France · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Avignon scores 79/100 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.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
France · Assessed 29 July 2026
79
/ 100
Safer than ~85% 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 2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Mugging & robbery risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
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
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
87/100
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
Common scams
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
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
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 · Questions
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.)
Safety is not one number, and this Avignon report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Field research flags South of the city (quartiers sensibles) as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
Avignon ranks #1 of 9 France destinations we've assessed, scoring 79/100. See the France safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 11+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
Browse the France safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: avignon.json (CC BY 4.0).
