Going away over the next few months and leaving your home empty?
It’s worth taking a look at the French Operation-tranquillite-vacances (OTV) scheme. Visit the official Ma Sécurité website (available in both French and English), where you’ll find advice on keeping your property secure while you’re away, together with details of how to register for the free service.
You can either register online (using FranceConnect) or download the PDF form and take it to your local gendarmerie or police station. You’ll be asked to provide your travel dates, details of someone who holds a key (if applicable), and contact information so you can be reached if necessary.
During your absence, police or gendarmerie patrols will make occasional checks on your property, both day and night, and will contact you or your nominated key holder if they notice anything suspicious.
While you’re preparing to go away, it’s also worth checking your home insurance policy. Many French insurers expect you to be able to prove ownership of valuable items in the event of a burglary. Keeping receipts, taking photographs of valuables, noting serial numbers and storing important documents in a safe place can make a claim much easier. Some policies also contain conditions about security measures or the length of time a property may be left unoccupied, so it’s worth checking the small print before you leave.
