11 Essential Safety Tips for Solo Female Travelers Visiting Paris
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Are you planning a solo trip to Paris but feeling anxious about safety as a female traveler, especially after seeing countless TikTok videos about pickpocketing and hearing mixed reports about whether the City of Light is actually safe for women exploring alone?
I’ll be completely honest—Paris is one of the few cities I didn’t love visiting, and it wasn’t because of the tourist attractions or food, but because I felt genuinely uneasy at times, from receiving stares when I ventured outside tourist areas to having a man who worked at a church eye me up and down.
While these incidents weren’t traumatic, they taught me important lessons about staying aware, projecting confidence even when I felt uncertain, and recognizing that some destinations require extra vigilance without letting fear ruin the experience.
With far more solo travel experience now than I had during my Paris visit, plus seeing the surge in pickpocketing videos targeting tourists, I’m sharing every practical ‘how to be safe in Paris’ safety tip I wish I’d known then—from choosing the right anti-theft bag to understanding which neighborhoods to avoid—so you can explore Paris confidently while staying smart and secure.
This comprehensive guide is perfect for first-time solo female travelers anxious about Paris’ safety, experienced solo travelers seeking Paris-specific precautions, and any woman wanting an honest assessment of what to actually expect and how to stay secure while exploring the city independently.
My Personal Experience in Paris
While in Paris, there were two incidents I felt uneasy about in.
On the Streets of Paris
Over the last couple of days in Paris, I was alone.
My aunt had already left, and I was staying an extra day or two after our trip, so I decided to wander north, outside of the touristy area.
No one physically did or said anything to me, but I got some stares from people that made me feel uncomfortable.
Looks that felt like ‘what are you doing here?’, and since there were so many of them, I turned around and headed back to where the tourists were.
At a Tourist Attraction
While walking into a church, a guy who worked there eyed me up and down and asked, “California?” in a really awkward way.
Yes, I reside in California, but the wandering eye was a tad inappropriate.
Keep in mind, this was before I even spoke, so it was entirely about the way I was dressed.
It was really hot out, so I was wearing a T-shirt and shorts, but nothing revealing. The shorts weren’t super short, the top wasn’t showing off my midriff, so nothing was considered untoward.
Some churches, such as St. Peter’s Basilica, have rules requiring knees to be covered, but I’ve never encountered another church that enforces this, so I don’t think that was it either.
Don’t get me wrong; I’m not scarred for life or anything, but it just wasn’t necessary to do, and it made me feel uncomfortable.
As a note, the people I met at Chateau de Pierrefonds, about an hour and a half outside of Paris, were lovely!
Is Paris Safe for Solo Travelers?
Yes, Paris is generally safe for solo travelers, including solo women.
I spent eight days in Paris in summer 2013 and felt comfortable in all the main tourist areas, including the Eiffel Tower, Île de la Cité, the Marais, and the Latin Quarter.
The one time I felt uneasy was when I wandered away from the tourist areas alone. I got some stares that made me uncomfortable, so I turned back.
Following general safety rules while in Paris, such as staying in well-lit, high-traffic areas, is a good rule of thumb, especially at night.
The biggest practical risk in Paris is pickpocketing, particularly on the Metro and RER trains and around high-traffic attractions like the Eiffel Tower and Sacré-Cœur.
Keep your bag in front of you, avoid showing expensive electronics on public transport, and consider an anti-theft bag for crowded areas.
The tourist police (Brigade Touristique) patrol major attractions and can assist if you run into any issues.
Overall, I would say yes, Paris is safe, but do keep an eye on your valuables and be aware that people are not going to be overly kind, as in other European countries I’ve traveled solo.
Travel Tips to Enjoy Paris Safely
The following tips on how to be safe in Paris can be used when traveling with a group or solo.
If this is your first trip abroad alone, take a look at my advice for solo travelers. It’ll give you a good idea of the general guidelines I follow as a solo female traveler.
1. Have Confidence! (Even if You Have to Fake It)
Whether you have to listen to Demi Lovato’s ‘Confidence’ or Julie Andrews ‘I Have Confidence’ song from the Sound of Music, do whatever you gotta do to hype yourself up!
It does not have to be REAL confidence. I know we all struggle with that, but just pretend if you don’t quite have it.
It’ll give you the appearance of someone not to be messed with. There are so many studies that show that predators are less likely to attack someone if they walk with purpose and seem like they have it together.
Do not worry if you don’t 100% know where you’re going when walking the streets of a city. I have countless times walked confidently in one direction just to glance at my phone, realize I’m wrong, and turn around.
The point is that I look like I know.
I apparently do it so well that sometimes people ask me directions! I take that as a good sign!
2. Stay Aware of Your Surroundings
No matter where you are traveling, it is important to stay aware of your surroundings, especially if you’re a solo female traveler.
Don’t look like a tourist by being present in the moment.
One of the best ways to do this is by not tuning out. That means, don’t put your AirPods in and be completely unaware of what’s going in around you.
Does that mean I never put my AirPods in? No. I just don’t put them in while walking around or in a crowded area. I will put one in on a train I’m on for a long time where I know I’m secure and can relax for a bit.
3. What to Pack for Personal Security
It’s important to keep track of your valuables, especially in crowded places, such as public transport.
Some like a money belt, but I’m partial to an anti-theft purse.
I highly recommend you get one, especially if you are concerned about pickpockets, as there was a notable increase in their activity during the Olympics, especially around the Eiffel Tower.
I know many are concerned with the way these purses look, and yeah, my Travelon Purse above isn’t super cute, but I love it because it’s got pockets for water, an umbrella, or anything else I may need.
However, if you’re a fashion-forward person, check out the Thafael Bag, which is a sustainable and more aesthetically pleasing anti-theft purse option.
No matter what you choose, I also suggest ensuring your zippers are closed and lockable.
In both photos, you can see how I typically hold the bag. How I stay safest is by zipping the compartment, locking it, and then holding my hand over that lock. Which means a thief would have to get me to move my hand, unlock it, unzip it, and then reach in.
I also have the bag in front of me a bit to ensure I have my eyes on it while on public transport or in crowded areas.
Now, of course, if someone had a knife, like in the situation my friend experienced in Rome in a mugging, this wouldn’t matter at all. But it does help prevent against pickpockets and slash-and-grab thieves.
4. Leave Your Valuables at Home
Help yourself feel safe in Paris by leaving anything you’d be sad to loose at home.
That means, grandma’s necklace she gave you, leave it at home.
And this isn’t even all about theft. Sometimes, things break or just get lost while traveling, so I don’t bring anything I don’t need (e.g., a passport is valuable, but I must bring it) or wouldn’t mind losing (e.g., typically old jewelry I don’t have an attachment to).
5. Make Copies of Important Documents
I always make a copy of my passport, so heaven forbid I lose it, I have proof of my valid passport.
Luckily, I’ve never had to test if this would get me back home, but I’ve heard it’ll help to get a new one from the embassy!
Need to know what else to do before departing for Paris? Check out my post on what to do before an international trip.
