These are the tourist scams Trzly has documented across Francia, grouped by destination. Each one is real, with a clear way to stay safe. Read before you land.
Come funziona: Organised pickpockets work the busy metro lines, the funiculars and crowded spots like Place Bellecour and the station, jostling you or crowding doors to lift phones and wallets.
Come evitarla: Keep bags zipped and in front of you, hold your phone firmly, and be extra alert as metro and funicular doors open and close. Avoid flashing valuables in crowds.
Come funziona: Someone, often claiming to collect for a charity, asks you to sign a petition or donate near tourist spots. While your attention is on the clipboard, an accomplice may pick your pocket.
Come evitarla: Decline politely and keep walking. Do not sign anything or open your bag, and keep valuables secured when groups approach you around Bellecour, Fourvière or the old town.
Come funziona: In tourist spots such as the steps up to Fourvière, someone tries to tie a string bracelet on your wrist as a 'gift', then demands payment while an accomplice crowds you.
Come evitarla: Keep your hands to yourself, do not let anyone touch your wrist, and walk on with a firm no. Stay aware of anyone crowding you while your attention is held.
Come funziona: Unofficial drivers approach arrivals at the airport or station offering a ride, then charge well above the normal fare or refuse the meter.
Come evitarla: Take the Rhônexpress for the airport, or use only the official taxi rank or a licensed ride-hailing app. Confirm the fare in advance and never accept a ride from someone approaching you inside the terminal.
Come funziona: A few restaurants in the busiest tourist lanes charge inflated prices, push expensive specials, or add unclear extras to the bill for visitors.
Come evitarla: Eat a street or two back from the main tourist flow, check the posted menu and prices before sitting, and prefer certified bouchons. Read the bill before paying.
Come funziona: Around the Old Port and on the steps below Notre-Dame de la Garde, men try to tie a coloured string bracelet onto your wrist or finger as a 'gift', then aggressively demand payment and block your way.
Come evitarla: Keep your hands in your pockets, do not let anyone take your wrist, and walk on with a firm no. If a group closes in, keep moving toward a busier, open area.
Come funziona: Someone bends down near you, picks up a 'gold' ring and asks if you dropped it, then presses it on you and later demands money, or uses the moment to distract you for an accomplice.
Come evitarla: The ring is worthless brass. Do not take it or engage, keep walking, and be aware the ploy is often cover for a pickpocket working the same spot.
Come funziona: Thieves work in teams on crowded trams, the metro and especially the busy bus routes linking the airport and the Old Port, jostling you as doors close or crowding you at stops.
Come evitarla: Keep bags zipped and in front of you, hold your phone firmly, avoid back pockets, and stay alert on the airport bus and packed carriages. Do not flash valuables.
Come funziona: Unofficial or opportunistic drivers approach arrivals at the station and airport offering a 'taxi', then charge far above the regulated fare or refuse to run the meter once you are aboard.
Come evitarla: Use only the official taxi rank or a licensed ride-hailing app, insist on the meter for city rides, and know the fixed airport fare in advance. Never accept a ride from someone approaching you inside a terminal.
Come funziona: A person, often claiming to collect for a charity, asks you to sign a petition or donate near the port and museums. While you focus on the clipboard, an accomplice may go through your bag or pockets.
Come evitarla: Decline politely and keep moving, do not sign anything or open your bag, and keep valuables secured when groups approach you near the main sights.
Come funziona: A person, often claiming to collect for a charity for the deaf, asks you to sign a petition and donate. While you focus on the clipboard, an accomplice may pick your pocket or open your bag.
Come evitarla: Decline politely and keep moving. Do not sign anything or open your bag, and keep valuables secured when groups approach you near the Promenade or the Old Town.
Come funziona: In crowded tourist spots a man tries to tie a string bracelet on your wrist or finger as a 'gift', then aggressively demands payment while an accomplice moves in close.
Come evitarla: Keep your hands to yourself, do not let anyone touch your wrist, and walk on with a firm no. Stay aware of anyone crowding you while your attention is held.
Come funziona: Thieves target bags and phones left on the pebbles while owners swim or sunbathe, snatching them in seconds from an unattended towel.
Come evitarla: Never leave valuables on the beach while you swim. Take only what you need, use a waterproof pouch, or take turns watching your things, and keep bags physically against you when resting.
Come funziona: Organised pickpockets work the busy Promenade, the Old Town markets, the tram and the station, jostling you or crowding the tram doors to lift phones and wallets.
Come evitarla: Keep bags zipped and in front of you, hold your phone firmly, and be extra alert on the tram, at the station and in dense market lanes. Avoid flashing valuables.
Come funziona: Unofficial drivers approach arrivals at the airport and station offering a 'taxi', then charge far above the normal fare or refuse the meter.
Come evitarla: Use only the official taxi rank or a licensed ride-hailing app, and take the tram for the cheapest airport transfer. Confirm the fare in advance and never accept a ride from someone approaching you inside the terminal.
Come funziona: Someone bends down near you, picks up a 'gold' ring and asks if it is yours, then offers it to you and later demands money or uses the moment to distract you.
Come evitarla: The ring is worthless brass. Do not take it or engage, keep walking, and be aware the ploy is often cover for a pickpocket working nearby.
Come funziona: On the steps up to Sacre-Coeur, men try to tie a string bracelet on your wrist or finger as a 'gift', then aggressively demand payment and block your way.
Come evitarla: Keep your hands in your pockets, do not let anyone touch your wrist, and walk on with a firm no. Use the funicular or side streets if the main steps are crowded with sellers.
Come funziona: A person, often claiming to collect for a charity for the deaf, asks you to sign a petition and donate. While you focus on the clipboard, an accomplice may pick your pocket.
Come evitarla: Decline politely and keep moving. Do not sign anything or open your bag, and keep valuables secured while groups approach you near major sights.
Come funziona: Thieves work crowded trains and platforms, especially on lines serving major sights and airports, jostling you as doors close or crowding you at the turnstile.
Come evitarla: Keep bags zipped and in front of you, hold phones firmly, and be extra alert at busy stations and as train doors open and close. Avoid flashing valuables.
Come funziona: Unofficial drivers approach arrivals at airports and stations offering a 'taxi', then charge far above the regulated fare or refuse the meter.
Come evitarla: Use only the official taxi rank or a licensed ride-hailing app. Know the fixed airport fare in advance, and never accept a ride from someone approaching you inside the terminal.