Be Safe In Avignon

Avignon is by and large a safe place for holiday makers with crime statistics not offering any serious areas of concern and the general atmosphere being conducive to walking around comfortably and safely both day and night.

Safety

Warnings of muggers and pickpockets should be heeded, as Avignon is a big city and a popular tourist destination, making it by nature an attractive place for those with dishonest intentions. Following a few basic rules such as avoiding unpopulated, unlit areas at night and keeping purses and wallets in front pockets can go a long way to making sure you are not the target of criminals. Also, wearing handbags over the opposite shoulder from the hip on which they sit or wearing both straps of a backpack can make things a lot more difficult for bag snatchers.

Police:  112

Health

During the summer, be wary of the sun and make sure you slap on plenty of sun cream; it’s easy to underestimate just how hot the sun can get. Dehydration is also an issue, so make sure you drink plenty of water. Tap water in Avignon is perfectly safe, although many people prefer to buy bottled water, which is available still or carbonated and can be found pretty much everywhere. The risks of food poisoning or hygiene-related illness are certainly no higher than in any other well developed EU city and the risk of communicable disease the same. Rabies is however present, so avoid petting any dogs that you come across randomly in the street.

Should you have an accident or get sick while on holiday, you can get free medical treatment if you’re an EU resident whose country has a reciprocal agreement with France, although you will need to make sure you have the relevant documentation, which can be obtained from local government offices in your home country. If you are from a non-EU country, then you would be wise to make sure you have travel insurance with medical cover before you set off on your vacation.

General Hospital: +33 4 9080 3333