Paris Health And Safety

Visitors travelling to Paris should be on their guard in regards to some of the potential risks the city holds for tourists, risks that are much the same as in any large European city.

Safety

Pickpockets operate at the city’s main train stations and on some of the train lines themselves, making it a good idea for visitors to be aware of some of their common tactics. These thieves often work in pairs, with an accomplice distracting the unsuspecting tourist while another picks his or her pocket.

A good way to prevent this happening is to keep valuables in a hidden money belt or in a bag that is not easily accessible or snatched. Some of the city’s larger department stores such as Galleries Lafayette, Printemps and Samaratine are also profitable territories for thieves as well as tourist hotspots, where crowds tend to congregate.

Travellers should also avoid walking the streets late at night, particularly women alone. There are certain areas of the city which attract more trouble than others, with the Pigalle red light district being one of them and Barbès, which has a large North African population, being another. Unless you are particularly streetwise and can speak a bit of French, it is unlikely that you will be able to confidently deal with the harassment that you may get as a tourist in these parts of the city.

Police: 17

Health

There are no specific health concerns for travellers to Paris, although visitors are recommended to make sure they are up-to-date with standard vaccinations prior to leaving home. If you are coming from the UK or another EU country, France has a reciprocal agreement on health care for these citizens. Those who are visiting from outside the EU will need to make sure they have comprehensive medical insurance.

Hospitals and pharmacies are available across the city, with ambulance services on call 24 hours in case of emergency.

Hertford British Hospital: +33 1 46 39 22 22