Contact Information
Entering and Leaving - Passports and Visas
Crime Information
Crime in Paris
Crime in Southern France
Violent civil disorder is relatively rare in France. However, at times, student demonstrations, labor protests or other routine demonstrations deteriorate into violent confrontations between demonstrators and police. For this reason, Americans are advised to avoid street demonstrations.
In recent years, France has been the scene of closely targeted political assassinations and random bombings. No U.S. citizens have been killed and only one has been injured. The bombings have resulted in an increased police presence at places where the public congregates. All passengers on subways and trains are urged to be aware of their surroundings and report any unattended packages to the nearest authority.
The Basque Separatist Party (ETA) and the National Front for the Liberation of Corsica (FLNC), continue to operate in the south of France and occasionally bomb local government institutions, banks, travel agencies, etc.
The Department of State's Consular Information Sheets are available for every country of the world. They describe topics such as unusual entry regulations, the crime and security situation, political disturbances, areas of instability and drug penalties. They also provide addresses and emergency telephone numbers for U.S. embassies and consulates in the subject country. In general, the sheets do not give advice. Instead, they describe conditions so travelers can make informed decisions about their trips.
Click here to see the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet on France
In some dangerous situations, however, the Department of State recommends that Americans defer travel to a country. In such a case, a Travel Warning is issued for the country in addition to its Consular Information Sheet.
Public Announcements are a means to disseminate information about terrorist threats and other relatively short-term and/or trans-national conditions posing significant risks to the security of American travelers. They are issued when there is a perceived threat, usually involving Americans as a particular target group. In the past, Public Announcements have been issued to deal with short-term coups, pre-election disturbances, violence by terrorists and anniversary dates of specific terrorist events.
In recent years, France has been the scene of closely targeted political assassinations and random bombings. No U.S. citizens have been killed and only one has been injured. The bombings have resulted in an increased police presence at places where the public congregates. All passengers on subways and trains are urged to be aware of their surroundings and report any unattended packages to the nearest authority.
The Basque Separatist Party (ETA) and the National Front for the Liberation of Corsica (FLNC), continue to operate in the south of France and occasionally bomb local government institutions, banks, travel agencies, etc.
The Department of State's Consular Information Sheets are available for every country of the world. They describe topics such as unusual entry regulations, the crime and security situation, political disturbances, areas of instability and drug penalties. They also provide addresses and emergency telephone numbers for U.S. embassies and consulates in the subject country. In general, the sheets do not give advice. Instead, they describe conditions so travelers can make informed decisions about their trips.
Click here to see the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet on France
In some dangerous situations, however, the Department of State recommends that Americans defer travel to a country. In such a case, a Travel Warning is issued for the country in addition to its Consular Information Sheet.
Public Announcements are a means to disseminate information about terrorist threats and other relatively short-term and/or trans-national conditions posing significant risks to the security of American travelers. They are issued when there is a perceived threat, usually involving Americans as a particular target group. In the past, Public Announcements have been issued to deal with short-term coups, pre-election disturbances, violence by terrorists and anniversary dates of specific terrorist events.
You can access Consular Information Sheets, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements 24 hours-a-day in several ways.
Telephone
To listen to them, call (202) 647-5225 from a touchtone phone.
Fax
From your fax machine, dial (202) 647-3000, using the handset as you would a regular telephone. The system prompts you on how to proceed.
Internet
Information about travel and consular services is available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs' World Wide Web home page. The address is http://travel.state.gov It includes Consular Information Sheets, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, passport and visa information, travel publications, background on international adoption and international child abduction services and international legal assistance. The site also links to the State Department's main home page at http://www.state.gov, which contains current foreign affairs information.
There is no charge to use the telephone, fax and bulletin board systems other than normal long distance charges.
As you travel, keep abreast of local news coverage. If you plan more than a short stay in one place, if you intend travel to an area where communications are poor, or if you are in an area experiencing civil unrest or some natural disaster, you are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Registration takes only a few moments, and it may be invaluable in case of an emergency. Remember to leave a detailed itinerary and your passport number with a friend or relative in the United States. If your itinerary is not fixed, try to get in touch with family and friends frequently so they will know how to reach you if necessary.
If you are planning to travel abroad for more than two weeks, it is advisable that you register with the local U.S. Embassy. Click here to register.
