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{{short description|French national security alert system}}

'''Vigipirate''', ("plan Vigipirate" in [[French]]), is France's national security alert system. Created in [[1978]] by President [[Valéry Giscard d'Estaing]], it has since been activated three times: in [[1995]] (following an [[1995 Islamist terror bombings in France|Islamist terror bombing campaign]]), [[2000]], and [[2003]].

{{Expand language|topic=|langcode=fr|date=September 2022}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}

[[File:Patrouille_Vigipirate.jpg|thumb|[[French Army]] [[Land Rover Defender]] Vigipirate door marking.]]

[[File:Plan Vigipirate en gare de Strasbourg 19 août 2013 04.jpg|thumb|Soldiers of the [[French Army]] on patrol at [[Strasbourg]] station 19 August, 2013.]]

'''Vigipirate''' ({{langx|fr|Plan Vigipirate}}) is [[France]]'s national [[Emergency population warning|security alert system]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sooseszter.com/21-vigipirate/|title=21. Vigipirate? What is it? – Your Guide to France|access-date=13 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/french-english/vigipirate|title=English Translation of "Vigipirate" - Collins French-English Dictionary|website=www.collinsdictionary.com|access-date=13 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/actualites/A13094|title=Vigipirate : 3 niveaux d'alerte face à la menace terroriste|website=www.service-public.fr|access-date=13 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/3657489/vigipirate-paris-terrorism-charlie-hebdo/|title=Here's How Paris Police Are Responding to the Terrorist Attack on Charlie Hebdo|magazine=Time|access-date=13 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/french-english/plan-vigipirate|title=English Translation of "plan Vigipirate" - Collins French-English Dictionary|website=www.collinsdictionary.com|access-date=13 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gouvernement.fr/risques/comprendre-le-plan-vigipirate|title=COMPRENDRE LE PLAN VIGIPIRATE|website=Gouvernement.fr|access-date=13 December 2018}}</ref> Created in 1978 through interministerial sessions and falling within the responsibilities of the prime minister, it has since been updated three times: in 1995 (following a [[1995 Paris Metro bombing|terror bombing campaign]]), 2000 and 2004.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}

==Details==

The system defines four levels of threats represented by four colors: yellow, orange, red, crimson.

Until 2014 the system defined four levels of threats represented by five colors: white, yellow, orange, red, scarlet. The levels called for specific security measures, including increased police or police/military mixed patrols in subways, train stations and other vulnerable locations.

In February 2014 the levels were simplified to 'vigilance' (or surveillance) and 'attack alert'.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/actualites/A13094|title=Vigipirate : 3 niveaux d'alerte face à la menace terroriste|website=www.service-public.fr|access-date=13 December 2018}}</ref> In December 2016, they were reorganized in three levels: 'vigilance', 'heightened security/risk of attack' and 'attack emergency'.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gouvernement.fr/en/vigipirate-levels|title=Vigipirate levels|website=Gouvernement.fr|access-date=13 December 2018}}</ref>

The system calls for specific security measures, including increased police or police/military mixed patrols in subways, train stations and other vulnerable locations.

The name "Vigipirate" is an acronym of {{langx|fr|vigilance et protection des installations contre les risques d'attentats terroristes à l'explosif}} ("surveillance and protection of facilities against the risk of terrorist bombing attacks").

== Levels of alert ==

==Levels of alert (to 2014)==

{| border="0" width="75%" align="center" style="border: 1px solid #999; background-color:#EEEEEE"

[[File:Patrol paratroopers foreign legion paris notre dame.jpg|thumb|[[French Foreign Legion]]naires near [[Notre Dame de Paris]] 20 November 2010]]

|-align="center" bgcolor="#CCCCCC"

{| class = "wikitable" style="width: 70%"

!colspan="2"|<font size="4" color="white">Levels of alert for "Plan Vigipirate"

!style="background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|Alert level

!style="background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|Color

!style="background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|Significance

!style="background:#F5F5F5; text-align:center;"|Measures taken

|-

!bgcolor="yellow" colspan="2"|Yellow level

|-

|{{center|0}}

|||Raise security levels to face real yet still uncertain dangers, through measures that are local and minimally disruptive of normal activity, while preparing to switch to "orange" or "red" within a few days.

|bgcolor="white" |'''White'''

|-style="background-color: orange"

| No danger

!colspan="2"|Orange level

|No danger

|-

|{{center|1}}

|||Take measures against plausible risks of terrorist action, including the use of means that are moderately disruptive to normal public activities, while preparing to switch to "red" or "crimson" on short notice where possible.

