France · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Annecy scores 85/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes — Annecy is one of France's safest cities for visitors, with low violent crime and a strong sense of security. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
France · Assessed 29 July 2026
85
/ 100
Safer than ~92% of countries
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
No advisory against travel
“Wildfires in south-west France Wildfires are affecting parts of Gironde and Landes in the south-west of France. French authorities have evacuated campsites, tourist accommodation and some residential areas.”
Updated 2026-07-26T10:36:19Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for France: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-07-27T15:25:09.9419383-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging or armed robbery is extremely rare; incidents are limited to isolated night‑time altercations in poorly lit peripheral zones
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing is most common around the Old Town, market squares, and lake promenade during peak summer crowds
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
88/100
Recent traveler reports describe a generally safe, relaxed atmosphere, with visitors feeling comfortable walking alone after dark in most areas
Yes — Annecy is one of France's safest cities for visitors, with low violent crime and a strong sense of security.
Composite safety scores and crowd‑sourced indexes place Annecy well above the national average, reflecting rare violent incidents and reliable emergency services. The city feels secure day‑to‑day, especially in the historic centre and lakeside districts, though standard urban precautions remain advisable.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Annecy consistently ranks among France’s safest cities, with violent crime so rare that most visitors never encounter it. The latest composite safety index of 84 / 100 and a homicide rate of just 1.3 per 100 k people confirm a low‑risk environment, while crowd‑sourced scores (e.g., Numbeo’s 55.8 / 100) still place the city well above the national average. Recent dossier items reinforce this picture: a 2023 knife attack in a city park sparked a visible increase in police patrols, and a 2026 solo‑female traveller guide notes that women feel comfortable exploring the historic centre, though it warns of occasional pickpocketing near the Old Town and lakefront during busy summer days. Travel‑safety sites such as Travel Safe – Abroad and IsItSafeToVisit both label Annecy “very safe,” citing low petty‑crime rates and reliable emergency services, while also flagging a moderate pickpocket risk in crowded tourist spots.
The current situation, as captured by the live web dossier, shows no new violent incidents but does highlight a seasonal uptick in petty theft around the lake promenade, the market square, and the train station, especially during the July‑August tourist peak. Scams that have been documented this year include lakeside pickpocketing of beach bags, overpriced café bills aimed at tourists, and occasional fake charity collectors at local markets. Travel health notices from the CDC remind visitors to stay up‑to‑date on vaccinations, but the city’s air quality (US AQI 39, “Good”) and plentiful hospitals (56 beds per 10 k residents) further reduce health‑related concerns.
Practical safety tips for travelers: keep wallets and phones in front pockets or a zip‑locked bag when strolling the lakefront or Old Town, never leave belongings unattended on café chairs or beach towels, and use licensed taxis or reputable ride‑share services after dark, particularly near the train station. While the overall risk is low, a moderate level of vigilance against pickpockets in the busiest areas will ensure a smooth, enjoyable stay in this “Venice of the Alps.”
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 8 Annecy districts for visitors: 4 safer, 3 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Annecy safety map.
Les Romainsavoidknown for homeless encampments and drug activity after dark
Vieille Ville (Old Town)cautionhigh tourist traffic, pickpocketing risk after dark
Lake Annecy waterfrontcautioncrowded beaches see belongings theft, stay alert near water
Gare d'Annecycautionbusy transport hub, occasional petty theft, avoid isolated platforms at night
Veyriersaferquiet residential area, low crime, well-lit streets
Tête‑de‑Pierresaferupscale neighborhood, strong police presence, safe day and night
Seynodsafersuburban area with good lighting, minimal incidents reported
Annecy-le‑Vieuxsafercollege district, active student presence, low nighttime risk
07 · After Dark
78% of people in France say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2024).
Mugging or armed robbery is extremely rare; incidents are limited to isolated night‑time altercations in poorly lit peripheral zones
After dark, be most careful around Les Romains, Vieille Ville (Old Town), Lake Annecy waterfront, Gare d'Annecy. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Annecy's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
09 · Questions
Yes — Annecy is one of France's safest cities for visitors, with low violent crime and a strong sense of security. Composite safety scores and crowd‑sourced indexes place Annecy well above the national average, reflecting rare violent incidents and reliable emergency services. The city feels secure day‑to‑day, especially in the historic centre and lakeside districts, though standard urban precautions remain advisable. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Field research flags Les Romains as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
Annecy ranks #1 of 9 France destinations we've assessed, scoring 85/100. See the France safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 11+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
Browse the France safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: annecy.json (CC BY 4.0).
