As popular a city as it may be, there's no denying that
Paris is far from the safest city in the world. Is it the crime-ridden dystopia its critics often make it out to be? Of course not! This is still the French capital, after all, and no matter how high its crime rates tend to get, there will always be safe parts of Paris. Or more specifically, safe arrondissements! The city is divided into these 20 central districts, and some of them are safer than most. They include the largely suburban 15th arrondissement, the ever-popular 6th arrondissement, and the famously affluent 15th arrondissement, to name a few.
1st Arrondissement
Usually, the city center tends to be among the rowdiest parts of the metropolis. They're typically located downtown, and since they're often so crowded and condensed, you never know what kind of people stay there. The city center in Paris, however, which is the
1st arrondissement, is the exact opposite. This affluent district maintains an air of wealth and exclusivity that affords it ample security. It's not necessarily the most closed-off or even the quietest part of town, but for a place that's located right smack in the center of one of the world's busiest cities, it's still pretty remarkable how safe it is here.
2nd Arrondissement
Despite how lively it tends to get, the
2nd Arrondissement of Paris surprisingly stays safe throughout the day. Is it the safest part of town? No, not by a long shot! But it's far from a dangerous district, too. Perhaps it's because the 2nd arrondissement is typically lively that it's also safe, with people walking about and hanging around in places like Rue Montorgueil. Petty crimes like pickpocketing still pose a concern here, but they're not as major as those in the other
neighborhoods in Paris. As long as you take the necessary safety precautions in the 2nd arrondissement, you'll be fine!
5th Arrondissement
It should come as no surprise that the
5th Arrondissement also made it onto this list. Home to the
Latin Quarter, the vibes here tend to be chill, laid-back, but never boring. The area's popular nightlife scene will liven things up after dark, but it never gets so rowdy that it disrupts the neighborhood. And that's on top of the fact that a majority of those who live in the arrondissement include university students. Paris's most prestigious schools are located in this district, making it the academic center of the French capital. Do you really think such a place would be dangerous?
6th Arrondissement
You should know by now that lively urban neighborhoods don't always equate to dangerous districts, especially when you consider the arrondissements that have been mentioned so far. And this next one further proves it, too: the
6th arrondissement. Often touted as the most quintessentially Parisian part of the city, the place has everything the world loves about Paris.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés boasts the most famous cafes, the chicest bistros, the coolest boutiques, and more. But despite how crowded it gets with locals and tourists alike, the area always maintains relatively low crime rates. It helps that the arrondissement is well-lit, too, making it the worst place for criminals to lurk around.
7th Arrondissement
One of the world's most iconic landmarks, a hugely popular park, and a fairly upscale neighborhood. Does that sound like a dangerous district to you? The
7th arrondissement proudly boasts the world-famous Eiffel Tower as its centerpiece, which then draws in locals and tourists alike to bask in its steel glory and hang out at the nearby Champ de Mars park right beside it. But no matter how crowded the area gets, the 7th arrondissement stays one of Paris's safest arrondissements. Part of it is that the district itself is affluent, and another is that the police force here is among the strongest in the entire metropolis.
9th Arrondissement
If you haven't noticed it yet, most of the arrondissements on this list tend to be the wealthier parts of town. These are the types of districts where the elites live, upscale hotspots make up the commercial scenes, and the level of security is better than most. This definitely applies to the
9th arrondissement, too, one of Paris's most affluent arrondissements. The likes of the iconic Palais Garnier, the ever-luxurious Galeries Lafayette, and the very elegant Place Saint-Georges are all located here, upholding Parisian glamour at its finest. Even when tourists flock here, the district still maintains among the lowest
crime rates in Paris.
15th Arrondissement
You've likely rarely heard about the
15th Arrondissement of Paris, and that's a good thing! The area is among the most residential parts of town, so peaceful and filled with several living options that's practically a
Paris suburb! There are barely any famous landmarks or monuments here, mostly tight-knit communities that go about their day. What this area may lack in tourist attractions, it more than makes up for with its almost unorthodox level of tranquility. It's one of the best places to raise a family or even to retire without leaving the city.
16th Arrondissement
Finally, there's the
16th arrondissement of Paris, quite possibly the wealthiest part of the city. Many other districts, including the very same ones on this list, may be known for their glamour and luxury, but this upscale neighborhood is old-money rich all the way! They don't just have
luxury Parisian apartments here; they have full-blown townhouses and mansions! That's how affluent the 16th arrondissement truly is, and since it's also largely residential, it's among the most peaceful parts of town, too. And of course, these alone make it one of the safest arrondissements in Paris!
Paris may not be the safest city in the world, but it still has many safe arrondissements. You’d be surprised at how the city’s most central districts are actually among the safest parts of town, too!
