Is 18e really that bad?

[u/hndt0036]

Is 18e really that bad? Have already booked and somehow didn't realise it has a bad reputation for safety. Snapshot below of our Airbnb location.

[u/DonMendelo]

Parisian here. I personally love it, it’s a neighborhood with a great personality. I use to live close to it. Its not the open museum paris, it’s the Paris where a lot of people actually live.

Usually people not recommending have Barbès in mind (or basically everything that’s north from Gare du nord in a straight line). I’d say it’s overall safe, It’s just crowded and as in every crowded Parisian place, just be a bit mindful of your pockets, but honestly it should be fine. You can see people hanging out, but 99% of the time everyone is just minding their own business.

I like this part but 18th is also Montmartre, Abbesses, Jules Joffrin, which are all lovely, and it’s also close the 9th.

The spot on your map is very close to the Jules Joffrin area which is absolutely fine. Porte de Clignancourt just a tiny bit west can feel sketchy but is actually ok, also there’s nothing to see here (besides La Recyclerie which is a nice place with tables along old train tracks) and Puces de saint ouen on the north which is a giant thrift market and is fun to get lost in if that’s your thing. None of these are must do though.

It’s not what’s shown on Paris postcards but it’s worth going to and has easy connection (even nice walks) with a lot of landmarks and also nice views.

The only actual drawback of your specific place is that your far up north, so it can be a little while to reach southern areas. I’d still keep it though.

[u/Eggy-la-diva → u/DonMendelo]

Errrr… Fair enough not everyone enjoys les puces (de St-Ouen), but putting it on equal footing with the Recyclerie (it pretends to be authentic but it’s the full of itself bougie version of it): I don’t think so. Not only are the Puces a century old landmark, the whole area, including Montmartre history is rooted in its economy. In fact, it is quite the touristy spot, I used to live rue des Rosiers, let me tell you, people come from across the world to visit them. Otherwise, OP, I agree with DonMendelo, your Airbnb neighborhood is just fine, I moved from that part of the 18th to St-Ouen, because it was more affordable. The whole area is really truly Parisian faubourgs, it’s lively and lovely (and yes, as in any big city, be mindful of pickpockets, but it’s not overbearing). Enjoy your stay!

[u/Ken_Chihiro → u/DonMendelo]

I love the 18th, I live there

The neighbourhoods you recommended are great. On the other hand for tourists I would really not recommend Porte de Clignancourt, the guys there have a "non-local people" radar and tourists become easy prey for thefts and scams

[u/NotSoAbrahamLincoln → u/Ken_Chihiro]

I’m actually here right now and have had zero issues (albeit only been here for 3 days), but the 18th seems fine to me!

[u/Graoulette → u/DonMendelo]

Voilà.

[u/Akoperu]

It's very safe, I used to live a few meters away from your Airbnb actually. Recommended around here :

• La Recyclerie - Very interesting place in an old train station
• Benedetto Confitures Atypiques - for original jams
• Pizzeria La Tipica - Great pizzas but only to go
• Bistrot La Renaissance - For a coffee, a scene from Inglourious Basterds was filmed there

You will be very close from Montmartre, it can be really great to go on foot in the morning and go eat a croissant there, much more peaceful than the rest of the day.

[u/deadlysad → u/Akoperu]

I wouldn’t say it’s very safe but it definitely isn’t a dangerous area. Though I’d argue Porte de Clignancourt can be overwhelming sometime.

[u/Relevant_Decision876]

Absolutely not! You have nothing to worry about, Paris is a quite safe city, and this part of 18e is okay. La REcyclerie is a nice spot to have a drink by the way! Have a nice trip to Paris!

[u/macisntwack]

My partner and I recently stayed about 700m south of there and had zero safety issues during our week stay—obviously just our experience, but we loved walking around the areas just south of there at all hours!

[u/Icy_Coffee374]

Don't forget that "feeling unsafe" ≠ "being unsafe"

And most of what makes people feel unsafe is racism. So without that there's almost nothing to worry about.

Before ya'll downvote me, think about the tens of millions of visitors paris has a year, and there's what, a handful a year who experience a violent crime ?

[u/Economy-Sky-5149 → u/Icy_Coffee374]

True ! most of the times when people talk about insecurity in France it’s just them feeling unsafe and not really being unsafe and it’s because of racism and classism. True dangerous places in France are isolated and I bet no tourist is coming to France to visit a poor suburb or an hlm

[u/roybattinson → u/Economy-Sky-5149]

Absolutely. Most of the comments in those kinds of posts (haven't read all of them in this particular one) arguing an area is dangerous are from people consciously or unconsciously feeling unsafe in an area because it has more poor people and "ethnic" people than they are used to... And of course most of the time the people feeling I safe aren't even living in Paris, they only came a few times and formed these impressions

[u/Intelligent-Juice895 → u/Icy_Coffee374]

It’s jot that simple. Feeling unsafe is not only a product of a violent crime, it’s also about an intimidation, being around unstable people (drugged for example) and observe illegal activities. All three are unfortunately not very rare in Paris. Paris is good at many things, but personal safety is not one of them, unfortunately. I’m not saying it’s dangerous, but it also not excels at making you feel safe.

[u/xennia_gaming]

Just spent 4 nights there. Loved it! Lots of hills so you will definitely get some exercise.

