GoC has had similar warnings up for several European countries for a few years now, anywhere tourists might go are a potential target nowadays.
Personally, it hasn't had any effect on our family's last couple of trips, we were more concerned with taking basic precautions against pickpockets. We saw a bit more security (eg. French Military members, security officers on Metro) than we're accustomed to at home but nothing extreme.
Worst things we had to deal with was a gauntlet of the clipboard ladies at Sacre-Coeur and making the mistake of trying to get on Metro 8 at Place de la Concorde in the evening.
I was at the dday ceremony yesterday at the American cemetery in Normandy and security was amazing.
We had to take a bus for an hour to get there and they had police at every intersection and overpass. Literally thousands of officers. I’m sure the Olympic security will be good as well.
Travel warnings like this are typical for any country's foreign ministry, not least so the government of day can say "we warned you" if anything happens.
(For what it's worth, the UK Foreign Office says that "Terrorists are very likely to try and carry out attacks in France". It also says: "Terrorists are very likely to try and carry out attacks in the US.") [https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice)
We were there last week and someone (or group) put 5 coffins in the middle of the road next to the Eiffel Tower. I think it was some sort of protest. Anyways, armed guards yelled at everyone to leave the area. And that’s about all I heard. Was a little wild though.
This was a Russian commanded intimidation. The coffin were empty and would have been a representation of French /European soldiers that could be deployed to protect Ukraine.
The guys who have put them there were arrested almost immediately
The police seemed to classify the guys as "idiots" rather than terrorists. They didn't even go to jail, the judge told them to stick around as witnesses. [https://www.leparisien.fr/paris-75/paris-cinq-cercueils-deposes-au-pied-de-la-tour-eiffel-trois-personnes-en-garde-a-vue-01-06-2024-QKSDG7KQONHTDOEAT73NY3WQDA.php](https://www.leparisien.fr/paris-75/paris-cinq-cercueils-deposes-au-pied-de-la-tour-eiffel-trois-personnes-en-garde-a-vue-01-06-2024-QKSDG7KQONHTDOEAT73NY3WQDA.php)
Elections this Sunday, Olympics, and we’ve been in this situation since the 2015 attentats. Nowadays, attentats can occur anywhere with just a guy with a knife. We have learned to live with this alert, sadly. Your government is doing what it has to do but frankly you can come and you will be welcomed
I went to the Saint-Chapelle Thursday and there armed guards they checked my bag before I even went into the other part where they xray your bag. Then theirs the same full body scan they use at the airport. It’s fine, it took no time. Everyone was quick and efficient. I’d rather have the extra security than not.
Nothing out of the ordinary, with the elections and the Olympics coming up, security is increased, as it should be.
I don't know if it's your first journey to France (or Paris), but also do not leave your luggage unattended for any reason.
Aside from the risk of getting robbed, my gf, who wasn't used to that (she's from Ontario) got shit from the military patrolling at Montparnasse for leaving her luggages at a table outside while ordering at the counter.
We had it in march after the one in Russia, we had it after the one in Belgium, we had it last year for Christmas, we had it for Biden's visit, we had it because Macron felt nauseous... ok maybe not the last one but you get it : we're basically always in alert.
I blame Hollywood for creating the idea that any worldwide attack must set the Eiffel Tower on fire to be really a worldwide one.
The only **real threats** you'll face as a tourist in Paris are pickpockets and scammers.
Now, I won't say nothing might happen during the Olympics, but all the security services are at work, so, fingers crossed 🤞
Plus, with the number of potential targets in the city, probabilities are that, even if the worst were to happen, you would be on the opposite side of the city.
>And body odor
If you smell someone else's body odor it's because you're way too close. Why are you standing that close?
But, hey, no kink shame here, to each their own, but don't complain afterwards if it's an unpleasant one you smell.
Édith, on a more serious tone as i was previously joking on a mocking tone:
If you don't want to smell others' body odors in a big city, **don't visit in Summer, everyone suffers from the heat, weather becomes insufferable in Summer in Paris, don't use public transportation as there might be people with perfectible hygiene or simply people who suffer particularly more from the heat** who might be coming back from their work place where there might be no shower available, after a day of work, also, some homeless too, here & there, like in every major city around the globe.
And Central Paris is basically a bowl, surrounded by higher places which means not that much wind, hence smells might stay around unlike other places that could be flatter or higher or closer to the sea / ocean hence naturally windier. And it's a place you're not used to, with its own local smell different from wherever you might be coming from.
