Questions on Travel to Paris next week

A lot of the discussion here -- https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/iran-conflict
is focused on Italy, but is applicable to France as well.

I would go.

I would come. I can't imagine you would have any issue.

Go and enjoy that wonderful city!

I would go and am going in April. For context I am an older, solo, female traveler. I will avoid crowds outdoors and don't plan to be anywhere busy except museums. I am sure the French police and military will be out in force with foot patrols just like they have been since the terror attacks at various venues in 2015.

IF you've not been to Paris before (sorry. I can't remember from your prior posts), be prepared mentally for squads of 4 or 5 soldiers walking the high tourist areas with their weapons. It was shocking the first time I encountered it but realized they were keeping me safe. This is something we don't see in the US so you might want to prepare the teen.

PS....I always go with Kim's advice!

This is something we don't see in the US

Although probably not appropriate on this thread, I cannot resist reminding that it now depends where you live in the US. I have to see this almost every day, although they are not always armed.

Thanks all! Yes we have been many times and used to the patrols. I just wanted to get a sense of everyone's thoughts. Thanks again!

I would go and be aware of surroundings (as per usual). We went to Belgium a short time after their difficulties in 2016, to Paris a short time after the Bataclan attack in 2015, and missed by one week (we were there same day and time one week earlier) the London King’s Cross bombing in 2005. Coming from Canada, it has taken us a bit to get used to the amount of armed police/military patrolling train stations, important sights etc in France, Italy and Belgium to name 3. But it hasn’t deterred us. Love love Paris. Enjoy every minute.

In a heartbeat….

GO!!!!

In November 2023 four friends and I had plans to go to Paris, then Frankfurt for an American football game and then onto Normandy for a tour of Bayeux and the D-Day Beaches. Then Hamas attacked Israel on October 7. Three of my friends cancelled and just two of us went. We had a blast and the friends that stayed home have regretted it since.

With respect, it's up to you and your personal risk tolerance, not what a bunch of mostly well traveled people on the internet might say. There is no one correct answer for every person or family.

My only advice is if you go, register your travel details with US State Department STEP program so you get notices of situations that could potentially affect your travels in France. I have received important notices from STEP about unexpected events while traveling in SE Asia and Turkey, it was helpful to have that information in light of what was shared by news outlets.

As someone living less than 3 hours from Paris I don't see a problem with traveling there at this time. It may change, but that can be said for any trip. I myself will be taking a long weekend there later this month for the Rodin Exhibit at the Orsay.

This week is supposed to be mostly sunny, with highs around 60f. But it's still cool enough at night to frost. If you're lucky you're going to see the fruit trees blossom, they're budding out now. Bring some fleece or a puffy jacket and some good shoes, and enjoy the time you have.

The basic question is: are you afraid? if yes, then of what?

"...would you go?" But of course.

Sorry to have answered.

I went to Paris during the first Gulf War.

I went to Paris during the 2nd Gulf War

I went to Paris right after Russia invaded the Ukraine

I went to Paris during the first Trump administration

I went to Paris during the 2nd Trump administration

I went to Paris when they were having the Yellow Vest Protests

I went to Paris this February

I have a trip booked for later this month and have not even considered cancelling (well there's a work issue that may create a problem but that's unrelated to anything going on in the world.)

My experience is that Europeans are smarter than Americans and are able to separate the actions of our government from individual citizens.

IMHO your bigger issue is your Travel Insurance is closed on weekends!!!! ! YIKES!

I’m in Paris now for my kids spring break. We got here late Saturday right before the whole conflict. We stayed at the apartment kind of late Sunday just to figure out the mood. I was here for the November 2015 massacre so I’m a little gun shy, but it’s been fantastic. The weather is gorgeous and the people are all in great spirits and I have no apprehensions taking my kids out and about. There seems to be a mild increase in police/military presence from previous trips but that just might be the new normal and honestly, I feel better for it. I’m not sure if the locals will be on school break next week like they are now but this is the emptiest I’ve ever seen Paris. We just walked on to the Eiffel Tower last night. So far everything we’ve done has been this way.

Also regarding the STEP program, hopefully it has changed but it was the absolute worst waste of time when we were here in November 2015. I waited on the phone forever after the massacre and told to shelter in place, only to be put in the state department’s voicemail after all the international news outlets reported that Americans need to call and register. Hopefully that’s cleaned up by now.

