Navigation
Select Country
Map Layers
France
- Travelers to France predominantly face risks stemming from petty crimes and social unrest.
- Petty crime is prevalent in transport hubs and tourist sites in Paris, Marseille, and Lyon.
- Widespread social unrest previously occurred in 2019-2020 and 2023 over a pension reform bill. While not all protests are violent, they are usually well-attended and can cause significant travel disruption for foreign travelers.
Risk Factors
- Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and bag snatching, is prevalent in major cities like Paris, Marseille, and Lyon. The risk of petty crime is higher in public transport and tourist areas such as the Champs-Elysées in Paris. Electronic devices, particularly Apple products, are specifically targeted, commonly by teenagers, due to higher domestic purchase prices. There has been a higher incidence of crime in the summer months and in December.
- ATM skimming, where criminals use devices placed over card-readers to capture credit card information, is a notable concern in France. Use ATMs located inside banks or in well-lit, busy areas.
- Knife crimes and muggings can occur, particularly in isolated or poorly lit areas and in low-income suburban areas (known as banlieues). If confronted by a thief, it is safest to comply with their demands and avoid confrontation.
- Large-scale demonstrations and strikes occur regularly. Small-scale violence and clashes during protests are common. Widespread demonstrations have previously caused property damage, incidents of arson and significant disruption.
- Widespread protests occurred in 2019-2020 over a pension reform bill, which were followed by another round of protests in 2023. Protests involving the ‘Yellow Vests’ movement have particularly been violent in the past. Steer clear of large gatherings to mitigate the risk of threats to bystanders.
- Transport sector strikes are also a common occurrence and can be highly disruptive. The likelihood of strikes is elevated around key dates such as Labor Day (1st May).
- Protests in France are most likely to occur in major urban centers such as Paris, particularly around landmarks like Place de la République and Place de la Concorde, as well as government buildings, public squares, and occasionally in regional capitals like Lyon, Marseille, and Bordeaux.
- Official taxis in France are usually white or gray with a “Taxi Parisien” sign on the roof and a license number displayed. They are metered. Recommended taxi apps include “G7”, “LeCab”, and “Uber”.
- Public transportation, including buses, trains, and metros, is generally safe and reliable. However, beware pickpockets operate on rail link (RER B) from Charles de Gaulle Airport to central Paris. Be mindful of your belongings, especially in crowded areas.
- There has been a rise in the number of fraudulent taxis operating at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, increasing the risk of robbery or sexual assault, particularly for solo female travelers.
- Although there has not been a major terrorist attack in France in recent years, France continues to face a credible threat from transnational Islamist terror groups. Small-scale incidents occurred following major attacks in 2015 and 2018; the capability of militants to carry out large-scale attacks has diminished in recent years.
- The threat posed by lone-wolf attackers remains significant, though robust counter-terrorism capabilities reduce such risk. Reduce time spent in the vicinity of security forces, a key target of attacks.
- France is susceptible to natural disasters such as floods and occasional earthquakes, though most are low to moderate magnitude and cause minimal damage.
- The south of France is prone to wildfires during the dry season, typically from June to September. Monitor alerts to stay abreast of developments and follow emergency procedures if needed.
- The risk of unrest is significantly higher on the island of Corsica due to an ongoing independence movement, which has triggered violent protests in recent years. Travelers to Corsica should exercise increased caution and bypass all large gatherings.