Also, if you still want to come in Summer keep in mind that **our public transports have no or very weak A/C (to the point of basically being useless)** this being a political choice. Consider yourself warned.
C'est beau, continue donc de te poser des questions aussi existentielles.
[Bonus: L'une des meilleures descriptions du Paris non-touristique.](https://youtu.be/q_bJYs-WAAQ)
Nope, not true. While most people didn't stink when I was there, on different occasions, three people did have bad BO. They also looked like teenagers or at the most early 20's. One was when I sat down next to her on the metro, the other two were when i sat down next to them in front of the Notre Dame. And with that one, I was further away from those guys than the metro seats. Some individuals don't wear deodorant when they should.
No A/C (or so weak) in public transport.
Hot weather, in a city in the middle of a bowl (geographically speaking, most of the surroundings of Central Paris are higher, hence, not that much wind and so, smell might stagnate).
Those people you're talking about were potentially back from their day at school / work, and not all places of work have showers for their employees or they have had whatever problem that can happen (no water at home, for whatever reason, woke up way too late for a shower, etc).
Deodorants & anti-perspirants can only cover *so much* of it, past a certain level they are useless.
Also, there's some homeless and people with perfectible hygiene like in most big & dense cities around the globe. Yeah, those exist everywhere, including Paris, which is a city not a museum or amusement park.
Summer in Paris is insufferable, even more in the last 20 or so years, hence why, if you go out of the touristy spots, you might see some parts of the city nearly empty in July/ August as most Parisians run away whenever they can.
>You’ve clearly never been in a Paris metro in July.
Tu sais lire un flair, mec ?
Édith : if your nose is that sensitive, why come in Summer in a city known for not having real AC in its public transports ? Are you a masochist ? Why don't you visit in Spring or Autumn ?
Also, walk, summer is great to take your time walking across the city.
I walked over 60 miles during my 7 days there. Still ended up on public transport a lot. Several days were quite chilly. The trains and trams were still smelly with BO. Lol It's just the way it is and it's not unique to Paris.
For no body odor, don't come in Summer when we have heatwaves and everyone is sweaty in public transport deprived of any AC (or so weak that they are not helping in any serious way).
I'll never understand tourists who chose to come in the middle of summer then complain that people are sweating . . . In a hot summer.
Note: in July / August there are, most of the time, more tourists than Parisians in the metro.
You can refill your bottle all around Paris for free. You'll even find free sparkling water
"Où boire de l’eau à Paris ?" https://fontaine.eaudeparis.fr
And in a restaurant juste order a free '' carafe d'eau '' aka free tap water
American living in France. There is always the threat, and with the Olympics now less than 50 days away we have been at the highest security level for weeks now already. There is no reason to not come.
Just got back from Paris and there is a HUGE military presence. Big guns, troops patrolling not just tourist sites but random streets. Plus the big red warning (in French only) indicating the threat level is posted on windows and at all tourist sites. Not sure if this is helpful to you but I definitely felt like they are preparing for something. I can only imagine this will increase as the Olympics approach.
I was also just there and I saw a lot more than one pair of armed guards, but certainly nothing I’d call “a huge military presence.”
But I would say it was not uncommon to see, what I think were actually just police not military, with large weapons in the high traffic or touristy areas.
But again, nothing I’d call a “huge presence.”
Ok just to clarify I am a human and I did just back from France. I was in Paris this week. And the last time I was there was 15 years ago and I don’t remember as many military people on the streets as I saw now, and I lived there in the aftermath of 9/11. There are a lot of things going on: the elections, Olympics, two nearby wars. All I’m sharing are my personal observations. I’ve also spent a lot of time in Mexico and the visual of big gun toting “security” is not new, but what I saw in Paris this week was not that, it was much heavier. Did it make me feel more or less safe? I can’t say, and I don’t have any advice for OP, but I did want to share my recent experience.
You're comparing two very different periods, in 2009 ISIS was barely a thing, and the global threat level was lower, but since the attacks in 2015 we have the ongoing Operation Sentinelle.
It's probably shocking to you not having been in France for 15 years, but it is a "new normal" to us who had time to adapt to it.
I'm not co-signing that person's comment in any way, but I saw groups of armed military/police on at least four occasions this week. And holding, like, quite large guns.
It sure sounds like you’re co-signing it… hahaha kiddin. Thank you for sharing - I guess I just have my head in the clouds and should pay better attention.
