Exercise Increased Caution
“Reissued after periodic review with minor edits. Exercise increased caution in France due to terrorism and civil unrest.”
Updated Wed, 28 May 2025
Full advisory →France · Safety report last updated
As of August 2026, Paris scores 82/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes — Paris is generally safe for visitors who stay alert and take basic precautions. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
France · Assessed 16 August 2026
82
/ 100
Safer than ~89% of countries
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
Exercise Increased Caution
“Reissued after periodic review with minor edits. Exercise increased caution in France due to terrorism and civil unrest.”
Updated Wed, 28 May 2025
Full advisory →No advisory against travel
“Wildfires in France There is a high risk of wildfires during the summer season from April to October. For advice, visit the wildfires section on the Safety and security page.”
Updated 2026-08-11T09:17:02Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for France: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-08-11T09:10:25.0056137-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Urban scale factor
City SignalCity Geocoding
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging and armed robbery are uncommon for tourists and typically occur in isolated nighttime settings outside central districts
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing is common in crowded tourist zones such as the Eiffel Tower area, Louvre, Sacré‑Cœur and Metro lines 1 and 4
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
82/100
Recent traveler reports indicate most visitors feel safe during daylight hours but remain vigilant in dense crowds, especially at night.
Yes — Paris is generally safe for visitors who stay alert and take basic precautions.
Paris scores 82/100 on the composite safety index, with strong health and environment scores and moderate crime risk; recent data shows pickpocketing as the primary threat to tourists, while violent crime remains rare.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Paris is generally safe for visitors, but the data shows a moderate risk of pickpocketing in crowded tourist zones and occasional civil unrest that can turn volatile after major sporting events. The composite safety index of 82/100 reflects strong health and environmental conditions, yet the crowdsourced crime index of 55.8 signals that theft is the most prevalent threat; violent crime, including mugging, remains low for tourists. Recent incidents in July and May 2026—large protests and riots following the Champions League final—demonstrate that while such unrest is not everyday, it can flare up near central areas and occasionally involve tourists who happen to be in the wrong place. Scams targeting visitors are systematic and predictable, with petition, fake‑gold‑ring and bogus ticket schemes recurring daily around the Eiffel Tower, Louvre and major Metro lines. To stay safe, keep valuables in front pockets, use anti‑theft bags, stay alert in dense crowds, avoid poorly lit side streets after dark, and rely on reputable transportation options. By maintaining situational awareness and following these practical steps, travelers can enjoy Paris’s culture and sights with minimal risk.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 20 Paris districts for visitors: 13 safer, 4 needing caution and 3 best avoided. See them plotted on the Paris safety map.
18th ArrondissementavoidMontmartre and surrounding zones; high pickpocket density and occasional street violence after dark
19th ArrondissementavoidParc des Buttes-Chaumont and La Villette periphery; elevated petty crime and sporadic unrest
20th ArrondissementavoidBelleville and Ménilmontant; frequent thefts and occasional gang-related activity at night
3rd ArrondissementcautionLeast safe during evening; frequent pickpocketing near historic Jewish quarter
9th ArrondissementcautionNear Pigalle; nightlife draws crowds, increased petty crime after midnight
10th ArrondissementcautionGare du Nord and Canal Saint-Martin; busy transit hub, watch belongings closely
17th ArrondissementcautionBatignolles and Étoile areas; moderate pickpocketing near metro stations
1st ArrondissementsaferTourist hub with heavy police presence; low violent crime but high pickpocket activity
2nd ArrondissementsaferCommercial area near Grands Boulevards; safe during day, stay alert at night
4th ArrondissementsaferIsland and Marais district; well-patrolled, but crowded tourist spots attract scams
5th ArrondissementsaferLatin Quarter; generally safe, but watch for opportunistic theft near Sorbonne
6th ArrondissementsaferSaint-Germain-des-Prés; upscale and heavily monitored, low risk
7th ArrondissementsaferGovernment and embassy zone; extremely low crime, but avoid isolated parks at night
8th ArrondissementsaferChamps-Élysées area; high foot traffic, pickpocket hotspots but police patrols frequent
11th ArrondissementsaferBastille nightlife district; safe in groups, isolated alleys risky late night
12th ArrondissementsaferResidential and business area; low incidents, standard precautions advised
13th ArrondissementsaferAsian quarter; generally safe, but watch for bag snatching in crowded markets
14th ArrondissementsaferMontparnasse; tourist and transit hub, petty theft common near train stations
15th ArrondissementsaferResidential area; low crime, but avoid poorly lit streets near Rue de la Convention
16th ArrondissementsaferUpscale residential district; very low crime, but avoid isolated Seine riverbanks at night
07 · After Dark
78% of people in France say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2024).
Mugging and armed robbery are uncommon for tourists and typically occur in isolated nighttime settings outside central districts
After dark, be most careful around 18th Arrondissement, 19th Arrondissement, 20th Arrondissement, 3rd Arrondissement. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Yes — Paris is generally safe for visitors who stay alert and take basic precautions. Paris scores 82/100 on the composite safety index, with strong health and environment scores and moderate crime risk; recent data shows pickpocketing as the primary threat to tourists, while violent crime remains rare. (Assessed 16 August 2026.)
Field research flags 18th Arrondissement, 19th Arrondissement, 20th Arrondissement as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
Paris ranks #9 of 9 France destinations we've assessed, scoring 82/100. See the France safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
Browse the France safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: paris.json (CC BY 4.0).