We tend to think of France as a civilized country, even in terms of crime. Yet the Hexagon suffers more homicides each year than Spain and Germany, according to the European Commission, a government agency that represents the interested on the European Union.

A chart showing murder rates from 2007 – 2009 places France in a more dangerous spot than Greece and even Italy, but safer than 16 of its EU neighbors, including Belgium, Luxembourg, and Denmark. (Click to enlarge.)

Should visitors to France be concerned? Well, yes and no. Most murders happen between acquaintances rather than total strangers. But petty crime is a persistent problem in metropolitan areas. Pickpocketing, especially.

So don’t worry about losing your life on vacation. But think about travel insurance if you want a more worry-free vacation.