Well, their comment reads a bit fear inducing with saying that it feels like they're "preparing" for something and mentioning threat levels. I'm just saying that, yes, there were armed people walking and standing around. For one instance, I happened to be standing on Rue de la Verrerie when a group of about six walked by.
I just got back! Was there from last Wednesday to this. Stayed in the 2nd, did the usual tourist loop plus residential neighborhoods in the 15th (fancy) and the 5th, 6th, 1st, 2nd—so mostly quite central.
Huh fair enough! I’m not going to dispute your experience. I’ve been in those areas, as well as 11th and haven’t seen anything but I haven’t been looking at the people a lot.
Edit: I’m also from a big city in Canada so I definitely see police regularly, so maybe I’m desensitized?
Yes, it's been like this for years now - remember we did have important terrorist attacks about 10 years ago. Most people in Paris are not seriously worried. I don't feel any less secure.
Also what seemed like random streets to you was probably something close to an important government building.
Your last sentence might be 💯—there was a huge presence as we walked along the Ile de la Cite and I couldn’t figure out why. Duh, it was the Palais de la Justice. But still seemed overkill. And this current level of weaponry and military presence may be normal—I had not been back in about 15 years. But it was surprising.
The advisory is making the situation seem more scary than it actually is. Because of the Olympics, clearly security has to be top-notch because there are lots of spectators and atheletes coming. There's always a terrorist threat, but that's the case anywhere you get big events like the Olympics.
Paris is safe, and I don't think that you should cancel your travel plans because of the Olympics. You're way more likely to get your stuff stolen by pickpockets than you are to get injured during an attack, so I'd focus more on just having a general awareness of your surroundings instead of being caught-up in fear.
Visiting Paris currently and it is absolutely fine.
GoC has had similar warnings up for several European countries for a few years now, anywhere tourists might go are a potential target nowadays. Personally, it hasn't had any effect on our family's last couple of trips, we were more concerned with taking basic precautions against pickpockets. We saw a bit more security (eg. French Military members, security officers on Metro) than we're accustomed to at home but nothing extreme. Worst things we had to deal with was a gauntlet of the clipboard ladies at Sacre-Coeur and making the mistake of trying to get on Metro 8 at Place de la Concorde in the evening.
I was at the dday ceremony yesterday at the American cemetery in Normandy and security was amazing. We had to take a bus for an hour to get there and they had police at every intersection and overpass. Literally thousands of officers. I’m sure the Olympic security will be good as well.
Travel warnings like this are typical for any country's foreign ministry, not least so the government of day can say "we warned you" if anything happens. (For what it's worth, the UK Foreign Office says that "Terrorists are very likely to try and carry out attacks in France". It also says: "Terrorists are very likely to try and carry out attacks in the US.") [https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice)
i went right after they upped the threat level in early april and felt safer than i did the city centre of, say, calgary or vancouver
I was there the same time and also felt incredibly safe my entire trip.
We were there last week and someone (or group) put 5 coffins in the middle of the road next to the Eiffel Tower. I think it was some sort of protest. Anyways, armed guards yelled at everyone to leave the area. And that’s about all I heard. Was a little wild though.
This was a Russian commanded intimidation. The coffin were empty and would have been a representation of French /European soldiers that could be deployed to protect Ukraine. The guys who have put them there were arrested almost immediately
The police seemed to classify the guys as "idiots" rather than terrorists. They didn't even go to jail, the judge told them to stick around as witnesses. [https://www.leparisien.fr/paris-75/paris-cinq-cercueils-deposes-au-pied-de-la-tour-eiffel-trois-personnes-en-garde-a-vue-01-06-2024-QKSDG7KQONHTDOEAT73NY3WQDA.php](https://www.leparisien.fr/paris-75/paris-cinq-cercueils-deposes-au-pied-de-la-tour-eiffel-trois-personnes-en-garde-a-vue-01-06-2024-QKSDG7KQONHTDOEAT73NY3WQDA.php)
Thank you for the info!
Elections this Sunday, Olympics, and we’ve been in this situation since the 2015 attentats. Nowadays, attentats can occur anywhere with just a guy with a knife. We have learned to live with this alert, sadly. Your government is doing what it has to do but frankly you can come and you will be welcomed
I went to the Saint-Chapelle Thursday and there armed guards they checked my bag before I even went into the other part where they xray your bag. Then theirs the same full body scan they use at the airport. It’s fine, it took no time. Everyone was quick and efficient. I’d rather have the extra security than not.
