How to avoid pickpocket in Paris
This is such as cliche that you will often hear from people visiting Paris that there are lots of pickpockets. Well, it is true! Even the true Parisians always take care of belongings like putting their bags always front. It seems like there are lots of pick-pocketers in Paris as it is a hub of shopping and they know better than anyone else that people carry cash or a credit card when they visit famous touristic places.
There are several tricks that these pick-pocketers use, to share with you:
- They work as a team. One might try to help you carry your luggage, and offer you help while another might try to take your stuff from your pocket or a small bag that you carry. Sorry, before taking an offer from a stranger, reflect on whether you can truly trust this person.
- They will take your stuff before getting off the tram. Yes, so don’t try to use your phone if possible. What usually happens, these people will keep an eye on your fancy new iPhone or Galaxy phone and when the metro door starts to close, they will take out your phone from your hands and get off from the metro. When you try to get off to catch them? It is too late. Don’t expect too much from Parisien police. Sorry, but these cases happen too often and there is almost 0.01% chance that you can get your phone back.
- Never ever put your bags or stuff on the terrace chair. I know you might just put your bags in a Parisien terrace because you think it is so authentic to sip your espresso at a Parisien terrace and look at people passing by. Well, before that be careful for your bags, you never know what will happen.
Type of Scams
Transport scams :
Most of the scammers are concentrated in the metro, buses, RER stations that tourists use a lot. The most common scam is a person who will try to sell you metro or RER tickets. Those are usually more expensive than the regular ones. So, make sure to always buy your metro/ RER ticket at a valid machine. You will have no difficulty finding one of those at the station and if you ever have any problem, there is usually a counter, an office, with RATP workers who will help you out. Also, if it’s a long stay, you may want to purchase a Navigo special travel pass. Check out the RATP official website for more info! https://www.ratp.fr/en/visite-paris/english/visiting-paris-and-its-surrounding-areas
Touristic sites scams :
1. Fake petitions.
Now, this is kind of tricky. In Paris, it’s normal to find a group of people who offer you to sign a petition for a good cause. However, when these kinds of people approach you near a very famous touristic place, without any official signs/logos that represent the cause, it’s usually a scam. If you sign the paper, they will want you to pay money and none of it will go to a charity. So be careful, do not sign anything that looks suspicious. In general, the person will not insist much, but if it’s the case, just walk away and ignore them.
2. The “free” gift.
Never agree to take a flower, a bracelet, a ring, or other accessories from people who offer it “for free”. It’s actually a scam and they will want you to pay for it afterward. Those scams are easy to avoid, just like for the first one, say “no” and walk away.
Here are some basic rules I follow in order to make sure to be safe in transport (metros, RER, buses, tramways):
Always have a purse with a zipper. If it’s a bag, never have it on both shoulders. The reason why? When it’s crowded, you are squeezed against people so you might not see/feel a hand opening your bag. Thus, in order to avoid that, I always have my bag on one shoulder which enables me to have my hand on it.
Always have your bag in your hands, on your lap. I never leave it on the seat beside me and I never leave it under my seat.
Never have too much money with you. I always have less than 30 EUR in cash and the rest is on my credit card. My credit card is protected by a card sleeve that blocks scanning. They don’t cost much and it’s a great way to feel safe and not worry if somebody is trying to scan the money off your credit card.
Sadly, if something happens during your travel, whether you predicted it or not, it can ruin your travel mood and we don’t want this to happen to you. Trust in your gut! Bon voyage (Enjoy your travel in French!)
Accommodation in Paris
When you choose accommodation in Paris, keep this in mind: Some districts of Paris can be quite dangerous especially during the night! here is Irina Bouamrirene and NomadHer team share for you.
Paris has 20 arrondissements. Here are short descriptions of them.
- 1st & 2nd arrondissements: Very historic. Full of must-see areas like the Louvre or Palais Royal. But accommodation can be highly expensive.
- 3rd & 4th arrondissements: Le Marais area has cool restaurants and bars. Different communities: Jewish, LGBTQ, Chinese, etc. Feel the vibe of diversity!
- 5th & 6th arrondissements: Lively neighborhood. The famous university La Sorbonne and Quartier Latin is located here.
- 7th & 8th arrondissements: The Eiffel Tower in the 7th, the Arc of Triomphe, and the avenue of Champs-Elysees in the 8th! They are both highly touristic areas so beware of pickpockets.
- 9th & 10th arrondissements: the 9th district alone had 19 metro stations. If you ever find yourself in the 10th, Canal Saint-Martin is where to go, it is less touristy and offers a more intimate atmosphere than Quais de Seine. It is also home to two big train stations: Gare de l’Est and Gare du Nord where you can take a train to London.
- 11th & 12th arrondissements: The district of the youth & hipsters! You will see so many endless bars and the young people talking to each other especially near the metro station Line 3 “Parmentier”.
- 13th & 14th arrondissements: The district of Chinese and Vietnamese communities! Well, you might feel like you are literally in Asia if you ever get a chance to visit this district. Feel the vibe of Asian street food, bubble tea, and more to come!
- 15th & 16th arrondissements: They are residential districts. If you fancy calm strolls in parks, you can go to Parc André-Citroën. Tour de Montparnasse is located here, which is the highest skyscraper in Paris. The 16th is one of the most prestigious districts in Paris, home to a number of museums but also embassies.
- 17th & 18th arrondissements: 18th arrondissement is home to the Montmartre. This highland provides a wonderful panorama of Paris. But be very careful when it’s dark!
- 19th & 20th arrondissements: the 19th is home to Paris’s artificial park, Parc des Buttes Chaumont. It was designed to imitate mountain landscapes it has rocks, a lake, waterfalls, and a cave. The 20th is known for its cemetery Cimetière du Père-Lachaise, where many international celebrities rest: Raymonde Delaroche, Edith Piaf, and Oscar Wilde.
✅ Hazardous areas that you should avoid during nighttime. If you have any more opinions, feel free to contribute as well!
- Les Halles — Châtelet: live commercial center but can get wilder at night.
- Gare du Nord: one of the 4 major stations in Paris but try not to visit when dark.
- Stalingrad and Jaurès: beware of pickpockets!
- Porte de la Chapelle: popular neighborhood but you might feel insecure
- Barbès Rochechouart and the Goutte d’Or: walking those colorful streets at night might be too risky
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