Areas to avoid in Paris is an intriguing issue for residents, visitors and students at home and abroad. Paris is the capital and largest city of France. With an official estimated population of 2,350,820 residents in January 2024 in an area of more than 105 km2, Paris is the fourth – largest city in the European Union and the 30th most densely populated city in the world in 2024. Since the 17th century, Paris has been one of the world’s major centres of finance, diplomacy, commerce, culture, fashion, and gastronomy. For its leading role in the arts and sciences, as well as its early and extensive system of street lighting, in the 19th century, it became known as the City of Light.
The Paris Region had a GDP of €765 billion (US$1.064 trillion, PPP) in 2024, the highest in the European Union. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit Worldwide Cost of Living Survey, in 2024, Paris was the city with the ninth – highest cost of living in the world. Paris has one of the most sustainable transportation systems and is one of only two cities in the world that received the Sustainable Transport Award twice. Paris is known for its museums and architectural landmarks: the Louvre received 8.9 million visitors in 2024, on track for keeping its position as the most-visited art museum in the world. The historical district along the Seine in the city centre has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. The 2024 Summer Olympics were an international multi-sport event held from 26 July to 11 August 2024 in Paris with several events started from 24 July.
This blog selects and analyzes top 10 areas to avoid in Paris detailedly serving as a comprehensive guide, helping you have a better command of Paris. If you want choose Paris as your tourist spot or educational destination, you ought to read this blog carefully.
Top 10 Areas to Avoid in Paris
Top 1. 10th Arrondissement of Paris
The 10th arrondissement of Paris is one of the 20 arrondissements of the capital city of France. In spoken French, the arrondissement is referred to as le dixième. The arrondissement called Entrepôt is situated on the right bank of the River Seine. It contains two of Paris’s six main railway stations: the Gare du Nord and the Gare de l’Est. Built during the 19th century, these two termini are among the busiest in Europe. The 10th arrondissement also contains a large portion of the Canal Saint-Martin, linking the northeastern parts of Paris with the Seine.
It is one of areas to avoid in Paris. It is generally relatively safe during the day, and there are less likely to be vicious incidents or crimes. However, some destructive behavior may occur at night. For example, getting drunk and causing trouble or gathering people to take drugs in public places. While it doesn’t necessarily pose a danger to visitors or residents, it can be unpleasant.
Top 2. 18th Arrondissement of Paris
The 18th arrondissement of Paris is one of the 20 arrondissements, or administrative districts of the capital city of France. In spoken French, this arrondissement is referred to as dix-huitième. The arrondissement known as Butte-Montmartre is located on the right bank of the River Seine. It is mostly known for hosting the large hill of Montmartre, which is known for its artistic history, the Bateau-Lavoir where Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, and Amedeo Modigliani lived and worked in the early 20th century, the house of music diva Dalida, the Moulin Rouge cabaret, other historic features, and the prominent Sacré Cœur basilica which sits atop the hill. The 18th arrondissement also contains Goutte d’Or district, which has large numbers of residents of North and sub – Saharan African origins, and which is famous for its market, the marché Barbès, which sells products from Africa.
There is a little higher crime rate in Paris’s 18th arrondissement. Pigalle, a well – known red light area featuring exotic shops and adult entertainment, is located beneath Montmartre. Particularly in the vicinity of the perimeter, the northern section of the 18th arrondissement may be less secure. Being careful is a good idea, especially for ladies who are traveling alone at night. It is advised to avoid certain subway stations after dark, such as Marx Dormoy, Porte de Clignancourt, and Porte de la Chapelle. Areas with a reputation for criminal activity, particularly drug dealing, include Barbès – Rochechouart and Goutte d’Or. The Puces de Saint-Ouen, a famous flea market, is also located in the 18th arrondissement, despite the difficulties. Fortunately, it is open during the day because it is not recommended to wander here at night.
