Travel Advisory & News Sources while traveling in Paris; areas to avoid

This website post appears to be useful.

U.S. citizens traveling or residing in France enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at www.travel.state.gov STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency.
Security Message for U.S. Citizens. Overseas Security Advisory Council - Bureau of Diplomatic Security
U.S. Department of State

Rely also on the front desk at your hotel, waiters, ticket-takers at venues, or just kind-looking locals at a cafe. If you start conversation with how very, very sorry you are for what happened in Paris, you will likely make a fast friend who will be glad to share local knowledge with you.

For instance, Nashville, Tennessee is a very safe place in the scheme of things, but there are places (that if asked) I would tell a visitor to avoid (such as you don't want to stand at a bus stop at the corner of X/Y by yourself late at night), or (No, I would suggest not staying at a hotel on XXXXX Lane or on YYYYY Road near ZZZZZ Lane). That kind of 'local opinion' is not normally found anywhere in something that is published or found on-line.

We found the French to be very dear people. And, I'm sure you already know all the polite things of engaging in conversation by starting with a greeting in French (even if you don't pronounce it all correctly, and ask for help in saying it). French generally love to help people asking for help.

Where did you get this information about the do-not-go arrondissements? I have stayed at hotels in several of the ones you list and have no idea what you are talking about. In fact, part of the 17th is very posh but maybe rich people scare you.

JG I agree with Norma.. some of the arr. you have listed are popular with tourists.. ( 11th for instance) and some are very nice areas like the 17th, ..Why would one avoid the 10th.. too??( and as a tourist many of us take trains.. so how pray tell does one get on the Eurostar if they are choosing to avoid the 10th.. , where Gare du Nord is) .. did you make up this list??

There may be some neighborhoods or even just streets in those arrondisments that are considered troubled and not the best for tourists to wander into alone at night. But if you discouraged people from staying in or visiting those arrondisments completely, you'll rule out about 1/3 of Paris. It's like saying don't visit Manhattan or the Village in NY because there might be one small neighborhood that's dicey.

" 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th arrondissements. As a tourist, not sure why you would be in these areas in the first place. " ----- Musee Nisim de Camondo , Parc Monceau , Montmartre , Gare du Nord , Pere Lachaise , Basilique St. Denis ( Although , just north of the 18th , but we won't quibble ) I think those would do for a start .

"Nobody said the whole arrondissement is crap, but there are areas in those districts that are."

I'm not a reader of French but I presume that these blocked out red areas show the "hotspots" where it is recommend tourists avoid. As pointed out, by no means is it the entire arrondissement.

For example, here is the Porte Saint Denis area:

http://sig.ville.gouv.fr/Atlas/ZUS/fichiers/zus493.pdf

And the Porte de Montmartre:

http://sig.ville.gouv.fr/Atlas/ZUS/fichiers/zus498.pdf

We lived between the Porte Saint Martin and Gare de l'Est, smack in the middle of one of the "zones" on this list but walked around day and night, as did others. It's a bit of a wholesale area, so more deserted evenings and weekends. There was some public housing built above the covered market, but there is public housing all over Paris. It's mostly indistinguishable. It can vary block by block. I balk at those who say Paris is so safe they'd go anywhere, and I balk at those who rule out an entire area. They are either unrealistic or idealistic. Redevelopment zones have nothing to do with advising tourists to avoid an area. So this is a good question with a couple over-generalized, bad answers.

A lot of places on this list in Paris are now being redeveloped, gentrified, changed. The list is quite old.
The Porte de Vincennes, which has never been on a list, is where today's attack took place and is generally a nice, middle-class area. The Porte Saint Martin, which is on the list, has a couple of live theaters that are patronized every evening with accompanying cafes open late to accommodate theater goers. The ladies work the street south of there toward Les Halles, and have for centuries. They won't harm anyone, but the street is on the list. So it's really block by block.

Bottom line: good question. Kim who lives there can tell you if there a radio station in English? We usually have French radio on when we're there?

I rely on BBC World News when travelling, it's old fashioned but it doesn't hurt to carry a small shortwave in case of need. You can also get VoA that way.

I've stayed for varying periods of time in many Paris' arrondisements (4th thru the 15th), and actually prefer the "outer/higher-numbered" ones rather than the lower-numbered ones. But for a "newbie" I guess the lower numbers, with all the tourists, might be more comforting. Emotions are running high right now, but please don't denigrate so much of this lovely city. The recent attack was in a nice area near the Marche Bastille in the 11th, where I shopped frequently this past Fall - bad things can happen anywhere since criminals and terrorists have cars. . The only time I've felt somewhat uncomfortable in Paris was at night on a few streets in the 18th. Other than that I, an almost-70-year-old female traveling alone, travel all over Paris without fear.

dw,

if i were going anywhere where trouble could be brewing, i would think 2x about going in the first place. I dont see Paris or France of having an issue other then random acts like this. however i dont see it as the last time this will happen.

