Discover the Safest Places in Paris for Expats
Are you thinking about moving to Paris? Living in the French capital, you’ll be able to discover a favorite neighborhood boulangerie or café, go shopping in local markets, and experience life as a Parisian. Yet among the unforgettable moments you’d like to create, you probably don’t dream of having to contact the French police because you’ve been the victim of a crime. Learning about the safest neighborhoods in Paris will help you stay secure during your time in this wonderful city.
Paris, like other big international cities, has its share of crime. However, there are parts of the city where you’re much less likely to experience theft, assault, or burglary. Read on to find a safe area where you can still experience all the charms of Parisian life.
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Is It Safe to Take the Métro in Paris?
Wherever you opt to settle down in Paris, you’ll probably still want to see other parts of the city.
If you choose to use public transport, keep in mind that it can be dangerous, even in the safest areas of Paris.
This is particularly true for women. A 2019 report from the Paris mayor’s office stated that 43 percent of serious violence experienced by women took place on public transport.
That said, public transportation is still a convenient way to get around Paris, and there are steps you can take to make it safer.
Before heading to a new destination, look up the route online, so you know what to expect. Pay attention during your trip so you know where you are.
Note the location of the nearest exits on your Métro car or in the train station. Look at the people close to you.
If someone makes you uncomfortable, move away (don’t worry about being impolite). With these precautions, your Métro and bus trips will be much safer.
How We Chose The Safest Neighborhoods in Paris
Paris is divided into twenty administrative districts known as “arrondissements.” The arrondissements spiral outward, so arrondissements with lower numbers are closest to the center of the city, while those with higher numbers are on the outskirts of Paris.
The French Interior Ministry tracks annual crime statistics across the country and its overseas territories. For Paris, these statistics are broken down by arrondissement.
The safest areas to live in Paris were determined by checking the 2022 rates for violent theft (without a weapon), non-familial assault and battery, home burglary, and intentional destruction of property.
These statistics are from an annual report by the French Ministry of the Interior on the geography of crime in France.
The Safest Neighborhoods in Paris for Expats
The safest places in Paris are all the outer arrondissements. The city center is a draw for tourists, which in turn attracts those who prey on them.
Though you may not be planning to live as a tourist, as a newcomer to Paris, you’ll probably act a bit like one. You may need a map to find your way around, or you might have to stop and ask for directions.
These outer arrondissements are safer places because you’ll be at less risk from pickpockets and thieves as you adapt to living in Paris.
Keep in mind that even an arrondissement with low crime rates may have less safe neighborhoods, or “quartiers.” If possible, visit the area before committing to a long-term rental or lease.
If you can’t visit and your French or Google Translate skills are good, social media sites such as Ville-Idéale can provide local perspectives on the safest neighborhoods in Paris.
14th Arrondissement
Which arrondissement is the safest in Paris? It’s the 14th. The 14th is located in the southern part of Paris. It’s on the Left Bank (“Rive Gauche”) of the Seine, the river that divides the north and south of the city.
The area has welcoming cafés and bistros, but is otherwise mostly residential. People living here experience less crime compared to other parts of Paris.
It has the lowest rate of violent theft, as well as low rates for burglary, property destruction, and assault and battery.
15th Arrondissement
The 15th arrondissement consistently ranks among the safest neighborhoods in Paris, offering a family-friendly atmosphere and excellent local amenities.
Located in the southwest of Paris on the Left Bank, it is one of the most populated arrondissements in the city, with busy markets and plenty of neighborhood cafés.
If you want a place to get to know your Parisian neighbors, this is it. Your living choices here include both picturesque 19th-century buildings and more modern apartments.
Plus, it’s family-friendly and one of the safest places in Paris. In 2022, this arrondissement had the lowest rates of assault and battery and property destruction.
13th Arrondissement
The 13th arrondissement is in the southeast of Paris, on the Left Bank. Living in the 13th will give you the chance to experience a different side of Paris. It has street art, the city’s biggest Chinatown, and modern architecture.
Of course, it is still Paris, so you’ll also find numerous cafés and restaurants to enjoy, particularly in the village-like Butte-aux-Cailles neighborhood.
The 13th also provides security against low rates for violent theft and home burglary.
11th Arrondissement
The densely populated 11th arrondissement is on the Right Bank (“Rive Droite”) of Paris. It had the lowest home burglary rates in Paris in 2022.
It also has a diverse array of cafés and restaurants, as well as craft breweries and coffee roasters. Plus, there are plenty of nightlife options.
Given all this, it’s no surprise that the 11th has attracted a young, diverse group of residents, many of whom work in creative industries.
20th Arrondissement
The 20th arrondissement is on the Right Bank side of Paris, at the easternmost part of the city.
This arrondissement has beautiful parks, including the Parc du Belleville, and the famous Père-Lachaise cemetery, where luminaries like Édith Piaf and Jim Morrison are buried.
It also has low rates of violent theft, assault and battery, and burglary. However, if you consider living here, keep in mind that this arrondissement borders the 19th, which is one of the least safe arrondissements in Paris.
There are also spots in the 20th where some locals feel less safe, such as the Père-Lachaise neighborhood.
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Other Safe Places in Paris
Beyond these top arrondissements, other well-known areas also rank among the safest neighborhoods in Paris, offering a strong balance of security, amenities, and expat-friendly living.
Is the Latin Quarter in Paris Safe?
Most of the Latin Quarter is in the 5th arrondissement, which is among the safest places to live in Paris. It’s on the Left Bank in the center of the city and offers wonderful cafés and bookshops.
If you don’t want to be in an outer arrondissement but still want security, the 5th is a good choice. It has low rates for assault and battery and violent theft.
The only issue that kept the 5th from a top placement is its higher burglary rate compared to the arrondissements listed above.
Part of the Latin Quarter is located in the 5th arrondissement’s neighbor, the 6th. The 6th arrondissement is home to cafés that once welcomed literary legends like Ernest Hemingway and Simone de Beauvoir.
It’s also where you’ll find the beautiful Jardin du Luxembourg. The 6th is a relatively safe part of the city, but its burglary rate for 2022 was even higher than in the 5th arrondissement.
Is the 16th Arrondissement in Paris Safe?
The 16th arrondissement is in western Paris on the Right Bank. This arrondissement is the largest in the city.
If you’d like to have a woodland area at your disposal during your time in Paris, you’ll find the beautiful and expansive Bois du Boulogne here (though keep in mind that the Bois du Boulogne is not a safe area to visit at night).
The 16th arrondissement is also home to the International School of Paris, which uses English for its language of instruction.
It has low crime rates, though they are higher here than in the very safest areas of Paris.
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Vanessa Chiasson is an award-winning Canadian travel writer with over ten years of experience. Her work has appeared in major publications, and she draws on living in France, Ireland, England, and Malawi to bring global insight to her stories.
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