Is Paris Safe at Night? Safety Tips & Where to Avoid
Wondering if Paris is safe at night?
Rest assured that yes, Paris is a safe to visit at night. As someone who has been to Paris several times, I have always felt safe at night when following common safety tips – like avoiding dangerous areas and not walking alone late at night.
In this post, I’ve covered everything you should know about staying safe in Paris at night, including safe vs. unsafe areas in Paris, common safety tips, and information about using the Metro at night.
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Check out these safe & fun activities for at night in Paris:
🇫🇷 Evening Dinner Cruise
🇫🇷 Secrets of Paris Night Walking Tour
🇫🇷 Night Sightseeing Tour in a Vintage Citroen 2CV
🇫🇷 Paris Pub Crawl in the Latin Quarter
Is Paris Safe at Night?
Generally yes, Paris is safe at night just like during the day time. However, there are certain parts of the city that are safer at night than others.
Most crimes in Paris are crimes of opportunity like petty theft and pickpocketing. Violent crime is not common, especially in the city center. However, the US Department of State does recommend using “extra caution when out alone at night.”
Note: As with any city, safety can also depend on who you are. As a female traveler, I feel like I have to be more cautious about safety. Due to this, I usually will take an Uber or Taxi back to my hotel if its after 11pm.
Is the Metro in Paris Safe at Night?
Yes, it is safe to use the metro in Paris at night. Keep in mind, the metro does not operate all night long, so it isn’t open very late at night. Instead, it runs from about 5:30a.m. to about 1:15a.m on weekdays, and until 2:15a.m. on the weekends.
If you do take the metro in Paris at night, you will want to watch out for pickpockets which operate both during the day and night.
Another thing to consider is to avoid walking alone at night, and so it may be a better option to simply take an Uber or taxi from your destination back to your hotel rather than the metro and walking.
Areas to Avoid in Paris at Night
As with any major city, there are some places in Paris to avoid at night due to a higher risk of crime. I want to note that Paris has low rates of violent crime, even at night. However, there are certain areas where crime is more likely, and thus its better to avoid them or use extra caution.
I also want to stress that these areas may feel safer for locals who know the area well vs. tourists who are just visiting Paris.
Areas to avoid at night in Paris:
🚫 19th Arrondissement/La Villette – Ok during the day but can get sketchy at night
🚫 Barbès-Rochechouart – Best avoided at night (drug use and trafficking issues)
🚫 Seine-Saint-Denis – Suburb of Paris that tends to have higher than average crime
🚫 Bois de Boulogne & Bois de Vincennes – Public parks that are great to visit during the day but should be avoided late at night.
Areas to use extra caution at night in Paris:
⚠️ République – Popular nightlife area that is safe to visit, but best to be cautious late at night, (especially to the north of this area).
⚠️ Châtelet Les Halles Station – Can feel sketchy late at night
⚠️ Gare du Nord Train Station – Pickpockets, drug users, etc. frequent around here at night so if you are going to/from the train station at night its best to take a taxi or Uber.
Safe Areas in Paris at Night
I always have felt very safe at night in the 5th and 6th arrondissements. Especially on streets like rue Mouffetard, which has a lively bar scene – it feels safe being out late as there are many other people around and the area feels well-lit and secure.
While not totally inclusive of every safe neighborhood, here is a few of some of the safe areas in Paris at night:
✔️ The Latin Quarter (5th & 6th)
✔️ St Germain & Odéon (6th)
✔️ Le Marais (3rd & 4th)
✔️ The 15th arrondissement
✔️ The 7th arrondissement
8 Tips for Staying Safe in Paris at Night
As with any city in the world, there are certain precautions you should take when out at night. Below are my tips for staying safe in Paris at night.
These safety tips apply to everyone, but are especially applicable to female travelers like myself or solo travelers.
1. Avoid Walking Alone Late at Night
If it’s late at night, you shouldn’t walk back to your hotel by yourself. This is especially true if you have a long walk or will be on streets where there aren’t other people around.
While Paris is safe at night, it just isn’t a smart idea to walk by yourself late at night as it makes you an easy target. Sadly, this is especially true for females.