Telephone
To listen to them, call (202) 647-5225 from a touchtone phone.
Fax
From your fax machine, dial (202) 647-3000, using the handset as you would a regular telephone. The system prompts you on how to proceed.
Internet
Information about travel and consular services is available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs' World Wide Web home page. The address is http://travel.state.gov It includes Consular Information Sheets, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, passport and visa information, travel publications, background on international adoption and international child abduction services and international legal assistance. The site also links to the State Department's main home page at http://www.state.gov, which contains current foreign affairs information.
There is no charge to use the telephone, fax and bulletin board systems other than normal long distance charges.
As you travel, keep abreast of local news coverage. If you plan more than a short stay in one place, if you intend travel to an area where communications are poor, or if you are in an area experiencing civil unrest or some natural disaster, you are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Registration takes only a few moments, and it may be invaluable in case of an emergency. Remember to leave a detailed itinerary and your passport number with a friend or relative in the United States. If your itinerary is not fixed, try to get in touch with family and friends frequently so they will know how to reach you if necessary.
If you are planning to travel abroad for more than two weeks, it is advisable that you register with the local U.S. Embassy. Click here to register.
When traveling to France, you are required to carry a passport. Most people make a copy of the data page, one to be carried with them, and one to be left at home. If you lose or misplace your passport, immediately call the nearest embassy or consolate, and the local police.
France and Monaco both have relatively low rates of violent crime. But crimes involving larceny are common. Pickpocketing, theft of unattended baggage and theft from rental cars or vehicles with non-local license plates are daily occurrences. Criminals frequent tourist attractions such as museums, monuments, restaurants, hotels, beaches, trains, train stations, airports and subways. Americans in France and Monaco should be particularly alert to pickpockets in train stations and subways. In general, travelers should carry limited cash and credit cards, leaving extra cash, credit cards, passports and personal documents at home or in a hotel safe.
While thieves may operate anywhere, the U.S. Embassy in Paris receives frequent reports of theft from several particular areas.
While thieves may operate anywhere, the U.S. Embassy in Paris receives frequent reports of theft from several particular areas.
Gangs of thieves operate on the rail link from Charles de Gaulle Airport to downtown Paris by preying on jet-lagged, luggage-burdened tourists. Often one thief distracts the tourist with a question about directions while an accomplice takes a momentarily unguarded backpack, briefcase, or purse. Thieves often time their thefts to coincide with train stops so that they may quickly exit the car.
The Number One Subway Line, which runs by many major tourist attractions (The Grand Arch at La Defense, Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees, Concorde, Louvre, Bastille), is the site of many thefts.
Many thefts occur at the major department stores (Galleries Lafeyette, Printemps, Samarataine) where tourists often leave wallets, passports, and credit cards on cashier counters during transactions.
The Number One Subway Line, which runs by many major tourist attractions (The Grand Arch at La Defense, Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees, Concorde, Louvre, Bastille), is the site of many thefts.
Many thefts occur at the major department stores (Galleries Lafeyette, Printemps, Samarataine) where tourists often leave wallets, passports, and credit cards on cashier counters during transactions.
Thefts from cars stopped at red lights are commonly reported, particularly in the Nice-Antibes-Cannes area, and in Montpelier and Marseille. The thief is usually a passenger on a motorcycle. Similar incidents have also occurred at tollbooths. Drivers should conceal from view purses, luggage, bags, and other items that may attract thieves. Car doors should be locked at all times during travel and windows closed or left only slightly ajar.
Thieves often target vehicles with foreign or CD (Diplomatic Corps) license plates, or rental cars, which are easily identified as such by a license plate number ending in "51." Rental car companies are in the process of phasing out these license plates but this may take some time.
Purse snatching by motorcycle riders is also common in the area. Over the shoulder bags should be avoided when out walking.
The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
U.S. citizens can refer to the Department of State's pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad for ways to promote a more trouble-free journey. The pamphlet is available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.
Thieves often target vehicles with foreign or CD (Diplomatic Corps) license plates, or rental cars, which are easily identified as such by a license plate number ending in "51." Rental car companies are in the process of phasing out these license plates but this may take some time.
Purse snatching by motorcycle riders is also common in the area. Over the shoulder bags should be avoided when out walking.
The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
U.S. citizens can refer to the Department of State's pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad for ways to promote a more trouble-free journey. The pamphlet is available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.