Barbès - Rochechouart — Local services in Paris

Before coming to Paris, I have been warned by friends to be extra vigilant as it has become a high crime city. Every one of my friends who went to Paris have something stolen either wallet or iPhone etc. We thought we were alert and extra vigilant by putting our backpacks at the front of our chest. But our weak point was we were travelling with 2 kids and we look distinctively different, thus deemed weaker and easy target. After visiting Sacre Couer, we took this train line and was getting off at Barbes, wanting to go to Notre Dame. As soon as the train door was opening, someone apparently dropped his glasses on the floor, and suddenly he pulled my husband’s leg up (on pretext of looking for his glasses), at the same time another thief was robbing my husband of his wallet from the front pocket ! (The thief was so trained in pick pocketing that my husband could not feel anything and his backpack zipper was also partially opened). As my husband could not get off the train at that moment, I was trying to turn back to look what was happening but I felt someone was pressing me down. And my young son of 9 years old later told me, he was pushed down in the very cramped train (peak hour at approx 5.30pm). As we got of the train, the robber pretended to say, hey you dropped your wallet and he ran off ! The fortunate part of this was the robber only took the money and dropped back the wallet with all the identification and credit cards. The robber even have time to slot in a train ticket for my husband to exit ! As we were all shaken by this robbery, we decided to just get a taxi back instead of going to Notre Dame. Big mistake, as we walked along the road, there were dozens of touts selling stolen iPhones and stuffs and we could not find a taxi ! Fortunately we survived to tell this tale and we found out from taxi driver that he won’t go there either if not for the customer. He also warned us of several other train/metro stations. We felt totally unsafe in Paris, we cut short our trip and went back. Very sad that this city has descended to this state, very poor high crime city. Another experience is never to eat at tourist trap cafe or restaurant esp near Eiffel Tower, we were charged Euro 20 for just water for 4 pax and tips were demanded ! And to sum up how cunning the people in the city has become, even the taxi driver was a cheat. He started his meter even before picking us up. And our last straw was how unhelpful staff at train station was. They just refused to help in anything and behaved like a snob. They forgot we bring money to keep their economy going. But I guess not anymore, we will bring our spendings to better...

I have been staying there for a week and have witnessed "white powder" selling activity while passing through the surrounding area. There are different groups of people stationed at each exit (they seem to be selling something) during afternoon and night time. Anyway, you can just ignore them. So far, none of them have disturbed me.

This station serves as an interchange between Lines 2 and 4, making it a vital transit point for people traveling across northern and central Paris. The station lies near several key neighborhoods, including Montmartre and La Chapelle, and is close to major shopping streets, markets, and cultural landmarks. If you are heading to Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, I suggest you change to Line 2 and exit at Anvers Station.

While the station is generally safe during the day, it can feel hectic due to the large crowds and street vendors. Travelers should stay alert but need not be paranoid. Despite the hustle and bustle, Barbès – Rochechouart remains an essential and well-connected part of the Paris...

It's really disappointing to see so many reviews about this neighborhood or station being so bad. I guess many of you feel uncomfortable because those that live around there do not look like you? I can't believe how many are presuming the worst of those who do not look like them. Pure hatred! Maybe if there was a few more white faces it would be "safe".

So I made this review with a misconception...I stayed right near that station and it looked like 125th in nyc, with lots of immigrants mainly from Africa and Middle East.. it looked sketchy and I was told to put the opening of my bag towards my body. Anyhow nothing happen to us, it’s not the prettiest but it’s nothing I haven’t seen; perhaps if I’d lived there I’d be more comfortable but being a foreigner you never know....anyhow you’ll just see lots of sketch people trying to sell fake cigarettes which is a petty crime...I still think its worth to visit...