Looking at the state department for guidance is a possible solution, but when it comes down to it, you have to to be your own best judge of where to go or not. Once you're in the air, anything can happen between when you left and when you will arrive. Also, the State Department will probably only issue general guidelines and not be specific about what "areas" to stay out of.

I was in Paris just before the 2nd Gulf War and was waiting to leave. They had all of the airports on alert, it was a madhouse, but i made it out.

als as noted ask your hotel clerks since they will be keeping up to date on things.

As far as Paris and "criminal activity", it will all depend on how you define it. there are pick pockets around, so if thats what you mean, then dont leave home. The time i have spent in Paris in both day and night , i have not felt threatened. I will state that i dont look for trouble either and use COMMON SENSE to guide me and am aware of the cons/scams.

also, an for your info, i have gone to some "seedy" areas as Rick puts it just to see how he defines and see "seedy". Note that these were daylight trips and i weren't as bad as where i have lived or been around at home. Sometimes i will look for those "seedy" areas since i found that some of them have really great street or ethnic food.

happy trails.

Adding my own question to this topic: what are the main French news sources (akin to CNN, FOX, BBC, NPR)? I've been interested in following French news sites as a way to improve my understanding of French (the language and the people). Thanks.

Riverrain, We have a package from Dish TV that includes TV 5 Monde and France 24 (like CNN), along with a cartoon channel, a music channel, an African channel, EuroNews, EuroChannel(movies from all the European countries) and Radio France Internationale. ATT Uverse also carries TV5 Monde. Some shows are subtitled, but not the news. French radio on line, among others: France Inter, France Culture, France Info, etc. There's also France Musique, but you can get Radio Classique Suisse in French too.

JG It is possible to overthink all of this. I was in several of those areas in the spring without any difficulty. Going to the Basilica St Denis we were the only Caucasians walking around the market on the plaza and I felt no discomfort. It reminds me of the warnings years ago about how unsafe NYC was and of course, how do all the locals live safely in any of these cities and neighbourhoods and go about their daily routine?

Not a super news source but for travelers in many of the countries of Europe, it will do for news in English. They have online editions for Germany, Austria, Denmark, Switzerland, France, Spain, Sweden, Italy, and Norway.

I also use the BBC as an international news source.

http://www.thelocal.fr/

Avoid all those listed arrondisments? Tourists esp American don't go to the 13th either. I would only give such a piece of advice only to a newbie tourist going solo and is a first timer....maybe, then depending on the person, otherwise disregard it. . I always go the 10th since I stay there, obviously. If I come from England by Euro-Star, I'll have to arrive at Gare du Nord, or land at CDG from SFO, I take the RER to Nord. Since I go eastward upon leaving Paris, ie Germany, I'll have to be at Gare de l'Est. But I prefer staying at Nord instead of at Est, much more convenient than at Gare de Lyon, etc.

Fred, I lived (by myself, 68 year old female) in the 13th for 2 months in 2012 and LOVED it! I was the only tourist around and it felt like I was living in Paris as a local rather than just visiting as a tourist. I think any Arr. can work, based on what you're looking for.

I was with CBP/Homeland Security's emergency response group after the Haiti earthquake. After any type of major disaster the White House calls a meeting. The first question is, "How many Americans are endangered?" (also the first question the press asks).The real answer is, "We're not sure." There are likely many unregistered American travelers, workers and expats the State Department knows nothing about to give a reliable answer.

The answer the President gets is, "State Department has x American travelers registered, plus x number of civilian and military personnel (working abroad for the U.S.) in the affected area."

Since then, I've registered my trips with the State Department. Generally it won't matter. In a big catastrophe, however, there will likely to be some attempt to contact me and offer any help they can provide (the bigger the disaster, the more they can do - it depends on what the President authorizes).

Brad, when you register with the state dept, do you register your whole family or just yourself? Thanks for the info.

@ Holly....Of all my trips to Paris, I didn't make it over to the 13th until 1995. True, it's an interesting and nice area. I Iiked it then. True, tourists don't go there. I would be absolutely interested in seeing the place with the time I had in '95 or more now.

I agree with "any arrond" can work. Yes, it depends on your priorities.

The good news is that the areas on JG's list/link (with more specific maps when you drill down) are meant to receive extra police attention.

