France is generally a safe place in which to travel and violent crime is relatively rare. Travellers should ensure they take responsible action in ensuring their security. It is simple a matter of staying alert as to what situations are best avoided.   

In the case of emergency, loss, claim or if you are attacked :

Emergency : from a landline. dial 15 (SAMU: emergency medical services), 17 (Police) or 18 (Fire Service). From a mobile telephone, dial 112.

Attack, theft: go to the nearest gendarmerie or police station.

Claim (hotel, restaurant, business): contact the local "Direction Départementale de la Concurrence, de la Consommation et de la Répression des Fraudes" (Departmental Office for Competition, Consumers and Fraud Prevention)

Loss: give a statement at the nearest police station.