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COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: France is a developed and stable democracy with a modern economy. Tourist facilities are widely available. Read the Department of State Background Notes on France for additional information.

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SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM (STEP) / EMBASSY LOCATION: If you are going to live in or visit France, please take the time to tell us about your trip. By enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, you can keep up to date with important safety and security announcements. It will also help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency.

Local embassy information is available below and at the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates. Please check the individual webpage for the embassy or consulate you will be visiting to verify public hours and security regulations. Generally, you won’t be allowed to bring electronic devices such as cell phones and laptops with you inside our facilities.

There are two Consulates General, four American Presence Posts and one Consular Agency in France, in addition to the Embassy in Paris. Only the consular sections in Paris and Marseille are authorized to issue passports. The other offices provide limited services to American citizens. Appointments are required for most services. Appointments can be scheduled online for Embassy Paris; call or email posts in other locations to schedule an appointment. Please note that the emergency after-hours telephone number for all US posts in France is: (33) 1 43 12 22 22. Ask to speak to the duty officer if you need emergency assistance after business hours.

All of our telephone numbers below are written the way you would dial them from the United States. When calling from within France, drop the country code and add a zero. For example: (33) 1 43 12 22 becomes 01 43 12 22 22.

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ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. CITIZENS: U.S. citizens may enter France for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. France is a party to the Schengen Agreement, which allows for visa-free travel between member countries. For further details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see our Schengen fact sheet. If you are traveling for reasons other than business or tourism – such as employment, study, or internship – you must obtain a French visa for that purpose before you leave the United States. You should be aware that it is nearly impossible to obtain or change visa status while in France. 

If you are transiting France en route to other countries, make sure you know all of the entry and exit requirements for your trip and final destination. If you don’t have the right documentation, you might be denied boarding to your connecting flight. Some countries require a certain number of blank visa pages or more than six months remaining validity on your passport.

There are no HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to, or foreign residents of, France.

Contact the French Embassy in Washington at 4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007, tel. (202) 944 6000, or one of the French Consulates General in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, or San Francisco for the most current visa information.

Our website can provide you with information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information Sheet.

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SAFETY AND SECURITY: The Government of France maintains a threat rating system, known locally as “Vigipirate,” similar to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Advisory System. Under this plan, in times of heightened security concerns, the government augments police with armed forces and increases visibility at airports, train and metro stations, and other high-profile locations such as schools, major tourist attractions, and government installations. Over the last few years, there have been arrests of suspected Islamic militants involved in terrorist plots. French authorities have periodically spoken publicly about the heightened threat conditions for terrorist attacks in Europe. Information is routinely shared between the United States and France in order to disrupt terrorist plotting, identify and take action against potential operatives, and strengthen our defenses against potential threats.

Although U.S. citizens have not been specifically targeted in terrorist attacks in France within the past few years, travelers should remain vigilant. Immediately report unattended packages observed in public places or any other suspicious activities. French law enforcement authorities are proactive and will respond immediately. If there is a security incident or suspicious package, do not linger in the area to observe.

Violent civil disorder is rare in France, but in the past, student demonstrations, labor protests, and other types of demonstrations have developed into violent confrontations between demonstrators and police. You should avoid street demonstrations, particularly if riot police are on the scene.

Stay up to date:

• Bookmark our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.
• Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well.
• Download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App to have travel information at your fingertips.
• Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the U.S. and Canada, or a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries.
• Take some time before travel to consider your personal security –Here are some useful tips for traveling safely abroad.

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CRIME: While France has relatively low rates of violent crime, there are some neighborhoods in the larger French cities which merit extra caution. Thieves commonly target vehicles with non-local license plates and work in or near tourist attractions such as museums, monuments, restaurants, hotels, beaches, trains, train stations, airports, and subways. U.S. citizens in France should be particularly alert to pickpockets in airports, train stations, and subways. Travelers should keep photocopies of travel documents and credit cards separate from the originals, along with key telephone numbers to contact banks for credit card replacement.

In General:

Pick-pocketing, purse-snatching, and theft of luggage are a concern, particularly in major train stations, on trains, in airports, and from cars. Remain vigilant!

Carry passports on the body and separate from other items when possible. Thieves in France are mostly interested in cash and convertible items.

