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 Nantes safe? 🇫🇷
France · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Nantes scores 69/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Nantes is a moderately safe city for travelers, but requires increased caution due to recent unrest and petty crime. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Nantes 🇫🇷
France · Assessed 13 October 2026
69
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime59/100FairCrime index 58.6 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment54/100CautionCautious
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
Fair
Mugging & robbery risk
Moderate risk
62
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
High risk
58
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
40 / 100 (Cautious)
40
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
325k residents
79
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
1.3 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6France1.3World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
91
Robbery / mugging
ModerateWhile violent crime is low, there is a moderate risk of mugging and robbery, particularly in areas with drug activity.
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing and phone theft are common, especially in tourist hotspots and public transport.
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Caution
Traveller sentiment score
Cautious
54/100
Reported feel40Cautious
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
Crowdsourced data indicates a significant concern about mugging and robbery, with a low score for feeling safe walking alone at night.
Nantes is a moderately safe city for travelers, but requires increased caution due to recent unrest and petty crime.
While Nantes has strong institutional indicators and low violent crime rates, recent protests and official advisories highlight potential risks. Travelers should be aware of pickpocketing and the possibility of encountering demonstrations.
Recent developments
- Oct 2026Nationwide student protests involving clashes with police, fires, and tear gas deployment occurred.— BBC, CNN, The Guardian, CBC
- May 2026A 15-year-old was killed in Nantes in a suspected drug-related shooting.— Le Monde.fr
- Sep 2025The US issued a security alert for Americans in France.— Newsweek
- Jul 2025Wildfires and heatwaves were a concern for travel in France.— FrenchEntrée
Common scams
- Pickpocketing and phone theft in crowded areas
- Distraction thefts
Full briefing
Recent nationwide student protests, marked by clashes with police and the use of tear gas, have occurred across France, including in Nantes. These demonstrations, fueled by discontent over school conditions, underscore a volatile atmosphere that travelers should be aware of. Official advisories from the US, UK, and Canada recommend increased caution due to these events and general security concerns.
Petty crime remains a significant issue. Pickpocketing and phone theft are frequently reported, particularly in crowded tourist areas and on public transportation within Nantes. While violent crime rates are low, a recent drug-related shooting that resulted in a fatality in Nantes in May 2026 indicates localized risks. Travelers should exercise vigilance, especially when walking alone at night, as indicated by lower scores in crowdsourced safety perceptions.
To ensure a safe visit, remain informed about local news and avoid large gatherings or demonstrations. Secure valuables and be mindful of your surroundings, particularly in busy areas. While Nantes itself has strong institutional indicators and low road traffic fatalities, the current climate necessitates a heightened awareness of potential disruptions and opportunistic crime.
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06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 6 Nantes districts for visitors: 2 safer, 3 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Nantes safety map.
BellevueavoidHigher crime rates, including drug-related incidents, make this area less safe for visitors.
Centre-ville (City Center)cautionHigh tourist traffic increases pickpocketing risk; be aware of surroundings, especially after dark.
MalakoffcautionSome reports of drug dealing and associated crime; exercise vigilance, especially at night.
Nantes-NordcautionWhile generally safe, some areas may experience higher crime rates; stay alert.
Île de NantessaferModern, well-developed area with good lighting and public presence, generally safe.
ChantenaysaferResidential area with a lower reported crime rate, generally safe for visitors.
07 · After Dark
Is Nantes safe at night?
78% of people in France say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2024).
While violent crime is low, there is a moderate risk of mugging and robbery, particularly in areas with drug activity.
After dark, be most careful around Bellevue, Centre-ville (City Center), Malakoff, Nantes-Nord. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Nantes safety FAQ (2026)
Is Nantes safe right now (2026)?
Nantes is a moderately safe city for travelers, but requires increased caution due to recent unrest and petty crime. While Nantes has strong institutional indicators and low violent crime rates, recent protests and official advisories highlight potential risks. Travelers should be aware of pickpocketing and the possibility of encountering demonstrations. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Is Nantes safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Nantes 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 Nantes should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Bellevue as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Nantes (2026)?
- Pickpocketing and phone theft in crowded areas
- Distraction thefts
How does Nantes compare with other places in France (2026)?
Nantes ranks #9 of 9 France destinations we've assessed, scoring 69/100. See the France safety overview for the full list.
How is this nantes 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: nantes.json (CC BY 4.0).