Sign in with Facebook"The other side of Paris" Paris by Sage49
Paris Travel Guide: 22,145 reviews and 53,809 photos
Since there are tons of people who provide lots of info about Paris, I've decided to talk about my unusual experience in Paris.
I stayed in a dinky little hostel near Montmartre. This hostel was just too shabby and unsanitary, but what do you do? I am a poor/cheap student, right? I was jammed into a tiny room with 14 bunk beds. Imagine that!
The name of this hostel was something like friendly hostel or friend's home or something to that effect. Nothing friendly about this place though. There were so many dealers/users on the streets around Montmartre, I felt unsafe walking alone at night.
However, my days in Paris got much brighter after I met French activists working around the Montmartre neighborhood. This area actually turned out to be a major drug dealing/shooting spot. Of course there were also lots of prostitutes too. I met these fabulous people who help substance users in Paris. They have shelters near Marx Dormoy and GAIA (needle exchange program). Apparently NEP is officially supported by the government. CAARUD ( centre d'accueuil et d'accompagnement à la Réduction des Risques pour usagers de drogues) is in charge of the program. I went out with their needle exchange van and visited their shelters. It was an amazing experience. I think France has really progressive harm reduction programs which are proven effective.
I guess it is true in every large city, just like Chicago where I live. Paris has a completely difference face to it. The dark side of the fame and splendor where those who are forgotten by the rest of the world live. I don't think we tourists necessarily need to pay attention to these problem areas and in fact we don't even have enough time to see all the beautiful parts of Paris. It makes me pause and think nevertheless. I wish I could share some pictures of what I saw with you. Unfortunately, it was extremely dangerous and unethical (I would think) to take pictures of prostitutes and drug users.
Reviews (4)
Au Lapin Agile
Things to Do
(4)
Originally opened in 1860, the Lapin Agile was a gathering place for struggling artists such as Picasso, Modigliani,... more travel advice
Jardin du Luxembourg
Things to Do
(4)
Luxembourg garden is a perfect place for people watching. The Fontaine de Medicis The statue of Saint Genevieve, the... more travel advice
Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris
Things to Do
(4)
It's best to go early in the morning to avoid the crowd. more travel advice
Sage49's Related Pages
Paris Travel Guide
Member Travel Pages
- "Perambulations in Paris!"
- "London is a riddle. Paris is an explanation."
- "Three plus one of the best museums in the world."
- "My Paris: not only operas and bicycles . . ."
- "Paris"
- "Beatchick's Paris Adventure!"
- "Paris - Over 40 years of love and hate."
- See All...
Explore the World
Badges & Stats in Paris
- 4 Reviews
- 7 Photos
- 0 Forum posts
- 4 Comments
- 764PageViews
- See All Stats
- See All Badges (2)
Have you been to Paris?
Share Your TravelsLatest Activity in Paris
- Posted in Miscellaneous Forum "Re: Lousy Places for Vegetarians?"
- created a Paris Travelogue "Paris"
- Uploaded a Photo to "Paris"
- Wrote a Review Au Lapin Agile in Paris Things to Do
Top 10 Pages
-
Chicago
Intro, 11 reviews, 54 photos, 7 travelogues
-
New York City
Intro, 20 photos, 3 travelogues
-
Amsterdam
Intro, 14 photos, 2 travelogues
-
San Diego
Intro, 13 photos, 2 travelogues
-
London
Intro, 12 photos, 2 travelogues
-
Paris
Intro, 4 reviews, 7 photos, 1 travelogue
-
Central & Eastern Thailand
Intro, 1 review, 9 photos, 1 travelogue
-
Siena
Intro, 1 review, 9 photos, 1 travelogue
-
Ann Arbor
Intro, 10 photos, 1 travelogue
-
Germany
Intro, 1 review, 8 photos, 2 travelogues
Friends
See All Friends (16)
Backpacking
Cycling
WindsurfingLatest Paris hotel reviews
- Renaissance Paris Arc de Triomphe Hotel
- 545 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 16, 2013 - Prelude Hotel
- 162 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 13, 2013 - Atel Relais Medicis
- 57 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 11, 2013 - Ibis Paris Tour Montparnasse
- 37 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 9, 2013 - Pullman Paris La Defense
- 218 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 10, 2013 - Hotel California Saint Germain
- 127 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 3, 2013 - Grand Hotel De Turin
- 146 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 6, 2013 - Millennium Opera Paris
- 296 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 17, 2013 - Hotel Balladins Paris XIXe
- 20 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 11, 2013 - Premier Bradford Elysees
- 152 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 13, 2013 - Relais De Paris Lafayette Hotel
- 156 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 3, 2013 - Hotel Square
- 47 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 3, 2013 - Jardins De Paris Saint Germain
- 11 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 29, 2011 - Adagio Paris Opera
- 65 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 15, 2013 - Austin's Arts et Metiers Paris
- 108 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 9, 2013
Comments (4)
Nice Paris pictures!
Been ages since I have been to Paris, so it looks like I might be in for a bit of a shock this year. Thanks for the honest review ;-)
Interesting Paris experience you had. Funny when I joked with the hookers in Madrid they were fine with photos, as long as I gave them a few euro. Good travels, Karl ps, there is a Sage Room restaurant right below my office - great food....
You're right, there are some things we can't or shouldn't take pictures of. I'm glad you saw not only the squalor and the danger, but also met the activists who are doing something about it.