France

We advise you to exercise normal security precautions. Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.

There is an ongoing threat of terrorist attack in France. In recent years, French authorities have arrested a number of people on terrorism-related charges and made statements about the heightened risk of terrorist attack in France. Terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate and could target places frequented by tourists.

The French Government maintains high security in a range of public venues including airports, train stations, local public transport systems, government ministries, popular tourist sites, major shopping districts, and foreign embassies and consulates across the country. It is normal to see police officers accompanied by armed military personnel in such locations. On 12 January 2013, the French government increased security measures around transport and public buildings following the commencement of French military operations in Mali. The French police conduct random identity checks, particularly at border crossings. Under French law you are required to carry photo I.D at all times.

In recent years, terrorist attacks have occurred in a number of European cities, such as Glasgow, London, Madrid, and Moscow. Targets have included public transport and transport hubs, and public places frequented by foreigners. In addition, a number of planned attacks have been disrupted by European security services, underscoring the continuing interest of terrorist in attacking European locations.

In mid-March 2012, a series of shootings occurred in Toulouse and Montauban, south-west France. Seven people were killed in the attacks.

On 21 March 2012, a bomb exploded outside the Indonesian Embassy in Paris causing significant damage within a 50 metre radius. No injuries were reported.

The Basque terrorist group ETA is believed to have conducted terrorist activities in France. ETA announced the end of its violent campaign on 20 October 2011.

The National Front for the Liberation of Corsica (FLNC) has been conducting a sporadic bombing campaign in Corsica for several years. French government buildings have usually been the target of such attacks.

Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.

You should avoid protests, demonstrations, political rallies and large public celebrations as they may turn violent. You should also avoid, particularly at night, outlying Paris suburbs where in the past there has been civil unrest and clashes between local youths and police forces.

There is a high and increasing incidence of petty crime, especially bag snatching and pickpocketing, throughout France, particularly on the streets of larger cities such as Paris, Marseilles and Nice.

There has been a significant increase in violent theft on public transport, especially in Paris and its suburbs. Airports, public transport, tourist areas, hotel lobbies, restaurants and cafes, and beaches are prime targets for thieves who frequently work in groups using a variety of sophisticated or aggressive methods to distract and rob potential victims. Children can be used to distract tourists or even play an active role in theft.

You should take care to protect your personal belongings (bags, cameras, passports) at all times, especially in high density tourist areas such as Pigalle, the Latin quarter, around the Eiffel Tower, Versailles, and in department stores, restaurants and on public transport. Every monument in France that attracts tourists will attract interest from criminals.

There are frequent reports of crime, including robbery and muggings, on the train system servicing Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle and Orly Airports. Travellers are advised to consider other means of transport from the airports to Paris, such as bus or taxi, particularly late at night and early in the morning.

There is a growing incidence of violent attacks against tourists by groups of young people, usually occurring late at night around major tourist attractions such as the Champs-Elysees, the Louvre and Palais Royal areas, the Les Halles district, the Latin Quarter in central Paris and the environs of the Gare du Nord train station, main train stations in the provinces and on the RER (regional) train lines linking Paris and its suburbs.

Vehicles are frequently the target of crime, such as purse snatching from cars stopped in traffic and theft from unattended vehicles, particularly in the south of France between the cities of Perpignan (near the Spanish border), Menton (near the Italian border) and in the north, at the military cemeteries around the Somme and Normandy. You should be particularly vigilant at isolated automated service stations and avoid sleeping in rest areas beside autoroutes (motorways) and major roads, or in makeshift or unauthorised camp grounds on the outskirts of cities. Rental vehicles are often targeted even in remote small villages. You should not leave valuable objects in the vehicle.

Credit card and ATM fraud involving 'skimming' machines which can store card data is rising, particularly at automated service stations and in tourist areas. You should use ATMs within controlled areas such as banks, shops and shopping centres.

You should be wary of strangers that invite you for a complimentary drink or show at a private club. Some foreigners who have accepted such offers have had large sums debited from their credit cards before they have been permitted to leave the venue.

Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as multiple credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash (Euros), debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out whether your ATM card will work overseas, and confirm your ATM and credit card withdrawal limit. Thefts at ATMs, ATM scams and credit card fraud, such as double billing, are increasingly common in France.

Avoid keeping all your valuable documents and credit cards in one place. Always keep one credit card or other form of accessing funds separate to others. Share the carrying of valuable documents between group members. Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.

As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe, dry place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible. Your lost or stolen passport will be cancelled. If you find your passport again, you will still need to apply for a replacement passport before further travel.

You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.

Please refer to our air travel for information about aviation safety and security.

Our Dual Nationals brochure provides further information.

Avalanches and mudslides are a danger in some mountain areas. There have been a number of fatalities in recent years. If you are skiing or mountaineering you should monitor advice on weather and safety conditions. It is highly dangerous to move off marked slopes or trails and may result in detention and prosecution in some areas.

During the summer months, forest and grass fires are a regular occurrence, particularly along the Mediterranean coast and on Corsica.

Flash flooding can make road travel extremely difficult, affect infrastructure including communications and has resulted in the loss of lives. You should monitor media reports for potential hazards.

If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.

The beaches along the French Atlantic coast can be particularly dangerous, especially on the south western coast. A number of people drown every year. We recommend you swim on supervised beaches and respect the colour coded flags which warn against dangerous swimming conditions. If in doubt, seek local advice.

For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling with Children page.