I am aware like most major world cities, Paris is ripe with pickpockets. My husband (clearly watching WAY too many movies;) ) seems to think we%26#39;re likely to be mugged, stabbed, sold into prostitution (hah!) etc.
Any tips on travelling %26#39;safely%26#39; as tourists? Besides the usual (carry a moneybelt, don%26#39;t travel with lots of cash - use interact or credit, and stay away from shady areas after dark). Help me out here:)
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Pickpockets are not muggers: they want to remove your property (wallet or purse) without you noticing anything. It is extremely unlikely that a tourist would be attacked in central Paris.
You have the right ideas: carry valuables in a money belt, don%26#39;t flash cash, etc. But really there are no %26quot;shady areas%26quot; in central Paris (within the Peripherique). Even Pigalle, with its sex trade, is safe.
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Somewhat stupid question here, but ...
What%26#39;s the best way to keep bulky things like a camera safe?
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The usual that you%26#39;ve mentioned works well. Also, be aware of your surroundings and what is going on; most pickpockets are easy to spot. Keep a low profile -- avoid flashy jewelry, etc., and don%26#39;t wave an iPod or a cell phone around. The likelihood of you and your husband having a great time in Paris is exceedingly more likely than having to make a police report.
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Just saw a link that may be helpful to you on another thread. Check out tripadvisor.com/Travel-g187147-c7466/…F..
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Arisanosila - I carried my DSLR around Paris with no problems at all. I generally had my hand on it all the time (I%26#39;m pretty snap-happy) and slung it across my body when not using it. Be aware of your surroundings, dont get distracted reading maps or in cafes etc, and you should be fine!
I also invested in a Paksafe bag for carrying around (they%26#39;re slash proof), for added peace of mind. Loads of threads on the pros and cons of these if you do a search of the forum.
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%26gt; Just saw a link that may be helpful to you on another thread. %26lt;
A very useful article. No mention of those silly money belts, thankfully.
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What%26#39;s the best way to keep bulky things like a camera safe?
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thinks like cameras are just not really at risk. I have been carrying fairly decent cameras (current model is a nikkon with a couple of lenses) in Europe and the far East for 50 years without ever once having a situation that put them at risk --
I usually carry a shoulder camera bag which doubles as a purse and which I can swing to the front in crowded places like the metro
you don%26#39;t want to carry valuables in a backpack -- they are easy pickings, but other than that, you are very unlikely to have a camera stolen if you don%26#39;t leave it lying around (and my husband makes a habit of leaving computers, cameras etc in bars and restaurants, and even there they have always been there when he has gone back for them -- wouldn%26#39;t counj on that though)
we have had an apartment in London burgled -- other regular residents were hit at the same time -- and we would not have been hit if the owner had not failed to turn the deadbolt -- she had the simple lock on (she was still cleaning the apartment when my son arrived and left his stuff -- the thieves took his camera, the only valuable thing he had left )
my husband once lost his glasses when he left them on a wall of the Colosseum when changing to sunglasses -- they were gone when he returned
we once had gypsy pickpocket children with the newspaper scam try to get into my purse in Florence -- but I caught on in time to shoe them away (our first Italian trip)
basically, don%26#39;t be a buffet for pickpockets -- don%26#39;t have valuables in pockets or backpack -- carry one card and cash for the day -- not all your valuables at once -- and if you must carry cash and cards, carry them under your clothes in a money belt and view the belt as a body safe not a wallet -- you don%26#39;t fish around in your money belt in public -- the days money is closer to the surface
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you know, Id hate for your trip to Paris to be ruined by your fear.Obviously caution is always a good thing WHERE EVER you are, but if you%26#39;re constantly anticipating being mugged, stabbed, robbed. etc its not going to be a very enjoyable trip. I just came back from Paris earlier this month. I travelled totally alone (Im in my 40%26#39;s) stayed out til 11 every night walking around by myself and I NEVER felt unsafe. Don%26#39;t listen to all the hype, don%26#39;t let your imagination(or your husbands) get the best of you. Enjoy every minute, but sure dont leave your purse looped over the back of your chair at a cafe, don%26#39;t carry your wallet in your pants pockets...Paris IS a safe city.Oh I forgot to mention I%26#39;m a woman too.
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When you put your wallet in your pants pocket, wrap one of those very thick rubber bands around it. It becomes nearly impossible to pull it out without quite a bit of effort.
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All the suggestions here are spot on.
I just returned from a recent trip %26amp; made the %26quot;mistake%26quot; of carrying a purse that was too big. I almost learned a valuable lesson at the Louvre %26amp; it wasn%26#39;t about Art...
I was so engrossed with the artwork that I didn%26#39;t notice I was being followed by a woman w/a child in a stroller. She had seemingly everything she owned on the back of the stroller.
At one point I lost focus %26amp; was looking at a statue when fortunately my travel companions got wind of the woman as she was headed straight for my
purse (which was behind my back - silly me!). When my friend got in between her %26amp; the purse she did an about face %26amp; %26quot;strolled%26quot; in the other directions.
The point is... use common sense. I felt safer in Paris than NY where I was born %26amp; raised.
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