France Travel Health Guide for US Travelers
A physician-reviewed health and safety guide for Americans traveling to the French Republic
The U.S. Department of State advises Americans to Exercise Increased Caution in France due to terrorism and unrest. The advisory also notes frequent pickpocketing and phone theft, especially in crowded areas, and says demonstrations and strikes happen often and can disrupt transportation.
French Republic
Capital: Paris | Region: Western Europe | Language: French
Before You Travel to France
France is a major tourism destination with strong infrastructure and good access to healthcare, but it also has a more active security and protest environment than some other Western European destinations. For most US travelers, the main issues are pickpocketing, demonstrations and strikes, terrorism awareness, routine vaccine review, and practical transport disruptions rather than tropical disease concerns.
Review Routine Vaccines
CDC says vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in France, so your behaviors matter. Routine vaccines should still be fully up to date before travel.
Travel Insurance
The State Department strongly recommends buying insurance before travel and checking evacuation assistance, medical coverage, and trip cancellation coverage.
Entry & Schengen Rules
U.S. citizens can stay in France for up to 90 days without a visa for tourism or business. Your passport should be valid for at least 3 months beyond your period of stay in the Schengen area, and having 6 months validity is recommended.
Pack a Small Medical Kit
Bring prescription medicines, simple first aid items, and anything you use regularly. Pack extras in case of delays caused by strikes or transport disruption.
Pickpocketing Risk
Pickpocketing and phone theft are frequent in airports, subways, train cars, tourist attractions, and train stations.
Demonstrations & Strikes
Demonstrations and strikes happen frequently and can disrupt transportation. On rare occasions they can turn violent or involve police crowd-control measures.
Yellow Fever in France
Mainland France vs French Territories
Mainland France and French territories outside Europe do not always share the same entry and health profile. For ordinary travel to mainland France, yellow fever is not the main issue.
Malaria in France
For most travelers to mainland France, the more practical health issues are respiratory illness, GI upset, fatigue from transport disruption, and injury or theft associated with crowded urban travel.
Healthcare System in France
In Paris & Major Cities
Major cities offer strong access to hospitals, private clinics, pharmacies, and specialist care.
Payment & Insurance
The State Department specifically recommends checking medical coverage and evacuation assistance before you travel.
Strike Disruption
Even where healthcare is excellent, demonstrations and strikes can complicate movement and access to transport.
Emergency Numbers in France
U.S. Embassy Paris
2 Avenue Gabriel, 75008 Paris, France
Main telephone: +33-1-43-12-22-22
After-hours: +33-1-43-12-2222
STEP Enrollment
The advisory recommends enrolling in STEP to receive alerts and help the embassy locate you in an emergency.
Protest Safety
Avoid demonstrations and areas with significant police activity, and follow local authority instructions.
Pre-Departure Checklist for France
- Review the current Level 2 advisory before departure
- Make sure routine vaccines are up to date
- Buy travel insurance and check evacuation coverage
- Prepare for demonstrations, strikes, and transport disruption
- Use strong anti-theft precautions in crowded areas
- Carry your passport securely and keep digital backups
- Save emergency numbers: 112 | 15 | 18 | 17
- Keep U.S. Embassy Paris contact details easily available