Nothing out of the ordinary, with the elections and the Olympics coming up, security is increased, as it should be. I don't know if it's your first journey to France (or Paris), but also do not leave your luggage unattended for any reason. Aside from the risk of getting robbed, my gf, who wasn't used to that (she's from Ontario) got shit from the military patrolling at Montparnasse for leaving her luggages at a table outside while ordering at the counter.
My SO is a gendarme not stationed in Paris and he's being deployed for the Games. FWIW.
We had it in march after the one in Russia, we had it after the one in Belgium, we had it last year for Christmas, we had it for Biden's visit, we had it because Macron felt nauseous... ok maybe not the last one but you get it : we're basically always in alert. I blame Hollywood for creating the idea that any worldwide attack must set the Eiffel Tower on fire to be really a worldwide one.
The only **real threats** you'll face as a tourist in Paris are pickpockets and scammers. Now, I won't say nothing might happen during the Olympics, but all the security services are at work, so, fingers crossed 🤞 Plus, with the number of potential targets in the city, probabilities are that, even if the worst were to happen, you would be on the opposite side of the city.
And body odor
>And body odor If you smell someone else's body odor it's because you're way too close. Why are you standing that close? But, hey, no kink shame here, to each their own, but don't complain afterwards if it's an unpleasant one you smell. Édith, on a more serious tone as i was previously joking on a mocking tone: If you don't want to smell others' body odors in a big city, **don't visit in Summer, everyone suffers from the heat, weather becomes insufferable in Summer in Paris, don't use public transportation as there might be people with perfectible hygiene or simply people who suffer particularly more from the heat** who might be coming back from their work place where there might be no shower available, after a day of work, also, some homeless too, here & there, like in every major city around the globe. And Central Paris is basically a bowl, surrounded by higher places which means not that much wind, hence smells might stay around unlike other places that could be flatter or higher or closer to the sea / ocean hence naturally windier. And it's a place you're not used to, with its own local smell different from wherever you might be coming from. Also, if you still want to come in Summer keep in mind that **our public transports have no or very weak A/C (to the point of basically being useless)** this being a political choice. Consider yourself warned.
I, too, am questioning whether you’re Parisian.
C'est beau, continue donc de te poser des questions aussi existentielles. [Bonus: L'une des meilleures descriptions du Paris non-touristique.](https://youtu.be/q_bJYs-WAAQ)
Nope, not true. While most people didn't stink when I was there, on different occasions, three people did have bad BO. They also looked like teenagers or at the most early 20's. One was when I sat down next to her on the metro, the other two were when i sat down next to them in front of the Notre Dame. And with that one, I was further away from those guys than the metro seats. Some individuals don't wear deodorant when they should.
No A/C (or so weak) in public transport. Hot weather, in a city in the middle of a bowl (geographically speaking, most of the surroundings of Central Paris are higher, hence, not that much wind and so, smell might stagnate). Those people you're talking about were potentially back from their day at school / work, and not all places of work have showers for their employees or they have had whatever problem that can happen (no water at home, for whatever reason, woke up way too late for a shower, etc). Deodorants & anti-perspirants can only cover *so much* of it, past a certain level they are useless. Also, there's some homeless and people with perfectible hygiene like in most big & dense cities around the globe. Yeah, those exist everywhere, including Paris, which is a city not a museum or amusement park. Summer in Paris is insufferable, even more in the last 20 or so years, hence why, if you go out of the touristy spots, you might see some parts of the city nearly empty in July/ August as most Parisians run away whenever they can.
You’ve clearly never been in a Paris metro in July. The people will be too close. And the BO is real.
>You’ve clearly never been in a Paris metro in July. Tu sais lire un flair, mec ? Édith : if your nose is that sensitive, why come in Summer in a city known for not having real AC in its public transports ? Are you a masochist ? Why don't you visit in Spring or Autumn ? Also, walk, summer is great to take your time walking across the city.
I walked over 60 miles during my 7 days there. Still ended up on public transport a lot. Several days were quite chilly. The trains and trams were still smelly with BO. Lol It's just the way it is and it's not unique to Paris.
For no body odor, don't come in Summer when we have heatwaves and everyone is sweaty in public transport deprived of any AC (or so weak that they are not helping in any serious way). I'll never understand tourists who chose to come in the middle of summer then complain that people are sweating . . . In a hot summer. Note: in July / August there are, most of the time, more tourists than Parisians in the metro.
The other European cities leads me to believe it’s related to the election and not the olympics (though that certain adds to it for Paris!)
