The 10 Paris Metro Stations You Should AVOID 

I was in Paris this past June, and the pickpocketing was attempted on me, but luckily my daughter disrupted their process as they were working as a team. At the same time, I was stopped by a Paris Metro Ticket Enforcement agent three times who were hidden in plain sight and only revealed themselves after we got on the train. It's a shame that they can't have a special unit like that to catch a pickpocket instead.

As someone who is currently on vacation in Paris, I gotta say, Châtelet isn't that bad. Sure, it's *massive*, but the signage is really good and I got used to it after a single day. Châtelet is just the prime example of how Paris is all about walking, walking and walking~

If you are avoiding Anvers and going to Blanche when your goal is to roam around in Montmartre, change from Pigalle and go to Lamarck-Caulaincourt instead. You can start your Montmartre journey with Vla Léandre, see Buste de Dalida, pass through Rue de l'Abreuvoir, see La Maison Rose, visit Place du Tertre, and finally at Sacré-Cœur. This way you will completely avoid pickpockets as you will be traveling in the opposite direction than what typical tourists do and the route will be downhill - well most of it, if not all.

Rambuteau is also a great alternative for Les Halles, you just have 5 minutes walk into a very vibrant neighborhood, you can see the very modern Centre Pompidou on your way, the fountain Stravinsky, lots of restaurant, brasseries and bar along the way if you want to take a break in the day. It's just straight ahead so you can't lose yourself (unless you want to). It's on the 11 subway, which gets you to Republique and Chatelet which are two big subway junction to reach every corner of Paris.

As a Parisian, I totally agree with your recommendations and alternative stations. Thank you so much for warning the visitors!

Paris also has buses. Advantages, the views, sightseeing, and the ability to get off if you see something interesting. ❤You guys are awesome❤

I was in Paris a few weeks ago, and used most of those. I actually loved using the Metro, my wife not so much. I found Anvers so convenient for us. Used that a few times. To experience Paris, you have to experience the Metro. Thanks for your great videos👍🏻

Excellent information. Some people will comment that there are "préjugés" but I agree 100% with The Frenchies, having been to Paris many many times and having been pickpocketed twice in the metro and my purse snatched once on the street near École Militaire. We have since avoided any physical contact with anyone who has unsollicitous approach. Have avoided numerous attempts.

As a former Paris resident, this video is gold! Well done!

Good topic. Walking up to a landmark for the first time with the best framing can be a unforgettable experience.

personally like trocadero for eiffel tower. instant (if crowded) view when you exit station with arguably longer walk but with the tower in view at all times

Very informative, as always. And very well timed, pre-Olympics. Many thanks! 🙏

Such helpful huts when visiting Paris! This is why I follow you two! You always come up with the best videos when visiting Paris - hoping to make it back soon 🥐🇫🇷❤

The best way to connect the 4 with the 6 is to do the transfer at Raspail, one of the quickest changes in all of Paris, and you will lose less time than going on foot to one line at the other.

I agree with some, but not all, of your recommendations. My least favorite station is Auber because the escalator is so long and so steep that I get vertigo and have to shut my eyes, which is a temptation for crooks. I was pick-pocketed at the Gare du Nord, but it can happen at any station with those glass doors that snap shut with your suitcase, backpack or handbag caught in the door. That street from the Anvers métro stop up to Montmartre has the best souvenir shops in Paris and I always stop there to get posters, mugs, coasters and even tapestries for friends back home. And while I love the Porte de Vanves flea market for shopping, the one at the Porte de Clignancourt is more atmospheric, including the little restaurants inside the market (mussels and white wine at lunch!) and the market for new merchandise between the subway and the antiques market has some great stuff.

In the six times I've been to Paris, I've never noticed any pickpockets. Not even in the metro. You also need to pay close attention and store your belongings properly.

Quick advice : For Montparnasse, if you're coming from line 4 to take your train in Gare de Montparnasse, don't use the underground tunnel, but go outside instead. Take the exit 6 (rue d'Odessa). You can go directly to the train station, passing by the tour Montparnasse, without taking any undeground stairs or tunnels. It's so much faster and so much easier with your luggages.

