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By Anne Lowrey
As a female traveling solo to France annually, often my biggest worry is what kind of wine to order with my meal or how to properly ask for something in French. Personally I have felt fairly safe in most areas of France, including Paris, during all of my many visits.
Yet since the string of terrorist attacks in Paris and Nice and across the country, I’ve found myself feeling nervous for the first time in a decade. France is one of the most touristed places in the world, yet the country remains in a state of emergency and has seen as much as a 30 percent decline in tourism. Which leads us to ask: how safe is it to travel in France now, and what does a female traveler need to know?
France IS Safe Overall
Let me begin by saying that I grew up in a very small, safe town and I now live in the city of San Francisco. It depends on your perspective, but I find France to be one of the safest countries (of of 50+) that I’ve been to around the world. I’ll often walk home alone, or even take the Velib (public bike system) through the streets of Paris at night. I feel much safer at night in most parts of Paris than I do in areas of my own city. Police presence is often high, and though like any city there are places to avoid, Paris and the rest of France poses no more threat than other countries.
The concern tends to come in regarding the potential for terrorist attacks. Though there have been numerous in the past few years, the odds of one happening to you during your trip are very, very slim. Recent adjustments that I made on my latest trip included additional awareness on public transportation and knowledge of emergency systems, but otherwise the biggest threat to your trip is your own anxiety. I personally wouldn’t hesitate to go because of that fear alone.
Most Memorable Experiences
Paris is at the top of my list of favorite cities in the world. I’ve made the mistake of visiting France repeatedly without leaving Paris. And while there is so much to see and it’s tempting to stay in Paris alone, there is much more to do outside of the capital. Cities like Bordeaux and areas like Provence, Normandy, Alsace…these are some of the most beautiful places in France and I’ve generally found that I tend to have even less safety concerns in smaller towns and cities.
My personal favorites lately have been Bordeaux and the Sud-Ouest, including Cap Ferret and Arcachon Bay, as well as the small towns of Provence in the south of France. Most of the regions in France are accessible via a short train ride from Paris. Check out Aix-en-Provence, Arles, and Avignon if Provence interests you.
In Case of Emergency
Though the French aren’t known for their friendliness, I have found that any concerns I have are always taken seriously and I wouldn’t hesitate to ask for help in a crisis.
Prepare yourself with knowledge of your country’s embassy location and the emergency number to call (which is 112.) If you’re seeking advanced knowledge, there’s an app called ‘SAIP’ that alerts to any threats (though it is in French.) It may also be a good idea to purchase travel insurance.
My Biggest France Safety Tips
– Be aware of your surroundings, particularly at night and on public transportation
– Learn about which parts of Paris and Nice to avoid, especially at night. If you feel uncomfortable, I suggest walking into a cafe and asking for help or reexamining your route.
– If you’re nervous at night in Paris, you can take a cab door-to-door (you can even take Uber now without speaking any French.)
Other Tips
One of the reasons that I first fell in love with France was how comfortable I felt as a solo woman traveling there. It is not only acceptable but celebrated to linger for long hours alone at a sidewalk cafe, or reading by yourself in a park. Armed with a few safety precautions and a bit of knowledge, (plus a few attempts at speaking basic French,) it’s hard to imagine a more pleasant place to travel solo.
As with any destination, it’s best to blend in as much as you feel comfortable doing. For me, this means dressing modestly and in France, mostly in neutral colors.
The most frustrating thing for me traveling in France has been the language (I speak only basic French.) Knowing to say “bonjour” or “bonsoir” upon entering an establishment and “merci, au revoir” upon leaving has done wonders for the way I interact in France.
France is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. There’s a reason so many travelers go. A few extra precautions and some heightened awareness will help you steer clear of the majority of threats.
Source: gogobot.com