Most of the hysteria in the US about 'no go zones' is simply bogus by people who have never been to France and are relying on 20 year old information that was not accurate even then. Fear is the business of Fox News -- notice how news of Ebola was at pitched levels of hysteria until the election and since we have heard almost nothing? Fear Fear Fear. When did we stop being the 'land of the free and the home of the brave.?'

All of us who are Americans are at much greater risk in the town or city we live in from gun violence than we are as tourists from any sort of violence in Paris including terrorism.

I have spent a month in the 20th, 4 months in two month stretches in the 17th and several weeks at various times in different parts of the 18th. I have traveled in every arrondisement. As a woman walking alone on many occasions I had no problems and felt no fear.

Of course pay attention to the news, but that really doesn't include the fear monger network of Faux news. Their product is fear. Everything is an outrageous and most of it is nonsense.

Fear Unbalanced.

I think the balance of any such inquiry is the risk reward of what areas to venture into with a family on a vacation. Obviously as I mentioned being in Boston I have some limited exposure to risky areas and do know of someone's home getting hit by stray gun fire as well as victims of gun violence. For example, I would not recommend folks walk around the Park Street and Tremont Street area at night near the fast food joints as I have walked past a handful of crime scenes shortly after attacks happened (at least one was fatal I believe). The whole downtown crossings area is a little sketchy at night. However, I have also walked past these areas hundreds of times without incident. This area is not too far off from the freedom trail and is on the other side of the park from the state house. I should also note that my various tourist trips to Boston as a kid actually made me want to live here as it is a really cool city and definitely worth a visit.

To each their own, but I choose to be a well informed traveler and want to be prepared so as to enjoy my vacation. I have been threatened with knives, guns, objects grabbed beneath taxi seats (who knows what the heck that was), etc. so I don't necessarily need to go out of my way to find such things on vacation. Knowing first hand from parallels in Boston what impact recent events can and did have, I also think it is wise to have some sense for reliable news sources and neighborhoods.

One would think perhaps that we could all take a moment of self-reflection to avoid the criticism and venom that gets spewed on these types of forums when polite inquiries for considerate feedback are requested. Treat the travel of others as one to relive memories of your own trips and/or to ignite the imagination of future ones. If nothing else take a vacation from such nonsense.

Thanks all for the input and happy travels.

I'm just thinking of all the women in Paris, residents and visitors, who walk "alone and feel no fear" as janettravels (above) says she does.. Some of them are even wearing their wedding rings (gasp). Not one of them, I'll wager, is "a peach", just ordinary women doing ordinary things in the arrondissement they find themselves in. No need to make a derisive comment.

My daughter, who has been living in France sent me this article.
https://medium.com/@sened/this-is-paris-e8729d0108c1

A few of my coworkers mentioned these No Go Zones, Sharia Law areas to me knowing that I have experience in France(5 trips and counting) my 25 year old daughter has spent more than 3 years living there(and not in some small village, she's a city girl, went to Boston University and has lived in Lyon, Paris, Grenoble, now in Lille). I was like, hmmm all this time and I've never heard of such a thing, either had she. Turns out both coworkers are Fox news watchers. Enough said. I typically don't watch much tv but when something big happens I will put on CNN or my local NH news. Funny, no mention of these 'zones'.

JG...the first line in the original post is this question:
Are there reliable travel advisory sites and news sources while traveling in Paris?

I think it naturally follows that if one is asking for advice on reliable sources for information, that some would offer what they feel are unreliable sources.

As for your "peach" comment, I am just trying to figure out what a comment like that is doing in this discussion? Why would you ever say that?

Phil, the list on that website was made in 1996, with a couple of new areas listed in 2001. You think things might have changed a bit in almost 20 years? Also, the areas (zones?) listed are noted as 'sensitive' areas, I don't see the words 'no go' anywhere.

Wow! This thread reads like a "How To Guide" on how not to conduct oneself in a public forum. :)

Anyway, DW, before our trip, we checked the State Dept. advisory page, and being as we're Canadian, checked the Government of Canada Advisory as well. Plus, I conducted some independent research online, but made a point of avoiding the major news outlets as their information is filtered for ratings and the revenue they generate. I did this for all of our destinations, not just for Paris.

One thing, I find this statement to be curious: "I have been threatened with knives, guns, objects grabbed beneath taxi seats (who knows what the heck that was), etc."

Mr. DW, that's some seriously bad luck for you sir.

Well this thread got out of hand quickly. I'm using my "delete" powers with a heavy hand right now here. Please let's stick to the topic, because actual non-snarky and non-irritable and non-FOX news-related posts can actually be helpful to a lot folks with similar uncertainty and fear.

Vinsamlegast og þakka þér.

