France recently took over as the most visited country on earth and it has every mean to back up its current status. France boasts some of the most recognizable landmarks on earth such as the Eiffel Tower or the Notre Dame and numerous others. Not only is France recognized for these incredible structures but certainly for its amazing cuisine, history, and influence on the world.

Traveling info

Because France is a member of the Schengen convention all members of this agreement may move freely to France for tourist, business, starting a new life or any other purposes without the requirement to obtain any sort of a visa document. The only document required to cross the border is an ID card. There are several countries who are outside of the European Union however they are a part of the Schengen convention. These are Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland, and Switzerland. Nationals of countries who are not part of this convention are required to obtain a Schengen visa that will allow them to move freely within the boundaries of the Schengen convention nations. (list of countries in sources). Schengen visa is normally admitted once per half a year for a duration of 90 days. Schengen visa holders can not work or study during their stay within the Schengen boundaries. To drive in France, tourists will be required to have their domestic driving license, insurance certificate, and the vehicle registration documents. An international driving permit is not required however it may come in handy. For the citizens of the Schengen convention, an ID card should be helpful in case of a random police check whereas for the citizens of nations outside of the convention should have their Schengen visa or its copy and a passport with them.

Traveling hazards

Driving conditions in France are generally among the best in the world. Both highways and secondary roads are in great quality and are very well maintained. Highways have service stations located every 40 kilometers however secondary roads may vary in distance to the nearest service station. Roadside assistance is widely available throughout the entire country. There is a wide and well-developed network of public transport within and outside of the major cities at accommodating prices. Whilst traveling in cities, it is encouraged to rent bicycles which are widely available in French urban areas. Taxis are also available however these may come at an expense. To avoid scams it is best to use registered taxis only. Major obstructions in traveling involve heavy traffic congestion which usually results in massive traffic jams within large cities in France. Outside of the cities the traffic usually does not experience such occurrences.

Environmental hazards

Although France has a rich flora and fauna there are relatively no concerns as to any sort of danger from animals. Although brown bears inhabit areas of the Pyrenees and gray wolves inhabit mostly the Alpine region there have been no reports of any physical encounters, only sightings of these animals. The common European viper inhabits parts of France particularly the Pyrenees. Although their bites are rarely fatal, reports of deaths have been recorded. Swimming in France both on the Mediterranean and the Atlantic coast is safe and generally trouble-free. Shark attacks are very rare, with only 2 recorded since the 1980s. To minimize the risk of such occurrence it is advised to avoid swimming after dusk. Unguarded beaches might be more dangerous due to currents so further lack of any sort of help.
France does not experience earthquakes nor does it have any active volcanoes. France rarely may suffer from floods which may impede traffic or tourism. Such occurrences, however, are quickly responded to in order to ensure safety.

Health hazards

There are no outbreaks of any sort of diseases nor are there any specific requirements as to vaccinations. For safety however several vaccines are encouraged. These are the routine vaccines, rabies, and hepatitis A and B. Both public and private healthcare in France delivers some of the best quality services in the world. Private clinics and hospitals will usually have shorter waiting times although will come at an expense. French healthcare can easily deal with any emergencies meaning medical evacuation is unnecessary.
In case of an emergency dial 112.

Crime

When it comes to crime France is generally safe. Most tourists spend their holidays without any troubles. Violent crime is rare however petty crime exists particularly in tourist areas. To stay safe normal precautions should be taken. Wearing money belts will help to prevent pickpocketing whereas keeping a close look on your belongings and not leaving your bags unattended should generally keep most tourists safe from theft. Bag snatching is rare although it may occasionally happen. Tourist areas are constantly monitored by police giving additional security from criminals. Exploring after dark is relatively safe however it is best to stick to tourist areas after dark. Terrorism risk, however, is a real possibility in France. The recent event proves that Muslim terrorist may strike at any given place and time. It is almost impossible to predict where such an attack might take place however the French government has taken steps in order to prevent such incidents. French drug laws prohibit the use of any sort of narcotics, breaking the law usually results in fines or jail. France, however, is currently seeking to ease its drug policies and to decriminalize small amounts for personal use. These laws are however only being speculated and are not currently active.

Summary

France is certainly a place to visit as it offers an incredibly wide variety of attractions and activities ranging from summer to winter tourism. A country is certainly a place worth visiting especially that it is the number 1 spot for tourists in the world. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/france-visa/
https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/who-needs-schengen-visa/
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/france