Travelers should monitor their bags at all times and never leave them unattended. Thefts occur on both overnight and day trains, especially on trains originating in Spain, Italy, and Belgium. Valuables are stolen while passengers are sleeping, or when the bags are left unattended. As thieves commonly target laptop bags, travelers should avoid carrying passports and other valuables in computer bags. Shoulder bags placed on the floor while the traveler is busy at the ticket or money exchange counter make tempting targets for thieves.

While on foot, remain aware of your surroundings at all times and keep bags slung across the body, with the bag hanging away from the street. Many U.S. citizens have had purses or bags stolen from the back of a chair or from under the table while in restaurants and nightclubs/bars. Again, keep your valuables with you and do not leave them unattended or out of your sight. Thefts also occur at the major department stores where tourists often place wallets, passports, and credit cards on cashier counters during transactions. 

Thieves on motorcycles have reached into moving cars by either opening a door, accessing an open window, or even breaking the window to steal purses and other bags visible inside. Pedestrians walking with purses/bags/cameras slung over their street-side shoulder have also been targeted by motorcycle-borne criminals.

If you are traveling by car, keep the windows up and the doors locked. Do not leave valuables unattended in a car. Thieves often target vehicles with foreign license plates or rental cars, which are easily identified by out of region license plates. Locking valuables in the trunk is not an adequate safeguard as thieves often pry open car trunks to steal bags.

Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are common in France and provide ready access to cash. Don’t use ATMs in isolated, poorly lighted areas or where loiterers are present. Be especially aware of persons standing close enough to see the Personal Identification Number (PIN) being entered into the machine. Thieves often conduct successful scams by simply watching the PIN as it is entered and then stealing the card from the user in some other location. If the card gets stuck in the machine, you should immediately report it to the bank where the machine is located.

Although thieves may operate anywhere, the U.S. posts in France receive frequent reports of theft from several areas in particular:

Paris: Thieves operate in the airports and on the RER rail link from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris, where they prey on jet-lagged, luggage-burdened tourists. In one common ruse, a thief distracts a tourist with a question about directions while an accomplice steals a momentarily unguarded backpack, briefcase, or purse. Thieves also time their thefts to coincide with train stops so they may quickly exit the car just before the automatic doors close. Travelers should consider taking an airport shuttle bus or taxi from the airport into the city. Use only the official taxi stop. Reports of stolen purses, briefcases, and carry-on bags at Charles de Gaulle Airport are also common.

Many thefts occur on the Métro Line 1, which runs through the center of Paris by many major tourist attractions (including the Grand Arch at La Défense, the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elysées, Place de la Concorde, the Louvre, and the Bastille). Pickpockets are especially active on this line during the summer months and use a number of techniques. The most common is the simple “bump and snatch,” where an individual bumps into the tourist while at the same time reaching into the pockets/purse/bag. Be particularly careful when métro doors are closing, as this is when less-sophisticated pickpockets simply grab valuables and jump through the closing doors, leaving the victim helplessly watching as the thief flees. You should NOT confront thieves aggressively; they often operate in groups and may become violent if cornered. Simply drawing attention to an attempted theft will most likely stop the operation and cause the thief to retreat.

The Gare du Nord train station, where the express trains from the airport arrive in Paris, is a high-risk area for pocket-picking and theft.

Pigalle is the “adult entertainment district” of Paris. Many entertainment establishments in this area engage in aggressive marketing and charge very high prices for drinks. Some use threats of violence to coerce patrons into paying excessive tabs. There have also been several violent confrontations between rival gangs in this district. You should avoid this area unless touring with a well-organized tour company.

In hotels, thieves target lobbies and breakfast rooms and snatch jackets, purses, and backpacks while guests are not paying attention. While many hotels do have locks that allow guests to secure their rooms from inside, this feature is not as common as it is in the United States. If no chain or latch is present, a chair placed up against the door and wedged under the handle will usually prevent anyone from entering during the night. Thieves have broken into hotel rooms on lower floors through open windows, so you should keep your hotel room windows locked at all times. Whenever possible, keep your valuables in the hotel safe, or, preferably, in a lockbox located at the hotel's front desk.

The Embassy has had reports of large criminal operations in Paris involving the use of ATMs that “eat” the user’s card. This most often happens during a weekend or at night when the bank is closed. The frustrated traveler often walks away after unsuccessfully trying to retrieve the card, with plans to return the first day the bank is open. In such cases, a criminal gang has modified the machine using an add-on device that records the user’s PIN when it is typed in, and also prevents the card from being ejected. The criminal retrieves the card from the device once the visitor departs, downloads the recorded PIN and then goes to other ATMs and withdraws as much cash as possible. ATM users should carry a 24-hour emergency number for their card and bank account so they can put an immediate stop to withdrawals from the account if difficulties occur.

