You are looking for accommodation or a hotel and want to know the most dangerous neighborhoods to avoid in 93 and Saint-Denis.

It is true that Seine-Saint-Denis is a department which has crime problems in its districts and cities but also in the city of Saint-Denis.

Although the situation varies by area, several areas are considered particularly dangerous and should be avoided.

Here is a guide to the red light districts of 93, the districts to avoid in Seine Saint Denis and Saint-Denis and the safest areas to stay.

Is 93 a dangerous department?

Although it is difficult to obtain precise and up-to-date figures for each district, Seine-Saint-Denis as a whole has crime rates well above the national average.

Saint-Denis, in particular, ranks among the least safe cities in France.

Indeed, according to the city-data ranking By 2024, Saint-Denis is the 6th most dangerous city in France, just after Lille, Bordeaux , Paris, Rouen and Puteaux.

Seine-Saint-Denis as a whole remains ranked as the 3rd department in France with the most crimes and offenses per inhabitant in 2024.

Most dangerous neighborhoods in Seine-Saint-Denis

Among the neighborhoods known to be the most difficult in the 93, the following 7 areas are the most dangerous:

• Plaine Saint-Denis
• The northern districts of Saint-Denis
• Some areas of Aubervilliers
• Red light districts of La Courneuve
• Sensitive areas of Bobigny
• Sensitive areas of Aulnay-sous-Bois

These neighborhoods are often the subject of particular attention from the authorities due to recurring problems linked to delinquency and social tensions.

Red light districts in the 93

In Seine-Saint-Denis there are many cities or districts classified as sensitive according to the following criteria:

• Level 1: Sensitive Lawless Neighborhoods (QSN)
• Level 2: Very Difficult Sensitive Neighborhoods (QSTD)
• Level 3: Difficult Sensitive Neighborhoods (QSD)
• Level 4: Problematic Sensitive Neighborhoods (QSP)
• Sensitive Urban Areas (ZUS)
• Priority Security Zones (ZSP)
• Priority Neighborhoods of the Urban Policy (QPV): Since 2014, QPVs have replaced ZUS.

The following neighborhoods should be avoided because they are the most sensitive cities, called red light districts of 93:

• Aulnay-sous-Bois: The Wind Rose, Emmaüs City, Le Merisier, The Ponds
• Between Saint-Denis and Aubervilliers: Le Landy
• Saint-Denis: The Francs Moisins and Gabriel perished
• North of Saint-Denis: The Cosmonauts
• Sevran: The Beaudottes
• Clichy-sous-Bois/Montfermeil: The Large Complex
• Stains: The Clos Saint-Lazare
• La Courneuve: City of 4000
• Aubervilliers: The 4 Paths City
• Epinay-sur-Seine: Orgemont
• Le Blanc-Mesnil: The Tilleuls and northern districts
• Pierrefitte-sur-Seine: The Poets
• Montfermeil: The city of Bosquets

Neighborhoods to avoid in Saint-Denis

Saint-Denis is the largest city in Seine-Saint-Denis (93). It is regularly cited among the most difficult in terms of crime and social problems.

According to some rankings, the northern districts of Saint-Denis are considered to be among the most sensitive areas (level 2 on a scale of 4), while the city center/Basilica is classified at level 3:

• Northern districts in particular:
  • Franc-Moisin: One of the most disadvantaged neighborhoods, classified as a Sensitive Urban Zone (ZUS). It faces serious problems of delinquency and trafficking.
  • Floréal-Saussaie-Courtille: Group of estates to the northwest of the city classified as ZUS.
  • Allende City
  • Fairy
  • Langevin
  • Stalingrad
  • Politzer
  • Semard
  • Delaune
  • Guynemer
• City center / Basilica

Where is the best place to stay in Seine Saint Denis?

According to information published in 2024, here are the cities in Seine-Saint-Denis that stand out in terms of safety and quality of life:

Gagny

Gagny is considered one of the safest cities in the department. This small suburban town of 36 inhabitants, located in the east of Seine-Saint-Denis, records the fewest crimes and offenses recorded in the department.

Neuilly-Plaisance

Neuilly-Plaisance comes just behind Gagny in the ranking of the safest cities. It is a quiet city appreciated for its family atmosphere.

Gournay sur Marne

Gournay-sur-Marne gets the highest score in a ranking of cities where life is good in Seine-Saint-Denis. Although smaller, it seems to offer a very good quality of life.

Raincy

Le Raincy comes in second place among the safest cities in the 93. It is a residential city renowned for its pleasant living environment.

Montreuil

Although larger and more urban, Montreuil ranks high in the 2024 ranking of cities where life is good in Seine-Saint-Denis. It offers a good compromise between urban dynamism and quality of life.

These cities seem to offer a good balance between safety, pleasant living environment and proximity to Paris. It is however important to note that the perception of safety can vary according to the neighborhoods within the same city. A visit on site remains recommended before settling in as well as the expertise of a real estate agency.

It is important to note that perceptions of safety can vary among individuals and that neighborhood situations change over time.

Which hotel to choose in 93?

If you are looking for a hotel outside the dangerous areas of Seine Saint Denis, I recommend the Zenao Aparthotels.

Indeed, it is located in Le Raincy, 14 km from Gare du Nord, Gare de l'Est and Stade de France. It is an aparthotel with accommodation with kitchen.

Image attribution: Chabe01, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 and Guilhem Vellut from Paris, France, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons