We had our suitcase stolen at Gare Montparnasse in Paris last week. We were vigilant but unaware of the level of theft at Gare Montparnasse. Today we are taking the TGV from Avignon TGV srarion to Gare Lyon in Paris. Is there a high level of theft at either of those stations?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33842 posts
There may be opportunistic thieves anywhere, in any country. Don't leave luggage unsupervised.
If you left your suitcase unattended and it disappeared it may be that in these days of heightened security the military or police removed it. Have you checked with them?
Posted by
California 🦋
5294 posts
Sarasheer,
Sorry to hear about your suitcase getting stolen... How did it happen?
My daughter and I took the TGV from Avignon to Gare de Lyon last June and didn't have any issues. Our TGV seats were on the second level, so we lugged our suitcases to the second level where we could keep on eye on them. Once we arrived to Gare de Lyon, we each took our suitcase and held on to them until we got to the hotel.
Posted by
Paris
2466 posts
If you were vigilant, how did your suitcase get stolen?
It's possible that thieves took what they wanted from your suitcase, just left it someplace, and the police had to blow it up as a "colis suspect".
There is always a chance of opportunistic theft in any train station. Always keep your luggage in view and don't allow yourselves to be distracted.
Posted by
San Francisco
14980 posts
Hi,
Gare de Lyon is a huge station, packed with people, I was there on 2 July. Just watch your stuff at all times, don't turn your back to it.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10629 posts
I'm so sorry to hear this. Your post brings up all kinds of issues, so would you please clarify what happened. This is the first we've heard of people being vigilant in a train station but still having a suitcase stolen.
How did it happen?
What were you doing to be vigilant?
What advice would you have for the rest of us?
As for Avignon TGV and Gare de Lyon, did it go well for you today?
Posted by
California
1625 posts
We were are Gare de Lyon last month and my level of vigilance means a body part is on the suitcase at all times, be that a hand on the handle, legs draped over the case when sitting, pressed against my body with my whole arm over the whole package (Tote sitting on top of the suitcase with slip pocket over the handle of the case). That is such a busy station with so much to see I can see how easy it would be to get distracted. At one point us girls left the guys with the suitcases to grab lunch for the train ride, my friend looked back and goes "he is not doing his job" sprints back to him and tells him to grab the handle and hold the case always, as the case was just by his side as he and my husband were talking.