Top 3. 19th Arrondissement of Paris
The 19th arrondissement of Paris is one of the 20 arrondissements of the capital city of France. In spoken French, this arrondissement is referred to as dix-neuvième. The arrondissement, known as Butte – Chaumont, is situated on the right bank of the River Seine. It is crossed by two canals, the Canal Saint – Denis and the Canal de l’Ourcq, which meet near the Parc de la Villette. The 19th arrondissement, mixing the Old French bohemianism and also the Parisian cosmopolitanism, includes two public parks: the Parc des Buttes Chaumont, located on a hill, and the Parc de la Villette, which is home to the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, a museum and exhibition centre, the Conservatoire de Paris, one of the most renowned music schools in Europe, the Cabaret Sauvage, the Zénith de Paris and the Philharmonie de Paris, both part of the Cité de la Musique.
It is one of areas to avoid in Paris. Although it’s wise to remain vigilant throughout the day, it’s recommended to stay away from the area completely after darkness. The arrondissement is known for having higher crime rates, including robberies and drug-related activities, particularly in the areas surrounding Stalingrad and Jean-Jaurès. Being aware and alert is essential if you intend to go.
Top 4. 1st Arrondissement of Paris
The 1st arrondissement of Paris is one of the 20 arrondissements of the capital city of France. In spoken French, this arrondissement is colloquially referred to as le premier. It is governed locally together with the 2nd, 3rd and 4th arrondissement, with which it forms the 1st sector of Paris. Also known as Louvre, the arrondissement is situated principally on the right bank of the River Seine. It also includes the west end of the Île de la Cité. The locality is one of the oldest areas in Paris, the Île de la Cité having been the heart of the city of Lutetia, conquered by the Romans in 52 BC, while some parts on the right bank including Les Halles date back to the early Middle Ages. It is the least populated of the city’s arrondissements and one of the smallest by area, with a land area of only 1.83 km2. A significant part of the area is occupied by the Louvre Museum and the Tuileries Gardens. The Forum des Halles is the largest shopping mall in Paris. Much of the remainder of the arrondissement is dedicated to business and administration.
It is one of areas to avoid in Paris. Although there are many tourists in the region, avoiding pickpockets is the biggest obstacle. The area surrounding the Centre Pompidou and Les Halles, the well-known indoor shopping center, is safe during the day and bustling with people. Les Halles, however, is less welcoming to tourists on Saturday evenings. Be wary of the enormous Chatelêt-Les Halles metro station, which may be the biggest in the world, especially after nightfall.
Top 5. 20th Arrondissement of Paris
The 20th arrondissement of Paris is the last of the consecutively numbered arrondissements of the capital city of France. Also known as Ménilmontant after the Ménilmontant neighbourhood it encompasses in its northwest, it is on the right bank of the River Seine and contains some of the city’s most cosmopolitan districts. It covers four quarters: Belleville, Saint-Fargeau, Père-Lachaise and Charonne. The 20th arrondissement is internationally best known for its Père Lachaise Cemetery, the world’s most-visited cemetery where one can find the tombs of a number of famous people.
It is one of areas to avoid in Paris. Be careful at night. Never go to remote or sparsely populated areas. Be aware of possible thieves or robbers.
Top 6. Gare du Nord
The Gare du Nord pronounced officially Paris Nord is one of the seven large mainline railway station termini in Paris, France. The station is served by trains that run between the capital and northern France via the Paris – Lille railway, as well as to international destinations in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Located in the northern part of Paris near the Gare de l’Est in the 10th arrondissement, the Gare du Nord offers connections with several urban transport lines, including Paris Métro, RER and buses. It is the busiest railway station in Europe by total passenger numbers, and the busiest outside Japan.
The area can be shady because of the international rails that are close by. Because of the nighttime drug sales, it has become one of the Parisian areas to stay away from. You may even come across drug or alcohol addicts, who may force you to purchase illicit substances, engage in pickpocketing, and engage in combat. Because of this, it might be the worst area in Paris for visitors or students.
