Travel, SafetyParisian Experience OmnyviewTravel, Safety, Paris, France, Tips, Security

Travel & Security

Travel, SafetyParisian Experience OmnyviewTravel, Safety, Paris, France, Tips, Security
Travel & Security

Tips for staying safe in Paris

July 28, 2016

 

Travel Safety

 

I have lived in France for almost eight years; first in they Northwest of France, and now in the Paris region, and I cannot stress the importance of staying safe while traveling internationally. Being an expat in France has taught me a few things about staying safe in France.

After the recent global instabilities, it is a good time to revisit the safety precautions that travelers should be mindful of before and during their trip.

 

International Travel

 
Credit Lola/Parisian Experience by Omnyview

Credit Lola/Parisian Experience by Omnyview

For international travelers, it is important to maintain contact with your loved ones back at home. One way good way to stay in touch especially during emergency situations is through the nearest embassy or consulate in the vicinity of the cities you are visiting.

Provide your travel itinerary and contact information to your nearest embassy or consulate so that they can contact you in the event of travel advisories for the country and cities you are visiting, and they can reach you to ensure your safety. 

For Americans visiting Paris, the U.S. embassy is located at:

 
 

U.S. Embassy Paris

2 Avenue Gabriel 75008 Paris, France

Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(33) 1 43 12 22 22 (Paris)

 Email: Citizeninfo@state.gov  

24 Hour Consular Emergency Line: U.S. 1.888.407.4747 / Outside the U.S. 1.202.501.4444

 

For information about other embassies and consulates in Paris, and France visit this Go Abroad website to find out details.

 

Pre-travel Safety Preparations

 

Before you travel, learn as much as you can about the country you are traveling either via your consular affairs office or a good guide book from your local bookstore.

To help you prepare for your travel to France, we have put a small checklist together that serves as a high-level safety guide. Please note that our list is not exhaustive, it is simply a guide and does not replace the travel advisories and guidance provided by your country's foreign and consular affairs.

 

Travel Checklist

Learn as much as you can about the country you are visiting - For, France, we are please to provide you with local guidance of Paris.
Visit your country’s foreign or consular affairs website to find out about all existing travel advisories, alerts, and warnings for your travel destination(s).
Find out if there are any existing health advisories for the country you are visiting, and take all required vaccinations.

  • Prepare your financial needs for your trip i.e. foreign exchange via your bank several weeks before your trip, inform your credit card companies and bank about your travel so you can access your credit cards while traveling.
    • Before you visiting France, inquire of your bank(s) if they have reciprocity with banks at your travel destination(s), and the fees and exchange rates for ATM withdrawals and purchases. NOTE: your local bank may provide better exchange rates than the bureau de change at the airport or within the city limits where you are traveling. If you have detailed questions options for accessing foreign exchange in Paris, contact us directly.
  • Save the address of your nearest embassy or consulate in the country you are visiting and their local emergency numbers.
  • Here is a list of embassies and consulates in France.
  • Ensure you have made at least 2 paper photocopies of your passport and travel documents.
  • Leave one photocopy of your travel documents (passport, itinerary, lodging) with a family or friend that is not traveling with you.
  • Check your health and travel insurance coverage for your trip.
  • Bring a doctor’s note with any medication you need to bring along with you during your trip.

 

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) - for American citizens and nationals

For Americans traveling to France or globally, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free online program where U.S. citizens traveling internationally can register their trip with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate at their destination.

The benefits of registering with STEP are:

  • You will receive up-to-date information from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate about the safety conditions of the country you are visiting.
  • The U.S. embassy at your destination country can contact you in the event of an emergency i.e. natural disaster, family emergency, unrest etc.
  • Your family and friends will be able to reach you in the event of an emergency.
 

If you are planning to visit Paris, there are a few things you keep in mind about staying safe while enjoying the city.

 

Paris Travel Safety Do's and Dont's

 

Safety DO's

  • Do carry a discreet bag across your shoulders or wear a concealed pouch with your valuables (money, credit cards, passports etc).
  • Do stay very vigilant and alert in all public areas.
  • Do watch your surroundings and protect your pin when using ATM machine.
  • Do avoid crowded areas when possible.
  • Do look for the nearest exit as soon as you enter any building, in the event of an emergency.
  • Do your best to blend-in like a local as much as you can.
  • Do hold on to your bags while in any public areas and transportation.
  • Do leave your passport and sensitive documents in a safe at the hotel if it is available.
  • Do carry a photocopy of your passport information page.
  • Do keep on hand all French emergency numbers.
 

Emergency numbers in France

Police and emergencies: 17
European emergency number: 112
Fire department: 18
Ambulance services: 15

 

Safety DONT's

  • Don't carry all your cash on your person.
  • Don't keep your wallet in your back pocket.
  • Don’t leave your phones or bags on table while at restaurants and terraces.
  • Don’t be distracted by people who ask you if you speak English and ask you to sign petitions, they are pick pockets!
  • Don’t leave your baggage, phones, valuables unattended or out of your sight.
  • Don’t buy tickets or goods from street vendors.
  • Don’t flash wads of cash while in public.
  • Don’t wear expensive jewelry in an ostentatious manner.
  • Don’t leave your money or means of payment in your coat hung on the back of your chair or in cloakrooms.
  • Don’t lend your phone to strangers who ask you to use it to make a call.
  • Don't speak loudly as to attract the unwanted attention of pickpockets who target tourists.
 

Finally, there is a mobile application that is available for smartphones, and provides real-time alerts about safety and security situations all over France.

 

Alert SAIP Mobile App

 

The French government has created the SAIP app (Information Alert System for People), which is available to download on Google Play Store and iTunes. This app is available in English and French, and sends out alerts directly smartphones users concerning security incidences, nuclear incidents, dam failures, and other exceptional events.   It also provides users with details on how to stay secure and how to react in an ongoing safety situation (website in French).

 

Ask Parisian Experience

 

If you need addition information about Paris, France, safety, or any other questions, we are here to answer your Paris travel questions about safety and enjoying the best of Paris throughout your visit. For all your questions you can contact us by email at parisianexperience@omnyview.com  or via our contact form.

Stay safe, have a wonderful summer wherever the travel bug takes you, enjoy your travels, and bon voyage!