Prior to travel to France, it is recommended that visitors check for updated security advisories
on OSAC's France country page.
France is a relatively safe country. The majority of crime directed against foreign visitors, including
Americans, involves pocket picking and residential burglary. Visitors to congested tourist sites like museums, monuments,
train stations, airports and subways should be particularly alert to their surroundings. Crimes against visitors are generally
nonviolent crimes of opportunity, unless the victim detects the theft and physical confrontation occurs. Paris
Crime in Paris is similar to that in most large cities, but violent crime is uncommon in the heart
of the city. Pickpockets are active on the rail link (RER) from Charles de Gaulle Airport to downtown Paris and on Metro (subway)
Line 1, which traverses the city center east to west and services many major tourist sites, including the Louvre, Arc de Triumph
and the Tuilleries Gardens.
A common scheme is to distract the tourist with questions or disturbances while an
accomplice picks pockets or bags. Thieves also time their crime to coincide with the closing of the automatic doors on the
metro, leaving the victim secured on the departing train. Many thefts also occur at the major department stores (Galleries
Lafayette, Printemps and Samaritaine) where tourists leave wallets, passports and credit cards on counters during transactions.
Popular tourist sites are also favorite hunting grounds for thieves, who favor congested areas to mask their activities. The
crowded elevators at the Eiffel Tower, escalators at museums and the area around the Sacré Coeur Basilica on Montmartre
are all favored by pickpockets and snatch-and-run thieves. The area around the famous Moulin Rouge, known as Pigalle, is best
avoided after dark unless with a tour group headed for a show. Pigalle is an adult entertainment area known for prostitutes,
sex shows and drugs. Unsuspecting tourists often run up exorbitant bar bills and are forced to pay before being permitted
to leave.
Strasbourg Strasbourg's historic center enjoys a fairly low serious crime
rate when compared to its environs. Pickpockets and snatch-and-run thieves tend to concentrate their efforts in the Petite
France historic district popular with visitors. Vehicle arson has come into vogue here, with an unofficial New Year's
Eve competition claiming several vehicles each year. While some of these arsons are acts of insurance fraud, others are purely
vandalism.
Marseilles The common crime problems in Marseille include pickpockets
in the Old Port, occasional thefts from cars stopped at red lights, and hotel room thefts. Car doors should be kept locked
and windows rolled up at all times to prevent such snatch-and-grab incidents. Valuables should be held closely when visiting
tourist sites. Break-ins of parked cars to steal stereos, mobile phones or other valuables are also fairly frequent.
Bordeaux As a large French city, Bordeaux has its share of crime, but crime is not prevalent
in the areas of the Place de la Bourse or the principal officer's residence. Police forces are professional and responsive.
Lille Lille is a relatively safe place. Violent crime is uncommon. The most current crime
directed against foreign visitors involves pocket picking. Places like subways, train stations, open-air markets, airports
and shopping centers are the most targeted areas.
Lyon Lyon is a city that overall
enjoys a low level of violent crime.
Rennes In general, the city of Rennes has a
relatively safe and secure environment. The crime rate is low and the local authorities, both police and political, make security
a priority. The Rennes police are well informed about any potential threats and have responded quickly to any criminal problems
occurring in the city. While Rennes did experience some car burnings during the demonstrations that affected France in November,
these manifestations were limited to parts of the city not normally frequented by the authorities.
Toulouse
Most crime in Toulouse can be characterized as petty, such as car theft and break-ins, purse snatching, stolen
wallets and muggings. However, because carjacking does occur, it is advisable to lock vehicle doors and be cognizant of one's
surroundings.
Medical Emergencies
Medical facilities are comparable to those
found in the United States. Consult the local phone book for the nearest medical facility. Dial 15 on a hard line telephone
for emergency medical response.
Tips on How to Avoid Becoming a Victim Commonsense security precautions will help a visitor enjoy a trouble-free stay. Most problems can be avoided simply by being
cognizant of one's surroundings and avoiding unsavory areas.
Only carry essential items. Avoid carrying expensive
jewelry and large amounts of cash. Valuables should be kept out of sight and in places difficult for thieves to reach, such
as internal coat pockets or in pouches hung around the neck or inside clothes. Shoulder bags and wallets in hip pockets are
an invitation to a thief.
Crowded elevators and escalators at tourist sites and crowded metro cars should raise
awareness levels. When possible, take a seat or stand against a wall to deter pickpockets.
Do not leave valuables
in hotel rooms, and utilize the hotel safes.
Be aware that thieves often operate in groups and will come to each
others' aid if confronted. If a thief is caught in the act, a simple pocket picking could turn into an assault (or worse)
if an attempt is made to capture the thief. The best response is to verbally alert both the thief and bystanders that you
are aware of his/her activity. With the thief detected and others aware, the thief will most likely flee.
Adult
entertainment districts in Paris, such as Pigalle, should be avoided, particularly at night. Many nightclubs in these areas
engage in very aggressive marketing, charging exorbitant rates for drinks. Charges of 500-600 Euros (US $675-800) for
drinks are not uncommon and there have been reports of threats to coerce customers into paying these charges by physically
preventing customers from leaving until the tab is settled. Additionally, public parks should be avoided after dark as they
are often havens for drug dealers and prostitutes.
For Further Information U.S.
Embassy Paris
4 Avenue Gabriel, 75001 Paris (nearest to the Place de la Concorde)
Telephone: 01.43.12.22.22, fax:
01.42.61.61.40
International telephone number: 011.33.1.43.12.22.22
U.S. Consulate General Marseille
Place Varian Fry, 13086 Marseille
Telephone: 04.91.54.92.00, Extension 304, fax: 04.91.55.09.47
U.S.
Consulate General Strasbourg
15 Avenue d'Alsace, 67082 Strasbourg Cedex
Telephone: 03.88.35.31.04, fax: 03.88.24.06.95
Please note, U.S. Consulate General Strasbourg does not produce passports on the premises. American citizens in this
area whose passports are lost or stolen and who have urgent travel needs should contact U.S. Embassy Paris for assistance.
American Presence Post Bordeaux
10 Place de la Bourse B.P. 77, 33025 Bordeaux Cedex
Telephone:
05.56.48.63.80
American Presence Post Lille
107 Rue Royale, 59800 Lille
Telephone: 03.20.78.29.60
American Presence Post Lyon
1 Quai Jules-Courmont, 68289 Lyon Cedex
Telephone: 04.78.38.36.88
American Consular Agency Nice
7 ave Gustave V, 06000 Nice.
Telephone: 04.93.88.89.55
American Presence
Post Rennes
30 Quai Duguay-Trouin, 3, Rennes
Telephone: 02.23.44.09.60
American Presence Post Toulouse
25 Allee Jean-Jaures, 31000, Toulouse
Telephone: 05.34.41.36.50