Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin France due to terrorism and unrest. Pickpocketing and phone thefts are common, especially in crowded places.”
Updated Wed, 28 May 2025
Full advisory →Is Avignon safe? 🇫🇷
France · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Avignon scores 84/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes — Avignon is a low‑risk destination for most travelers, but pickpocketing and heat‑related issues demand vigilance. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Avignon 🇫🇷
France · Assessed 29 July 2026
84
/ 100
Yes — generally safe
Safer than ~91% of countries
What drives this score
Crime82/100GoodCrime index 55.8 / 100
Sentiment87/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories72Good
Stability75Good
Health78Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
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
Crime
Good
Homicide rate
1.3 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6France1.3World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
91
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging and armed robbery are rare in the historic centre; isolated incidents have been reported near the train station after dark.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing is common around the Palais des Papes, Pont d’Avignon, Les Halles market and during festival crowds.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
87/100
Reported feel85Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveller reports describe feeling generally safe during daylight hours, with confidence in police presence, though some express unease after dark in peripheral neighborhoods.
Yes — Avignon is a low‑risk destination for most travelers, but pickpocketing and heat‑related issues demand vigilance.
Avignon scores 83/100 on the composite safety index, reflecting relatively low violent crime and strong institutional stability. The city is generally safe in its historic core, yet petty theft and summer heat are the primary concerns for visitors.
Recent developments
- Jun 2026A spike in pickpocketing reports during the Avignon Festival weekend, with multiple tourists losing wallets near the Palais des Papes— Travel Safe - Abroad: Is Avignon Safe for Travel RIGHT NOW? (2026 Safety Rating)
- Jun 2026Heatwave warnings issued as temperatures reached 39°C, prompting health alerts for visitors— The Guardian: From cool Marseille to a photo-feast in Arles – an art trail through Provence | Cultural trips
- Jun 2026Arson attacks on railway lines causing TGV delays and station crowding, increasing exposure to petty theft— FTN news: Southern France Rail Delays: SNCF Blames Arson for TGV Disruptions
Common scams
- Pickpocketing and bag‑snatching in crowded tourist spots
- Petition‑clipboard scams targeting tourists near the Palais des Papes
Full briefing
Safety Briefing
Avignon is a low‑risk destination for most travelers, but pickpocketing and heat‑related issues demand vigilance. The composite safety index of 83/100 and homicide rate of 1.3 per 100 k (World Bank, 2023) confirm that violent crime is rare, especially in the historic centre where police presence is strong. However, recent incidents from the dossier highlight a surge in pickpocketing during the June 2026 Avignon Festival weekend (Travel Safe – Abroad, Jun 2026) and a heatwave that pushed temperatures to 39 °C (The Guardian, Jun 2026), creating crowded, stressful conditions for visitors.
The city’s safety varies by neighbourhood. The walled historic centre around the Palais des Papes and the main square are well‑lit, heavily patrolled, and generally safe at all hours. In contrast, some peripheral districts — particularly the socially sensitive “quartiers sensibles” south of the centre noted in local French sources (e.g., sacavoyage.fr, lateliergourmand.fr) — can feel less secure after dark and are best avoided, especially for solo travelers. Stick to the main tourist corridors during daylight; if you must travel at night, use reputable taxis or rideshare services rather than walking alone.
Scams targeting tourists are primarily opportunistic. The most common are pickpocketing and bag‑snatching in crowded spots such as the Palais des Papes, Pont d’Avignon, Les Halles market, and during festival crowds. A documented petition‑clipboard scam (tabiji.ai, 2026) uses distraction to distract victims while accomplices lift wallets. Keep bags zipped, store valuables in front pockets, and be wary of strangers offering unsolicited assistance. Pickpocketing risk is classified as Moderate, with hotspots clearly identified above.
Practical safety tips: keep bags zipped and valuables out of sight in crowds; use reputable taxis or rideshares after dark; stay hydrated, seek shade, and limit outdoor activity during peak heat; and monitor local alerts for wildfires or flood warnings (GDACS alerts, July 2026) that may affect travel plans. By following these steps you can enjoy Avignon’s historic charm, festivals, and Provençal cuisine while minimizing personal‑safety risks.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Avignon districts for visitors: 2 safer, 5 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Avignon safety map.
South of the city (quartiers sensibles)avoidknown for gang activity and drug markets; avoid after dark
Pont d'Avignon vicinitycautionbusy tourist flow increases theft risk, especially at night
Gare d'Avignon Centrecautionhigh foot traffic, frequent bag thefts and pickpocketing incidents
Les Halles market districtcautioncrowded indoor market, watch for pickpockets and scams
Avignon Festival venuescautionlarge crowds and late-night events raise theft and harassment risks
Residential outskirts (e.g., Saint-Jean-des-Princes)cautiongenerally safe but isolated areas may have limited lighting after dark
Historic Centre (Vieux-Port)saferwell-patrolled, low violent crime, but pickpocketing common in crowds
Palais des Papes areasafertourist police presence, but pickpocketing hotspot during festivals
07 · After Dark
Is Avignon safe at night?
78% of people in France say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2024).
Mugging and armed robbery are rare in the historic centre; isolated incidents have been reported near the train station after dark.
After dark, be most careful around South of the city (quartiers sensibles), Pont d'Avignon vicinity, Gare d'Avignon Centre, Les Halles market district. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Score by traveller type
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Avignon's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight83
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight84
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight83
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight83
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight82
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight83
09 · Questions
Avignon safety FAQ
Is Avignon safe for tourists right now?
Yes — Avignon is a low‑risk destination for most travelers, but pickpocketing and heat‑related issues demand vigilance. Avignon scores 83/100 on the composite safety index, reflecting relatively low violent crime and strong institutional stability. The city is generally safe in its historic core, yet petty theft and summer heat are the primary concerns for visitors. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Which areas of Avignon should tourists avoid?
Field research flags South of the city (quartiers sensibles) as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Avignon?
- Pickpocketing and bag‑snatching in crowded tourist spots
- Petition‑clipboard scams targeting tourists near the Palais des Papes
How does Avignon compare with other places in France?
Avignon ranks #3 of 9 France destinations we've assessed, scoring 84/100. See the France safety overview for the full list.
How is this Avignon safety score calculated?
The score blends 12+ 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.
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