The Paris Police Prefecture publishes a pamphlet entitled "Paris in Complete Safety" that provides practical advice and useful telephone numbers for visitors.

Normandy: Break-ins and thefts from cars in the parking lots at the Normandy beaches and American cemeteries are increasing. Do not leave valuables unattended in a car. Again, locking valuables in the trunk is not an adequate safeguard as thieves often pry open car trunks to steal bags.

South of France: In addition to the general precautions to prevent purse snatching and pick-pocketing, take particular care to guard against thefts from cars in the Nice-Antibes-Cannes area and in Marseille. Reports commonly include “snatch and grab” thefts from vehicles stopped at red lights, in toll-booth areas, and at rest stops, as well as break-ins to parked vehicles. Exercise special caution when entering and exiting your car.

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INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. We can:

• Replace a lost or stolen passport;
• Help you find appropriate medical care following violent crimes such as assault or rape; and
• Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and contact family members or friends.
• Although the local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime, consular officers can help you understand the local criminal justice process and can direct you to local attorneys.

Under French law, compensation is available to victims of crime committed on French soil under certain circumstances.

The local equivalents to the 911 emergency line in France are: 17 (police emergency), 18 (fire department) and 15 (emergency medical/paramedic team/ambulance). Please note that the standard European emergency telephone number 112 (all emergency services) has not been implemented throughout France.

We recommend that you read our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.

We also maintain information on our website on where to get help in child abuse situations.

For private legal matters, commercial disputes, tourist, trade, or property complaints, you may refer to the website of the Department of State concerning retaining a foreign attorney. Consular staff are prohibited from providing legal representation or guidance, but we can refer inquiries to French law directories, bar associations or other organizations in order to assist you. You may also refer to our list of attorneys for legal assistance in France.

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CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While you are traveling in France, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Criminal penalties vary from country to country and there are some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but are still illegal in the United States. For example, you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods in another country. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is also a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you do something illegal in another country, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going.

Persons violating French laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in France are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. For legal assistance in France, you may refer to this list of attorneys.

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SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: There are strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from France of items such as firearms, antiquities, medications, business equipment, sales samples, and other items. You should contact the Embassy of France in Washington, D.C. or one of France's consulates in the United States, for specific information regarding customs requirements. Please see our Customs Information.

Accessibility:  In France, accessibility and accommodation for individuals with disabilities are very different from what you find in the United States. French law requires that any new building with public or community space and any existing public building be accessible for persons with disabilities. However, many existing buildings as well as transportation systems do not yet meet these requirements.

Getting around in French cities may be difficult at times since many sidewalks are narrow and uneven, and cobblestone streets make access difficult, but the major tourist areas have better facilities. Although the Paris métro is a very efficient method for traveling throughout central Paris, most métro stations are not readily accessible for people with disabilities. Very few stations have elevators, and most have stairways and long corridors for changing trains or exiting to the street. However many Parisian buses and tramways are equipped with lowering platforms for travelers with limited-mobility, or who are sight- or hearing-disabled. Taxis are also a good means of transportation. 

The English language website of the Paris Visitors Bureau and the French language, government-sponsored internet site contain additional information and include links to a downloadable local transportation map specifically designed for travelers with special mobility needs. There are many other resources available on the internet for disabled persons traveling to, or living in, France. You may also contact any of our consular offices by e-mail for further information on this topic.

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MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION:  Medical care is comparable to that found in the United States. In France, the phone number for emergency medical services is 15. For medical assistance in France, you may refer to this list of medical professionals.

You can find good information on vaccinations and other health precautions on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization (WHO) website, which also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.

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MEDICAL INSURANCE: You can’t assume your insurance will go with you when you travel. It’s very important to find out BEFORE you leave. You need to ask your insurance company two questions:

• Does my policy apply when I’m out of the United States?
• Will it cover emergencies like a trip to a foreign hospital or an evacuation?

In many places, doctors and hospitals still expect payment in cash at the time of service. Your regular U.S. health insurance may not cover doctors’ and hospital visits in other countries. If your policy doesn’t cover you when you travel, it’s a very good idea to take out another one for your trip. For more information, please see our medical insurance overseas page.

