Safety in France
Expats need not be overly concerned about their level of personal safety in France. The land of wine and cheese is not thought to be a dangerous place, and statistics support this perception.
As of 2010, homicide rates were at an all-time low since 2002, and the general crime rate, as a whole, dropped by a further 3 percent (reported by the Ministry of the Interior).
Expats should, though, be wary of the threat of petty theft in crowded, touristic areas and on metro lines frequented by foreign travellers. In Paris in particular, the train line that runs from the airport to the city centre and the line that runs east to west across the city are known to be favoured by pickpockets.
By simply being mindful of your belongings and aware of your surroundings, however, you can deflect the advances of thieves. Otherwise, no extra security precautions need be taken in either urban centres or rural villages aside from normal best practice.
Safety tips in France
- Lock the doors and windows to your home and car when away
- Do not leave valuables in plain view in your car or in your house
Expats can look forward to walking safely through most streets unaccompanied after dark, and in fact, strolling the well-lit French lanes and alleyways after sunset and watching the European nightlife unfold before you is a fantastic pleasure.
The large urban centres will, of course, have some areas that are best-avoided, but if you travel in a group, even these problem spots are not risky.
Women report feeling safe in France, and generally, any unwanted advances made by men can be curtailed with a swift and confident “I’m not interested.” or “No.”
In the case of emergencies dial 18 from a landline telephone in France, or dial 15 to be connected to SAMU, a specialised emergency service that works closely alongside the most prominent public hospitals.
