France

Recommended Vaccinations For France

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a risk of hepatitis B in the country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a risk of hepatitis A in this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers who may have direct contact with bats, e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, cavers or researchers.

Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccine

**Vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis is recommended if travelling in areas where contact with ticks might occur (camping, hiking, outdoor activities) during early spring to late autumn.**

Recommended Medications For France

There are no recommendations for France at this time.

Diseases To Be Aware of for France

For Most Travellers

Dengue Fever

Sporadic cases have occurred in southern France.

Hepatitis B

There is a risk of hepatitis B in this country.

Hepatitis A

There is a risk of hepatitis A in this country.

For Some Travellers

Zika Fever

There is a risk of acquiring Zika in this country through mosquito bites.

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in this country through sand fly bites, particularly between dusk to dawn. Adventure tourists, outdoor athletes, or humanitarian aid workers are at a higher risk.

Tuberculosis

Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the healthcare field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Measles

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Tick-Borne Encephalitis

**There is a risk of Tick-Borne Enchephalitis in some areas of this country. The main affected areas are in the regions of Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, Bourgogne-Franche-Comte and Grand Est. The transmission season varies, however, ticks are most active during early spring to late autumn.**

Rabies

**Rabies has not been reported in France and is considered a low risk for travellers, However, it may occur in bats.**

Safety & Security in France

Personal Safety

Petty crime poses the main risk to visitors in France. Pickpocketing, bag snatching and phone theft happen frequently in major cities, especially Paris, Marseille and Lyon. Thieves work in groups and often target tourists in crowded locations including metro stations, train platforms, airports and around major monuments like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Sacre Coeur. Metro Line 1 in Paris and RER B from Charles de Gaulle Airport see particularly high rates of theft. Crime rates in Paris have been rising in recent years, though they remain comparable to other major Western European cities. Marseille has a notably higher crime rate than most French cities, with issues concentrated in the northern districts of the 13th through 16th arrondissements. Violent crime against tourists is less common but does occur. Muggings and assaults have been reported on less-utilized metro stations and RER lines, particularly after dark. Criminals often target individuals walking alone at night. Scams are widespread and include fake petitions, friendship bracelet schemes near Sacre Coeur, gold ring tricks, and bar scams in areas like Pigalle. Credit card skimming occurs at automated service stations and tourist areas. Drink spiking has been reported in bars and clubs, so watch your drinks carefully. Vehicle crime is frequent, particularly targeting rental cars even in small towns. Thieves snatch bags from cars stopped in traffic, including on the highway between Charles de Gaulle Airport and central Paris.

Extreme Violence

France maintains an elevated terrorism threat level. The government raised its alert to the highest level, attack emergency, following a teacher’s murder in Arras in October 2023. At least a dozen terrorist attacks occurred or were thwarted in 2023. In October 2023, an attacker killed a teacher and injured two others in Arras. In December 2023, a French national killed a German tourist near the Eiffel Tower after pledging allegiance to ISIS. The attacker had previously been imprisoned for planning a 2016 terrorist attack. France’s secular stance and involvement in international conflicts make it a target for jihadist groups. Since October 2023, the country has experienced numerous bomb threats leading to evacuations at airports and tourist sites. Terrorist attacks in France typically involve lone actors or small cells conducting stabbings or vehicle-ramming attacks. Mass casualty events remain possible though authorities have implemented extensive security measures including bollards and barricades around open-air venues. Heavy police and military presence is visible at tourist locations, train stations, airports and other crowded public spaces. Security services consider both Islamist terrorism and far-right extremism as ongoing threats. Violent crime unrelated to terrorism also occurs. Gang-related violence in Marseille results in approximately one gun-related death every four days, though this violence rarely affects tourists. Drug trafficking drives much of the violent crime in specific neighborhoods of major cities.

Political Unrest

France experiences frequent protests and strikes that disrupt daily life. Since 2023, the country has seen exceptional levels of social unrest driven by pension reforms, budget cuts and political instability. Demonstrations occur regularly in Paris and other major cities. Transport strikes affect trains, metros and buses, sometimes with little warning. Protest movements in 2023 drew hundreds of thousands to the streets, with some demonstrations turning violent. Police respond with water cannons and tear gas when protests escalate. Clashes between protesters and riot police are not uncommon. The 2024 to 2025 period has brought political crisis following parliamentary elections that created a hung parliament. Multiple governments have collapsed within months, leading to widespread protests against austerity measures. In September 2025, Block Everything protests saw hundreds arrested as demonstrators set fires, blocked highways and disrupted transport. Major strikes in 2025 saw between 200,000 and 800,000 protesters take to streets across France, with 80,000 police deployed nationwide. Protests can block roads, close schools and severely disrupt public transport. The movements target government policies on pensions, healthcare, public service cuts and economic inequality. While most demonstrations remain peaceful, some involve property damage and confrontations with police. Travelers should avoid protest areas and plan for transport disruptions. Monitor local media for information about planned strikes and demonstrations, which often occur with advance notice but can also arise spontaneously.

Areas To Avoid

In Paris, the 18th, 19th and 20th arrondissements require extra caution, particularly after dark. Specific areas to avoid include Stalingrad, which has become a drug hub with addicts congregating especially at night, Porte de la Chapelle known for drug-related crimes and harassment, La Chapelle with reports of street crime and unsafe conditions after dark, Porte de Clignancourt near the flea market where pickpocketing and scams are common, and Pigalle after hours due to its adult entertainment establishments and associated crime. Gare du Nord and Gare de l’Est train station areas become sketchy at night. The northern suburbs of Paris should be avoided after nightfall due to higher rates of violent crime and gang activity. In Marseille, the northern districts in the 13th through 16th arrondissements have significantly higher crime rates. Specific neighborhoods to avoid include La Castellane, Bellevue, Felix Pyat, Saint-Antoine, Les Flamands, Les Aygalades, La Savine, Les Bougainvilliers, Les Campanules and Malpassé. These areas experience drug-related violence and have no tourist attractions. The Belle de Mai and Porte d’Aix districts also present risks, especially at night. Parts of the Belsunce district and areas around Gare Saint-Charles require caution. Tourist areas and the city center of Marseille remain generally safe with normal precautions. Other French cities like Lyon, Nice, Montpellier and Toulouse have pockets of higher crime but tourist zones are typically safe during daylight hours. In all cities, poorly lit areas with few people should be avoided after dark.