Safety tips about Paris, Bayeux, Loire Valley, and Mont-Saint Michel

Have you consulted any guidebooks relative to France? Most good guidebooks will cover these subjects. Do to the library and check out Steves' guidebook for France.

I would highly recommend that you purchase a copy of Rick's France guidebook. Most of your questions would be answered there, as well as the Travel Tips section of this website. As for what areas of these places to avoid- just stick to the areas centred around the usual tourist attractions and you'll be fine. Use common sense when out at night- just as you would in Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver.

Hi there,
I just returned from two weeks in France. I spent 9 days in Paris and 2 days in Normandy, including a visit to Mont St. Michel. I definitely recommend taking precautions in Paris. Rick Steve's European Travel Skills series is extremely helpful. There are pickpockets at all of the major sites and especially in the metro (subway). I don't think you have to be afraid to travel there, but be smart! Use a money belt tucked into your pants. Be especially aware of your phone. Three people in our tour group had phones stolen from purses and pockets. Keep it in your money belt or tightly in your hand. Watch for any kind of disruptive behavior, especially groups of children. We were on the metro when a group of young girls tried to pry the door open before the train left the stop to let others on. They were creating a distraction so that their friends already on the train could rob those who tried to help or were looking at the distraction. Be careful around sites like Notre Dame when everyone has their arms up taking pictures with their phones. Another perfect pickpocket distraction.

Behavior-wise--don't draw attention by wearing touristy clothes, hats, etc. Don't talk loudly. French people speak quietly or not at all on public transportation. Tourists draw attention to themselves by speaking loudly in a foreign language.

It really helps to learn a few basic terms in French. Rick Steves has excellent suggestions in his Paris 2019 and France 2019 books, as well as his French translation book. It can be difficult to communicate, but we found many friendly French people who were helpful after we attempted the meager French we know!
Mont St. Michel is a wonderful place and seemed quite safe. It is a long drive from any urban area, so less chance of being robbed. I would still exercise the same caution, however.

Tipping in France is minimal. Read Rick Steve's advice on tipping on his website and in the book. I will say that we tipped our favorite waitress at the cafe next to our hotel because she was so helpful to us throughout our stay.

Good luck! Have a great visit!
CG

Paris is extremely safe. You do not need to fear for your life. Yes, the usual advice for pickpockets but physical harm is extremely rare. You do not need to stay close to tourist sites, the best parts of Paris are away from tourist sites. All of Paris, from the 1st to the 20th arrondissement is safe - even at 1am.
Excellent advice to get the RS France guide, i also highly recommend the RS Paris guide. Money well spent.

Personal safety won't be a problem, Paris is much safer than comparable US cities and probably also safer than comparable Canadian cities. Pickpockets can definitely be a problem though, especially in transportation hubs and major tourist sites. Keep your valuables under your clothing, in a money belt or neck wallet. If you're using a backpack in the city, keep it in front of you instead of on your back. Be aware of your surroundings, walk away from any disturbances (contrived distractions), and ignore anyone who wants you to sign something or buy something or get directions. Carry a purse or camera bag across your body instead of hanging from one shoulder. At a sidewalk table, put them between your feet instead of hanging on the back of your chair. It's good advice to avoid loudness and conspicuous behavior -- but you're Canadians so you're way ahead of us US folks on that score. Dress comfortably, don't worry about "blending in" because you just won't.

Learn some French phrases for common use: Please, thank you, hello, goodbye, where's the washroom, how much does it cost, etc. Begin any conversation, whether with a ticket seller, waiter, storekeeper, or anyone else, with "Bonjour," this polite greeting, which will be reciprocated, will smooth the way for any transaction or conversation. Your lack of French fluency will be forgiven as long as you make an effort. "Travel Tips" on this website has good advice about communicating.

I suggest picking up a guide book in addition to Rick steves. Other guidebooks are more thorough than RS; ie, Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, etc. There is no reason to be afraid, just pay attention as you would in any city for people taking advantage of a moment of absent mindedness. Learn in French how to say: hello, please, thank you, I would like, how much does that cost, etc.

I am also from Canada - all you have to be aware of is pickpockets .

I’ve been to France many many times , starting as a child in 1970.

Paris is very safe - but there are pickpockets - you won’t see them - but they’ll see you .

Do not put your phone on the table at any restaurant or cafe .

Do not hang your purse over your chair - even inside a restaurant.

Do not keep your wallet in your back pocket , and even front pockets can be picked .

You’re at most risk anywhere that is crowded - if people aren’t standing next to you they can’t pickpocket you - so be aware at any tourist site ,even at Mont St Michel ( which can be very crowded during the day in season ) and of course museums etc the metro and buses that are crowded .

