The crime rate in France is about the same as the rest of Europe - the level of reported crime is on the increase, with violent crime and thefts against property rising.

Burglary is a problem in certain areas, and holiday homes remain a popular target. Urban areas are seeing a rise in crime involving guns. France's Mediterranean coast continues to be plagued by organised crime (drug-trafficking, robbery and prostitution) - hotspots are Marseille and Nice.

However, crime is rare in more rural areas and most places are safe to walk around, if you are fairly streetwise and avoid unnecessary risk.

The disturbing rise in thefts in France has led many people to keep dogs or fit reinforced doors and better locks as a burglar deterrent.

Car theft is rife in some places, and many cars are broken into just for the contents, i.e. stereos or personal belongings (clothes, mobile phones).

Never leave anything of interest on display in your car (including the originals of car documents) and ensure that you have theft insurance covering valuable items like stereo equipment and your personal effects.

NOTE: Anyone who witnesses an accident and does not try to assist the victim - at least by summoning help - is committing a criminal offence in France, punishable by a fine of up to 75,000 Euros and a possible prison term of 5 years.

Controlled substances

Illegal drug use in France is less common than in some other European countries, such as the UK and the Netherlands - nevertheless France has an estimated 150,000 heroin addicts, so it remains a serious health issue.

Within Europe France is thought to have the most adolescent cannabis users, and around 7 million cannabis smokers in total.

The laws regarding drug use are rarely enforced, and of those people questioned, few are ever convicted (less than 10%).

Anyone seeking advice on drug-related problems can consult a number of help organisations and information sources:

- The French government has a website with information and a list of local and regional help organisations: http://www.drogues.gouv.fr/uk/index.html

- Drug Info Services operates a telephone help-line, with free info on drug-related problems: telephone 08 00 23 13 13

- The Mission Interministerielle de Lutte contre la Toxicomanie (7 rue Saint George, 75009 Paris, telephone 01 44 63 20 50) can provide details of regional organisations offering treatment for substance abuse

- There is also the Drogue/Alcool/Tabac Info-Service, a national 24-hour help-line for problems to do with drugs, alcohol or smoking - dial 113.

Legal System

A series of written civil laws known as the Napoleonic code (code Napoleon), as laid down by Napoleon in 1789, forms the basis of the French legal system. There are 2 parts to the system - the administrative handles disputes between government and individuals, whereas criminal and civil cases fall to the judiciary to settle.

The jury system in France was abolished in 1941, so all cases are decided by judges of various kinds. The only exception is in the cour d'assises that deals with major criminal cases - here a jury populaire of 9 ordinary citizens decides the verdict.

France has different courts to deal with different types of cases; civil courts hear small claims, commercial, social security and labour disputes, while various criminal courts handle criminal cases, from minor offences to major trials, plus two courts of appeal.

If your French is sufficiently fluent, you may represent yourself in certain civil court cases. In most other cases, you will need to hire a lawyer (avocat) to act for you.

Under the French legal system, a suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and has the right to silence. Anyone who is arrested is entitled to see a lawyer within 3 hours. Legal aid (aide juridictionnelle) is available to EU citizens and those on low incomes who visit France regularly. The maximum prison sentence is 30 years.

Lists of English-speaking lawyers can be obtained from local consulates or the relevant embassy in France.

Legal Ages

The age of consent in France and the lowest age at which a person can decide to get married is 18 - though 15-18 year-olds CAN marry with the consent of at least one parent. However, France has the lowest number of marriages in Europe (about 50 for every 10,000 people) and it is far more usual for people to cohabit.

NOTE - If a widow or divorcee wishes to remarry, they must wait at least 300 days (after death of spouse or their divorce, respectively), in case of pregnancy.

Young people are permitted to drink alcohol from age 16, though the relevant laws are rarely enforced and younger people are routinely served alcohol.

The minimum age at which you can drive a car in France is 18, though at 14 years you can register and take a test to drive a moped, with an engine of under 50cc, capable of speeds up to 45 kph (there are, however, many accidents involving young people with mopeds).