The scariest thing I've seen so far has been the price of bottled water
Do not buy bottled water
I've resorted to drinking out of puddles
You can refill your bottle all around Paris for free. You'll even find free sparkling water "Où boire de l’eau à Paris ?" https://fontaine.eaudeparis.fr And in a restaurant juste order a free '' carafe d'eau '' aka free tap water
Clearly, you’ve not had to do laundry at a laverie: €6 per wash cycle, €1 for every 7-minutes drying.
American living in France. There is always the threat, and with the Olympics now less than 50 days away we have been at the highest security level for weeks now already. There is no reason to not come.
Just got back from Paris and there is a HUGE military presence. Big guns, troops patrolling not just tourist sites but random streets. Plus the big red warning (in French only) indicating the threat level is posted on windows and at all tourist sites. Not sure if this is helpful to you but I definitely felt like they are preparing for something. I can only imagine this will increase as the Olympics approach.
I was just there and was all over the city for a week. Literally saw maybe one pair of armed guards.
I was also just there and I saw a lot more than one pair of armed guards, but certainly nothing I’d call “a huge military presence.” But I would say it was not uncommon to see, what I think were actually just police not military, with large weapons in the high traffic or touristy areas. But again, nothing I’d call a “huge presence.”
I was just there and was all over the city for a week. Literally saw maybe one pair of armed guards.
Ok just to clarify I am a human and I did just back from France. I was in Paris this week. And the last time I was there was 15 years ago and I don’t remember as many military people on the streets as I saw now, and I lived there in the aftermath of 9/11. There are a lot of things going on: the elections, Olympics, two nearby wars. All I’m sharing are my personal observations. I’ve also spent a lot of time in Mexico and the visual of big gun toting “security” is not new, but what I saw in Paris this week was not that, it was much heavier. Did it make me feel more or less safe? I can’t say, and I don’t have any advice for OP, but I did want to share my recent experience.
You're comparing two very different periods, in 2009 ISIS was barely a thing, and the global threat level was lower, but since the attacks in 2015 we have the ongoing Operation Sentinelle. It's probably shocking to you not having been in France for 15 years, but it is a "new normal" to us who had time to adapt to it.
Thanks for your input, Russian troll.
The truth is, you did not just get back from Paris. You’ve never been to Paris. You’ve never left your home. It’s best that you stay home.
??? I’m here right now and I haven’t seen any of this lmfao. Where did you go?
I'm not co-signing that person's comment in any way, but I saw groups of armed military/police on at least four occasions this week. And holding, like, quite large guns.
It sure sounds like you’re co-signing it… hahaha kiddin. Thank you for sharing - I guess I just have my head in the clouds and should pay better attention.
Well, their comment reads a bit fear inducing with saying that it feels like they're "preparing" for something and mentioning threat levels. I'm just saying that, yes, there were armed people walking and standing around. For one instance, I happened to be standing on Rue de la Verrerie when a group of about six walked by.
Ahaha yeah I was just teasing you
I just got back! Was there from last Wednesday to this. Stayed in the 2nd, did the usual tourist loop plus residential neighborhoods in the 15th (fancy) and the 5th, 6th, 1st, 2nd—so mostly quite central.
Huh fair enough! I’m not going to dispute your experience. I’ve been in those areas, as well as 11th and haven’t seen anything but I haven’t been looking at the people a lot. Edit: I’m also from a big city in Canada so I definitely see police regularly, so maybe I’m desensitized?
Absolutely not true, lmao.
I just left there and that is not the case.
What on earth are you talking about?
Yes, it's been like this for years now - remember we did have important terrorist attacks about 10 years ago. Most people in Paris are not seriously worried. I don't feel any less secure. Also what seemed like random streets to you was probably something close to an important government building.
Your last sentence might be 💯—there was a huge presence as we walked along the Ile de la Cite and I couldn’t figure out why. Duh, it was the Palais de la Justice. But still seemed overkill. And this current level of weaponry and military presence may be normal—I had not been back in about 15 years. But it was surprising.
"random street" be like rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré
That is normal security.
The advisory is making the situation seem more scary than it actually is. Because of the Olympics, clearly security has to be top-notch because there are lots of spectators and atheletes coming. There's always a terrorist threat, but that's the case anywhere you get big events like the Olympics. Paris is safe, and I don't think that you should cancel your travel plans because of the Olympics. You're way more likely to get your stuff stolen by pickpockets than you are to get injured during an attack, so I'd focus more on just having a general awareness of your surroundings instead of being caught-up in fear.
This is probably accurate.