with high human traffic like the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame Cathedral for instance since pickpockets are rife. Keep valuables secured.
• Stay away from protests or demonstrations, which, despite being infrequent, can sometimes become lethal, no matter how harmless they may appear at first glance.
• People who seek an opportunity to steal should not be trusted as they will use every occasion to cause a distraction or a diversion with the view of picking things from the crowd.
• This way, you will be abreast with any new attacks or terror threats that may occur during your travel dates. This is something you should also consider; ensure that you and your family are aware of the travel advisories issued by your country’s government.
• Avoid places like Château Rouge or any other area considered dangerous, or overcrowded touristic districts like Montmartre, where theft is quite common.
• Always hail only those taxis that are marked and have a functioning meter and do not use uncontrolled car-hailing apps. Beware of taxi scams.
• Avoid sharing the details of travel plans and itinerary on social media while on the trip.
• But adhere to general safety measures you would expect to observe in any big city such as being alert and not walking alone in the night. Stick to well-populated areas.
• Keep emergency phone numbers and a second source of funds easily accessible.

Enjoying Paris Safely

Paris continues to be a place of happiness, aesthetic appreciation, and marvel for millions of people even after the unfortunate incidents in the past few years. Thus, violent attacks remain very rare and sensational incidents. It is pertinent to mention that if travelers follow ordinary measures of security that are required for any big city, they are not going to have any problems. Do not be paranoid, but also do not act recklessly or without caution.

On the whole, I think that the level of safety that one encounters in Paris is relatively high as compared to similar cities in the world due to the absence of violent gang crimes and hate crimes are relatively low. However petty theft is still rife, therefore one needs to hold on to personal effects.

In this way, using common sense, staying away from certain districts, and employing some basic security measures, all the beauty that Paris has to offer can be appreciated by tourists without any incident. Of course, there is no travel risk-free, but at least tourists can be convinced that Paris remains open to hosting tourists from all over the world to discover its enchantment.

Well, do not let fear prevent you. Obey safety measures but do not be afraid to explore the enchanting appeal of the City of Lights that draws people for ages. Hear common sense, but go and enjoy the art, history, culture, and food that Paris does better than any other city in the world.

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