Top 7. Les Halles
Les Halles was Paris’ central fresh food market. It last operated on 12 January 1973 and was replaced by an underground shopping centre and a park. The unpopular modernist development was demolished yet again in 2010, and replaced by the Westfield Forum des Halles, a modern shopping mall built largely underground and topped by an undulating 2.5 hectare canopy. The mall sees around 50 million visitors every year, making it the busiest in France as of 2019. It is directly connected to the massive RER and métro transit hub of Châtelet–Les Halles, Paris’s busiest station.
This is one of dangerous areas to avoid in Paris. Someone will approach you with a gift you want. Once you show interest in a gift, they make you go through all the trouble of claiming the prize, and you end up with a low – quality item or maybe nothing at all. Due to the high foot traffic, criminal activities such as pickpockets and robberies are rampant even in crowded shopping malls. No matter how great your shopping experience is, you should keep your luggage within sight as this is one of the places to avoid in Paris.
Top 8. Porte de la Chapelle
Porte de la Chapelle is a station on line 12 of the Paris Métro in the districts of La Chapelle and Goutte d’Or. The station is named after the Porte de la Chapelle, a gate in the nineteenth century Thiers wall of Paris, on the Rue de la Chapelle, the old Roman road to Calais via Saint-Denis, now Route nationale 1. The station is featured in “Crossroads”, an episode of the American HBO series “Band of Brothers”.
While crime usually doesn’t occur during the day, be sure to avoid walking alone after dark, especially on deserted streets. The area is rich in culture, with plenty of shops selling African fabrics and Asian electronics. The bustling markets disappear after sunset making it one of the areas to avoid in Paris. Furthermore, beware of pushy sellers who force you to wear a friendship bracelet just to get money.
Top 9. Bois de Vincennes
The Bois de Vincennes, located on the eastern edge of Paris, is the largest public park in the city. The bois de Vincennes was part of the ancient forest that surrounded the ancient Roman town of Lutetia. It was created between 1855 and 1866 by Emperor Napoleon III. The park is next to the Château de Vincennes, a former residence of the Kings of France. It contains an English landscape garden with four lakes, a zoo, an arboretum and the campus of the French national institute of sports and physical education. The park is known for prostitution after dark.
Theft is common here. Once your luggage is left unattended, it can be stolen at any time. This is probably one of the areas in Paris that should be noticed. Staying sober is your best bet for a truly worry – free experience.
Top 10. 15th Arrondissement of Paris
The 15th arrondissement of Paris is one of the 20 arrondissements of the capital city of France. In spoken French, it is referred to as le quinzième. The 15th arrondissement, called Vaugirard, is situated on the left bank of the River Seine. Sharing the Montparnasse district with the 6th and 14th arrondissements, it is the city’s most populous arrondissement. Tour Montparnasse – the tallest skyscraper in Paris and the neighbouring Gare Montparnasse are both located in the 15th arrondissement. It is also home to the high – rise Beaugrenelle district and the Front de Seine riverside development, as well as the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles convention centre.
It is one of areas to avoid in Paris. Don’t get lost in the fun of trendy cafes or lively street scenes. It’s best to stay in high traffic and bright locations during the day and use public initialization. Make sure you are aware of your surroundings and carry valuables with you. Of course, beware of Parisian ATM skimmers and peepers who will steal your card details.
Is Paris Safe?
Despite its reputation for inclusivity, Paris is a city where emotions can run high – and sometimes those emotions spill out onto the streets. Do not to worry too much about safety in Paris. As world capitals go, it’s a very safe city. Like pretty much any city in the world, daytime tends to be safer than nighttime. Some tourist areas, like Montmartre or Le Marais or the Latin Quarter, are bubbling with people day or night and I wouldn’t give being there a second thought. Other neighborhoods may be fine during the day, but less so at night.
Tips for Staying Secure in Areas to Avoid in Paris
- Don’t compromise your safety for a cheap apartment. uhomes.com is a reliable platform providing you with affordable and comfortable student accommodation in France.
- Don’t feel obligated to answer a stranger’s question when you feel your safety is in danger.