Here is some information on the original question from a fairly reliable source:

http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/theft-scams/tourist-scams
http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/theft-scams/outsmarting-pickpockets
http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-blogs/more/2005-andy

This source I am not as familiar with

http://bobarno.com/thiefhunters/pickpocket-statistics/

"Here is some information on the original question from a fairly reliable source:"

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the original question about travel advisories and news sources regarding the safety of an area as it pertains to terrorist activity, political demonstrations, riots, unsafe neighborhoods (physical safety), etc.. It was not about pickpockets and scams.

Sorry Nancy, I read: "Also, are there hot spots of criminal activity in Paris that should be avoided?" I guess I should have assumed that meant physical violence and terrorism. My mistake. dw, do you forgive me?

Hi folks - sorry, it's been a little busy around here and I haven't had a chance to check in. For folks looking for French news sources, I think the best option for non-French speakers is a channel called France24. They have an English channel and an English side of their website. You can watch live streaming through their website.

http://www.france24.com/en/

If you have even a little bit of French, you might get something out of watching BFMTV or I-Tele, the other 24-hour news channels. They will be more up to date and if you can even read the crawl along the bottom of the screen -- combined with the video -- you should get more local information than you will from CNN, BBC, etc.

The other important thing to keep in mind is to look at the RATP (Paris transport system) website or app. I'm not sure if the English version has the "Info Traffic" element, but the French side does here.
http://www.ratp.fr/informer/trafic/trafic.php

With a phrasebook/dictionary, you can see what lines or stops might be closed (for example, the day of the attacks at Charlie Hebdo, the metro station Richard Lenoir was closed. The day of the hostage situation and murders at Hypercacher, the Tram 3a/3b was closed and the stations Porte de Vincennes and St Mandé). The nights that people were holding vigil at Republique, the Republique station was closed, and the day of the march, several stations along the Blvd Voltaire were closed. Usually you can figure out an alternate IF YOU'VE KEPT YOURSELF EQUIPPED WITH A GOOD MAP and haven't just learned the way to your hotel one way.

Of course Twitter feeds of RATP, etc., would be important to watch during your stay if possible.

Our Paris vacation was fabulous. Paris is the most beautiful city I have ever visited (although my international city visits are limited, I have visited a ton of American cities, the Caribbean, and cities in the UK). As far as news sources, I referenced http://www.thelocal.fr/ while were there and checked general news sites as well.

I would add that I was surprised how many young women ran along the Seine around 9-10pm. I never would advise people to do that along the Charles in Boston. The Seine was a lot busier and had wider pedestrian areas than the Charles does though.

We felt relatively safe while we were there. There were a couple of times we walked on rather narrow walkways with the most prominent danger being busy vehicle traffic. Due to recent events, if you stood anywhere for 10 minutes, three French armed military would walk by on patrol. We also drove all over the city which to some might be harrowing but I found being in the midst of various cars pointed in a bunch of different directions in a traffic circle to be somewhat amusing. Absolutely no problems getting around although our car had navigation, we also had a US/European map garmin, and thankfully for me I had my wife as the co-pilot giving directions. We also had a paris map and a France michelin atlas.

I found the Eiffel Tower vendors incredibly annoying which particularly affected us as they are like hawks around families with young kids. So much so that I would rather admire the Eiffel Tower from afar than deal with that ridiculousness. Absolutely on par with obnoxious hair braiding vendors in the Bahamas or aggressive street vendors in Mexico.

I should also note that the French people were unbelievably welcoming and accommodating with respect to the language barrier. We tried our best to mind our bon jour, merci's, etc. I tried to brush up on my HS french as well which definitely helped. There was an american with a heavy Brooklyn accent that said in a pastry store "give me one of those, I want one of those..." with a fingernails on a chalkboard grating accent and attitude. He is probably the type of american that complains about French people not being friendly. The only exception we had was at Chambord castle. The staff there had big time attitudes and practically blew smoke in our face as we exited while proceeding to chastise us for not saying au revoir after we were 20 feet past them. For how beautiful Chambord was on the outside, it had little to offer inside and the staff were obnoxious. Chenonceau was the complete opposite in how nice the staff were as well as how beautiful the property was both inside and out. There must be some story as to why Chenonceau seems to be so much better maintained than Chambord. I will have to research this.

As far as luck is concerned, I just had a great France vacation with my wife and kids. We did get stuck an extra couple of days due to the Boston storm but this can hardly be considered bad luck given we were able to extend our vacation a couple of days. It was funny watching French, German, and BBC news coverage of the storm while in France.

We definitely look forward to another adventure in France in the future and hopefully soon. Thanks for all of the insight and happy travels.

That's fantastic DW! So happy for you and yours.