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
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Is Bordeaux safe? 🇫🇷
France · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Bordeaux scores 81/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Bordeaux is a safe city for visitors, but requires awareness of petty crime and recent civil unrest. 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
Bordeaux 🇫🇷
France · Assessed 13 October 2026
81
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime72/100GoodCrime index 49.6 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment76/100GoodMixed
Advisories75Good
Stability76Good
Health91Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
No advisory against travel
“Wildfires in France There is a high risk of wildfires during the summer season from April to October. For advice, visit the wildfires section on the Safety and security page.”
Updated 2026-10-07T11:54:19Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for France: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-10-13T05:27:09.2611107-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Mugging & robbery risk
Low risk
92
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
55 / 100 (Mixed)
55
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
265k residents
81
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
1.3 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6France1.3World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
91
Robbery / mugging
LowViolent crime and mugging risk to visitors is low, but opportunistic theft can occur.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and phone theft are common, especially in busy tourist spots and on public transport.
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed
76/100
Reported feel55Mixed
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
While many visitors feel safe during daylight, a significant portion report worry about being mugged or robbed, and feeling less safe walking alone at night.
Bordeaux is a safe city for visitors, but requires awareness of petty crime and recent civil unrest.
While Bordeaux has a low violent crime rate, pickpocketing and phone theft are common, particularly in tourist areas. Recent nationwide student protests have occasionally involved violence and arrests, though direct impact on tourists in Bordeaux is not widely reported.
Recent developments
- Oct 2026Nationwide student protests have escalated with some demonstrations involving violence and arrests.— Reuters
- Oct 2026Hundreds of students were arrested as protests over school conditions escalated across France.— DW.com
- Jul 2026Wildfires prompted evacuations near popular French tourist towns, impacting travel.— AP News
- Jul 2026Wildfires in France and Spain caused travel disruptions, including flights and rail.— Travel Market Report
Common scams
- Distraction thefts where one person distracts you while another steals your belongings.
- Fake petitions or collection schemes in tourist areas.
Full briefing
Bordeaux offers a generally safe environment for travelers, with official advisories recommending increased caution primarily due to risks common across France. The city's violent crime rate is low, aligning with its status as a relatively safe European destination. However, visitors should be aware of opportunistic petty crime.
Pickpocketing and phone theft are noted concerns, particularly in crowded tourist areas such as the Place de la Bourse, the historic city center, and on public transportation. The dossier indicates that while many feel safe walking in daylight, a notable percentage of people express concern about walking alone at night and worry about mugging or robbery.
Recent nationwide student protests, reported in October 2026, have seen some instances of violence and arrests. While these events have not been specifically linked to tourist areas in Bordeaux, it is advisable for visitors to stay informed about local conditions and avoid any large gatherings or demonstrations. Wildfires were also a concern in July 2026, impacting travel in France, though this is a seasonal risk.
To ensure a safe visit, maintain vigilance in busy locations, keep valuables secure and out of sight, and be mindful of your surroundings, especially after dark. Staying informed about any local developments will also contribute to a more secure travel experience.
Was this Bordeaux, France report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Bordeaux districts for visitors: 5 safer, 2 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Bordeaux safety map.
Saint-MichelavoidKnown for higher crime rates, particularly drug-related activity and petty theft, especially after dark.
Centre-Ville (City Center)cautionHigh tourist traffic makes it prone to pickpocketing and petty theft.
BastidecautionWhile undergoing development, some areas may have higher crime rates, particularly at night.
ChartronssaferGenerally considered a safe and pleasant residential and commercial area.
Bordeaux-LacsaferA modern district with commercial and recreational facilities, generally safe.
NansoutysaferA residential area with a lower crime profile.
CaudéransaferAn affluent residential district with a good safety record.
Saint-SeurinsaferA well-regarded area with a mix of residential and commercial activity, considered safe.
07 · After Dark
Is Bordeaux safe at night?
78% of people in France say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2024).
Violent crime and mugging risk to visitors is low, but opportunistic theft can occur.
After dark, be most careful around Saint-Michel, Centre-Ville (City Center), Bastide. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Bordeaux safety FAQ (2026)
Is Bordeaux safe right now (2026)?
Bordeaux is a safe city for visitors, but requires awareness of petty crime and recent civil unrest. While Bordeaux has a low violent crime rate, pickpocketing and phone theft are common, particularly in tourist areas. Recent nationwide student protests have occasionally involved violence and arrests, though direct impact on tourists in Bordeaux is not widely reported. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Is Bordeaux safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Bordeaux 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.
Which areas of Bordeaux should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Saint-Michel as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Bordeaux (2026)?
- Distraction thefts where one person distracts you while another steals your belongings.
- Fake petitions or collection schemes in tourist areas.
How does Bordeaux compare with other places in France (2026)?
Bordeaux ranks #9 of 9 France destinations we've assessed, scoring 81/100. See the France safety overview for the full list.
How is this bordeaux safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 13+ 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.
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Raw data: bordeaux.json (CC BY 4.0).