# Close Protection in Bordeaux, France Canonical page: https://closeprotectionhire.com/cities/bordeaux/ Close protection in Bordeaux, France. Aerospace, wine trade, and UNESCO heritage city security; CNAPS-licensed operators for BOD airport and Medoc estate circuits. ## Threats - **Civil Demonstrations**: Bordeaux was significantly affected by Yellow Vest protests in 2018 and 2019, and by pension reform demonstrations in 2023, both documented by the French Interior Ministry. FCDO France (2024) advises avoiding demonstrations which can turn confrontational. Gatherings typically affect Place de la Victoire, Place de la Bourse, and the cours Victor Hugo corridor. - **Petty Crime**: FCDO France (2024) notes pickpocketing throughout France. Tourist concentration around the Cite du Vin, Place de la Bourse Miroir d'Eau, and the Saint-Pierre quarter creates standard tourist-area theft risk. Gare Saint-Jean and the Bastide south bank carry documented station petty crime consistent with major French rail termini. - **Terrorism**: France maintains the Vigipirate Urgence Attentat level nationally. FCDO France (2024) warns of the continued terrorism threat. Bordeaux-Merignac Airport and the Dassault, Airbus, and MBDA industrial complex in the metropolitan area are relevant context for defence and aerospace sector visitors requiring heightened vigilance. - **HNWI Targeting**: The Bordeaux wine trade and the Medoc and Saint-Emilion chateau circuit attract high-net-worth visitors. French police (DCPJ) data note targeted acquisitive crime against luxury hotel guests and during major wine auction and primeur tasting events. High-value watch and jewellery targeting is documented in the Saint-Pierre and Triangle d'Or hotel zone. ## Regulations - **Licensing**: Protection physique des personnes is a regulated private security activity under Book VI of the Code de la sécurité intérieure, overseen by the Conseil National des Activités Privées de Sécurité (CNAPS). The company needs a CNAPS authorisation to operate (autorisation d'exercer), its managers an agrément, and each officer a carte professionnelle valid for 5 years. Managing or holding a stake in such a business without the required approval is punishable by 3 years' imprisonment and a 45,000 euro fine. - **Firearms**: Close protection officers in France may be authorised to carry arms only when they protect a person exposed to exceptional risks to their life (Code de la sécurité intérieure, article L613-12). The authorisation lasts at most 1 year, is renewable on the same conditions, and names the protected person and the types of weapon allowed. - **Foreign operators**: The Code also covers firms established in another EU or EEA state that are not registered in France. Officers must show sufficient knowledge of French, and nationals of countries outside the EU must have held a French residence permit for at least 5 years. A visiting foreign team does not gain a right to work in France without these titles; ask any provider for its CNAPS authorisation number and each officer's carte professionnelle. Sources, checked 2026-10-06: - [Bpifrance Création, Agent de protection physique des personnes: réglementation (updated 20 September 2024)](https://bpifrance-creation.fr/activites-reglementees/agent-protection-physique-personnes) - [Soulier Avocats, Overview of the French legal framework applicable to private protection officers (2021)](https://soulier-avocats.com/en/overview-of-the-french-legal-framework-applicable-to-private-protection-officers/) ## Zones Lower-risk areas: - Chartrons: Traditional wine merchant district north of the historic centre; residential and professional character, lower crime density than the tourist core, suitable for executive accommodation and corporate meetings. - Cauderian business district: Professional and business district; well-policed, suitable for corporate meetings away from the demonstration-affected historic centre. Elevated-risk areas: - Place de la Victoire and Sainte-Croix: High student and nightlife density; disorder risk and petty crime are elevated during demonstration periods and weekend evening hours. - Gare Saint-Jean and Bastide south bank: Transitional area; petty crime and opportunistic theft consistent with large French station environments. ## Emergency contacts - Emergency (all services): 112 - Police: 17 - SAMU (medical emergency): 15 - Pompiers (fire): 18 - British Embassy Paris: +33 1 44 51 31 00 - US Consulate Bordeaux: +33 5 56 48 63 80 - CHU de Bordeaux switchboard (covers Hopital Pellegrin): +33 5 56 79 56 79 (source: chu-bordeaux.fr/Contact/ official contact page, verified 2026-08-31) - CHU de Bordeaux, Pellegrin adult emergency department (urgences adultes): +33 5 57 82 04 05 (source: chu-bordeaux.fr Urgences et numeros utiles page, verified 2026-08-31) ## Warnings - FCDO France (2024) advises avoiding demonstrations; Bordeaux's Yellow Vest and pension reform protest history shows that gatherings here can cause significant property damage and disorder. - France's Vigipirate Urgence Attentat level applies nationally; apply heightened vigilance at BOD airport, Gare Saint-Jean, and crowded tourist sites. - DCPJ data note HNWI targeting during Bordeaux wine events; brief principals on discreet presentation of valuables during primeur and auction periods. - Nearest major hospital: CHU de Bordeaux, Hopital Pellegrin, Place Amelie Raba Leon, Bordeaux; telephone +33 5 56 79 56 79. ## Frequently asked questions ### What security is appropriate for Bordeaux wine primeur visits? ### How does the aerospace and defence sector affect Bordeaux security planning? ### What is the CNAPS framework and how does it apply to Bordeaux? ### How did the Yellow Vest protests affect Bordeaux and what is the residual risk? ### Is Bordeaux safe for tourists and business visitors generally?