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TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in France, you may encounter road conditions that are very different from those in the United States.

Roads in France are generally comparable to those in the United States, but traffic engineering and driving habits pose special dangers. Lane markings and sign placements may not be clear. Drivers should be prepared to make last-minute maneuvers, as most French drivers do. The French typically drive more aggressively and faster than Americans and tend to exceed posted speed limits. Right-of-way rules in France may differ from those in the United States. Drivers entering intersections from the right have priority over those on the left (unless specifically indicated otherwise), even when entering relatively large boulevards from small side streets. Many intersections in France are being replaced by traffic circles, where the right-of-way belongs to drivers in the circle.

On major highways, there are service stations at least every 25 miles. Service stations are not as common on secondary roads in France as they are in the United States. Paris, the capital and largest city in France, has an extensive and efficient public transportation system. The interconnecting system of buses, subways, and commuter rails serves more than four million people a day with a safety record comparable to, or better than, the systems of major American cities. Similar transportation systems are found in all major French cities. Between cities, France is served by an equally extensive rail service, which is reliable. High-speed rail links connect the major cities in France. Many cities are also served by frequent air service. Traveling by train is safer than driving.

Pedestrians make up 13 percent of the deaths in motor vehicle accidents in France (roughly the same as in the United States), but this percentage is increasing. Most of these accidents occur when a pedestrian steps out onto the street, often when a car or motorcycle is making a turn onto a pedestrian crosswalk. Pedestrians should be cautious even when they have a green walking signal since this is no guarantee against aggressive drivers.

While the city of Paris actively encourages the renting of bicycles through a widely available city-sponsored system, you should be cautious about this means of transportation, especially in a busy and unfamiliar urban environment. Helmets are neither required nor readily available near these rental stations. If you choose to ride a bicycle in France, you should bring your own helmet.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Visit the website of the French National Tourist Office, which contains specific information concerning French driver's permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, and mandatory insurance. The Embassy page on Driving in France provides information on the use of U.S. licenses in France.

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AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of France's Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of France's air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA's safety assessment page.

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CHILDREN’S ISSUES: For information see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.

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SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON MONACO
While the general information above is relevant to Monaco as well as France, this section contains information specific to Monaco.

The local point of contact for American citizens in Monaco is the U.S. Consular Agency in Nice. Additional services are available from Consulate General Marseille and the U.S. Embassy in Paris.

Consular Agency Nice
7, Avenue Gustave V
3rd floor
06000 Nice
Tel. (33) 4 93 88 89 55
Fax (33) 4 93 87 07 38
American Citizen Services Email: usca.nice@orange.fr
Website (part of U.S. Consulate General Marseille site): U.S. Consular Agency Nice

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Monaco is a developed constitutional monarchy. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Monaco for additional information. A passport is required to enter Monaco but a visa is not necessary for tourist/business stays up to 90 days in Monaco.

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: For further information on entry requirements to Monaco, travelers may contact the Embassy of the Principality of Monaco, 3400 International Drive, NW, Suite 2K-100, Washington D.C. 20008, Tel: (202) 234-1530, Email: Embassy Monaco, or the Consulate General of Monaco, 565 Fifth Avenue – 23rd floor, New York, NY 10017, Tel: (212) 286-0500, Email: Monaco Consulate. For more information visit the Embassy of France website, or the Embassy of the Principality of Monaco website for the most current visa information. For more information please visit the official site of the Monaco Government, or the Government Tourist Office.

There are strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export of items such as firearms, antiquities, medications, business equipment, sales samples, and other items. Contact the Consulate General of Monaco in New York for specific information regarding customs requirements.

MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: The U.S. State Department is unaware of any HIV/AIDS related entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Monaco.
Medical care is comparable to that found in the United States. The local equivalents to the 911 emergency line in Monaco are: 17 (police emergency), 18 (fire department) and 15 (medical/paramedic team/ambulance). Please note that the standard European emergency telephone number 112 (all emergency services) has not been implemented throughout Monaco.

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This replaces the Country Specific Information for France and Monaco dated December 10, 2010 to update sections on legal aid and representation, and security in France.

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Worldwide Caution

Travel Warnings

• Iraq    01/19/2012
• Congo, Democratic Republic of the    01/12/2012
• Nigeria    01/12/2012
• more

Travel Alerts

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