Roland wh

Don't worry. Enjoy Paris like any other place in the world and have fun. Think possitiv. Go for it!

Bigmike1 Loc: I am from Gaffney, S.C. but live in Utah.

While we were in Germany in 2015/16 an incident occurred that you might take note of. A friend of ours, a native born German but he has lived in the US for many years was on the train with his wife. He had all of his important papers, passport, camera and money in a luggage case. He made the mistake of placing this case in the overhead rack. Some boys managed to crawl on the rack and drag his luggage case to the end of the car and were able to leap off at the next stop before he even realized it. He lost all of his photographs, passport, and I don't know what all else. He was literally sick and had to spend hours at the American Embassy in Frankfurt replacing his important papers. I noticed that the German people on the train always kept their baggage by them at their seats with one hand on it. I reckon it is a problem all over Europe so if you travel by train keep your baggage under your control.

mundy-F2 Loc: Chicago suburban area

I use a pacsafe for my camera body, one lens, small tablet, with small locks on each zippered compartment. I have been using this Pacsafe for over 5 years now.

doclrb

Consider the Pacsafe Carrysafe 200 strap. Avail at B&H, Adorama and others. But you do risk injury if the would-be thief continues to pull on the strap rather than forfeit the attempted theft.

doclrb

jldodge

We have traveled extensively internationally ... on trains, boats, buses, etc. Aside from other recommendations, which I tend to follow, I find that good common sense works well. Be aware of your surroundings at all times -- pick pockets don't like eye contact AND avoid crowds as that gives them a cover. Make things difficult if they try -- use Pacsafe gear; when on a train, my camera gear is in my lap, under my legs, OR if I am standing my backpack shifts to my stomach from my back. These are some simple things that allow you to enjoy the trip without worrying all the time. I have never had a problem or issue with pickpockets because I let them know I am not a good target.

Dossile

Sorry that I’m late to the game. My credentials: I have been to Paris too many times to count without a theft so far. Despite precautions, someone will probably get me one of these times. We do love Paris though.

Rick Steve’s has an excellent section on security while traveling in Europe on his website. Study it. I recommend his travel book on France. It’s an excellent guide.

My camera rules in Europe:

My camera bag and strap are security purchases from PacSafe. The straps for the camera and bag have airline cable running within and the bag has wire mesh that prevent slashing and zippers that are security minded.

I wear everything cross body and keep a hand on the camera or bag while walking.

No matter what presents itself to make you unexpectedly stop walking, keep going. Gypsies are notorious for begging and then lifting a wallet if you stop, but many other ruses are used. JUST KEEP WALKING! It’s not rude, it’s savvy.

Keep your gear simple. If you have to stop and futz around you become a target. I leave my heavy D850 at home. In Europe I use a Panasonic G9 with a 12-60 as a walk around, a pancake lens for the street and a fast 25 1.7 for inside churches and museums. Your Leica is it’s cousin, which to me is an excellent choice for travel.

I split up my credit cards and keep my passport and a few credit cards in a neck wallet that i wear to and from the airport just in case my wallet gets lifted. I check the neck wallet into the hotel safe when I arrive. I don’t trust a room safe except to prevent theft by the staff. A credit card wallet goes into my front pocket with my drivers license, a Visa, an Amex and a debit card to get ATM cash.

Lastly, don’t you dare leave a camera at home. Paris is, in my opinion, the best city in the world for photography. If you keep things simple and prepare a little ahead of time, security doesn’t need to dominate your worries. With a few precautions you can instead worry about the light, the camera angle, catching people in action, etc. have a wonderful time.

