Is France Safe to Visit in 2026? What American Travelers Actually Need to Know
By: Jean-Paul and Jessica - Published January 3, 2026
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France is safe to visit in 2026.
That said, it's a good year to go in knowing what's going on. Louvre staff have been on strike since late 2025. Budget disputes are driving walkouts across multiple sectors heading into spring. Paris raised its tourist tax in January. And the U.S. State Department has France at Level 2, which sounds more alarming than it is.
None of this means cancel your trip. It means read this first.
Jessica: "The first time I read a France travel advisory I thought it sounded terrifying. Jean-Paul laughed at me. Turns out it's been Level 2 for years."
What Is the U.S. Travel Advisory for France Right Now?
France is at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution.
Level 2 is the second-lowest of four levels. It means there are specific risks to be aware of, not that you shouldn't go. The advisory was reissued in May 2025 after a routine review with minor edits. Nothing changed. This is a standing designation, not a recent alarm.
The three risks it cites for France:
Terrorism
Civil unrest and demonstrations
Petty theft in tourist areas
Jean-Paul: "France has been Level 2 for years. It reflects things that are real. It is not a reason to cancel a trip."
What Are the Actual Safety Risks in France for Tourists?
Terrorism
This is why the Level 2 exists. Terrorist groups remain active in France, and attacks have occurred at transport hubs, cultural venues, and crowded public spaces. Between 2015 and 2025, France recorded over 120 incidents, though security services foiled the majority.
The risk is real. French counterterrorism is also well-funded and well-organized. Be aware of your surroundings in busy public spaces. Know the European emergency number: 112. Follow local authority instructions if something happens near you.
Petty Theft
This is what actually affects tourists. Pickpocketing and phone grabs are common in Paris tourist areas. The Eiffel Tower queue. Crowded metro cars at Châtelet or Gare du Nord. The stairs at Sacré-Cœur. Airport shuttle trains.
It's targeted, not random. People who look distracted with bags hanging open are the target.
Jean-Paul: "Zippered bag in front. Phone not on the café table. Wallet not in your back pocket. That covers most of it."
Jessica: "I watched a phone get grabbed at Châtelet. Fast, clean, the person didn't feel it. We both use phone straps now. It's not dramatic. It just works."
Demonstrations
Protest organizers in France must file with police in advance. Demonstrations are usually peaceful. On rare occasions they escalate and police respond with water cannons and tear gas. If you see significant police presence and a gathering crowd, leave the area. Don't try to watch.
Are Strikes in France a Problem for Tourists in 2026?
France entered 2026 mid-strike. Disputes over the 2026 social security budget drove walkouts across rail workers, doctors, pharmacists, and public servants throughout late 2025. Spring is when strike activity typically picks up, and April and May are historically the most active months for transport disruptions.
What this means:
Trains: When rail workers strike, TGV high-speed trains generally run close to normal. Regional TER trains and Intercités services take harder cuts, sometimes 40 to 50 percent. If your trip involves regional travel outside Paris, build in backup time.
Air traffic control: ATC strikes are the most disruptive. An ATC action affects all 70-plus French airports and any flight passing through French airspace, including flights that aren't landing in France. Airlines cancel a percentage of flights preemptively. This is specifically what travel insurance covering strikes is for.
The Louvre: Staff began indefinite rotating strikes in late 2025 over working conditions and management decisions. The museum has closed or restricted access on several days. Check the Louvre's official site in the days before your visit. And book timed entry before you leave home regardless.
Paris Metro: RATP strikes generally spare the fully automated lines 1, 4, and 14. Other lines can be reduced or suspended. On a strike day in Paris, line 14 runs normally. Plan around it.
Jean-Paul: "Unions must file préavis, five days advance notice, before striking. Once that's filed, you have time to adjust. The hard situations are when last-minute negotiations fail. Then things move fast."
What Changed in Paris for 2026?
As of January 1, 2026, Paris raised its taxe de séjour rates. It shows up as a nightly surcharge on hotel and rental bills. Not a large amount per night, but noticeable over a week if you weren't expecting it.