|-bgcolor="redf8ee00" |'''Yellow'''

| Vague threat / raise vigilance

!colspan="2"|Red level

|Raise security levels to face real yet still uncertain dangers, through measures that are local and minimally disruptive of normal activity, while preparing to switch to "orange" or "red" within a few days.

|-

|{{center|2}}

|||Take measures against a proven risk of one or more terrorist actions, including measures to protect public institutions and putting in place appropriate means for rescue and response, authorizing a significant level of disruption to social and economic activity.

|-bgcolor="#cc0088f0aa00" |'''Orange'''

| Possible threat / prevent terrorist action

!colspan="2"|Crimson level

|Take measures against plausible risks of terrorist action, including the use of means that are moderately disruptive to normal public activities, while preparing to switch to "red" or "scarlet" on short notice where possible.

|-

|{{center|3}}

|bgcolor="d8004d" |'''Red'''

| High chance of threat / prevent serious attack

|Take measures against a proven risk of one or more terrorist actions, including measures to protect public institutions and putting in place appropriate means for rescue and response, authorizing a significant level of disruption to social and economic activity.

|-

|{{center|4}}

|bgcolor="#a30037" |'''Scarlet'''

| Definite threat / prevent major attack

|Notification of a risk of major attacks, simultaneous or otherwise, using non-conventional means and causing major devastation; preparing appropriate means of rescue and response, measures that are highly disruptive to public life are authorized.

|-

|||Notification of a risk of major attacks, simultaneous or otherwise, using non-conventional means and causing major devastation; preparing appropriate means of rescue and response, measures that are highly disruptive to public life are authorized.

|}

==Levels of alert (2014-2016)==

== Assessing situations and applicable measures ==

Specialised services assess threats on a schedule dependant on national and international circumstances. Those services propose changes to the alert level to the [[President of the French Republic|President of the Republic]] and to the [[Prime Minister of France|Prime Minister]], who have the authority to trigger "Plan Vigipirate" and decide on an appropriate alert level. The relevant monitoring, prevention and protection measures are then implemented by the appropriate authorities: national and local government agencies, the [[SNCF]], [[RATP]], affected airports, etc.

{{Gallery

When the Vigipirate plan is active with respect to terror bombings, the following measures are activated:

|File:Vigipirate 2014.svg

* Certain public trashcans are removed, or sealed. Typically, they are replaced by low cardboard boxes, or transparent bags. This makes hiding a bomb more difficult, and also reduces opportunities for the container becoming [[shrapnel]].

|alt1=Vigipirate triangle only no text below

* Patrols of [[French National Police|police]] or [[French Gendarmerie|gendarmerie]] officers, or mixed patrols consisting of police or gendarmerie law-enforcement officers and military troops, circulate in sensitive areas (subways such as the [[Paris Métro]], train stations, airports). Visitors may be surprised at the sight of soldiers carrying [[FAMAS]] assault rifles; however, the rifles are not loaded, and soldiers may not even carry ammunition. The decision to fire is taken by the law enforcement officer. There has been so far one occasion where a soldier has fired his weapons. Military personnel in such patrols is generally from the [[French Army|Army]], though patrols in airports may use fusiliers from the [[French Air Force|Air Force]].

|Vigilance

|File:Vigipirate Alerte Attentat 2014.svg

|alt2=Vigipirate triangle with "Alerte Attentat" in black font

|Attack Alert

}}

== Levels of alert (from 2016) ==

The new version of "Plan Vigipirate" is more versatile than the previous one. It is the framework for other more specific rescue or intervention plans, with names like [[Biotox]], [[Piratox]] or [[Piratome]], depending on the type of threat expected.

{{Gallery

The plan relies on joint participation and the reinforcement of a culture of security in all the plan's agents. It advances the principle of shared responsibility: each agent must take into account the risks involved, from individual citizens to goverment agencies specifically charged with anti-terrorism activities. Surveillance must be continuous and security teams must constantly be formed and trained.

|File:Vigipirate 2016.svg

|alt1=Vigipirate triangle only no text below

|Vigilance

|File:Vigipirate Sécurité renforcée - Risque attentat 2016.svg

|alt2=Vigipirate triangle with "Sécurité Renforcée Risque Attentat" in black font

|Heightened Security / Risk of Attack

|File:Vigipirate Urgence attentat 2016.svg

|alt3=Vigipirate triangle with "Urgence Attentat" in red font

|Attack Emergency

}}

== History of alert levels ==

[[File:Vigipirate mg 4540.jpg|thumb|[[Troupes de marine|French Marine]] on Vigipirate duty at [[Gare de Lyon]]]]