That Clingencourt station and the surrounding area, with the market, made us feel we had to be super aware of what was going on around us, but we went during the day, on a Sunday to a music club called LA Chope des Puces and it was single handedly the best thing I ever did in Paris. I would never NOT go there on any subsequent trip. It was that memorable and that fabulous. As a native New Yorker, sometimes you just have to figure out how to try to keep yourself safe but not to let fear stop you from experiences that will stay with you forever--and figuring out how to be brave, but not foolish. Appearing fearful can also make you an easy target.

Thank you, much appreciated!!! Had 1 attempted pick pocket in Paris before. This advice will be so helpful since we return soon. thank you again 🙂

I'm good with public transport and can usually find my way around easily, but I'm with you - Les Halles is so easy to get lost in! I appreciate that the Paris Metro numbers its exits but there was on ethere I could not find for the life of me which was, of course, the one I needed - fortunately I just used another and had Google Maps re-route me. As for Saint Lazare Station, I stayed near there, but ended up using the Europe station as it was closer to the hotel - Europe seemed nice enough but not ideal when one is hauling luggage after flying half way around the world as there's no escalators. Saint Lazare did have an Amazon locker though which was handy, albeit squirrelled away in a weird back corridor which was a bit seedy and took some finding.

as a french man i can give you these tips: 1/ as taking the metro watch your wallet and get your purse in front of you 2/ some "romanian" in the street may ask you to sign papers for poor child for example...walk away ! 3/ near the "tour eiffel" or montmartre there's often some men who plays "bonto" a game where you hide a marble in three glasses and you have to guess where the marble is.. walk away !they will trap you with accomplices who wins every time !! 4/ if you are wearing an expensive watch or a gold collar let them in your hotel because thieves are attracted by this 5/when you are strolling with a lot of luxury goods bought in boutique be carefull if several girls ( in general what we call in france "roms" ) come to you and use pretext of something to look for your goods i hope these tips won't afraid you to come to this marvelous city of paris !

Thank you for your service to tourists to Paris!

Cite is my favorite Metro stop in Paris, just thinking of riding the Metro brings a smile to my face. Getting off at Cite is a cultural and historical experience.

We were in Paris a week ago, there were so many police officers around everywhere we went, we saw them checking IDs of folks in multiple metro stations, and as the result, pick pockets were no where to be found. Still grateful for this video, and the increased police presence may not last beyond the Olympics.

Thank you for the tips

Bonjour! I just left Paris this morning after 4 days/nights. Took the RER A to Disney for another 3 nights before a trip to Chamonix. Ok I have a super good idea for Les Frenchies. Review Paris restaurants based on the quality of their restrooms! I still in shock over the filth, disrepair or lack of toilet seats & paper in the “majority” of restaurants I visited. Even great restaurants with very good food & service have disgusting bathrooms in their basements. I’m baffled by this as it’s a rarity to experience at restaurants in the USA(Massachusetts). Maybe you would find a gross restroom at a sketchy gas station on the side of the highway but not at a restaurant you’re spending $200 at! Paris restaurants really need to step up their bathroom game. It makes me question the cleanliness of the food and the waitstaff. I’m a subscriber, let’s see this episode! Merci beaucoup!😊

This was a great video! I personally enjoyed experiencing all the metro stations but good to know the risks for future visits. We stayed at Hotel Bienvenue which was almost in the middle of the 2nd, 9th and 10th Arr. and used the Cadet (7) and Notre-Dame-de-Lorette (12) stations to get everywhere in Paris. It worked out great! The Cadet station was probably our most used and got us anywhere in Paris in about 20 minutes or less.

I m surprised not to see Gare du Nord in this list which is basically the meeting point for "gangs" coming from some of the most infamous suburbs...

