On 6/12/06 16:32, in article
1165419152.496802.204430@n67g2000cwd.googlegroups.com,
"jeremyrh.geo@yahoo.com" wrote:
>
> rudnev@gmail.com schreef:
>
>> Looking for basic info on not so good areas of Paris.
>> Areas one would avoid during the DAY or Night...
>>
>> thanks!
>
> I never felt unsafe in any area of Paris, ie the city itself. The area
> around and north of Gare du Nord is reputed to be seedy, and some of
> the suburbs, I wouldn't wish to linger in. Maybe that's because I'm too
> nauive to recognise the warning signs? My colleagues in Paris sometimes
> mentioned attacks on friends or family.
Attacks are rare, so rare than I can only remember of one
person I know getting accosted in our 30 years in Paris.
He had his wallet taken by force from him and that was 20 years
ago. Pickpockets are the biggest danger, I got taken for the
first time on the Place Odeon, a "safe" area. Never saw
the guy who stole it.
I lived and work in the Stalingrad (metro) area for years and helped
a foreign friend rent a place in the Goutte d'Or. The Arab and
African populations are high in these areas and the middle
class French are worried about venturing into that area. One woman
we knew lived in a complex in the Goutte d'Or which reminded one
of Algers (which I have visited). She never had a problem.
Still I am leery about the types who are on the metro late at night
in these seedier areas (around the metro Strasbourg). So roughly, the
inner city of Paris is considered OK, the 5th, the 6th, the right bank area,
the Marais, the Champs, Place Opera, etc.
The 16th is so nice and dull that no tourist would want to venture into
there for fun, it is the center of the French bourgeoisie. Some of the
Grandes Boulevards are seedier than others. Pigalle at night, loaded
with . shops. But walking on frequented streets is a sure bet to
avoid trouble. Some of the seedier areas are interesting, like Belleville.
|