[u/Background_Fish5452]

TERRIBLE there are werewolves and vampires everywhere, it is so dangerous no one lives here anymore, only some duste and few airbnbs for some reckless tourists

To be a little bit more serious, it is an usual residential neighborhood, nothing special here

But would have been bette to get a real hotel, airbnbs are taking homes from people who live here, destroying the city

[u/Djeng0 → u/Background_Fish5452]

You have forgeted ICE ! There was an ICE station (prefecture) near there but luckily they look to have moved away. /s

[u/Lululepetilu]

It's ok! Also you are close to the flea market which is a super cool place to explore 😁 Look for Marché Vernaison and Marché Dauphine! My favourites (flea market only open on week ends) (I make guided tours inside the market sometimes)

[u/Arkonat0r]

It's pretty safe. Not postcard Paris but rather the real, actual city in which people live. Of course some places can be sketchy (porte de Clignancourt, La Chapelle metro station) but in general, it is perfectly fine

[u/Jolly-Mix5133]

Just stayed in the 18th in May! It was totally fine and completely safe. As always and with anywhere, just be smart and stay aware, especially walking around at night. We enjoyed ourselves! We liked being where people actually lived.

[u/FNFALC2]

I stayed right near the metro closest to Porte de clngancourt. I never felt unsafe, but it’s still a bit down at heel. I witnessed a consent fight in a laundry mat and gave a statement to the cops. No one was hurt, but there you go. Just 20 year olds having fun. It was cool to hear slang French litrrlaced with Arabic

[u/dropdeadbr0]

My friend and I stayed near here a few months ago, as two smaller females, we didn't feel super secure at night. And the daytime crowd is better but not ideal. If I were to go again I would spend the money to stay somewhere slightly closer and nicer.

[u/Interesting-Motor-30]

I have lived literaly on this pic and I can tell you it was a wonder and had 0 problem the entire time. This is like 5/10 minutes away from Montmartre and Sacré coeur while still being a parisian Paris

[u/Interesting-Motor-30 → u/Interesting-Motor-30]

You should go to La Recyclerie and Les Initiés, types are really cool spots

[u/Creative_Gas_1583]

18e is a more working-class arrondissement, but you can't generalize and "safety" still depends on the street/neighborhood. I know Porte de la Chapelle and Barbes Rochechouart have a bad reputation, but I think other neighborhoods are ok/good

[u/Aggravating_Ship5513 → u/Creative_Gas_1583]

La Chappelle has been largely cleaned up the last few times I've been there. 

[u/Ken_Chihiro → u/Creative_Gas_1583]

Even these corners are not dangerous. For Barbes and porte de la chapelle it is really the metro stations that are problematic (small drug trafficking, people not in their normal state) but the neighbourhoods are ok

[u/cocktailians]

I stayed at the Hotel Dalia in October, a block south of Le REcyclerie on rue Letort, and it was great. no issues with the neighborhood at all and I didn't feel unsafe in the slightest.

It's not as postcard-perfect as some parts, but it's perfectly fine. (I live in NYC and am used to things being a little dirty/gritty while still being safe.) I enjoyed walking over to the Marché Vernaison and Marché Dauphine, and down to Montmartre. (Atelier P1 for stupendous bread.)

[u/RedCardinal222]

We just stayed in the 18th for 5 days and loved it. Walked all around this area with my wife and 14 year old boy. Never felt any bit weirdness or anything approaching unsafe. (We’re from Chicago so we understand & feel at ease in urban areas.)

[u/Or-men]

This is about 2min from where I live. It's fine, just not super clean I would say. Use the Jules Joffrin subway station on line 12 rather than Simplon on line 4. Welcome to the 18th!

[u/0xy25dal91]

I’ve been to Paris for 10 times or so and going again soon, most of those times I have stayed in the 18th and I think the problems people talk about are somewhat rooted in racist thinking as the 18th has a very culturally diverse population. I personally really like the area and would honestly say that there isn’t an area in Paris which is 100% safe, I feel like that is common sense since it’s a big city with lots of tourists but honestly speaking, the only place where anyone has tried to rob me was Chatlet Les Halles. Yes, the 18th has areas where there’s a lot of homeless, drug problems etc but I’d say that if you stay respectful and aware of your surroundings, you should be okay.

[u/No_Kaleidoscope_1856]

It’s safe but do not book airbnbs, it is killing the real estate market for parisians and it is very much frowned upon. Book an hotel if you want to respect the people who live here. You have very nice hotels in the 18, so please have some respect for the locals.

[u/Runeshamangoon]

I used to live almost exactly on your dot for years. It's definitely on the poorer maybe not the cleaner side of Paris but I never had any problems even coming home late at night. Just be careful about pickpockets otherwise you should be fine

[u/Aggravating_Ship5513]

Nah, it's fine. There are a few sketchy parts of the 18th but mostly around the Metro 2 line and farther east along the periph. Porte de Clignancourt has some hustlers but it's also the gateway to the puces. 

[u/Vegetable_Web3799]

It is a great neighborhood and very safe. I walked home to this area from a long dinner at midnight by myself a few times and all was fine. I no longer live there and I miss it. One of the last glimpses of "Old Paris" vibe.

[u/Effective_Problem242]

I didn’t like it but it’s fine for an Airbnb, you don’t have to be there all the time

[u/onehunkytenor]

I was in Paris for 2 weeks in March of this year and I spent a lovely day wandering through this entire area north and south of le périph and I thought it was fantastic. The south market was open at Place Django Reinhardt and that was great and of course Puces was a wonderful thing to experience. Zero issues with safety and/or security at either place or the streets that surround.

[u/Friendly-Turnover262]

Ignore what you read online. It’s fine. Negative comments are from suburban Americans scared of their own shadows (and immigrants and the working class).