- When you go to touristic areas, beware of your belongings.
- Stick to well-lit, populated areas, especially at night. Exploring during the day is ideal for safety.
- Keep expensive items hidden. Never leave your phone or wallet visible on tables or hanging out of your pockets. Keep them hidden from potential thieves.
- Use safe transportation at night. Avoid public transit in high-risk areas during nighttime. Choose a taxi or rideshare service like Uber for safer options.
Methodology of Areas to Avoid in Paris
One important thing to note about crime in Paris is that there is rarely violent. When things do turn bad, it’s usually due to drug dealing or criminal gangs settling scores. Most of times this kind of violent crime doesn’t take place around heavily policed tourist sites and rarely targets tourists or tourist areas. The most common crime against tourists in the city of Paris is pickpocketing, especially at popular sites, like the Eiffel Tower or the Sacré-Coeur Basilica, or on popular public transportation lines, such as those arriving from Charles de Gaulle airport. Pickpockets are often hard to spot, because they might be women, or children (this is common because minors are harder to prosecute), or groups dressed to look inoffensive. They tend to target your purses, wallets, cellphones or jewelry.
Another unsettling issue, especially if you’re a younger woman, concerns sexual harassment on the street, which you might encounter where groups of young men gather, especially in the evening. It rarely goes beyond words and whistles, but even these can be extremely disquieting if you’re a foreigner, alone, and don’t speak the language.
Best Places to Stay in Paris
- Top 1. The Marais
- Top 2. Montmartre
- Top 3. The Champs-Elysees
- Top 4. The Louvre
- Top 5. The Latin Quarter
- Top 6. The Eiffel Tower
- Top 7. The 2nd Arrondissement
- Top 8. The 5th Arrondissement
- Top 9. The 7th Arrondissement
- Top 10. Rive Gauche
Conclusion
Areas to avoid in Paris are selected and analyzed detailedly in this blog serving as a comprehensive guide, helping you have a better command of Paris. If you want choose Paris as your tourist spot or educational destination, you ought to read this blog carefully.
After you have decided to pay a visit to Paris or go to Paris for further education, accommodation is the first and foremost thing. uhomes.com is a platform providing affordable, reliable and comfortable student accommodation in France.
FAQ
There are a few areas to avoid in Paris on the outskirts, including the 19th and 20th arrondissements, and Saint-Denis. These areas are sketchier and have more crime and poverty than the main areas in Paris.
Skip the baseball caps, white socks, sneakers, large colorful backpacks, and fanny packs. Instead, opt for dark skinny jeans, plain shirts without logos, and leather shoes. Use tote bags or earth-toned simplistic bags if you really want to dress in France to fit in with the locals.
Uber is generally quite a safe way to get around Paris. However, like any major city, it’s wise to be cautious. It’s always good to check your Uber driver’s rating and keep an eye on your journey using the Uber app. If the driver has a low rating, it might be safer to cancel the ride and request another one.
The right bank or Rive Droite brings to mind a chic sophistication and elegance that is quintessential Paris, while the left or Rive Gauche boasts a more relaxed artistic and romantic atmosphere.
Should you leave a tip? In Paris, the bill in bars and restaurants includes a service charge, so you do not have to leave a tip. However, if you have been satisfied with your meal and the service you are welcome to do so.
To guarantee you a safe trip at a fair price, we recommend that you always take an official taxi outside our terminals. Only taxis located in stations located at the gates of the arrivals levels are authorized to pick up customers. These official taxis are recognizable by the light sign on the roof of the vehicle.
As mentioned earlier, the 10th arrondissement is one of the neighbourhoods to avoid in Paris. Though many will suggest you stay here, owing to the international railways nearby, the area can be dodgy. It has become one of the areas to avoid in Paris due to people selling drugs at night.
Be alert for groups of noisy children who swarm about you with distracting signs or papers begging for money. Despite their youth, they are among the best pickpockets in Paris. DON’T leave your valuables in a locked car; locks are easily jimmied by experts; the trunk is not safe either.