Coleen & Antoine. What can i say? Another great lesson on getting the best of Paris. 22 years ago, we had to use the Montparnasse station (we were staying nearby for a business trip. We had to schlep out daughter's stroller FOREVER through the station. You tell it like it is, both the good and the bad! LOL Please don't stop, because you make the visit to Paris wonderful. Mike

L4 from Montparnasse to the Gare de Nord is the worst. When you get out at Nord you can see the lookouts and thieves eyeing everyone up. My advice: look poor, walk very fast as if you know where you're going (even if you don't) or, better still, leave 1h+ connection time and take the bus. 100% agree that Les Halles is best avoided. St Lazare - well, actually, I guess that's my favourite terminus, but I tend to arrive/leave by bus.

Indispensable information! Je vous remercie.

I abhor Les Halles, I still get lost/confused there after over 30 years of living in Paris. The arrows make you go round in circles and there are 589 exits. I like to get off at Concorde and go to the English bookshop then walk up to Chatelet.

Another excellent and useful video, guys! However, here's what I don't understand: For the Metro stations with the biggest pickpocket problems, plus other notorious "pickpocket areas" (Sacre Coeur, for example), why won't the City assign more police to these locations? If the issue is budgetary, couldn't the City raise the hotel tax slightly (say, 0.08%) to offset the costs for additional, dedicated law enforcement personnel at these specific locations?

La gare des Halles est la plus grande gare souterraine d’Europe. Je la prend souvent et jamais eu le moindre problème. Mais sur les 1,4 million de passager par jour et 120 trains par minute aux heures pleines, il est certain que cela doit arriver.les conseils sont bons.

I went to at least half of these stations while in Paris about a month ago. No one tried to pick pocket me, but I was traveling alone with no backpack or luggage (with the exception of when I arrived from Normandy and leaving for the airport). I guess the good thing about traveling alone, I am more aware of my surroundings, because I do not have someone with me to distract me or look out for as well. I was always scanning my surroundings, and keeping in mind where the nearest exit was, god forbid I had to make a run for it. Do you think pickpockets happen more to people in groups, or people that are alone?

Great advice and enjoyable video 👍👍❤️

Although I wasnt pickpocketed during my study away in Paris, I intuitively recognized much of these stations were inconveinent and unpleasant during daily commute. Very glad you've addressed and offered alternative routes/stations!

Instead of Anvers or Pigalle, I prefer Abbesses as it's usually less crowded than the line 2 Stations, Trocadero is another nice alternative to Bir Hakim. Your 1st view of the Effiel Tower from across the Seine is a great place for photos as well. Other stations to avoid if changing lines - Republique, Franklin Roosevelt, Concorde & Bastille.

On the metro, even putting your phone in your front jeans pocket is not safe. A pickpocket timed his lift right before the train door closes, so he ran off with the phone just as the train door closed and left the station. Lesson learned: when you get on the train - get in quickly and walk further into the train (not stand near the door) and keep your hands over your pockets. The thieves have practiced their timing many many times.

I have been to Paris quite a few times, don't know exactly, it may be eight times or so. And I have used some of the mentioned stations like Averse , Port de Clingnancourt or Bir Hakiim. Never had any issues there, and I never had a problem with pickpockets or other scams. Don't know if I only was lucky. But good advice to take care always.

Get a grip. I'm a long time Paris resident. The title here is pure clickbait. Dont be easilly put off. I've been here 20 years and never been pickpocketed. The claim of needing to descend to 'Centre of The Earth' for the new RER E is laughable. It's 2 escalators down at Saint Lazare and my new regular station at Porte Maillot and either takes less than a minute. Also the new RER E stations and trains are immaculate. Bir-Hakim dangerous? Hardly. I would only agree that Chatelet/Les Halles can be confusing to navigate due to its sheer size.

Yup I agree with this list. I am blessed because I've been to Paris about 10 times and have stayed there long term and I'm proud to say that I've never stepped in dog poop (back in the day it was all over the sidewalks before people get fined) and I've never had a pick pocket attempt happen to me.

