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.

Thanks all for the well wishes. We have been trying all week to get him out with no luck. Make reservation after reservation to just about anywhere with what limited airlines are flying. Cancelled. All his Emirates flights have been cancelled. We had several others cancel last minute, which we understand, but hate the anxiety of it all. We have six more reservations made to many different destinations hoping one will get out. (Credit card smoking from all the cancel in full fares) Not optimistic but what else can you do. The State Department put out a phone # to call to help citizens get out. So far we have ad no luck with that as well. When they put you on hold it disconnects. Over and over. I know the phone lines are overwhelmed, but it is a major cluster at best. I think everyone who is stuck in this situation is really having a hard time emotionally as well as financially. As of now, we plan to go ahead and go crossing fingers he will be able to get out by early next week to any European destination that he can then make his way to Paris.

JR….I have an optimistic thought process your son will find a flight somewhere to Europe. There will be a window for people like him to get out by nxt week. You are certainly trying in every way possible! Hang on to your hope!!! Sorry this has been so exasperating…. Once a parent always a parent! Please keep us updated. (And its selfishly interesting for me who leaves for France in 3 wks!) God speed!

On the news tonight, French news interviewed people who took a bus to the Oman border, negotiated a taxi ($$$) from the border to Muscate and then flew to Paris. Otherwise, the planes being chartered are evacuating citizens with children or medical conditions and are for citizens of the countries sending the planes. No information mentioned on commercial flights from Dubai.

I feel like all2alb that he will be able to get out by early next week. I have no basis on which to make that statement, but just feel like things may get back a bit more to normal, or that he will be able to get to Oman and get out from there.

Sorry for all the extra expense this is entailing, I know that is stressful too. He will make it out of there sooner or later — hopefully sooner.

The Australian government is recommending Australians stranded in the UAE get out on commercial flights. Those stranded the longest are being given priority. There has been at least one commercial flight that I know of that has left Dubai, no idea about Abu Dhabi. There would be more information about the Australian approach on the government website Smartraveller:

https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/

Lavandula

no idea about Abu Dhabi.

I have a friend that is a flight attendant who lives in Abu Dhabi and flies for Emirates. She said 2 days ago that 10 or more Emirate flights a day were going out.

One report, about 9 hours old is the U.S. State Department says 18,000 Americans have returned safely, including 8,500 on Tuesday. I read in another report similar numbers and the statement that 6,000 were still waiting. I also read that the US government was using charters and military aircraft to assist, but I haven’t seen that but in one article with no numbers or details, so ..... but maybe. Even the "returned safely" might be bad journalism and "returned" might just mean out of the Middle East but stuck someplace else.

Going back to the OP's question about Paris, there's always the chance of the current Middle Eastern conflict leading to terrorism elsewhere, but it's just as likely to happen in the US as it is in western Europe.

Follow up on being stuck in Dubai - He is still there. We have booked over 12 flights, all cancelled. He registered with the Department of State two days ago, but still have not heard anything or been contacted about any flights out. Flights in to next week are still booked up. It's been a nightmare. No matter what European city we try, flights get cancelled or not flying. Not really sure what else to do except wait. No flights on Emirates, no flights on Fly Dubai, Or Saudia, or anything else. Tried Abu Dhabi as well, and nothing. Hoping for a turnaround soon!

Oman’s airport in Muscate is functioning normally and never closed. The government is doing all it can to facilitate evacuations, per the French ambassador in Oman. Bus to the border and taxis are there waiting for the drive to Muscate.

Thanks Elizabeth. We are working on that now.

Here’s a video on Facebook that shows the itinerary.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1Hj4JLj7Rb/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Parts of an update I received this morning.