Nancysc

I worked at the American Embassy in Paris as a Foreign Service Officer. I had to replace passports for US citizens way too often. The worst place for theft seemed to be the RER to/from CDG airport. Second worse, all subways and esp the escalators. Keep your camera close with a strap that attaches to your body somewhere in addition to your neck. Never change lenses in a public place. Don't carry a camera bag, and when you are shooting, try to be close to a building, not near the curb or in the street. A photo vest with inside pockets is useful for cash and credit/atm cards. The shooting posture of arms tucked in tight is a doubly useful stance. Don't get distracted by kids crowding you, begging, speaking to you in English, or throwing a "baby" at you (It's a doll). Paris is not the worst city for thievery but it's up there with Marseille, Rome, and Istanbul.

Dossile

Oh, I forgot. We enjoy the Musee d Orsay more than any other museum in the world. Go to the top floor Cafe to take the iconic picture through the clock out into Paris. I found the people taking the photographs as fun to capture as the iconic shot. BTW, get a Paris Museum Pass before you go, or make your first stop at a less visited museum in Paris to purchase, to avoid most of the ticket lines.

Dave H2

I made a security strap out of a short length of vinyl coated wire (like dog leash material) with snap hooks on each end. By fastening it in parallel to your shoulder strap, it prevents cutting and snatching easily. I used it years ago on a European trip and had no problems. I'll make a post shortly with pics.
D

sanhuberto Loc: Miami

As a frequent traveler, I have learned that it is best not to show off. I like the advice of covering the name and logo of the pricey camera, keeping the camera around the wrist, not to crazy about a trap with metal, that could be an invitation to injuries and falls.
My bit of advice would be talk to your insurance agent and see if you can get a policy for the gear. These re rather inexpensive and you can insure watches, laptops, camera gear at replacement value with no deductible. My Nikon and four lenses were stolen in Armsterdam in 1974 (I was 22 at the time) and upon return home State Farm was waiting for a check for full replacement value.

RPaul3rd Loc: Arlington VA and Sarasota FL

We were in Paris in 2018 and here's what we found. Both my wife and I - in our late 60s - took collapsable walking sticks with us. Sometimes it's a royal pain to have the stick and take photos but we were told the walking sticks are somewhat of a deterrent. We encountered no problems.

Here's what we did to enjoy the sights. We took two boat rides on the Seine and two excursions by open-air tour busses. And, of course, we went to the top of the Eiffel Tower. One day trip was to Versailles by train and another was a train ride to Giverny to see the Monet estate. The busses were the on/off variety so when we went to the left bank and got off to see the magnificent Cathedral (Sacre Cour) and finished the splendid self-tour, we walked down the hill just to see the sights and then got on a bus at its regular stop and headed home. Allow a half-day to get to the airport. If you're staying a bit longer, a short train trip to the unbelievable Chartres Cathedral is well worth it and to Le Havre closest to the beaches of Normandy. Cheers!

baron_silverton Loc: Los Angeles, CA

Why don't you take out a person articles insurance policy on the camera and lenses and anything else that you are worried about getting stolen on the trip.

They are available through your normal insurance provider (State Farm etc.) and they are very reasonable - they cover everything from theft to negligence on your part - if you drop the camera into the Seine by accident they will replace it - about the only thing that it doesn't cover is nuclear war or acts of terrorism - if those happen, you'll probably have bigger fish to fry than worrying about the camera.

Usually these policies run around 2% of the total value for a year of coverage - so for $10,000K in coverage you are looking at around $200 - but that is for the whole year - if you took out the policy and cancelled it upon your return you would get most of that money back.

Either way, you would be spending way less than buying a new cheaper camera to take, and you would get to use that Leica - which is presumably why you bought it.

Good luck!
-B

anotherview Loc: California

Your practical view makes sense here.

MarkrKnight Loc: Los Angles

Thank you you’re the first person to mention that. I will definitely be going my insurance company. It kind of takes the pressure and the fear I loosing my new M10.
Everyone on the form has been so helpful, you’re the first person to explain the insurance situation. Again thank you and you’ve done your good deed for the day!

pminyard Loc: Bartlett, Tennessee

There are metal infused straps that do make the strap a bit stiff, but prevent most slash and grab attempts. Search for Pacsafe Carrysafe and BlackRapid RAG2C