For the Eiffel Tower, the station Trocadero (on line 6) is not bad. You have a nice view on the landscape and you can go to the tower crossing Trocadero garden. It is relaxing, because you go down a series of stairs and you pass by Art Deco fountains.

A much-needed video!!! I love that you two tell it like it really is! Paris resident here: I would also avoid the following stations (especially after dark): Barbes-Rochechouart, La Chapelle, Stalingrad, Strasbourg St Denis, Belleville I could probably add quite a few more, but these are the first that come to mind, in addition to the ones listed in the video.

Hugely helpful. Thank you.

I actually went to Bir-Hakeim during our trip last year on July 1 to do some métro photos both in the station and close to the bridge using my 75-300 mm lens. First full day we were there, wound up at Châtelet to catch one last ride on the MP 59 trains on Ligne 11 and coming from Ligne 4, never had any trouble finding my way. Both times I've been to Paris, I felt like I was home. We also did Porte de la Villette station when we went to the science museum, and luckily it was uneventful. The T1 tram ride from La Courneuve to go to Saint Denis was a little more sketchy, but we were okay. Also, what station were you at for part of your countdown, looks like a nice photos spot to photograph metro trains. Salut de Montréal! :)

BONJOUR!! Currently potentially planning a trip to paris in Sept again. Always helpful with your content. They helped me a lot 2yrs ago and really appreciated updates and new content like this one!! Thank you so much!!

we visited Paris in late May through the middle of June and used several of your recommendations - thanks so much for making our trip so much more pleasant with all your tips and suggestions!

Coming from Buenos Aires Argentina, Paris felt like Disneyland even in the most sketchy areas. We're used to a lot worse

Superb suggestions as always, Antoine and Colleen. Essential for anyone traveling to Paris --- and particularly those who are planning to attend the Summer Olympics. It may be worth a check beforehand to ensure all subway stations will be open during the Olympics. Just a thought. Hope you are well! All the best from NYC ! Cheers!

I went in February and didn't see anything bad in the metro. Can't say the same about the airport. The RER area was crowded, confusing, machines were old. At the Port Royal station I passed the turnstile and a man followed right behind me without paying. The RER arrival area at the airport had a lot of scammers and people who were not there to travel.

Bonjour mes amis, Another great video - thank you! I have a request: Could you make a video that talks about the cities that are immediately adjacent / border to Paris. It seems like those parts are rarely discussed when talking about Paris, but there are some great spots! Thanks!

Not me nonchalantly using 5 of these stations in Oct 2023 because I was a carefree first-timer in Paris. It helped that I did wear a sling bag and had zipper pockets, so it probably deterred a lot of the would-be pickpockets.

I live in the 9th, I have used metro station Anvers for the last 25 years and I have never been pickpocketed (but I have in the 7th). What is indeed frightening with Anvers is it is packed during the tourist season and there is only one entry, so in case of a panic…. But Blanche is far away ! As to tourists traps what about the « bonneteau » games on rue de Steinkerque (the street leading from Anvers to the Sacré Coeur) ? Avoid that street, there are others !

Montmartre was the worst one we found, loads of kids almost like gangs waiting to pick someone off!! Get off at the stop before and walk a bit..

We just got back last night from two weeks in France. Your videos were very, very helpful. I was worried about using the metro but once you understand it all goes well. Well--almost. Had a RER train stop at about 10:00 pm and we had no idea why since we were the only people on the train. We used the Bir-Hakeim to start our journeys from the Pullman Hotel. I was overly worried about pickpocketing but after a few days I got the feel and saw the habits of Parisians and just do what they do. Used the SNCF app for online ticketing on RER to Caen and worked fine on Iphone.

Other alternatives to Anvers are : Pigale : but it not much better. Same problem. A bit less though. Barbès-Rochechouard : a lot of shaddy figures but they sell contraband cigarettes. They are not pick-pockets and are not dangerous. Abbesse : the best if you want to visit Montmartre. But beware, the stairs never ends. There is a lift though. So except if you are an athlete, take the lift. Some other less well known alternatives to visit Montmartre are Lamack-Caulaincourt (same thing with the stairs), Jules Joffrin and Château Rouge (a lot of poor people there but a nice place anyway, very crowdy too but from there you can go easily go to La rue du Chevalier de la Barre which is a very nice and impressive way to climb the Butte Montmartre. And there is Blanche or Place de Clichy too, if you want to go to the Butte through the picturesque Montmartre cemetery.

