My 20-yr-old son and his best friend will be stopping in Paris for 24 hours before catching their train to Rouen for summer classes. It's been 15+ years since I've been to Paris so I'm sure the city has changed since then. I'm wondering what parts of the city they should avoid when looking for a cheap, safe place to stay or when touring on foot.

Thanks!

Generally speaking, the central part of Paris is quite safe. The edges of the city are less safe, but there is no reason for them to go. I suggest, if they are young, they go to the area called Les Halles. There are a lot of young people there, many shops for them to explores and some food available (unfortunately, including quite a few fast-food chains they will probably know from home).

For a hotel, you could try a big French chain hotel called Accor. Many of their hotels (they have different names, but all belong to Accor) are not very dear and they are usually quite safe and in good areas.

Good luck.

Paris is a wonderful city, but these days, i would probably avoid " Les Halles"!

Keep away from ALL train stations in the evening, especially La Gare du Nord! Beware of pickpockets! The train stations are notorious for them!

Accommodation in Paris is not cheap, make sure the hotel is within central Paris, it's safer.

Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with plenty of great places to see.

I'm sure they will have a blast!

As well as the previous advice I would recommend keeping away from anywhere that might be mentioned in a Rick Steves guide.

Inside the "walls" (so, the P�riph�rique these days, give or take) there are no real no-go areas. I wouldn't choose to spend any time around the Gare du Nord, and can take or leave the rough & ready charm of Barbes and Pigalle, but I wouldn't fear for my safety anywhere (although I may fear for my cash in some parts - again around the Gare du Nord).

I'd also say that the Forum des Halles is one of the last places I'd visit, unless I had a particular aversion to sunlight.

If your son has an early start, perhaps somewhere close to St Lazare station would be useful (there's a good cluster of hotels near there and Op�ra, although that's not the cheapest part of town). Failing that, somewhere more animated like the 4e is generally a good bet. But again, it comes down to how much you want to spend.

A lot of the cheaper hotels are on the periphery of Paris, and these areas are very variable. If you get a particularly cheap deal, there may be a good reason why - whether poor transport or just an unpleasant area. Caveat emptor, and all that.

I usually go to Paris between 3-5 times per year (I'm going again next week) and almost every time go to Les Halles (yes, also the Forum) because my wife found a shop there she likes. I wait for her in fnac and usually enjoy my time there looking at books, CDs and other media.

Both my wife and I are over 20 years and we have never had any kind of bad experience there. Most of the people in the Forum, as well as the local streets, are about the age of the OP's son. As long as he goes during the day and avoids foolish things (such as trying to buy drugs), he should not have any problem and he might enjoy the area (there is a very nice bookstore one street from the Forum, and from here he could easily walk to the Centre Pompidou, le Louvre, Notre Dame and many other fancier parts of Paris).

Who is Rick Steves? I have seen other people mention this name but never heard of him.

I lived in Paris for 4 months in 1996 and really experienced no problems. In fact its one city where I felt safe walking even in the middle of the night. Just beware of pick pockets, people doing obvious scams on the street (e.g. gambling), offering to tie some string round a hand (while someone else pickpockets you when distracted) - same really as in any other major city. and obviously don't do drugs or attempt to take a train without paying.

Actually, Rick Steves' Paris guide would be a magnificent resource, given it's very detailed explanation of how to get to and enjoy places like the Louvre, the Musee d'Orsay, rue Cler and many of the monuments.

I'm not sure I understand your post-Steves mentions the above places. Why should a 15 year old or anyone stay away?

So Paris inside the P�riph�rique isn't as bad as American cities at night? That was my concern as I wanted to go out to dinner late at night and then walk back to my hotel in Montparnasse. But I'm concerned about walking down the streets at night after hanging out at Le Coupole, Lizard Lounge, Buddah Bar, Costes Hotel Bar.

All those areas are safer than most areas of pretty much every American city.

Thanks for all of the great replies. DS is looking at BNB's and hostels in Paris, so it really helps to know which areas are good... and not so good.

Generally speaking, avoid north of city center. West of city center should be safe since that is where rich people live. (16th district, Saint-Cloud, Neuilly-sur-Seine) As already mentioned, avoid banlieues outside the periph except for west or southwest side.

I'd recommend the left bank for a 20 yr old. Hotel de Seine is in a fantastic location and is offering a 135 Euro promotional rate. It's in a very safe area, not far from the Sorbonne, with lots of action.

Bobette

I used to stay there years ago and really loved the location, if not all the rooms.

The MEIJ hostel is in a great location and has a good price, and it�s walking distance to the best cafe in Paris�Merce and the Muse!