Is Colmar safe?
Very safe, calm town. Petty theft is rare; the main risk is crowds in December.
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 Colmar at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Occasional pickpocketing at Christmas markets and bike theft; car break-ins at car parks near the center. |
| At night | Quiet and safe; most restaurants close by about 10 pm and the old town empties early. |
| Solo women | Very comfortable for solo women. Normal care walking outside the center late at night. |
| Other risks | Icy cobbles in winter; Crowded narrow lanes at Christmas markets |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Overpriced drinks and food near Petite Venise in peak season
- Pickpockets at Christmas markets in December
Take care
- Christmas markets in December: dense crowds and pickpockets
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 Colmar 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 Colmar safe for solo female travelers?
Very comfortable for solo women. Normal care walking outside the center late at night.
Is Colmar safe at night?
Quiet and safe; most restaurants close by about 10 pm and the old town empties early.
What is the crime rate in Colmar?
Occasional pickpocketing at Christmas markets and bike theft; car break-ins at car parks near the center. Nationally, France records 1.3 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Colmar?
Police 17 · Ambulance 15 · Fire 18 · All emergencies 112.
More about Colmar
Going to Colmar solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Colmar meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- TER Grand Est
- Hôpitaux Civils de Colmar
- 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.