Safety / Instability

Keith, you forgot to mention Oklahoma City, LAX, Little Rock Arkansas, Las Vegas, and so on. I'm don't mean to sound dismissive, you are entitled to have concerns. You didn't say if this is your first trip anywhere abroad. Paris is an extremely civilized place. You're not going to any oppressed suburbs, anyway.

You might give some thought to how few Americans fail to return from their vacations because of terror tragedies. You could argue that the absence of a U.S. Constitution and our legal traditions makes security much stronger over there than it is here. I've been in a Paris metro station when four uniformed commandos made a vigorous security sweep. Now, I prefer the use of police for such jobs, because they get different training than military do. But they don't go in for "security theater" over there. They mean it.

I worry more in an Open-Carry state here than I do abroad. Have you seen the statistics on gun deaths world-wide? Statistically, your chances are much worse over here.

I keep going to Paris. I don't visit neighborhoods outside the city center, but really don't concern myself with personal safety. I suggest you speak with the desk personnel at your hotel to see if there is an area to avoid. They live there and know.

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country/france.html

Excerpts:

Political violence in Paris and throughout France is relatively uncommon, although there are occasional instances of extremely large demonstrations simultaneously occurring in many French cities. Large demonstrations in Paris are generally managed by a strong police presence, but even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. We recommend that U.S. citizens avoid demonstrations if possible, and exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. The congestion caused by large demonstrations can cause serious inconveniences for a visitor on a tight schedule. Some sporting events, such as soccer matches, have occasionally degenerated into violence that continued into the streets.

Political unrest has developed in some Francophone countries, primarily in North Africa and West Africa, with historic ties to France. Some French citizens and residents with ties to such countries have protested in front of those countries’ embassies or consulates in France in response to the unrest. Although these protests are infrequent and do not target U.S. citizens, visitors should avoid such demonstrations.

The Government of France maintains a threat rating system, known locally as “Vigipirate,” similar to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Advisory System.....

Also check:
http://france.usembassy.gov/usc_focus.html

I appreciate your comments. Thank you.

Keith, We are leaving for Paris for a 4 day stay starting this coming Monday and will rent a car and make our way for a couple more weeks to Nice. This is only the second time for us to go to Paris/France in 28 years. I am a big time worry wart. Yes, it has crossed my mind what you are thinking/talking about, especially since France has join in the fight against the terrorists and a French person has been recently brutally killed. We are still going on our trip. We live not far enough from a federal building and a dormant nuclear power plant - these could be potential terrorist targets at home.

Keith, it was pointed out to us last year in Paris that a lot of law enforcement in and around Paris (France in general?) is not uniformed, they are under the radar, both for local/political and mission specific reasons. On the other hand, as Phil points out, there are plenty of visible officers; we saw lots at CDG, and roving groups of three each at Gare Montparnasse and Gare de Lyon, in full gear with automatic rifles in hand. I felt very secure.
Having said all that, we felt very safe wherever we went-including the flea market at Vanves, Pigalle late at night, and in Saint Denis, where we saw the Basilica, strolled the main drag, and had a great lunch.
You'll have a great time in Paris.

Some people in France feel safer than others.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/07/22/france-jewish-shops-riot_n_5608612.html

I have the impression that the level of this sort of violence is higher in France, but I also have the impression that the level of attitude isn’t unique to France. The article only mentions a few countries but its prevalent from The UK to Spain to Austria and Hungary. I just don't understand it.

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/aug/07/antisemitism-rise-europe-worst-since-nazis

And I have been asked not to mention the pick pockets. So wont.

Keith . if my 18 yr old daughter was going to Paris tomorrow I would consider her safe.

Really .

@pat, I agree.