by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 3:30 PM ET, Thu May 29, 2025
The U.S. State Department recently reissued its Level 2 travel advisory for France with updates surrounding theft of cell phones.
In a May 28 update, government officials warn travelers to exercise increased caution in the world's most-visited country “due to terrorism and civil unrest,” but the advisory also adds that “pickpocketing and phone thefts are common, especially in crowded places” in France.
Locations where pickpocketing might be more likely to occur include airports, subways and train cars, tourist attractions and train stations.
Additionally, per the latest State Department advisory, terrorist groups “continue to plan possible attacks in France and may attack with little to no warning.”
Possible targets include for such protests include:
- Tourist locations
- Transportation hubs and airports
- Markets and shopping malls
- Local government facilities
- Hotels, restaurants, and clubs
- Places of worship
- Major sporting and cultural events
- Educational institutions
- Parks
There are also regular, peaceful protests and strikes in the French capital of Paris, as well as in other cities throughout the country, says the advisory.
Tips for visiting France
In 2024, France welcomed 100
million international visitors, earning roughly $73.6
billion, in international revenue alone.
Those traveling to France are advised to take commonsense precautions. For instance, the State Department advises staying alert at tourist locations and in crowded public places.
The advisory also suggests avoiding demonstrations or areas where there appears to be significant police activity.
Additional tips include checking local media when visiting France in order to stay up to date on any breaking events and finding a safe place to shelter in place if you are caught amid a demonstration and are unable to leave the area.
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