Paris remains one of the most visited cities in the world, a cultural, economic, and tourist capital. Like any major metropolis, it attracts millions of visitors each year, whether for a few days, an event, a business trip, or a holiday. In this context, the question of personal safety now arises in a pragmatic way: how can one move around Paris calmly, efficiently, and discreetly, without disrupting one's travel habits?
This guide meets this expectation, with recent data, concrete situations and solutions proportionate to the needs of visitors.
Paris: a metropolis with contrasting realities
In the public transport systems of Île-de-France, several thousand victims of criminal acts are recorded each year.
According to public statistics on internal security, 3,722 victims of physical assault were recorded in 2024 on public transportation in the region. This number includes assault and battery as well as other forms of physical violence. CRSI
Furthermore, sexual violence within these networks has increased sharply over the past decade: in 2024, nearly 3,400 victims of sexual violence were recorded, an 86% increase compared to 2016. Banque des Territoires
These figures should be read with caution: they reflect facts recorded by law enforcement , but not necessarily all incidents, many of which are not reported.
Transport: lines and areas requiring increased vigilance
In the minds of commuters, certain metro lines are perceived as more problematic, notably line 13 (which crosses densely populated and peripheral areas) and line 5 (from the northeast to the southeast of the city), which have historically been more affected by crime. (JDD)
On a daily basis, major transport hubs— Gare du Nord , Gare de l'Est , Châtelet-Les Halles —are extremely busy. This results in high population density and increased vigilance, particularly in the evening or during long transfers. A series of knife attacks at the end of 2025 affected several stations on line 3 , including République, Arts et Métiers, and Opéra, before a suspect was apprehended. The Sun
Transportation and feelings of insecurity
Although the overall number of victims of theft or violence on public transport is decreasing according to ministerial data, physical and sexual violence is a growing concern. On public transport, physical and sexual violence increased slightly in 2024 (+2% compared to 2023). vie-publique.fr
Some surveys also indicate that seven out of ten women report having been victims of sexual violence on Parisian public transport at some point in their lives , which clearly reflects the sense of insecurity experienced by daily commuters, even though these figures include experiences over a long period and should not be interpreted as immediate probabilities. www.rtl.fr
Poor CCTV coverage and municipal issues
Video surveillance is a political issue in Paris today. During the municipal elections, a spectacular theft at the Louvre reignited the debate on camera coverage in public spaces: some candidates criticized the limited video surveillance coverage in several areas of the city and proposed increasing the network to better prevent crime and reassure visitors. Le Monde.fr
The installation, management and maintenance of video surveillance systems in Paris remain a shared responsibility between the Police Prefecture and the municipal administration, which sometimes complicates the rapid implementation of new systems.
Municipal elections and security issues
In 2026, the municipal elections in Paris placed the issue of security at the top of the list of concerns for a segment of the electorate. Recent experiences surrounding high-profile incidents have intensified the public debate on:
- police presence in public transport and on public roads,
- the prevention of assaults,
- the effectiveness of video surveillance,
- coordination between local and national authorities.
Even if elections should not turn travellers into statisticians, they show that security is a concrete and daily issue for residents as well as visitors.
Understanding the figures without dramatizing them
It is important to put the figures into perspective:
Violence on public transport represents a minority of overall incidents, and many victims do not file a complaint. Ministry of the Interior
- The vast majority of tourist trips take place without serious incident .
- Official figures are sometimes down, particularly for theft, while others, such as sexual violence, are increasing over the long term. Ministry of the Interior +1
A careful reading of the data helps to better understand the contexts and situations requiring heightened vigilance, without falling into alarmism.
What this data means for the visitor
For a visitor to Paris — whether for a few days or for a business trip — these figures show two things:
1- Transport and busy areas can generate a feeling of exposure, especially if you don't know the city well.
2- Most journeys take place without serious incident, but adopting preventive and situational behaviors remains useful.
The 5 behaviors to adopt
1- Plan your journeys according to the lines and schedules.
2- Avoid isolation at the station late at night.
3- Prefer well-lit and busy areas.
4- Have a clear roadmap rather than improvising in complex connections.
5- Be mindful of your personal belongings, especially in very crowded places.
When discreet protection becomes relevant
In certain contexts—short stays, late-night travel, crowded areas—vigilance measures are no longer sufficient. Passive and discreet protections, such as integrated personal protective clothing, offer an additional solution tailored to visitors and travelers.
Solutions tailored to travelers
For a short stay, renting discreet personal protection is often more practical than buying it outright. It allows you to:
- to access advanced protection for the duration of their stay,
- to avoid stigmatizing equipment,
- to feel serene without denying personal freedom.
Options like the V007 jacket from VEST PARIS , designed as an elegant civilian garment incorporating protection against physical and ballistic attacks, meet this occasional need, particularly in a demanding urban context like Paris.
Conclusion: See the facts, act with proportion
Paris remains a magnificent city to discover, where almost all visits and journeys go smoothly. But official figures show that certain urban situations require clear thinking and measured choices.
Did you know that physical violence on public transport has increased slightly recently, while the debate on CCTV and public safety is at the heart of municipal issues in 2026?
For a traveler, understanding these elements allows them not to fear, but to intelligently prepare their stay, adopt appropriate behaviors, and, if necessary, resort to discreet and temporary protection solutions.