Current mood in paris.

We go every year, were there in October and will be there this May. We have not noticed any of this. All or Paris acquaintances and friends are horrified at what America has become but they don't take it out on us. We find the French people we interact no different than usual. Some are warm and friendly, most are polite but more reserved as they have always been, there is the occasional jerk. The jerk to decent citizen ratio is no different than anywhere else.

It is critical of course, to use the local politeness norms like ALWAYS greeting the person before attempting any interaction, but as a former visitor you know that.

We were just there in Oct. Didn't notice any difference in the climate or behavior on the street, etc. Didn't feel any different than before. Rode the subway, in the train stations, etc. Can you explain how the climate change has been related to you? What is different? Always wonder who "they are" who can report on "the changes." But I am getting more nervous about traveling in some parts of the US.

Because of a lovely spring, we're all in a good mood. Thanks for inquiring. No one I know here feels particularly unsafe. Paris' motto is appearing more and more on street art and names of businesses. In case you've forgotten . . . Fluctuat nec Mergitur . . . . tossed but not sunk.

Enjoy your visit.

We were in France last summer and didn't notice any difference in the overall feel of the city. The beautiful vista looking up the Champs du Mars to the Eiffel Tower has been spoiled by security barriers and checkpoints but those are necessary evils as far as I'm concerned. Other than that, nothing.

Have not visited in about 4 years and have heard (from Americans mind
you) that the climate in this city has changed significantly due to
people feeling very unsafe.

Who told you this nonsense?

I just visited Paris in February 2017 and had previously been there in 2013. I noticed more security at museums and of course the barrier around the Eiffel Tower, but it didn't affect my trip at all. Don't worry, Paris is still Paris!

Ditto Eddie.
I spent 15 days in Paris this February and the only change I noticed was that Parisians were more friendly and more wonderful than ever. Had many conversations with Parisians every day, in addition to interactions with people all day long, and every single person could not have been nicer. Not once did I encounter anyone that was unpleasant in any way.

Tourism is rebounding like crazy.
Thé sun is out most of the time, there are flowers everywhere and nice military men and women are taking care of everything else.
It's all good. Go sit on a terrace and relax.

Was in Paris last Saturday at the end of a ten day trip. Yes, there is increased security but other than that, nothing has changed... even if you happily admit you're a Trump supporter!!!!

I was there in September (brief stop before heading back to US). Did not notice any changes.

" nothing has changed... even if you happily admit you're a Trump supporter!!!!"

The French are very polite.

Thank you so much to all of you who replied positively, we are looking forward to our visit and are no longer concerned.

Hi,

It is not only "c'est la vie" but also the title of the 1929 song, "C'est ça Paris."

We were there last May.......Paris is still incredible. What a city! I am so jealous. Wish I were going! We did not notice any changes from our prior visit......but did see families on street corners begging this last visit in May that were not there the time before. We stayed on the Ile St. Louis last May and as a result had a great location to walk from to most places in the city we wanted to see..... we avoided the subway because we wanted to see the city as we walked.....it was delightful.

i was there January 2017. It felt the same as before. France is officially still under a state of emergency so the security screening is more than before that is all.

Recent reports in the New York Times and elsewhere suggest that the tourism business made a big rebound in 2016 and that January 2017 saw the most visitors for the month in 10 years. Get ready to hear rumours that nobody is going to Paris because it is too busy (thanks, Yogi Berra, for that phrase.) I always thought that the complaints about rude waiters etc. were vastly exaggerated; the stories about Paris paranoia are no doubt just as inflated.

Great that Paris is experiencing a marked influx of tourists...C'est formidable! The main question is whether the presence of rude waiters, if such were the case, is reason to avoid visiting Paris...not for me, I couldn't care less, would go anyway.

I just returned from Paris last week. Had a fabulous time with the family. I never felt unsafe or threatened at any time. Parisians seemed to go about their daily lives normally: Sipping wine and smoking at sidewalk cafes, relaxing at Luxembourg gardens, riding the metro... etc., et al.

I spent 3 months in Paris last Fall and the main changes I noticed regarding security were increased bag checks at the doors of large stores plus roaming groups of armed police pretty much everywhere. None of this bothered me - it's just the new reality there. Paris itself, of course, was wonderful as usual! In fact it was better than ever b/c I made many new friends, some of whom I met through this Forum and through the Travel Partners section.

I think the mood just soured a few hours ago...another attack
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/20/world/europe/paris-champs-elysees-shooting.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=photo-spot-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news

Agnes, that makes over 500 causalities of Islamist and Anti Semitic terrorism in France in the last 3 years. That's miserable and very, very sad. I wish there were some meaningful way to demonstrate solidarity with France. Continued tourism is a start I guess, but comes up terribly short. Its a bit frustrating not to be a better part of a solution.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Islamist_terrorist_attacks

James--Your figure is incorrect, as is the wording. No need for people to be frightened unnecessarily. Granted, it's a problem. So far these attacks are from French-born terrorists who were flipped while serving time for crimes. Victims and targets have been all colors and religions.

And this one according to Le Monde was a long-time violent criminal, released after ten years of prison two years ago, who had made threats against the police in Feb. The name cited by Daesh when they claimed the attack was not this shooter. Now there's a hunt on for the one named by Daesh.

James, where did you get your information? In the interest of non "alternative facts" reporting could you please post a link to your info source? Otherwise . . . .

James, thank you for furnishing the link. Interesting reading indeed. Shows in part how the French authorities of all types have been proactive in keeping watch over us so we have not endured the horrors suffered by those in predominately Muslim countries.

Bets, 75020; you are entitled to your belief systems. My post was out of frustration over a continuing scourge that affects my sensibilities; but for which there is nothing I can do to effect change. Pure frustration. I hate it. On the Jewish question there a place to go and stand to show solidarity, and there are organizations that collect money to relocate the Jews out of France and the various temples will take contributions which helps with the cost of guards. There is another country also facing outrageous terrorism, but the battle front is well defined and money and supplies can be sent to assist (yes, I will die broke); but there isn't a focus for supporting the people of France. People keep saying the world is getting smaller; well it is, and we need to find ways to be there for each other.

Some might see this connection as tenuous, but all this necessary protection for citizens and visitors involves big bucks. To support Paris' and France's efforts to provide security for everyone, people visiting can rent apartments legally from owners who are paying their full share of the taxes necessary to support this effort.

We arrived yesterday. Our fourth visit. We went to Les Halle's and were commenting that it was a bit sad that they check your purse/bags and wand you going into a shopping mall. Unfortunately, that's the times we live in. Otherwise, people are super friendly as always. We were trying to go out a closed entrance at les Halles and the guard was very friendly trying to tell us how to get out. Apologized for her poor English, to which I replied...well, your English is better than my French. That got a laugh.

"Some might see this connection as tenuous."...."rent apartments legally..."

Not at all! Makes perfect sense, and sounds soooo familiar...

75020 I like that suggestion very much as well. I get edgy when people somehow rationalize knowingly breaking the law.

the issue of legal and illegal apartments is not about taxes. Many of the illegal apartments now pay tourist type taxes; many agencies have been doing this for years including AIRBNB. The problem is that it is virtually impossible to get an apartment legalized for short term rental, so either you stay in a hotel -- which I am certainly not doing for weeks or months at a time -- or you rent the apartments that are available nearly all of which are illegal. WE love visiting Paris, but the day I can't rent an apartment is the day I stop visiting.

"The issue of legal and illegal apartments is not about taxes. Many of the illegal apartments now pay tourist type taxes>"

Part of the issue here is exactly about taxes, not "tourist type taxes" but income taxes not paid on income earned illegally and thus not declared.

James, I was being facetious, attempting to highlight the stretch necessary in order to make the thread about apartment rentals. And that voice...it's just sooo familiar!

Dave, you opened the can. :-)

Yes, but I'm timid on this. Nudge-nudge, wink-wink. I'm gonna relax and watch a bit of the Tour of The Alps race-it's for the climbers. Smarano to Trento today.

As I type son and dil are in the air towards France. And we are stuck babysitting two grand daughters.

Its going to be interesting to see if the shooting has any affect on the election //// or for that matter on legal apartments......

Lucky you Frank!

When I'm in Paris, be it two days or two weeks, I'm in a hotel, a small one at that.

Hi everyone -- I've cleaned up a lot of political commentary on this thread. As many of you know, our forum is not the place to discuss politics or the French election. Please keep responses on-topic and focused on travel.