You know what? I've grown tired and, honestly, a bit irritated of how people dunk on Paris. This is my hometown, and I get it—Paris is not a perfect city. But it's not this crime-riddled dystopia that people say it is. I can respect any opinion that says Paris is overrated, but I draw the line at those who claim it's a dangerous town. It's not! I can attest that many arrondissements in Paris are completely safe! I never have a bad time in the 1st arrondissement, as well as the very upscale, residential 16th arrondissement. I live in the 5th arrondissement myself, and it's totally safe here!
Discover the safest arrondissements in Paris so you'll know the best places to stay in the city. These areas are also the most suitable for those who want to settle in the city with little kids, the elderly, and more.
1st Arrondissement
Since it's the city center, it's no surprise that the 1st arrondissement is one of the safest areas in Paris. I usually go here for work, and let me tell you—the security here is no joke! When people talk about how dangerous Paris is as a city, I'm sure they're not talking about the 1st arrondissement. This is an upscale area with well-lit streets lined with high-end stores, boutiques, restaurants, and more, each with its own high-tech security systems. It's likely why many of the rich and famous choose to settle down here.2nd Arrondissement
If I could afford to, I would move to the 2nd arrondissement in a heartbeat! I find it a great place to stay, and yes, it's another one of the safest arrondissements in Paris. I think it's because the place is so close to the 1st arrondissement, so the ample security from there spills over to here. The area itself is also lively and very commercial, complete with brightly lit streets, crowded restaurants, busy markets, and more. Though it still suffers from a few petty crimes here and there, specifically near the eastern edge, the 2nd arrondissement is a safe place overall.4th Arrondissement
You can always trust the gays to keep you safe! As a cisgender woman and a proud ally of the LGBTQ+ community, I've always felt safer with gay men and trans men than straight, cisgender men. Well, that's just me! I don't mean to generalize of anything, but I seriously believe that the fact that Le Marais is Paris's gayborhood makes the 4th arrondissement one of the safest. People here usually leave you alone, and the district itself is vibrant, fun, and exciting. At night, the streets light up with all the poppin' bars, clubs, and more!5th Arrondissement
Home to the most prestigious universities in Paris, the 5th arrondissement has always been a student's haven. College students and young professionals have always dominated the population here, especially around the Latin Quarter. They study in the schools, hang out in the cool cafes, dine in the chic bistros, and stay in the luxury apartment rentals nearby. That doesn't sound like a dangerous place to me! I will admit that it tends to get rowdy at times, but for the most part, there's very little to worry about in the 5th arrondissement.6th Arrondissement
The 6th Arrondissement of Paris is home to the famous Saint-Germain-des-Prés, one of the city's most beloved neighborhoods. As you've probably already surmised, part of it is because it's also one of the safest arrondissements. Petty crimes are still a bit of a problem here, but they're not that big of a concern to merit any pearl-clutching. If you're an expat family in Paris looking for a place to settle down, I highly recommend the 6th arrondissement! Not only is it safe and the location is very central, but there are also many good schools nearby.7th Arrondissement
Do you know what's ironic? The 7th arrondissement is famous for the Eiffel Tower, but the area surrounding the iconic landmark is what many would tell you to avoid. As the city's top tourist attraction, any place in proximity to the Eiffel Tower is a pickpocket's hunting ground. Don't worry! It's not so dangerous that you should never go here. You just have to be careful and stay aware of your surroundings when you visit the iconic tower. But the rest of the arrondissement? Safe and secure! The 7th district is also fairly affluent, which means it also has ample security, upscale luxury homes with high-quality alarm systems, and more.8th Arrondissement
If you haven't realized it yet, most of the arrondissements I've listed so far have one thing in common: they're affluent areas. These are upscale districts that boast trendy restaurants, high-end boutiques, and some of the most luxurious homes to rent in Paris. Naturally, the 8th arrondissement is no different. This is where the famous Champs-Elysées is located, after all. It's not just Paris's main avenue, but it's also one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the city. Avenue de Champs-Elysées alone is lined with designer shops, Michelin-starred restaurants, and more. This isn't the sort of place where pickpockets and violent criminals lurk about!11th Arrondissement
I know you didn't ask, but I'll say it anyway: I live in the 11th Arrondissement and I can confidently say that it's one of the safest parts of Paris. It's pretty ironic, too, since this is where Rue Oberkampf is located, one of the city's most popular nightlife districts. But even when the place gets crowded and loud until the wee hours of the night, the rest of the district is safe, secure, and silent. I moved here because it's one of the most peaceful parts of Paris, and I've never been so content in my life. I can step outside at any time of the day and not worry about my safety at all!16th Arrondissement
The 16th Arrondissement, specifically near the Passy neighborhood, is where the rich with a capital R live in Paris! The residents here aren't just cosmopolitan Parisians who could afford to wear designer clothes and eat at Michelin-starred restaurants. These are the 1%! Or possibly even 0.1% of the 1%! That's how wealthy the people who live in the 16th arrondissement in Paris are. And as you know, any affluent district is bound to be one of the safest, too. I think it's because the quiet part of “quiet luxury” is taken very seriously here. The 16th arrondissement is such a peaceful place that not only is it practically crime-free, but you'd often forget that it's in Paris!Discover the safest arrondissements in Paris so you'll know the best places to stay in the city. These areas are also the most suitable for those who want to settle in the city with little kids, the elderly, and more.
