Tony Hayman

First, traveling in Paris or anywhere in Europe there is always the possibility of theft, however having your camera taken by violence (gunpoint, mugging, being physically attacked) is less likely than in any city in the US. The most likely method of theft is having your camera lifted from a table while you are at a restaurant, or someone grabbing it off your shoulder on the metro. Get a really strong camera strap (Peak design make some great ones) that will not break or be cut easily, if possible always have the camera securely over your chest, and basically don't be stupid and careless! As far as taking a full frame camera remember it weighs more, lenses weigh more, only bring one lens something like an 18 - 35, you will often need to shoot wider, but rarely ever tight. Paris is my favorite big European city, I have lived there and visited many times. Enjoy your trip, take great pictures.

Miquel99 Loc: Belgium

Hi,
I have been in Paris a lot of times (only 340 Km from home), and I'm heading there next Friday for 4 days with the family.
I always take my camera with me: formerly a 5Diii + 1DX, actually either a Z7ii or a R5. Normally 2 lenses (24-70 + 70 - 200)
I have never had any issue (knocking on wood now).
As many have said, you need to be vigilant, and avoid letting the camera on a table to look for a lens, or pickpocket's tricks to deviate your attention.
I am also always with my dog, so I suppose it helps as deterrent.
Regards,
Miquel

Ratelliott

I was last in Paris in 2017. I spent several weeks wandering all over Paris with a full frame camera. As a women traveling alone, I took all of the usual precautions that I would in any large city, but I never felt particularly vulnerable or at risk. Enjoy the trip. Paris is a beautiful city.

KindaSpikey Loc: English living in San Diego

The "Bridge camera" is a great idea. I always take mine with me, and like you mentioned, mine is not "tack sharp" but it's perfectly good enough for my needs, and has a 50x optical zoom, (up to 200x digitally). It saves a ton of space and weight by not having to carry extra lenses with me, and the minor difference in picture quality makes it a no-brainer for my needs.
Ray.

ChuckMc Loc: Prescott, AZ

Some of what I say has been said a'fore, such as: be aware of the area's reputation that you are in; maintain a situational awareness; don't advertise wealth. With a bridge camera, I don't use a camera bag. Keep your head up; and if your wife is with you, she should not be waring expensive jewelry. And that includes her wedding ring.
Be careful in the metro. I've been to Paris several times and so far, so good. As others have said, have yet to feel concerned, but there's always a first.
FYI, when traveling, I use an old wallet w/only a small amt of cash in it. Important documentation & cash, are kept in an inside the pants pocket. Finally, I use an old bridge Cannon SX50. However, I don't believe the average street thug is that discriminating. ;-}
Was last in Paris last October and am eager to go again soon. God willing, we're going to Italy and the Dalmatian Coast this Sept & October.
Good luck to us all!!!

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

One thing you might do is buy a shoulder strap with a cable in it (so they cant cut and run with your camera). I bought mine at B&H for about b$25.00 - $30.00. Inhav one for my camera and another for my camera bag.

lightyear

I carry a full-frame Nikon D810 w/ 24-120 lens using an OpTech thick neoprene neck strap in Europe. I often use the OpTech neoprene stabilizer strap. It is a wide neoprene ( stretches) strap with a central hole permitting a lens to poke through. The body strap holds the camera against my chest but the camera can easily pulled up to use. The rig is comfortable, convenient, and may discourage a camera snatcher since it holds the camera so well. An armed (knife?) could still force me to hand it over, but street crimes during the day are rare in France since French laws are enforced and French judges ( no jury system as in the USA) and prisons are tough. In my San Francisco Bay area street robberies of tourists as well as locals have come common ; our local DA's minimally prosecute and jail sentences are equally minimal. Local thugs recently tried to daytime rob an armed retired police captain, who shot and killed one, injured another. I would not take my big camera to San Francisco or Oakland, but Paris ( as above) is fine.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Ditto this! I have a small pocket camera for vacations with my wife (although the newer cellphones do an admiral job as well). The cell phone and/or pocket camera will fit inside a zippered pocket in my pickpocket-resistant pants. They are also synthetic material which means they can be washed in the sink/tub and will be dry in 12-24 hours.

katatl

I witnessed an undercover sting operation from my apartment window in Paris. The cops were dressed as American tourists- 2 guys wearing shorts, running shoes with DSLR cameras around their necks and shopping bags in their hands. It worked. Two guys came up on them and grabbed their bags and cameras. One was taken down by a cop at the scene. The other was apprehended after a foot chase and a couple of gun shots from the pursuing cop.
( I had never heard a gun shot in Paris before).