I just got back from Paris. Was there with my US tweens from 7/14-7/16. It was lovely. It was almost empty. The Olympics have shut down a lot of streets. Tons of police presence and it was super clean! 😅

If you want to see the pickpocket techniques, you can't go past the 1959 film Pickpocket directed by Robert Bresson, the technical advisor was a successful pickpocket and appears in the film. Plus the great shots of paris in 1959.

These days the best way to avoid pickpockets is to have nothing in your pocket. I wear a money belt and carry my phone in my hand. If I’ve had to use cash (unlikely these days) I’ll keep less than €20 in a front pocket but that’s all. I’ve been to Europe 20 times and have visited Paris countless times and have never even had an attempted pickpocketing. The line time I was pickpocketed was on the Barcelona metro where I lost my expensive sunglasses but the guy was overconfident so I quickly caught him and got them back.

Bonjour! Les Halles station is huge and confusing! I don’t like it either. The only time I go there while in Paris is when I want to go to the big parapharmacie they have there. But that is close to street level. I just don’t get it about the pickpockets! Paris is such a beautiful city, how come the government doesn’t do anything to get rid of that scum? They are everywhere and they are easily spotted. Why aren’t they arrested or deported? Yes, because most of them are immigrants. I am not being xenophobic, it’s a fact that most pickpockets are people who come from other countries who have no skills and no job. They are everywhere in European cities! Politicians need to take care of this! As always, Antoine and Colleen, thank you for a very informative video! Merci et bonne journée!

Hi Les Frenchies, thank you so much for the tips! This video is absolutely a life saver for me! I will take your advice in mind when going to Paris in December this year.

I'm weird, so I take this video as a challenge.🤣

Nicely done. I got pickpocketed entering the Metro in 1989 and wish I had seen something like this before riding then.

We have just returned from a wonderful week in Paris, with some great tips from your channel! We caught the train from CDG to St Germain where we were staying, and it was very tight and crowded, with some stops looking obviously much rougher than others, but unavoidable to travel through. Didn't spot any pick pockets, but did have someone approach with a petition later in the trip. Thanks for all your tips, watched the video about pick pockets with my teen kids beforehand.

How much would you take for this single Paris Metro ticket? "Best I can do is two euros." Haha, I have visited Paris twice before and your video is pretty spot on! I guided my family safely through the system and nobody lost anything.

chatelet les halles is a good station, even if it's big and crowded. If you don't want to be a cible for pickpockets, just don't act like a tourist. I am alone and i go outside at night and no one try to rob me because i look poor and i look like someone of the town, so people don't mind. But i often see people who are trying to scam asians people and english because they don't pay attention, or are grabbing bags from Hermes shop. It's easy to see they will be robbed. But it's true that some ways are like jungles, scammers everywhere, they often stop people and tell them stories to win money, but at the end sometimes when they have children with them we can think they tell a true story and we want to help them, but often it's scam. But it's true that there are many migrants who are really poor, and that is these people we need to help, but the good people don't beg in an offensive way, they don't beg at all but you can recognize them because they have nowhere to go

I didn't know about Ch Les Halles. I took the RER train from Ch de Gaulle to that stop in order to get into Paris, have lunch, then get a G7 to the train for Bordeaux. I didn't have a problem. I must have lucked out. Enjoyable. My own difficult station is Châtelet.

Gosh spoils the joy of visiting Paris

Thank you, such a great video! Love your channel!

Excellent ! This is a must see video ! ❤❤

I agree about the Les Halles station 100%…I almost got lost inside, because even Google maps’ clear instructions are tough to follow when a crowd of humans is pushing you in the wrong direction!