It sounds intimidating but it really isn’t that bad - I’ve gone alone to Paris , my kids have gone alone ( my daughter went through Europe backpacking when she was 19 ,for 11 weeks , hit all the big pickpocket cities like Rome , Barcelona , Paris etc
Only thing she ever lost was her blue suede boots she had finally saved up enough to buy , she had them stolen from a hostel in Amsterdam when she forgot to lock them up one night - lesson painfully learned .

Do not carry all your money , cards passport in one bag - we always use hotel safes ( some folks won’t but we like them ) - we only go out for the day with one card and cash for one day - if you wish to carry more wear a money belt under your clothes - do not access it in public of course - it’s deep storage , not a purse , keep spending money in a purse that has a good closure .

Speaking French is not important - most tourist don’t . However it is nice to have a few words ( which you should know if Canadian since we all had to take at least one year of French growing up lol ) , hello , goodbye , please and thank you . It’s nice to have a few numbers too ie “ deux cafes svp “

Most important get along tip - ALWAYS say “ bonjour” before ANY verbal interaction ( for instance don’t go up to an admission window and just say “ 2 tickets please “ - that is considered abrupt - say “ bonjour madam ( or monsieur ) 2 tickets please “ . Trust me on this one - it will make your reception much nicer .

Have fun - Paris is a wonderful
City to wander aimlessly in - try not to over schedule your days so that you are rushing about or feel stressed about line ups - takenit as it comes and all will be well .

Ps

Combien- means “ how much “

Make sure hotel has Ac .

Tipping is a lot less in France - most people just round up and leave change - if coffees were 5:40 leave 6 euros etc .

For GOOD service in a decent place for dinner you can choose to leave a few euros ( so bill is 36 euros you could round up to 40 - but you don’t HAVE to and don’t leave one penny for any server who says “ tips aren’t included “ as that is rude crap they would only pull on a tourist ( a local would not tip at all in that circumstance) .

Do not tip 15-20 percent that’s WAY too much !

Don’t worry about looking like a tourist - you do , because you are a tourist - and locals get pick pocketed too !

Wear the comfiest shoes you own - white runners and shorts are fine but for the most fancy dinner places .

Talking quietly isn’t a bad idea however - we find many tourists from some countries are a lot louder in public than locals would be - we really noticed this two weeks ago - we were staying in London and breakfast was served at our hotel - 20 or more people in the room talking quietly, till every morning these very loud America girls came in - everyone in the room could hear their conversations ! I couldn’t understand how they didn’t notice everyone looking at them lol

Thank you guys for your response. I am going to invest in a money belt and his guidebooks. Will not knowing French play a role in Loire Valley which I forgot to mention. What money belt do you recommend? Which company do you recommend? There are some many companies that offer this product. Which one do you recommend I get?
Thank you so much for your time and consideration in reading this post.

For a guy, a money belt that has belt loops and attaches to your belt is the most comfortable imo. You wear it inside your pants, not outside.
See if Rick Steves has one. Look on this website under “Shop Online”.

Loire Valley isn’t any more of a non-French speaking issue than anywhere else. For the most part, places that attract tourists and visitors are interested in making it welcoming and easy for you to come (and spend vacation money), so they won’t make it hard to get into sights, get fed, or get a room to sleep. A “bon jour” hello will go a long way to make you way more welcome than someone who just walks into a place as if people were supposed to cater to their every whim, without any friendly participation on the part of the customer. In any shop, the sales staff expect a “bon jour” just so they know that you know that they know you are there to be waited on, and will provide any help to get what you’re looking for - it will be cheerfully served. Menus (la carte) at restaurants may have English translations, making it easier to order a meal. “English” in French is pronounced “Ahn-glay.”

Bayeux is a great place. Are you visiting any D-Day beaches from there, including the main Canadian forces’ landing site, at Juno Beach? You’ll actually likely be treated as a very welcome guest there, from grateful descendants of locals who appreciate the efforts and sacrifices that Canadians’ predecessors made there in 1944.

Check out an Eagle Creek moneybelt. Comfortable fabric side against your abdomen, durable lightweight nylon elsewhere, smooth zippers, double compartments plus dividers for cash, ATM debit cards and credit cards, room for an International Driving Permit (if you’re renting a car), and an adjustable elastic belt that doesn’t need to be anchored to other clothing, so it goes on and off easily, and stays put when you want it to.

I think Cyn meant Bayeux is a great place, and i agree.

Math,

I definitely agree with the suggestion to buy a copy of the RS France guidebook, as there's a wealth of information there that will help your trip go smoothly.

