Safest cities in France
40 cities with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04
What official travel advice warns about
Terrorism
- Terrorism in FranceTerrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in France.
Industrial action and demonstrations
- Industrial actionThere can be frequent industrial action across France. This can lead to disruption and delays on roads and public transport. If you’re due to travel to or within France, monitor the media, check your operator’s advice and follow the advice of the authorities.
- DemonstrationsDemonstrations, political gatherings, or marches can take place with little or no warning, particularly in cities.
Crime
- Protecting your belongingsTake sensible precautions against street crime and car crime. Pickpockets can work in gangs; one distracts you while the other one goes into your bag.
- AssaultsThere have been several cases of serious assault on the RER line B, which serves:
- Drink spiking and sexual assaultBe alert to the possible use of ‘date rape’ and other drugs including GHB and liquid ecstasy.
Laws and cultural differences
- Personal IDYou must be able to prove your identity by providing documents when asked or within 4 hours at a police station. Accepted IDs are:
- Face-covering banCovering your face in public places in France is illegal. This includes balaclavas, full veils or any other garment or mask that is used to hide the face. You could get a fine of up to 150 euros if you do not comply.
- Illegal drugsIllegal drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties including imprisonment and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting through airports, ports and Eurostar stations.
Outdoor activities and adventure tourism
- Swimming safetyLocal sea conditions can be dangerous even for strong swimmers. Most beaches have lifeguards and flag warning systems. Make sure you understand the warning system before swimming and always follow the advice closely. See water safety on holiday from the Royal Life Saving Society.
- WatersportsBefore taking part in water-based activities, find out how you and your friends or family will be supervised and supported.
- Trekking and mountaineeringCheck weather forecasts and conditions and make sure you’re properly prepared. Do not undertake any activity alone and consider hiring a guide for expert advice. Always leave copies of your itinerary with someone.
- Winter sportsRead advice on how to prepare for winter sports. Check current weather forecasts and avalanche risks on the Meteo France website and consider carrying avalanche search equipment if you ski off-piste.
Transport risks
- Road travelIf you are planning to drive in France, see information on driving abroad and check the rules of the road in the RAC’s France guide. The guide lists driving regulations and other legal requirements you need to be aware of.
- PenaltiesPolice give you on-the-spot fines for driving offences, including speeding.
- Winter tyres and chainsVehicles driven in certain mountain regions during the winter period (1 November to 31 March) must be fitted with winter tyres or chains. You could receive a fine if you do not comply. Visit the French public services website for more information (in English) about:
- Air pollution stickerAll vehicles driving in central Paris, Lyon and Grenoble must display a pollution sticker from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday. Checks can happen at any time, depending on pollution levels.
- Road safetyIf you’re involved in a car accident or witness an accident on the motorway, use the orange emergency phones to ask for help.
- Risk of people entering your vehicleThere have been attempts by people to enter private vehicles with a view to entering the UK illegally. They may target vehicles like camper vans while stationary or in slow-moving traffic. Sometimes people might try to slow down traffic on roads to ports, including by placing obstacles on the Calais Port road.
- Thefts from caravans and camper vansBurglaries can happen while you are asleep in your vehicle. Take sensible precautions against vehicle break-ins. You should:
Extreme weather and natural disasters
- Extreme temperaturesIn summer months, there is a risk of higher than normal temperatures in France. Check current weather forecasts and read about how to protect yourself on the Meteo France website.
- WildfiresWildfires can occur across France during the summer months. The risk is highest in the south of the country, particularly along the Mediterranean coast, in Corsica, and in areas of the south-west during periods of hot, dry weather.
- FloodingThere is a risk of flooding in areas of France. If your accommodation is near a river, check flash flood watch (‘vigicrues’) (in French) for more information on current flood risks.
- AvalanchesThere is a risk of avalanches in mountainous areas. Check current weather forecasts and avalanche risks on the Meteo France website. Follow local advice before you ski or hike and consider carrying avalanche search equipment.
Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for France, updated 2026-08-11 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →
Country figures
- Homicide rate
- 1.33 /100k2024
- Income inequality
- Gini 31.82023
- Human development
- HDI 0.9202023
- Income
- $65,110/yrGNI per capita PPP
- Road deaths
- 5.1 /100kWHO, 2019
- Political stability
- 62/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
- Rule of law
- 74/100WGI, 2024
- Corruption perceptions
- 66/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
- Natural-hazard risk
- 2.7/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Women, Peace & Security
- 0.86GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
- Air quality
- 8.2 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
- Safe drinking water
- 100%of population, 2024 · WHO/UNICEF JMP
- Healthcare capacity
- 3.3 doctors /1k5.7 hospital beds per 1,000
Natural hazards
- Flood
- 7.4/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Earthquake
- 2.8/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Tsunami
- 2.5/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.
Same-sex sexual activity is legal in France (as of 2025).
How France compares
| Measure | France | World median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 1.3 /100k | 2.4 /100k | −1.0 /100k — better for France |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 31.8 | 35.2 | −3.4 — better for France |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.920 | 0.763 | +0.157 — better for France |
| Road deaths | 5.1 /100k | 15.4 /100k | −10.3 /100k — better for France |
| Rule of law | 74/100 | 52/100 | +22/100 — better for France |
| Corruption perceptions | 66/100 | 39/100 | +27/100 — better for France |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 19.7 µg/m³ | −11.5 µg/m³ — better for France |
| Natural-hazard risk | 2.7/10 | 3.8/10 | −1.1/10 — better for France |
| Measure | France | Europe median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 1.3 /100k | 1.0 /100k | +0.4 /100k — better for Europe median |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 31.8 | 30.6 | +1.2 — better for Europe median |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.920 | 0.907 | +0.013 — better for France |
| Road deaths | 5.1 /100k | 5.8 /100k | −0.8 /100k — better for France |
| Rule of law | 74/100 | 73/100 | +1/100 — better for France |
| Corruption perceptions | 66/100 | 56/100 | +11/100 — better for France |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 11.8 µg/m³ | −3.6 µg/m³ — better for France |
| Natural-hazard risk | 2.7/10 | 2.5/10 | +0.2/10 — better for Europe median |
Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.
All 40 cities, safest first
- Lyon89.8 · #94 worldwide
- Paris87.9 · #124 worldwide
- Cergy87.9 · #125 worldwide
- Maurepas87.9 · #126 worldwide
- Toulouse79.4 · #1951 worldwide
- Bordeaux79.4 · #1952 worldwide
- Nantes79.4 · #1953 worldwide
- Nice79.4 · #1954 worldwide
- Strasbourg79.4 · #1955 worldwide
- Grenoble79.4 · #1956 worldwide
- Montpellier79.4 · #1957 worldwide
- Rouen79.4 · #1958 worldwide
- Rennes79.4 · #1959 worldwide
- Cannes79.4 · #1960 worldwide
- Tours79.4 · #1961 worldwide
- Nancy79.4 · #1962 worldwide
- Orléans79.4 · #1963 worldwide
- Dijon79.4 · #1964 worldwide
- Clermont-Ferrand79.4 · #1965 worldwide
- Reims79.4 · #1966 worldwide
- Saint-Étienne79.4 · #1967 worldwide
- Mulhouse79.4 · #1968 worldwide
- Le Havre79.4 · #1969 worldwide
- Lens79.4 · #1970 worldwide
- Angers79.4 · #1971 worldwide
- Caen79.4 · #1972 worldwide
- Le Mans79.4 · #1973 worldwide
- Metz79.4 · #1974 worldwide
- Brest79.4 · #1975 worldwide
- Nimes79.4 · #1976 worldwide
- Annecy79.4 · #1977 worldwide
- Perpignan79.4 · #1978 worldwide
- Limoges79.4 · #1979 worldwide
- Amiens79.4 · #1980 worldwide
- Besançon79.4 · #1981 worldwide
- Pau79.4 · #1982 worldwide
- Troyes79.4 · #1983 worldwide
- Lille76.4 · #2165 worldwide
- Toulon68.7 · #3573 worldwide
- Marseille59.1 · #4509 worldwide