Bring a 100-400f/4.5-5.6L IS II or a 70-200f/4L IS to Paris?

Dale Garman wrote:

You need to be very cautious in any major city. I have had my pocket picked in both Athens and Sri Lanka, and of course take different precautions these days. But camera points you out as tourist and you are distracted taking that shot and they move right in. You don't have to be paranoid, just careful. Also don't sit your camera on the table in the cute little restaurant enjoying the sunshine, because it can be grabbed before you know it is gone. I would also recommend less gear and an unobtrusive camera bag that doesn't scream expensive gear. Just be scanning your environment, and if you have someone traveling with you make sure they are watching while you are focusing.

At the same time, people all over the world are honest. I left my camera bag in Dublin and someone turned it in to the airport police, I was sure it was gone.

Thanks Dale!

I will as always be vigilant for professional gangs of pickpockets, they also travel all over the world, even here in ultra safe parts of Stockholm, taking advantage of distracted and tired turists, very annoying but they are not violent or really dangerous.

All large cities have areas to avoid, I always try do my homework on where they are and stay well clear of these areas. I have travelled a lot by car, plane and train and visited all but one western, and some eastern European countries. Never ever felt unsafe anywhere in Europe. I have only visited Paris once before as an adult and I felt Paris to be as safe as any other large city here in the western and nordic parts of Europe.

I do not use any camera bag, my 6D is almost always on my shoulder ready to shoot. When I bring one or two more lenses, they are stored in an old, inexpensive, small rucksack.