So, don't leave your camera around your neck. Personally I agree with the advice of a good small point and shoot or bridge camera.

ChuckMc Loc: Prescott, AZ

LOL, is that a Parisian stereotype of an American tourist? Now I know where the phrase 'Ugly American' comes from. ;-} But you forgot to add the "Oh my God! Look, it's the Eiffel Tower. OOoooou!!!"

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

According to Google Maps, the hotel the tour is staying at in Paris (if you're on the right side and high enough) has views of both the Eiffel Tower and the Arch de Triomphe.

Craig Meyer Loc: Sparks, NV

In addition to all the great advice, particularly this post, let me add some basics. Street Smarts or situational awareness as it's known, begins with paying attention all the time. When you're "in transit" or in a tour group and paying primary attention to a docent, etc. Keep your gear away. NEVER carry any gear, including cellphone, in one hand, looped over one shoulder without a strap wrapped around your wrist 2-3 times. Always have a hand gripped on the junction of the camera and strap, even while carrying over the shoulder. At a café or restaurant, I keep my camera bag under the table with the strap wrapped around me leg. This stops the grab and run steal. Never carry your bag on the street side of your body. A passing scooter or even bicycle can grab your strap, but you on your BUTT! and scoot away with your gear.

Keep away from touristy places when they're extra busy. It is better for actual photography as well. If this is a mixed purpose trip, i.e., you're with family for tourist stuff and you want some serious photo making time, consider a small camera, or an aps-c with a focal length in the 20's mm range that would yield a FF wide normal 40-50 mm view. Or your FF with a 50mm. You'll get your shots, and if it is something great, zoom with yout feet and you have crop space with FF.

If you're not up to max awareness, and it does take something out of you, lock up the fancy gear--at HOME, and be happy with your phone and cloud backups.

KindaSpikey Loc: English living in San Diego

More great points here, I agree with all of them!
Ray.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Pickpockets may be very good at slipping your goods out of your pocket without you being aware - but the most important catalyst for that is distraction. They will hit you were there are lots of distractions anyway - like on a crowded subway or bus - or they or a companion will distract you. Someone bumping into you is the most common. I was going up the escalator in Paris when a man walking fast up the escalator said "excuse me" (in English) as he passed by. As he passed me he dropped his cigarette lighter on the escalator in front of me. He leaned over to get it, and suddenly was leaning against me. As we were nearing the top his sudden leaning into me was about to make me lose balance and have to grab the railings to keep from falling. My first thought was: "why is he leaning against me"? My immediate thought was: "distraction"! I shoved him hard, and as we reached the top of the escalator, he went flying across the floor. He did not bother to look surprised - he jumped up and ran off. My wife, who was behind me, looked at me like I was crazy...

A friend was walking in the Central Market of San Jose, Costa Rica. Someone walking in front of her suddenly turned around, causing them to collide. In the few seconds of disorientation, the kid behind her cut open her knapsack and took off with some random crap.

Years ago a friend was riding his bicycle home from work in Boston. He had his briefcase on the back rack. A kid stepped out in front of him and he hit the kid and they went down. As he is checking on the kid, he looks back to see another kid running off with his briefcase. He starts to give chase, only to look back and see the other kid taking off with his bicycle!

So - you have to be careful everywhere, and be constantly aware of your surroundings. I have several pairs of pickpocket-resistant pants with zippered and hidden pockets. I prefer just taking a pocket camera on vacation trips, and then I don't have to be worried about anything nefarious. But the key in general is to always remain aware of those around you. In big cities there are also frequent mentally ill people that may accost you. When you see someone on the sidewalk ahead who is waving their arms and talking loudly to the sky (this has happened to me several times) it is best to cross the street!

cyclespeed Loc: Calgary, Alberta Canada

Plan to get to Chicago later this summer. Will I be safe? Will all the ghost guns be out of the hands of Americans who would care to use one?