Instead, take an Uber or Taxi, or walk back with a group if possible.
2. Watch Out for Pickpockets on the Metro
It is typically safe to use the Paris metro at night, but you need to watch carefully for pickpockets.
Pickpockets typically work in groups, and the Paris metro is a frequent place they target as they can grab your phone or wallet and hop off before you notice.
When on the metro, I highly recommend keeping your phone & wallet in a locked crossbody bag, money belt, or in a front pocket with your hand on it at all times.
Never keep important items in a back pocket, backpack, or purse that can easily be opened.
3. Don’t Leave Drinks Unattended
Never leave drinks unattended while at a bar or club as there is a risk of someone putting something in your drink (especially for female travelers). This may be a small risk, but it isn’t one worth taking.
I want to add that this isn’t an issue specific to Paris – sadly it can happen anywhere in the world. So, its best to get in the habit of never leaving your drink unattended or accepting a drink from a stranger.
4. Choose a Hotel in a Safe Area of Paris
One of the best ways to stay safe at night in Paris is to choose a hotel in one of the safe neighborhoods that are known for having low crime rates. This is especially important if you plan on coming back to your hotel late at night.
Some of the safe neighborhoods that are perfect for travelers include St-Germain-des-Prés (6th arr.), the Latin Quarter (5th arr.), and Le Marais (3rd and 4th arr.).
For more information on safe neighborhoods & hotels, see my post on the Safest Places to Stay in Paris.
5. Don’t Carry Valuables Around
Since there is a risk of getting pickpocketed in Paris, you should only carry valuables that are absolutely necessary.
The US Embassy in Paris recommends leaving your passport locked in your hotel safe as it is not required to be on you at all times. Instead a student ID, Driver’s License, or other form of identity documentation is sufficient.
I also recommend carrying one credit card and leaving another credit card locked in your hotel safe. Additionally, avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
6. If You Feel Unsafe, go to the Closest Public Area
If you are walking around at night and ever feel unsafe, go to the first public space that you see. This may be a restaurant, shop, hotel, etc. as it is unlikely someone would follow you inside. Then, you can call a taxi or Uber to get you safely to where you are going.
While I’ve never felt unsafe and had to do this is Paris, I have had to do this in a US city and its just a good tip to keep in mind (especially as a solo or female traveler).
7. Enroll in STEP (US Citizens)
If you are a US citizen, I highly recommend enrolling in the US Department of State’s STEP Program. Its free to enroll and simply lets the embassy know of your travel plans so they can alert you in case of an emergency. Emergencies can include anything from natural disasters, protests, or terrorist attacks.
8. Take a Tour of Paris at Night
If you are nervous about being in Paris at night, taking a night tour of Paris is a great option as it will be with a guide or a group of travelers. This is especially a great option for solo travelers.
There are many different types of night tours available – from a Paris Bar Crawl to a Secrets of Paris Night Walking Tour.
FAQ: Is Paris Safe at Night?
Paris is safe at night, and it is usually safe to walk around areas like the 5th and 6th arrondissements late at night. However, there are some areas in Paris you should not walk around late at night, such as the 19th, 20th, and 10th arrondissements. In general, it is best to take an Uber or Taxi versus walking long distances late at night.
Generally, its best to avoid walking around the 19th, 20th, and northern part of the 18th arrondissement in Paris at night. Its also best to avoid certain public parks late at night such as Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes.
It is safe to ride the Paris Metro at night. The Metro operates from 5:30 a.m. to about 1:15 a.m., and until 2:15 a.m. on weekends. However, just like during the day time you will need to keep a careful watch for pickpockets as they can be common on the Paris metro.
So, Is Paris Safe at Night?
Overall Paris is safe at night, especially when compared to other large international cities such as New York. Even though Paris is considered safe to visit, it is still a large city and you need take common safety precautions, such as not walking around late at night.
Planning a trip to Paris? Check out these related posts:
🇫🇷 10 Days in Paris – The Perfect Itinerary
🇫🇷 Hidden Gems in Paris
🇫🇷 Paris to Bruges Day Trip
🇫🇷 Is Moulin Rouge Worth It?
🇫🇷 Alternatives to Paris
