Start of the holidays in France: Gendarmerie warns of thefts at motorway service areas

France – 04.07.2026: With the start of the summer holidays, the first major travel rush on French motorways began on Saturday. The Gendarmerie and operators report an increase in thefts from parked or briefly unattended vehicles at service areas. Cases without visible signs of forced entry are particularly common: perpetrators make use of open windows, unlocked doors or unsecured boot lids and grab bags, rucksacks or electronic devices left on seats.

According to traffic services, the risk is shifting to heavily used corridors such as the A6, A7 and A10, where Bison Futé has forecast long traffic jams and high occupancy of service areas for the weekend. In crowds and during short breaks opportunistic thefts are a risk, as holidaymakers often leave luggage in the vehicle or become inattentive while refuelling or during toilet stops. The Gendarmerie announced increased patrols, a visible presence in parking areas and points of contact for those affected.

Operators such as VINCI Autoroutes have increased their staff and point to on-site prevention notices. Employees inform travellers about simple protective rules: fully close windows, lock doors, take valuables with you or stow them out of sight in the boot, and do not leave the vehicle unattended even for short distances. In addition, local prefectures distribute informational material and remind people to report suspicious observations immediately via the emergency number.

From an investigative standpoint these offences are challenging because perpetrators often act in a division-of-labour manner and inconspicuously. No concrete information on suspects is publicly available at present. Authorities emphasise, however, that rapid reports help to identify patterns and determine priorities for checks. Those affected should, if possible, avoid altering the scene, report the theft to the Gendarmerie immediately and have documents such as the vehicle registration, photos and purchase receipts ready for the insurer. For stolen bank cards the services advise immediate blocking via the issuing bank.

Beyond the service areas, security forces point to existing prevention programmes such as the Opération Tranquillité Vacances, which coordinates additional checks in travellers’ residential surroundings during the holiday period. The aim is to curb both thefts on the road and burglaries in vacant apartments. Travellers are asked to plan routes in advance, take longer breaks at well-lit, busy facilities and not to publish location or luggage details in real time on social networks.

Authorities’ conclusion: caution, locked vehicles and valuables not left in plain sight significantly reduce the risk. The increased presence on the motorways is intended to deter — but does not replace travellers’ basic personal precautions.