Evacuation Operations Continue in the Gulf
The U.S. claims to have moved nearly 20,000 people out of the region. The UK, France, and Germany are preparing to possibly evacuate 100,000, 400,000, and 30,000 citizens, respectively.
… commercial flights out of the UAE are gradually coming back online ... In the past 24 hours, approximately 400 commercial flights have taken place.
Ongoing Recommendations
As the conflict may go on for up to eight weeks,
Visitors should continue to try to leave the region.
Avoid proximity to U.S. (and Israeli) diplomatic missions in Europe and the Middle East.
For those considering evacuation, check visa requirements and applying for relevant visas as soon as possible.
Situation Report
UK police arrested four men under the National Security Act for assisting Iranian intelligence and surveilling Jewish locations in London.
Operations at the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait City have been suspended … This followed a "complex missile and drone attack"
Two tankers came under attack in the Persian Gulf,
U.S. President said he supports Kurdish forces launching an offensive against Iran
Two hotels and a residential building were struck in Manama, Bahrain.
U.S. CENTCOM announced it had destroyed an Iranian drone carrier ship roughly the size of a WWII aircraft carrier.

The president of Iran has apologized to his neighboring countries and said they should not have been attacked by Iran. He said it was just a big misunderstanding between the Iranian government and the Iranian military and will stop .... unless Iran is attacked. https://www.npr.org/2026/03/07/g-s1-112858/iran-president-statement

I guess, if true, there is now a window for stranded tourists to get out of the region safely.

I think we should keep this focused on traveling into Paris and out of Dubai to Paris or elsewhere in Europe. There are plenty of news sources for what is happening more broadly.

There is one thing I don’t really miss during a trip and that is the newspaper and the tv. There is a whole lot of little things that distracts you, like looking after my printed entrance ticket of the Louvre and be sure arriving at the right time slot last Wednesday. Enjoying this museum and this fantastic city and seeing all the people enjoying the first sunny days of the year. Found time visiting Notre Dame and Sacré-Coeur too. Nothing made me think there about what happens in the rest of the world. It’s the best way to leave your burden behind.

So enjoy your trip next week!

Kim, naturally, you are correct and its edited.

Indeed we are headed out this week. Feeling much relief, as my son finally got out of Dubai. He managed to get one of three flights out, and he ended up in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for the night. This morning he was able to get a flight on Turkish Air to Istanbul and just landed on this third flight in Rome. Big relief to finally have him out. @Elizabeth, he actually was going the Muscat route before the one flight opened up. He was lucky as we understand this morning the airport in Dubai was hit again? Anyhow, we will be celebrating his birthday in Paris next week, and looking for a great place for a birthday dinner. Taking suggestions! Not fancy, just good food, atmosphere, and maybe a view for a special occasion. OK with spending the $$$, just not Michelin $. Thank you all for your help and kind words. @Pam, thank you again for everything.

Bravo. Felicitations. Wonderful reunion.
Restaurant Bel Canto at metro Hotel de Ville. The waitstaff sing opera in addition to to serving.
I’ve sent you a private message.

Oh my word...that is wonderful that he's gotten to Rome! I hope he is headed direct to Paris and will meet you there!

Excellent

Fabulous JR! Words I was hoping to hear from you! Enjoy your precious time together and birthday celebrations in Paris! Now you can breath….

JR, wonderful news!

Wishing you all a very happy reunion in Paris.

Congrats! You will all have quite a story to tell someday.

So very happy to hear he is safe and you will be able to celebrate a truly wonderful birthday together!

Now that I've caught up on this thread and understand the actual reason you asked the question, I am so glad your son has safely made his way toward your rendezvous in Paris. Your celebrations will hold extra weight this year, splurge on the champagne. Safe travels to you all.

JR, so happy and relieved for you and your family! Whew. I can recommend Le Florimond in the 7th. Not open on Saturday or Sunday. And you need reservations, smallish place, great food and very friendly.

JR, I am so very happy that he made it to Rome !!! Now you can indeed celebrate his birthday in style.

Thank you for the update. And safe travels on your way here.

Thank you all for your well wishes and help! Great forum fam here!

Great that your son made it out.

We just had another discussion in a bakery about the US. The fella asked "Where are you from?" I said "the suburbs of Paris", and he and my wife laughed. He was very happy to see us, and happy to use his English. No one has made the SLIGHTEST comment about politics. He did mention my mustard squirter which I carry in my pocket - French sandwiches have nothing but mayonnaise on them, so I carry a mustard tube.

Great story Paul!