CURRENT SITUATION
Criminality:
France is generally a safe destination for tourists, students, business travelers, and others. Violent crime is relatively uncommon. However, street crime is a concern, most notably in touristic areas where international travelers are frequently victims of pickpockets, swarm and grabs, or scams. Crimes against visitors are generally crimes of opportunity, though these crimes are more likely to involve violence either late at night or if the victim resists the criminal. Robberies involving physical assault do occur in Paris and other major urban areas. Thieves target wallets, passports, luxury watches, smartphones, and small electronic devices.
Terrorism:
Currently, the entire French territory is placed at Vigipirate level “Heightened Security – Risk of Attack”. This level of the national security alert system attests to a high level of threat, but lower than at the end of 2023 when it had been raised to the “Emergency Attack” level. Operation Sentinelle, a military program launched in January 2015 to deal with the terrorist threat is still active, although the number of soldiers deployed has been reduced. Residents and visitors may see heightened security in public areas, including airports, public transport, places of worship, tourist sites, schools, major sports venues, and large commercial centers.
Civil disturbance:
Demonstrations and strikes occur frequently and can lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation. Peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. Radical activists and vandals have a history of using aggressive and violent tactics during demonstrations to cause damage and provoke a strong response from the police. They sometimes throw stones, smoke grenades, bottles, and other debris at rallies. The police normally respond with tear gas to disperse the crowds.
Health and safety:
Medical care in France is comparable to that found in the United States. However, some isolated regions may suffer from a shortage of doctors due to a lack of attractiveness, as well as longer response times for emergency and rescue services. International travelers must possess their doctor’s prescription if they bring medicine with them in France.
BEST PRACTICES
Be careful in the streets:
– beware of people who try to distract your attention to steal your belongings, particularly on café terraces, when withdrawing money from a cash machine, or when signing petitions
– choose a small shoulder bag or a waist pouch rather than a backpack, and face its opening towards your body
– do not keep your wallet or smartphone in your back pocket
– carry as little cash as possible, and preferably low and medium value notes
– do not fight back if someone tries to grab your bag
Be vigilant on public transport:
– do not leave your bags unattended
– report any unattended package or bag to the RATP information point or the bus driver
– never let anyone go through the ticket barriers right behind you
– never buy tickets from anyone in the street, as they will make you pay more (up to 10 times the normal price); instead, use the ticket offices and ticket machines
– beware of people who try to distract your attention to steal your belongings, particularly during rush hours
In public places:
– do not handle cash in public and never change currency in the street; instead, use a “Bureau de Change”
– at cash machines (ATMs), hide your code by covering the keypad, and do not allow yourself to be distracted by individuals as they could steal your money
– pay for your purchases with small notes or a bank card
– do not wear expensive jewelry in an ostentatious way; instead, hide them under your shirt collar or long sleeves
– never leave your payment cards or money in cloakrooms or in your coat left on a chair (in a restaurant or café for example); as a pickpocket could easily sit behind you and steal your belongings
– never place your bag by your feet and do not leave your smartphone or wallet on a café or restaurant table
– do not put your smartphone in the side pocket of a bag or the outside pocket of a garment, and do not lend it to a stranger
– be careful when you take selfies not to have your smartphone grabbed out of your hand
In concert, halls, cabarets:
Avoid the Parisian cabarets where staff solicit customers in the street. Once inside, female company will be forced on you and you will be made to buy drinks at very high prices. Providing information to customers about drinks and services is compulsory. Prefer reputable establishments which do not approach customers in the street, and clearly display their prices inside and outside. Buy your tickets from official resellers. Do not buy tickets on the black market; they may be very expensive counterfeit tickets.
In bars and restaurants:
Do not hesitate to ask to see the food and drinks menus, so that you do not get a nasty surprise when you receive the bill. All the prices must be shown inclusive of tax. Do not let your drink unattended, someone could put drugs into it (“drink spiking”).
In taxis:
Taxi fares are calculated by the taximeter. The minimum fare for a taxi ride is 7,30 Euros. Beware of anyone who comes up to you in the airport or street offering transport services; these may be illegal taxis. These vehicles are not equipped with the mandatory accessories of official Parisian taxis:
(authentic Parisian taxi)
Beware of false representation:
Some fraudsters impersonate police officers and may ask you for your identity papers and money. A real police officer will never ask you for money. Ask to see their white plastic card marked “Police” in the center with a blue, white and red stripe across it:
(authentic police card)
Lost of theft or your identity papers:
Photocopy your identity papers and keep them at your hotel or temporary residence. If you lose them, contact the consulate, and in the event of theft, also make a statement to the police services.
Emergency phone number:
In case of emergency, call 112
(police, fire, ambulance)
WATCH OUT FOR SCAMS
Hawkers:
When you buy something in the street (items for sale on pavements from itinerant vendors, etc.), you may think you are getting a bargain or helping someone in need. In reality, you are giving money to illegal organizations and underground networks. You do not know where the product come from, and you may be exposing yourself to risks.
False petitions:
At the capital’s tourist sites, you will regularly come across young girls and boys, often under 18, who will approach you with a petition in their hands, sometimes claiming to be deaf and dumb, who, as well as your signature, ask you for money. Although they appear to be representing recognized charities and foundations, this is not true. They are just trying to get money out of you, and nothing will ever be paid to these organizations, but instead will be used to fund illegal organizations and underground networks. Moreover, while you are signing, accomplices will steal your belongings from your bag and your pockets.
The three-card trick:
Various card trick scams take place in streets, with for example two black cards and one red card. Dice or cup tricks are also used. The card handler shuffles the cards and asks the player to bet a sum of money (50 euros minimum), for example on the red card, which they must then pick from the three cards. If the player succeeds, they receive double their bet, if they fail, they lose it. In practice, the card handler is assisted by two accomplices who pretend to be players in order to make off with the victims’ bets. The card handler will always win, and you will always lose.