The Paris Locations Where Pickpockets Strike Most (And How to Spot Them)

In this video we ride the metro with Mick, a Parisian who has used it for 20 years, to show you where pickpockets in the Paris metro tend to strike and the signs to look for. If you are visiting soon and want to feel relaxed underground, this guide covers the stations to watch and simple habits that keep your things safe.

The stations we visited

  • Gare du Nord: busy but well policed. Watch your luggage when you greet people, and be wary of anyone offering help at the ticket machines out of the blue.
  • Chaussée d’Antin–La Fayette, under the Galeries Lafayette: shoppers with designer bags are targets, and the exit doors and narrow stairs create pushing.
  • Opéra: outside, we spotted the clipboard petition scammers who distract people and ask for money.
  • Saint-Michel, near Notre Dame: a hub for several lines and the RER, and the spot where Colleen was once pickpocketed at the bottom of the stairs.
  • Anvers, at the foot of Montmartre: a very narrow entrance and exit, and one of Mick’s least favorite stations.

Red flags and habits

  • Thieves often strike inside the train, just as the doors are about to close, then step off.
  • Crowded ticket machines and escalators are common hot spots. Have someone watch your back while you buy tickets.
  • A bulky jacket draped over an arm can hide hands at work.
  • Keep nothing in your front or back pockets. Everything should be zipped in a bag.
  • Carry copies of your passport and documents, both on paper and electronically.

Our honest take

On this day we did not catch a single pickpocket, which shows the metro is safer than many people think. They are still there, though, and we hear of it happening in our group almost every week. Pickpockets come in every shape and background, so watch behaviors, not stereotypes.

Antoine uses locking, slash-resistant bags with RFID protection, and you can see the anti-theft bags we use here. For where to stay, see our Paris hotel guide, and plan the rest of your visit with our Paris Guide Bundle.