A Look at the Top 9 Safest Areas to Stay in Paris

Our first memory of Paris was actually in London, watching the classic 1990’s film La Haine (The Hatred) in French class. About violence and poverty in the suburbs, it paints a bleak picture of Paris’ less safe neighbourhoods. So…good luck. Just kidding, Paris is generally remarkably clean and secure, while it’s easy to avoid some of the shadier arrondissements. Unlike London, where everything is jumbled together, Paris appears to have a clear divide between calm, quiet central districts and the more lively suburbs. The French use the same word, sûr, to mean sure, secure and safe. Alors, bien sûr, le Plum Guide will keep that sibilant trio of sûr-ness on the psyche as we take you through our tried and trusted guide. So, without further ado, here are the 9 safest areas to stay in Paris.

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1. The Latin Quarter

2. Champs Elysées

3. Le Marais

4. St Germain

5. Châtelet

6. Montmartre

7. So-Pi

8. Canal Saint-Martin

9. Oberkampf

Ah, the Latin Quarter, also known as the 5th arrondissement. This neck of the woods is home to the famous Sorbonne University and has a bohemian vibe that is sure to charm everyone. Book a stay in one of the remarkable Paris vacation rentals right in the city centre, and find yourself wandering down quaint alleyways lined with historic bookshops and botanical gardens. As in any city centre, make sure to watch out for pickpockets and anyone trying to take advantage of your goodwill and nature. At all times, the lack of danger is almost boring in this super safe haven. Maybe take up bungee jumping when you get back, you adrenaline junkie, you.

Again, watch your belongings and you’ll be fine in this swanky neighbourhood. There might be a few drunken revellers at night around one or two of the clubs near the Champs Elysées, but this wide promenade is a family hub full of restaurants and cafés and the Arc de Triomphe. This is not only one of the safest areas to stay in Paris, but also one of the most luxurious, with some of the very best short-stay homes that Paris has to offer. The only danger is the impact it’ll make on your wallet, but hey, you’re on holiday.

Hooray, Le Marais. Skirted with fashion boutiques and art galleries, this is actually known as both the LGBT district and the Jewish Quarter. Such an inclusive neighbourhood couldn’t possibly be dangerous. Well, we suppose those things are actually totally unrelated. But, in this case, it’s true: it’s a really safe place to wander around into the early hours, if that’s what you want to do. Victor Hugo lived here, and you don’t see him complaining about it. Although he did write something called Les Misérables…

Considering it’s in the centre of a busy city, Saint-Germain-des-Prés is remarkably quiet and quaint. Centred around the former Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Près, this little neighbourhood is home to pleasant cafes and galleries. You’ll be just across the Seine from Le Louvre, with that fed-up-looking Mona Lisa (that’s one interpretation, anyway), as well as the Tuileries Garden. You're also right next door to the Latin Quarter, so you'll have the best of both worlds here.

Just across the river from St Germain, the Right Bank neighbourhood of Châtelet has an elegant theatre and a square that hoists the Saint-Jacques Tower. Like the rest of the city centre, it’s quiet and safe – though it can get busy as it's home to a huge underground shopping centre and acts as the city's main transportation hub. Take your family to check out the Stravinsky Fountain and check out the nearby Hôtel de Ville (the town hall, not a hotel owned by the 101 Dalmatians villain).

It may look like a Disney film, but you know you can actually stay in Montmartre, right? Artists and street performers pack the main square in the day. As evening falls, there are plenty of bars and restaurants in this bustling hub. Go visit the Moulin Rouge and the Sacre-Coeur Cathedral, among the cultural highlights. Warning: you’re unlikely to bump into Ewan McGregor or Nicole Kidman in real life…or Amélie Poulain, for that matter.

Short for South Pigalle, this fashionable hub near the Moulin Rouge has all sorts of hip and cool foodie options. It’s not quite as affluent as some of the aforementioned neighbourhoods, with more of a cool and alternative vibe. It can be a little rough around the edges in parts – we're talking sex shops, theatres, and adult shows on offer – so would be a better fit for the grown-ups who don't have little ones in tow. Still, even with its naughty past, it's a safe area to base yourself. You’ll find some classy cocktail bars and clubs that keep people out and about into the evening. Pigalle Duperré, a neon-patterned basketball court sandwiched between buildings, is typical of the unconventional vibe around these parts.

We love Canal Saint-Martin – it's one of our personal favourites. Students and professionals tend to gather at sunset with a few beers by the water, so there’s quite a buzz. And at all times, we can assure you, we felt safe, secure and sure in what is undeniably one of the safest areas to stay in Paris.

It does sound a bit German, doesn’t it? Perhaps that’s fitting, because it is a bit Berlin. Oberkampf is a ‘happening’ (do people still say that?) hotspot full of bohemian bars and cafes. You can stroll past the bright lights of its central avenues day or night without any security problems. Unwind, watch some live music and try out the French tapas.

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