The first time we went to Europe, in 1985, there were Italian army personnel with Uzzis in the airport.
You may also need to consider that travel insurance may exclude war from the "any reason" cancellation.

@ Leslie, STEP, it hasn't changed a bit -
@Kim, why were you sorry to answer?

We've been here a month. We always say "We are from the US" in French. NO ONE has said a SINGLE THING negative. Except "Sorry, you need a reservation".

Leslie, STEP, it hasn't changed a bit -

STEP is best if you register before you travel, not in the midst of a crisis. And it may differ from country to country. It is one tool among many available to use during a crisis or unexpected situation, including news outlets and travel insurance (but read the fine print). YMMV.

I have found STEP to helpful on recent trips as it has alerted me to several upcoming protests so I could avoid the area.

Recalling the past being in Paris and France during "turbulent or unsettling " times, I went there for the first visit in July of 1973, the time of Nixon, Vietnam, Watergate, and anti-Americanism, (I had been told and warned about this), then so what?

Are these factors supposed to be deterrents? Goes back to the basic question: what are you afraid of?

Fred, I am not necessarily afraid, always excited about going to Paris. We were meeting my son, who is now stuck in Dubai there for his birthday. He can't get out of Dubai. STEP only tells you to stay alert, and the Consulate there is sending their personnel out of the country. All the alerts sent to people in Dubai and saying to shelter in place and that Iran is targeting US sites world wide. That is a whole other mess. The reasoning of the question was to take the temperature of what is going on elsewhere in terms of tensions.

Thanks JR. it’s so encouraging to hear what others can attest to while traveling at this concerning time. We will be in France in 3 wks. Holy Week river cruise. We will go. We plan to be aware but also plan to feel safe. I do find my empathetic nature can take over…how can I enjoy myself while others suffer and are fearful? But…then tell myself there is always hardship happening through out our world…unfortunate reality. I wont feel less sad or empathy in my home either. Live our lives well and be grateful. Best outcome for your son!!!

Without hesitation. And I will be going in May/June regardless of what is or isn't going on in the Middle East.

Key words in your statement JR "world wide"

yep, there's a risk world wide for Americans right now. Not sure that there's any evidence it's a higher risk to be an American in Paris than it is to be one in Atlanta.

obviously your son is probably at more risk than most of us, but for most of us I’m not sure Paris is more or less dangerous than being at home. It’s just a risk right now. Hopefully he’s staying safe

JR my thoughts are with you regarding your son. My husband and I are heading to Paris early June. I am vigilant while traveling but less so than I am in the US, in general. My Jewish friends and acquaintances in the US are concerned in THIS country regarding the safety of their synagogues and Hillel on their kids' college campuses.

Good luck meeting your son and him getting back to France.

I would have joined the chorus of no-worries but the complicating factor not being able to meet your son in person might keep me from having the same travel experience.

Best wishes-- I'm sure it will all work out.

@JR...In your case I understand your concern surrounding your son's circumstances. Thanks for the explanation.

At the present moment I have no concerns at all concerning safety (personal) as an American in Paris and in cities and towns plus villages in France, all of which are definitely featured in the travel plans when I get there at CDG on 27 May, places where you see yourself literally as the only foreign visitor walking around , on the bus, and exploring.

One of the advantages of being a regular on the forum is that you learn whose thought processes, values and judgment most closely match your own. Based on that alone, I would feel good about going based on Kims few simple.

My guess is that you may see a few more heavily armed men wandering the streets in much of Europe. Compared to my trips over 25 years ago, the visual presence of soldiers in the streets does seem to be a lot less in recent years, but I guess it might return. For Americans not used to the idea, relax, it’s always been part of the landscape in a lot of Europe.

If it were my son, the choice would be to go to Paris next week and hope he gets out of Dubai by next week. I suspect the odds are good that he does. But maybe that’s just my optimism. Or stay home and if he does get out, not seeing him in Paris. Yes, I go.

On the one hand, he won’t know which flight he’ll be able to board nor to which destination until the last minute. On the other hand, I’m sure he’d want you to be there to greet him when he finally gets to Paris or Berlin or Rome, wherever he can manage.

Suddenly, this trip you’ve planned so carefully is now more intensely than ever about your son, but that’s a parent’s life.

JR - goodness, you definitely have a different situation with your son stuck in Dubai. Here is hoping that he will be able to depart there in the next few days and make it to France. That is definitely a very different situation than being in Paris currently.