A solo trip to Paris for a 30th birthday celebration nearly turned into a nightmare for an Australian personal trainer, identified only as Djanaya, who alleges she narrowly escaped a trafficking or abduction attempt.
Djanaya, originally from Melbourne and now living in Perth, was sitting near the Eiffel Tower in May 2025, enjoying the sunset on the eve of her birthday. She had chosen the busy landmark for safety, a contrast to her usual solo travel traditions where she explored international destinations. According to her account, a stranger approached, initiated a conversation with limited English, and invited her to a party.
Djanaya declined the invitation, stating she had a friend waiting at her hotel, but claims the man photographed her against her wishes. She reported that the man then approached a souvenir seller, gave him money, and pointed at her, raising her suspicion. Fearing she was being followed, she sought refuge in a cafe before heading to the Paris Metro.
Escalating Fear on the Metro
Her anxiety heightened when the same men boarded the Metro train with a larger group just before departure. Djanaya described feeling trapped as a woman from the group allegedly blocked her exit. She recounted a tense exchange where she was told, "You're not going anywhere." The group reportedly exited the train with her at a busy station near Notre-Dame.
Seeking help, she approached another passenger who did not speak English. She then boarded another train, attempting to evade the group, but some of them followed. During this chase, she encountered another passenger who spoke Spanish. With the assistance of her friend in Australia, who also spoke Spanish, Djanaya was able to communicate with the stranger, who identified himself as being in security.
Escape and Embassy Assistance
Though hesitant to trust, Djanaya accepted the stranger's escort to a bus stop. He stayed with her until a taxi arrived, and she instructed the driver to drop her off several stops away from her accommodation to maintain privacy. She reported that the driver confirmed she was fortunate to escape, noting that further along the train line, stations become more isolated.
Upon returning to her accommodation, Djanaya contacted the Australian Embassy. She stated that an embassy employee confirmed that such incidents, where groups approach tourists to photograph them after striking up conversations, do occur in Paris. She was advised to leave the city immediately. The embassy provided consular assistance and helped her arrange an early flight back to Australia.
Djanaya expressed that the experience has significantly altered her approach to solo travel, impacting her trust in strangers and her confidence in exploring new places alone. She hopes her story will raise awareness about potential dangers and encourage travelers to be vigilant.
Australian government travel advice for France notes that serious crime does occur, with pickpocketing, muggings, and organized theft being common, particularly around tourist sites and on public transport. The Eiffel Tower area and Metro lines are highlighted as requiring particular vigilance.