Paris: Safety at Night in Summer

No, not for me. No particular concerns.

I wouldn't go out into certain parts of the Banlieue at night but it is unlikely that you would.

Just keep your wits about you in the usual way.

A friend who's been to Paris 4 times just told me this morning that he recommends avoiding the Eiffel tower area in the evening because of the gangs of kids roaming about--he's a fairly imposing and fearless kind of guy, and his caution to me could be based on the fact that I am travelling solo to Paris in May, but again, just be alert in congested and popular areas like that is MY advice.

in the summer, you'll have to be out quite late to be out "after dark." Sunset is something like 10 pm in mid-June, with twilight lasting almost until 11 pm. Most of your evening strolling will be done while there's still natural light outside, and then of course there are always the artificial lights illuminating the streets, buildings, and monuments . . .

Paris is not like some US cities, where the "downtown" area clears out after 5 PM because no one lives there. Parisians live in all parts of the city, and dinner is from 8 PM to 10 PM or so, then people are going home. That's not to mention the people going to movies, concerts, etc. So, there is street life of all kinds until late (by US standards). At least until midnight, you won't be alone if you're walking in most areas tourists would walk.

Unlike America, where inner cities are dangerous after dark and suburbs are nicer, the exact opposite is true in Europe. Central Paris is very safe, the suburbs, not so much. Since, as a tourist, you'll stay within the city of Paris and not venture outside in the suburbs (banlieues), you will be fine. Just watch for pickpockets on the metro, especially when it's crowded. They target distracted tourists.

The city of Paris is actually quite small, and it's comprised within the ring road called Boulevard Peripherique.

Anything inside of it is pretty safe. No reason to venture outside of it (the suburbs), especially on the north side (like St. Denis).

mike,

The "short answer" is that it probably depends on which area you're planning to wander? I frequently wander about in the evenings and have never had any particular concerns, even near the Eiffel Tower. There are usually soldiers with automatic weapons patrolling under the tower so no concerns there! There are usually lots of people on the streets and as someone else mentioned, it doesn't get dark until quite late.

Thanks everyone; very helpful.

We have spent months visiting Paris in increments of a week to two months at a time and we wander around after dark all the time including outer arrondissements like the 20th, 18th, 17th, 11th, 14th. Paris gets dark very late in summer and it is lively fairly late in central districts. Violent crime, particularly crime that involves tourists or ordinary citizens going about their business is very rare. I am an old lady and am not infrequently out alone after dark and have ridden the metro across town at midnight many a time. It is not like the US where violent assault is common and guns are everywhere.

We went to the Champs du Mars last year to see the Eiffel Tower lit up and sparkly. I didn't feel unsafe, and any valuables were tucked away, but it was unpleasant. The crowd of souvenir sellers was beyond irritating. How many times do you need to wave off or walk away from the same guys selling light up gizmos? I usually have no problem avoiding solicitors, but not that night. I think the problem was the lack of a crowd, so they kept circling around the same few people.

We were in Paris in June and July of this year, where we have been numerous times, and went out in the early evening numerous times and never had any feelings of being unsafe. We do stay in the Rue Cler neighborhood which is full of people at all hours of the day and less so at night. We have gone to see the Eiffel Tower after dark to view the lights and never saw anything unsavory. I guess after 13 years of going to Europe we have developed a certain sense of awareness. We use money belt all of the time and keep our cameras inside our day bags which we wear around in front at night. I guess that being 6'3" helps some also.

Mike.. I took my daughter to Paris for the second time this past summer. Last time she was 11. This time she is 19.. ( just).. and in evening , after dinner I would go back to hotel room to rest sometimes ( watch tv catch up on email etc) and she would wander around Latin Quarter by herself.
She is not big. strong or worldly.. but possesses common sense.

That's all you need. Common sense.