Is it safe to travel to France? Mais, oui! Home to bustling cities, beautiful countryside, and (perhaps) the best food in the world, France is an excellent destination for travelers. 

Whether you want to nurse a coffee and people-watch in Nice, explore a Parisian museum, or wander the beaches in Normandy, France offers plenty of wonderful activities.

Locals tell us that women traveling solo in France should feel safe nearly anywhere they go. They say that catcalling is no worse than any other European country, and female travelers shouldn't have any trouble getting around by car, train, or bus. 

Some quick safety tips for solo travelers: 

• Don’t walk alone in poorly lit and deserted areas.
• Don’t accept drinks from strangers. 
• American friendliness can be misinterpreted as flirtation—so be firm if you want someone to stop bothering you. 
• If you’re on a long train trip using the Intercités de Nuit (night train) on SNCF, France’s national railway, ask for the special compartment for women and families. Even better, splurge on a private compartment on overnight trains.
• Speaking of which, most French cities have great hostels with female-only rooms.

Pickpockets and scams are your only real concern

Locals tell us that pickpockets operate at popular tourist sites and on public transportation. Follow common sense and be vigilant. Locals note that Parisian thieves are very good at what they do (tourists have been frequenting Paris for centuries), so be mindful and aware of your surroundings—especially in big cities like Paris and Marseille. 

Our locals tell us these are some common scams to avoid: 

The string bracelet scam

In this scam, a street vendor asks if you want a “friendship bracelet.” If you say yes (and often, even if you say no), a string/bracelet is tied so tightly around your wrist that you can’t move and then they demand money for the bracelet. Their partner may pick your pocket while they have you “indisposed.”

The gold ring scam

This scam involves a seemingly innocent person on the street pretending to find a gold ring on the sidewalk. They then ask you if it’s yours. When you say no, they offer to sell it to you (some have stamped 18k on the ring). If you end up buying it, you’ll own a worthless piece of polished brass. If you say yes, they will give you a sob story about being poor and ask for money. 

The streets of Paris are largely safe at night

Romantic, classic, and full of unique charm, Paris is easily one of our favorite places to visit in France. (And there are so, so, so many.)

Happily, locals tell us that, generally, Paris is safe at night. So enjoy those moonlight strolls, Parisian sunsets, and magical nightcaps at bars where Hemingway wrote his novels. 

Just keep in mind that some places are safer than others. 

The Paris Metro is safe to ride