Staying safe in Paris
For a first visit, plan for the risk of pickpocketing in crowded tourist spots and on busy public transport. Keep emergency numbers handy and learn the common street scams before you go.
Everyday safety and pickpockets
Pickpocketing is a recurring risk around major monuments, on crowded Metro and RER trains, and at airport stations. Keep your phone and wallet in a front pocket or zipped bag, and be extra alert in crowds and on escalators.
Stay aware late at night around the big stations and quieter transfer points, as you would in any large city. The ordinary precautions you would take in a busy capital are enough for the parts of Paris a trip uses.
Emergencies
For an emergency, call 112, the free European emergency number. France also has direct lines: 17 for police, 15 for medical emergencies and 18 for firefighters. A mobile phone needs a SIM card to make these calls, even if the subscription is inactive. The accessible 114 service supports people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind or aphasic via app, internet or SMS.
Pharmacies, marked by a green cross, can advise on minor health needs, and many areas have one on a late or duty rota. Keep your accommodation address and a copy of your documents handy in case you need them.
Scams and disruptions
A handful of street scams recur around the busiest sights: petition sheets used to distract, friendship bracelets pushed onto your wrist, and the cup-and-ball game on the pavement. A firm no and keeping walking is the right response, and never hand over your phone or wallet to a stranger.
Demonstrations and the occasional transit strike are a normal part of Paris life and are usually announced in advance. Check the news and the transit operators before a big travel day, and simply avoid the route of any large march.
Reviewed source trail
- service-public.fr — emergency numbers in France — checked 2026-09-12
- Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau — practical information — checked 2026-09-12