Is Annecy safe?
Very safe; low crime and calm streets. Normal care with bags in summer crowds and on mountain trails.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 5/5, very safe.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-05-27.
- Homicide rate in France: 1.3 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in France: 5.1 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 17 · Ambulance 15 · Fire 18 · All emergencies 112.
Safety in Annecy at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Occasional pickpocketing in summer crowds and car break-ins at trailheads. Violent crime against visitors is rare. |
| At night | Quiet and safe on foot; the old town stays lively in summer. Buses wind down around midnight. |
| Solo women | Very safe for solo women; normal care when hiking alone. |
| Other risks | Cold-water shock and boat traffic when swimming; Sudden storms on mountain trails; Summer heat on exposed paths |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Overpriced boat or rental offers from unofficial sellers
- Fake accommodation listings in peak summer
Take care
- Valuables left in cars at trailheads
- Swimming far from shore: boats, cold water
- Gare area late at night: minor hassle
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Police can demand ID; without it you can be held up to four hours, so carry your passport.
- Smoking is banned on beaches, in parks, at bus shelters and near schools; fines apply.
- Covering your face in public (balaclava, niqab, mask) is illegal, with fines up to €150.
How Annecy compares in France
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Annecy | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Colmar | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Carcassonne | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Brittany | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Dordogne | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Paris | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Nice | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Provence | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| French Riviera | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Lyon | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bordeaux | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cannes | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Strasbourg | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Chamonix | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Corsica | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Aix-en-Provence | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Toulouse | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Loire Valley | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Normandy | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Montpellier | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Avignon | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Biarritz | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Saint-Tropez | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Antibes | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Nantes | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Lille | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Marseille | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Annecy safe for solo female travelers?
Very safe for solo women; normal care when hiking alone.
Is Annecy safe at night?
Quiet and safe on foot; the old town stays lively in summer. Buses wind down around midnight.
What is the crime rate in Annecy?
Occasional pickpocketing in summer crowds and car break-ins at trailheads. Violent crime against visitors is rare. Nationally, France records 1.3 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Annecy?
Police 17 · Ambulance 15 · Fire 18 · All emergencies 112.
More about Annecy
Going to Annecy solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Annecy tourist office
- Sibra (Annecy transport)
- SNCF Connect
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.