Safety in France

Pickpockets: The biggest threat is theft in crowded spots like the Metro or near the Eiffel Tower. Keep your phone in a front pocket and never leave bags on the back of your chair.
Marseille: The city is generally fine, but avoid the northern housing estates in the 13th through 16th districts. Stick to the Vieux-Port and the southern coast.
Scams: On Montmartre, ignore anyone trying to tie a "friendship" string around your finger. This is a common tactic to demand money.
Walking: Most central areas are well-lit and safe for solo travelers at night. Just stay aware of your surroundings as you would in any major city.
Demonstrations: Protests are common in Paris and can lead to sudden Metro closures. Check local news if you see large crowds and just walk the other way.
Luggage: On trains, keep an eye on your bags during intermediate stops to prevent anyone from walking off with them.

Paris has a high concentration of street schemes, and nearly all of them are designed for a polite person who finds it awkward to refuse.

The Montmartre bracelet. At the foot of Sacré-Cœur, young men intercept you on the steps and start weaving a thread onto your wrist without asking. Then comes the demand for money and a group closing in. Do not let anyone take your hand; keep walking.

The found gold ring. A passer-by picks up a ring at your feet, says it is yours, then "gives" it to you and asks for money for food. The ring is brass.

The clipboard petition. By the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Notre-Dame, young women ask you to sign a petition "for deaf-mute children". While you write, your wallet is taken from your bag. Sometimes a donation is demanded after the signature.

The metro. Line 1, the RER B from Charles de Gaulle, and the stations by the main sights. Backpack in front, phone not in your hand by the doors.

Airport taxis. The fare is fixed by law: 56 euros to the Left Bank and 65 to the Right from Charles de Gaulle. Anything else is a breach. Use only the official rank.

The shell game by the Seine and "free" walking tours that end with a demand for a fixed sum run on the same old mechanics.

Counterfeits. France is one of the few countries where the buyer is liable for counterfeit goods, and customs genuinely check. A "Louis Vuitton" bag bought from a street trader can mean confiscation and a fine when you leave.

Face coverings. Wearing clothing that fully conceals the face in public is prohibited by law. Medical masks are not covered by the ban.

Drones. Flights over Paris and other major cities are prohibited entirely, as they are over monuments. Anything above 800 grams requires registration.

Security. The Vigipirate plan is permanently active: bag searches at museums, stations and department stores are normal. So are armed military patrols in the street — not a cause for alarm.

Alcohol. Drinking in the street is formally allowed, but municipalities impose local bans in particular districts and at particular hours, especially in Paris and Marseille.

Smoking. Prohibited in playgrounds and, more recently, on beaches, in parks and near schools nationwide.

Driving. Entering Paris, Lyon, Grenoble and a number of other cities requires a Crit'Air emissions sticker, ordered online in advance. Without it, a fine. A reflective vest and warning triangle inside the car are also compulsory.

Vaccinations. None.

Water. Tap water is drinkable nationwide. Paris's Wallace fountains give free drinking water from April to November.

Heatwaves. The canicule is a genuine threat rather than an inconvenience: the 2003 heatwave killed around 15,000 people in France, and a national alert plan has existed since. In summer follow Météo-France alert levels, particularly if you are travelling with older people. Air conditioning is the exception in Paris's older housing stock.

Ticks. The forests of Alsace, Lorraine and the Alps are Lyme disease territory. Check yourself after walking in woodland.

Healthcare. One of the best systems in the world. The ambulance service is SAMU on 15, or 112. Emergency care is given to everyone and billed afterwards. Insurance is essential — a night in hospital passes a thousand euros easily.

Pharmacies. Green cross, with duty pharmacies open around the clock. French pharmacists are qualified to give first aid and advice — for a minor problem, go there rather than to an emergency department.

Home visits. SOS Médecins makes house calls around the clock. It costs money and is very convenient.

France ranks high on the Corruption Perceptions Index: nobody takes bribes from tourists.

Who handles what. The Police Nationale (17) covers cities, the Gendarmerie Nationale rural areas and highways. The European 112 works in English.

Reporting theft. A key detail for visitors: France operates pre-plainte en ligne, where the initial report is filed on a website and you attend the station only to sign, skipping the queue. A report is compulsory for insurance and for replacing documents.

Replacing a passport. If documents are stolen, the police report is the first step; your consulate will not act without it.

Identity checks. Police may ask for identification. Carry a passport copy and leave the original in the hotel safe.

Strikes and demonstrations. An ordinary part of French life. Foreigners should not take part, and if you find yourself nearby, leave: police use tear gas, and you can be caught in it simply by being in the wrong street. Major actions are announced in advance.

Emergency numbers: 112 unified, 17 police, 15 ambulance, 18 fire.