Embassy of France in Riga, Latvia; address 9 Raina Bulvaris, 1050, Rīga; phone +37167036600. Head of mission: Mr. Manuel Lafont Rapnouil.
Head of mission: Mr. Manuel Lafont Rapnouil, Ambassador (confirmed in the diplomatic list of Latvia, 31 Oct 2024)
France is a top global tourism destination, attracting millions of visitors annually. While it may appeal to some Latvian travelers, only a portion of the 500,000 Latvians who travel abroad each year are likely to consider France as their destination.
France is generally safe for tourists, but there are some considerations. According to safety rankings, France is ranked 40th out of 40 countries for safety while walking alone at night, compared to Latvia's 25th position. In terms of the Global Peace Index, France ranks 84th out of 160 countries, while Latvia is ranked 30th. Regarding crime statistics, Latvia has a higher murder rate (3.0 per 100,000 people) compared to France (1.1), but Latvia has higher rates of female murders as well. Organized crime indices indicate that Latvia tends to perform better than France across various crime categories, including mafia presence and human trafficking. Overall, while France has its safety challenges, it remains a popular destination for tourists, including those from Latvia, who should stay aware of their surroundings and take standard precautions.