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; width: 70%;"

{| border="0"

! Date

| align="right" | [[26 January]] [[2004]]

! Level

| bgcolor="yellow" | Yellow level

! Description

|-

| align="right" | 2 January 1991

| bgcolor=CCCCCC | Phase 1

| First release phase 1 in the beginning of the [[Gulf War]].

|-

| align="right" | 17 January 1991

| bgcolor="grey" | Phase 2

| Passage of phase 2 in the early war strikes.

|-

| align="right" | 26 April 1991

| bgcolor="white" | Lifting of level

|

|-

| align="right" | [[128 March]]September [[2004]]1995

| bgcolor="redgrey" | Red levelRelease

| After the [[1995 Paris Métro and RER bombings]].

| Only affecting road and rail transport, due to the [[11 March 2004 Madrid train bombings|bombing of trains in Madrid on the 11th of March 2004]]

|-

| align="right" | [[2415 May]]January [[2004]]1996

| bgcolor="redCCCCCC" | Red levelRelief

|

|-

| align="right" | [[8October June]] [[2004]]1996

| bgcolor="orangewhite" | Orange levelSuspension

|

|-

| align="right" | 3 December 1996

| bgcolor="grey" | Reactivation

| After an attack on the RER station Port Royal in Paris.

|-

| align="right" | 1998

| bgcolor="grey" | Reinforcement

| Due to the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]] (see [[1998 World Cup terror plot|World Cup terror plot]]).

|-

| align="right" | 24 April 1999

| bgcolor="grey" | Reinforcement

| Due to the [[Kosovo War]].

|-

| align="right" | 24 April 1999

| bgcolor="grey" | Reactivation

| In the wake of the attacks in [[Corsica]].

|-

| align="right" | 27 December 1999

| bgcolor="grey" | Reactivation

| In the wake of the [[Year 2000 problem|Y2K problem]].

|-

| align="right" | 11 September 2001

| bgcolor="grey" | Reinforcement

| After the [[September 11 attacks]] in the United States.

|-

| align="right" | 5 June 2002

| bgcolor="grey" | Extension

| Extended by the new Prime Minister [[Jean-Pierre Raffarin]].

|-

| align="right" | 9 September 2002

| bgcolor="grey" | Extension

| Extension of Vigipirate strengthened after the [[September 11 attacks|11 September attacks]].

|-

| align="right" | 6 December 2002

| bgcolor="grey" | Reinforcement

| Celebrations at the end of the year.

|-

| align="right" | 20 March 2003

| bgcolor="grey" | Reinforcement

| At the beginning of the [[Iraq War]].

|-

| align="right" | 20 March 2003

| bgcolor="f0aa00" | Orange level

| Reforming of Vigipirate and the introduction of color levels due to the Iraq war.

|-

| align="right" | 17 May 2003

| bgcolor="f0aa00" | Orange level

| After the [[2003 Casablanca bombings]].

|-

| align="right" | 2 October 2003

| bgcolor="f8ee00" | Yellow level

| Prime Ministerial decision.

|-

| align="right" | 1 December 2003

| bgcolor="f0aa00" | Orange level

| Due to the celebrations.

|-

| align="right" | 26 January 2004

| bgcolor="f8ee00" | Yellow level

|

|-

| align="right" | [[812 July]]March [[2004]]

| bgcolor="oranged8004d" | OrangeRed level

| Only in land transport; orange everywhere else. After the [[2004 Madrid train bombings]].

|-

| align="right" | 24 May 2004

| bgcolor="d8004d" | Red level

| During the week-long anniversary of the [[invasion of Normandy]].

|-

| align="right" | 8 June 2004

| bgcolor="f0aa00" | Orange level

|

|-

| align="right" | [[78 July]] [[2005]]2004

| bgcolor="redf0aa00" | RedOrange level

|

| Due to the [[7_July_2005_London_bombings|bombing of metros in London on the 7th of July 2005]]

|-

| align="right" | 7 July 2005

| bgcolor="d8004d" | Red level

| After the [[7 July 2005 London bombings]].

|-

| align="right" | 10 October 2005

| bgcolor="d8004d" | Red level

| New measures adopted.

|-

| align="right" | 8 November 2005

| bgcolor="d8004d" | State of emergency

| State of emergency implemented due to the [[2005 French riots]].

