These are the tourist scams Trzly has documented across Francja, grouped by destination. Each one is real, with a clear way to stay safe. Read before you land.
Jak to działa: 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.
Jak tego uniknąć: 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.
Jak to działa: 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.
Jak tego uniknąć: 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.
Jak to działa: 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.
Jak tego uniknąć: 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.
Jak to działa: Unofficial drivers approach arrivals at the airport or station offering a ride, then charge well above the normal fare or refuse the meter.
Jak tego uniknąć: 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.
Jak to działa: A few restaurants in the busiest tourist lanes charge inflated prices, push expensive specials, or add unclear extras to the bill for visitors.
Jak tego uniknąć: 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.
Jak to działa: 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.
Jak tego uniknąć: 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.
Jak to działa: 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.
Jak tego uniknąć: 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.
Jak to działa: 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.
Jak tego uniknąć: 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.
Jak to działa: 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.
Jak tego uniknąć: 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.
Jak to działa: 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.
Jak tego uniknąć: 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.
Jak to działa: 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.
Jak tego uniknąć: 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.
Jak to działa: 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.
Jak tego uniknąć: 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.
Jak to działa: Thieves target bags and phones left on the pebbles while owners swim or sunbathe, snatching them in seconds from an unattended towel.
Jak tego uniknąć: 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.
Jak to działa: 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.
Jak tego uniknąć: 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.
Jak to działa: Unofficial drivers approach arrivals at the airport and station offering a 'taxi', then charge far above the normal fare or refuse the meter.
Jak tego uniknąć: 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.
Jak to działa: 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.
Jak tego uniknąć: 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.
Jak to działa: 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.
Jak tego uniknąć: 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.
Jak to działa: 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.
Jak tego uniknąć: Decline politely and keep moving. Do not sign anything or open your bag, and keep valuables secured while groups approach you near major sights.
Jak to działa: 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.
Jak tego uniknąć: 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.
Jak to działa: Unofficial drivers approach arrivals at airports and stations offering a 'taxi', then charge far above the regulated fare or refuse the meter.
Jak tego uniknąć: 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.