Saint-Lazare and Montaparnasse-Bienvenue are the worst! I always try to avoid them!

When I was a student in Paris in my 20s, Les Halles was THE place to hang out. All the youth fashion shops, every kinda trash fast food (Quick, McDs, BK, those vans selling merguez frites, etc). We'd be there pretty much daily hanging out people watching. Now in my 50s, I'd probably look at similar young people doing similar things and think they were sketchy! 😂😂😂

I have an American expat friend in Paris who told me that he never uses the Metro, always walking instead, saying that it always saves time.

We somehow messed up at the CDG Etoile station. Put in our ticket, went thru the turnstiles, and walked a short way. Confronted another set of turnstiles in all directions. Folks in front of us freaking out as they used their last ticket. A kind subway worker let us all thru. No one seems to know what we did. Will check it out someday on another trip.

We were at Charles de Gaulle - Étoile at around 11:30 PM, after completing the Big Bus night tour, that ends at Arc de Triomphe. I would have definitely avoided, had I known this beforehand.

You can add Stalingrad, Porte de La Chapelle, Strasbourg Saint Denis especially after 10pm (pickpocket, drunken men or junkies,…)

Bonjour Les Frenchies! I HAD to go through LES HALLES in March! It was a Madhouse! Never again! So complex and confusing. Luckily I had my Parisian friends to guide me! ♥

Cannot wait to return to Paris next time. Visited last month, and was so lost at first navigating different Metro exits, always choosing the wrong one and walking forever

this is a great video and thank you for the tips!

Thank you both for these informative videos, they are a gift 💛

You hit my most hated metro station straight off the top-Les Halles. I have always hated that station, you’ve got the metro and RER going through there and for me just too much going on. A great alternative to Anvers is Abbesses. Abbesses is one of the few stations that still has the old Art Nouveau metalwork. Don’t take the route with the sign towards the funicular but walk walk up the stairs toward Montmartre, it’s a very pleasant walk. I agree with you about Porte de Clingnacourt-the walk from the metro to the markets (marché aux puce de Sté Ouen) is dodgy. Last time in Paris I discovered the bus. Can’t remember the number but there is one that drops you off at marché vernaison.

I am going to Paris this September, and this is my 2nd time ( first time was last year ) I fell in love with Paris. It is most atractive city. Thank you for all informations. It has been very helpful for me!!!!

George V is also filled with scammers to rob tourists. I'd advise getting out at Argantine instead, it's one station after Etoile but it's much calmer. For Montparnasse, if you want to get to the train station from Line 4, just exit directly at Odessa exit and finish the way by foot, you'll have much less stairs, unless it rains heavily... As for connections, Lines 4 and 12 are under Bvd Montparnasse, their connection is easy, Lines 6 and 13 are just on the North West corner of the station, their connection is easy. Those two couples of stations used to be two different stations until 1942 when the huge corridor was dug to unite the two. If you want to change with Line 6 from the 4 or vice versa, prefer Raspail, two stations further, if you want to change from 6 to 12 or vice versa, prefer Pasteur, although quite long and with many stairs, there are much less people and you won't get lost. If you are in the vicinity of the station and want to take Line 13 from the North, prefer taking it at Duroc. If you are South of the station, prefer Gaîté. Same for Line 6, Edgar Quinet station is just near the station, near the many crêperies you can find there. For Line 4, Vavin is very close, Eastward on the boulevard. To visit Montmartre, prefer going from Line 12 at Lamarck or Abesses, you can go downhill from there. For Châtelet/Les Halles changes, if you come from Line 7 and want to change with Line 4, prefer taking another ticket, exit near the Seine, cross the bridge and take Line 4 at Cité, the transfer is approx the same distance but has the benefit of the view and not that many stairs and corridors. Line 7 also has nearby stations at Pont Neuf, Palais Royal or Pont Marie. Lines 11 and 1, prefer Hôtel de Ville. For St Lazare area, if you are coming from Line 3 to take RER E, change at Havre Caumartin, Line 3 maps don't mention that transfer -showed only from Line 9 but it will take you from the Line 9 platforms to a direct entrance to RER E, it's much more convenient than in St Lazare. St Lazare transfers are as follows: 3 to 13 and 14 : easy. 3 to 12, long, Line 12 is on the other side of the concourse, Line 13 being right in the middle and Line 3 to the West. Line 9 is a side addition via Line 14 platforms, if you are on Line 3 to change to 9, prefer Havre Caumartin, it's very short. Also between Line 3 and RER A at Auber, in one direction, prefer changing at Opéra and on the other at Havre Caumartin for shorter transfers, the RER station is filling the gap between those two metro stations. One other station I would recommend to avoid for Tourists is République, very dirty, badly maintained and sketchy people (and a lot of protesters as well). Lines 5 to 8, better take Bastille although it can be quite long there, Line 5 to 9, Oberkampf is much better unless you don't like stairs but it's way shorter and less crowded. Lines 3 to 11, prefer Arts & Métiers, much shorter and less crowded. To take metros, Line 3 has the Temple station very nearby (less used station on Line 3), Line 5 also has Jacques Bonsergent, Line 8 has Filles du Calvaire. If you are in the Opera or Palais Royal sector, prefer Pyramides to Opéra, that stations features step free access for the ticket hall and Line 14, that line offers lots of transfers and is very fast from one side of the city to the other, also, it recently gave access to Orly airport.