What Should I Do Before Traveling to France?
Register for STEP. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program lets the U.S. Embassy reach you directly in an emergency. Five minutes at step.state.gov.
Save the U.S. Embassy Paris emergency number. +33 1 43 12 22 22. Put it in your phone now.
Get travel insurance that covers strikes. Not all policies do. Read the fine print on strike-related cancellations and trip interruption before you buy.
Print your confirmations. Hotel address, train tickets, Airbnb codes. Wi-Fi fails. Phones die. Paper works.
Book timed entry before you leave home. The Louvre, Versailles, Sainte-Chapelle. Spring crowds around Easter and the Paris Marathon in April are serious. Book early.
Jessica: "Friends of ours showed up at the Louvre in April without tickets. Two and a half hours in the rain. Book before you go."
How to Stay Informed While You're in France
France 24 for English-language local news
SNCF app for real-time train status. Enter your train number the day before or morning of travel.
Use Uber instead of hailing random taxis
European emergency number: 112. English-speaking staff available.
The Short Version
France is safe. Go.
Know where your bag is. Keep your phone off café tables. Book museum tickets before you leave home. Get travel insurance that covers strikes. Check the Louvre's status a few days before you visit.
Jean-Paul: "Terrorism is managed. Pickpockets are avoidable. Strikes are predictable if you pay attention. None of it stops anyone who wants to be in France."
Jessica: "Something always goes a little wrong, but you have to be able to adjust. Trust me, France is worth it."
Frequently Asked Questions
Is France safe for American tourists in 2026? Yes. France is safe for American tourists. The U.S. State Department lists France at Level 2, which is the second-lowest advisory level. It has been at Level 2 for years. The main concerns are terrorism risk in crowded public spaces, petty theft in tourist areas, and transport disruptions from strikes. None of these make France unsafe to visit.
What is the current U.S. travel advisory for France? Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. It was reissued in May 2025 after a routine review with no change to the designation. Level 2 is not a warning against travel. It flags specific risks, including terrorism, civil unrest, and petty theft in tourist areas.
Is Paris safe for tourists in 2026? Yes. Paris is safe for tourists. Petty theft, particularly pickpocketing and phone grabs, is the most common problem in tourist areas. Wearing a zippered crossbody bag in front of your body and keeping your phone off café tables eliminates most of the risk. Terrorism is a real concern but not a daily experience for tourists.
Are strikes in France going to affect my trip in 2026? Possibly, depending on timing. France has seen sustained strike activity since late 2025 and spring is historically the most active period. TGV trains generally run close to normal during rail strikes. Regional trains, air traffic control, and the Paris Metro are more affected. Travel insurance that explicitly covers strikes is worth getting before you go.
Is the Louvre open in 2026? The Louvre has had ongoing staff strikes since late 2025 and has closed or restricted access on several days. It is generally open but not reliably so. Check the Louvre's official website in the days before your visit and book timed entry tickets before you leave home.
Do I need travel insurance for France? Yes, particularly in 2026. Strike-related flight cancellations and train disruptions are a real possibility. Not all travel insurance policies cover strikes, so read the fine print before buying. Medical evacuation insurance is also worth considering.
Is France safe for solo female travelers? Generally yes. The same precautions apply as in most major European cities. Use a crossbody bag, stay aware in crowded tourist areas, use ride apps rather than unmarked taxis, and trust your instincts in unfamiliar situations.
What is the emergency number in France? 112 is the European emergency number and works from any phone in France, including foreign phones without a local SIM. Some staff speak English. You can also call 17 for police from a landline or French mobile.
This post reflects conditions as of March 2026. Travel situations change. Check the U.S. State Department France page and register for STEP before you travel.
About the Authors
Jean-Paul grew up in Burgundy and has lived in France his entire life. Jessica is American and has been traveling to France for more than twenty years. They started Bonjour Guide because the most useful information about France tends to be the hardest to find. Meet Jean-Paul and Jessica.
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