As you're from Canada, you may have more abilities to speak French than you're aware of. As Pat noted, we're exposed to that on a frequent basis. In any case, not to worry as many people that you'll be dealing with can function well in English. If you'd like to work on your French skills before your trip, you might find this helpful - https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/french-phrase-book .

Is this also your first time visiting Europe? If that's the case, I would also recommend reading Europe Through The Back Door prior to your trip. That has a lot of good information on things like safety and avoiding pickpockets. Using Money Belts is most definitely a good idea, but be sure not to access them where others can see.

In addition to pickpockets, you'll have to be vigilant to avoid some common scams, especially in Paris. You may enjoy reading this thread - https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/tourist-scams/warning-scams-in-paris-and-venice-as-of-june-2019 .

Thank you guys for your response. I am going to invest in a money belt and his guidebooks. Will not knowing French play a role in Loire Valley which I forgot to mention.

We just returned from the Loire Valley. I didn't wear a money belt the entire time, nor did a wear one in London. On an earlier trip to Paris I wore one, but only when going to heavily touristed areas. I think they are a good idea. Make sure you find a private place to transfer money from the belt to a more accessible place. I have just enough Euros for minor purchases readily available. I don't want to be reaching in my money belt out in public.

You'll have no problems not knowing French in the Loire Valley. I agree about learning a few phrases. It will be appreciated that you went to the effort. We stayed just outside the Loire Valley in Loches, which is off the main tourist trail. I bought croissants every morning at a local patisserie. They spoke little or no English, I spoke little or no French. We got along swimmingly.

Another vote for either buying a RS guidebook or checking one out at your local library. Do some planning on your own, then fill in the gaps with online forums. Also watch some of RickSteves shows on YouTube or your local PBS station.

Get both the Guidebook and Europe Through the Back Door, definitely read them cover to cover. Also, buy both a money belt and a nick wallet and see which in is more comfortable for you. You can buy them at the RS or other online stores, luggage shops etc. As for French phrases try an online app like Duolingo, it is not going to make you make you fluent in French or any other language, but it will help with your enunciation. We have found the French to be very helpful, even when we could not totally communicate.

I recommend using the Google Translate app. It will even say the phrase for you.

The topic of moneybelts comes up often, sometimes resulting in some almost hostile responses. The point is not, in my opinion, "get a moneybelt" but consider your security. While being a victim of petty theft is a real risk, it is still rare...but if it happens can have huge impacts. You definitely do need to plan out contingencies.

• Have multiple payment options. 2 or more credit cards, 2 or more Debit cards, Cash Advance options on your credit cards.
• Split those cards up into multiple locations, some into deep storage.
• Have a cheat sheet of phone numbers for credit cards and banks in case you need to call, maybe even the number of your Embassy (and what cities have consulates) in case you lose your passport.
• When going out, take only the bare minimum. I take only some cash and a credit card, and my phone.
• If you have to have everything on you (while travelling from point A to B) then split stuff up, use a moneybelt, neck pouch, or secure bag.

I love my Eagle Creek neck wallet which I usually wear holster style under my arm.
However, you are traveling in August when the temps will be very very warm. So I recommend either a money belt worn around the waist under your clothes OR the kind that attaches to your belt and hangs down your leg (assuming that your pants are loose enough that it doesn’t show.)
I also prefer silk to the polyester ones because they feel less sweaty against the skin.

The only thing I can add that hasn't been brought up yet is how much it seems the locals appreciate if you try some french. You'll butcher it, but it's rare we didn't get smiles for trying. Simple things like "Bonjour, je voudrais une table pour deux s'il vous plait." "Hello, I'd like a table for two please." The smaller the town, the less english will be spoken, but we never had a problem communicating.

THank you guys for your answers. I got the guidebooks from the library. I will be purchasing the money belt. I will be learning some french phrases. Thank you so much for your help.

De rien! Bon vacance!

The greatest physical threat, at least in Paris, is getting hit by a car on the city's congested streets. Obey the signals at intersections, and even if you have right-of-way, keep alert. I like to cross behind a local who is walking closer to the on-coming traffic. Otherwise the security tips are true of all big cities (don't go down a dark alleyway alone at midnight, etc.)

If you live in Canada, surely you have a friend who has done French immersion and can tutor you on pronouncing the few required French words: bonjour, au revoir, madame/monsieur, s'il vous plait, merci. Many 10-year-old Canadians will be delighted to be your teacher. Otherwise, anyone at tourist spots will speak enough English to get by. These days, manyfront-line jobs such as hotel reception are held by visitors who don't have French as a first language anyhow.
Many of your questions have been answered over and over, on this forum and in guide books, especially about tipping. Look them up.

PS: One of the more helpful Paris sites is for rapid transit interactive planning to get around the city:
https://www.ratp.fr/en