Instead of Saint-Lazare, don’t use Opéra, use Madeleine or Havre-Caumartin, which are much closer to Saint-Lazare. Just IMHO. I live in those “dreaded” northern suburbs (which I promise is not all sketchy) so I’m in Saint-Lazare pretty much every day of the week, and it’s not really that confusing, but it felt a bit overwhelming the first time I went there, so I get it!

Lol you are spot on about Bir Hakeim. When I was there, I was like "is this the station closest to the Eiffel? Why is it so ugly and difficult to use?"

I won’t have a word said about St Lazare, it was my local station for 2 years when I worked in Paris, how very dare you Madame 😂

Thanks again ! great video,, I used Absesses instead of Anvers last trip,, no uphill climb ! Reservations made for Le Petit Pontoise and Camille per your recent video Thanks again !

These videos have been brilliant - I was in Paris for two weeks in June and felt really prepared thanks to Les Frenchies - had a great trip and no problems mostly from following the advice on this channel

As a Parisian I'm shocked Stalingrad didn't show up in your list!

I wish I had this video from when I went in January. I was pickpocketed at the Anvers statin in Montemartre

" down and down and down to the center of the earth " sounds so scary!. I love your videos. They're so informative

I went to Les Halle’s just so I could see what you were talking about. 😊

Abbesses after a long day walking in Paris… ;)

Another negative, you get no idea the layout of the city. The bus gives you a chance to learn your way around.

Great video! Random Paris question I can't find the answer to: I was in Paris in April, and I walked past La Madeleine Church on the way to dinner. Why does it look so dirty and abandoned?? I was shocked since Paris is a city that cares very much about it's monuments. I couldn't believe that such a beautiful and historic building would look so uncared for. Does anyone know what's going on with La Madeleine?

Absolutely avoid Chatelet….takes forever to get to the next line. Try Hotel de Ville instead…just a short walk away.

I'm a hard-core Parisian. I totally agree with your list. For example, I always use the Etienne Marcel trick (you shouldn't have told, now lots of people will come ;-) I use the very big stations like Chatelet, Montparnasse or Saint-Lazare only when I know the way accross and that I can have a short connection (you learn some tricks when you use the metro a lot for decades...). There is one which is my least favorite of all which is not on your list : Auber. I had to take it for a while (there was no other connection possible without considerable delays) and it was awful. But I reckon there are not many tourists there : a lot of touristy places around but a lot of better stations to go there. And I confess that I've not been there since the renovations a few years ago.

Saint Lazare was my entry into Paris... I knew it off by heart. In Madrid Metro Stations are far more accessible.