|-

| align="right" | 4 January 2006

| bgcolor="d8004d" |Red level

| End of the state of emergency.

|-

| align="right" | July 2006

| bgcolor="d8004d" |Red level

| New measures adopted.

|-

| align="right" | 16 December 2008

| bgcolor="d8004d" |Red level

| After explosives are found at a Paris department store.

|-

| align="right" | August 2010

| bgcolor="d8004d" |Red level

| Measures of protection are reinforced.

|-

| align="right" | September 2010

| bgcolor="d8004d" |Red level

| Strengthening of security throughout the country.

|-

| align="right" | November 2010

| bgcolor="d8004d" |Red level

| After five terror suspects are arrested.

|-

| align="right" | May 2011

| bgcolor="d8004d" |Red level

| After the [[Death of Osama Bin Laden|death of]] [[Osama bin Laden]].

|-

| align="right" | 19 March 2012

| bgcolor="#a30037" |Scarlet level

| After the [[Toulouse and Montauban shootings]]. First time scarlet level is implemented.

|-

| align="right" | 24 March 2012

| bgcolor="d8004d" |Red level

| Level lowered back to red after the Toulouse and Montauban shootings suspect was apprehended.

|-

| align="right" | 20 February 2014

| bgcolor="f8ee00" | Vigilance

| Level set to "Vigilance" with the inauguration of the updated Vigipirate threat levels.

|-

| align="right" | 7 January 2015

| bgcolor="#a30037" | Attack alert

| Alert level raised in [[Île-de-France]], and in the [[Picardy]] [[regions of France|region]] the following day, after the [[Charlie Hebdo shooting|''Charlie Hebdo'' shooting]]. The alert level was lowered back to Vigilance in Picardy on 14 January 2015, while being maintained at the Attack level in Île de France.

|-

| align="right" | 14 November 2015

| bgcolor="#a30037" | State of emergency

| A state of emergency was declared throughout the whole of France, the day following the [[November 2015 Paris attacks]]; this state of emergency was continually extended until 1 November 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.paris.fr/actualites/security-measures-to-be-observed-3127|title=Security Measures to be Observed|date=25 November 2015|website=www.paris.fr|access-date=9 March 2019}}</ref>

|-

| align="right" | 29 October 2020

| bgcolor="#a30037" | Attack emergency

| After the [[2020 Nice stabbing]]. 3 were killed in Notre-Dame de Nice.

|-

|5 March 2021

|Heightened Security/Risk

of attack

|-

|13 October 2023

| bgcolor="#a30037" |Attack emergency

|After the 2023 multiple attacks from same day, [[Arras school stabbing|in a highschool in Arras (62)]] and 2 other attacks foiled.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-13 |title=France raises alert to highest level after teacher’s fatal stabbing |url=https://www.france24.com/en/france/20231013-macron-says-second-attack-foiled-after-fatal-stabbing-at-french-school |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=France 24 |language=en}}</ref>

|-

|24 March 2024

| bgcolor="#a30037" | Attack emergency

| In response to the [[Crocus City Hall attack]] in [[Moscow]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-24 |title=Plan Vigipirate : niveau urgence attentat déclaré | url=https://www.gouvernement.fr/actualite/plan-vigipirate-le-niveau-urgence-attentat-declare |access-date=2024-03-25 |website= Gouvernement Fr |language=fr}}</ref>

|}

==See also==

After the [[11 March 2004 Madrid train bombings|bombing of trains in Madrid on the 11th of March 2004]], the Vigipirate alert level rose first to "orange" and then to "red" for all [[SNCF]] railway stations. It was also elevated to red after the [[7_July_2005_London_bombings|bombing of metros in London on the 7th of July 2005]] by [[Prime Minister of France|Prime Minister]] [[Dominique de Villepin]].

{{commons category|Vigipirate}}

* [[States of emergency in France]]

== Trivia ==

* [[Opération Sentinelle]]

Opponents of the plan derisively call it "Plan Vichypirate", in reference to the [[Vichy regime]], because of its influence on citizens' privacy.

* [[UK Threat Levels]], used in the United Kingdom from 2006

** [[BIKINI state]], previously used in the United Kingdom

== External links ==

* [[Homeland Security Advisory System]] (United States)

*[http://www.premier-ministre.gouv.fr Web site of the Prime Minister].

==References==

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Law enforcement in France]]

[[fr:plan Vigipirate]]

[[Category:Alert measurement systems]]

[[Category:Emergency management in France]]

[[Category:1978 introductions]]

[[Category:Valéry Giscard d'Estaing]]