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The most dangerous city in France is located 2 hours from Paris

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The Editor

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Not long ago, the capital earned the not-so-glamorous title of the deadliest city in Europe, but luckily, it’s not just about that grim record. Even better, it seems that it’s not even the most dangerous city in France! In fact, according to a new study, that title belongs to a city just 2 hours by train from Paris!

In April 2026, data released by the police and gendarmerie allowed the website ville-data.com to establish for the 9th consecutive year a ranking of the most dangerous French cities with over 22,500 inhabitants. While the capital dropped two spots in just a year, sliding back into the top 5 to settle on the 4th spot, another French city has taken the crown this year for the very first time. It’s Lyon !


A Most Rigorous Ranking

To establish this ranking, the study relies on figures from the Ministry of the Interior to calculate a crime exposure index per 1,000 inhabitants. This is based on ten indicators – intentional assaults and injuries, domestic violence sexual violence, burglaries, vehicle theft, vandalism… – categorized by their impact on individuals, the ranking showcases the level of pressure residents are facing. Do keep in mind, though, that these findings should be taken with a grain of salt as some data is not publicly available. The platform has made efforts to minimize differences, especially regarding tourist activity, which could affect the rankings. 


Lyon, the city of crime?

This year, it's the capital of Gaul that climbs the rankings to grab the gold medal in crime. This top spot is due to a consistent level of crime, particularly driven by violent thefts without weapons, willful destruction and damage, and car break-ins, while other major cities see their numbers decreasing in the same categories. Over the past year, the city has recorded a total of 696,173 crimes and offenses, averaging 696,173 people affected per day. This translates to a rate of 1,247.3 per 1,000 residents, putting Lyon at the top among the cities assessed this year. Many locals confirm a feeling of insecurity.


In Paris, crime is still a concern

If at the beginning of the article we talked about Paris as the deadliest city in Europe, it's important to clarify that this data relates only to deaths caused by the heatwave. However, the French capital is not exactly a safe haven either, earning the 4th place among the most dangerous cities in France, moving up 2 places compared to last year. In total, there are 2,795,242 crimes and offenses reported, with a population of 2,327,565 people. According to the study, the most dangerous districts are the 8th, 10th, 9th, and 12th, and there's been a notable increase in homicides of 18.75%. Here's to hoping for a bit of improvement by next year...