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Paris Packing Lists

Tips on what to pack for a trip to Paris, posted by real travelers and Paris locals.
Local Time 5:57 am Thursday, May 15, 2008
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Bring a prop and work it!
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  • I suggest ditching the t-shirt for something w/ buttons. Add a little bit of style when travelling, especially in Europe. When will you be back? You want your future grandkids to see you stylin' back in the day... Or when you're showing your new girlfriend/boyfriend your photos from Europe you don't want to look like a dweeb in a t-shirt.

    Bring a prop to photograph on your trip! Act like a model or a rock star. (just don't trash your hotel room) I brought a purse a friend designed with me to Paris. I promised her I'd take photos of it in and around Paris for her marketing purposes. I had one day in Paris with friends from Berlin before we all split up. I got some amazing photos and memories from that one day because of the purse and the goal of modelling it in Paris. My friends got into the game and kept suggesting photos. It made taking photos feel less like a touristy thing and more like a game. We had fun with the photos and the results are better photos than what we might normally have taken. That translates into some great documentation of a great time. I highly suggest it!!


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    The Travel Necessities
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  • The best travel bag is a small, two-strap bag that you can carry on your back or off one shoulder. It should have leather drawstrings and outside flap-over with sturdy snap (lockable is an added bonus). A pickpocket will need both hands to pry open this kind of bag. You can find this style at any good leather store. The key word here is "leather". Don't skimp and buy cheap stuff. A leather bag is more elegant and more suitable for all occasions.

    Unless it is summertime, always dress in layers for Paris. The range of temperatures is wide and the weather change is rapid. A light sweater/blazer in the spring/autumn and a coat in the winter are necessary. For women, a scarf or two will dress up a casual outfit.

    Never travel without Band-Aid Blister Block. If you are coming from Europe, the equivalent product is Compeed.

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  • Website: http://walking.about.com/cs/blisterschafing/a/aablisterprev.htm

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    Pack Light and Right
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  • If you're not likely to travel with just a carry-on, then bring a suitcase with wheels...you'll need it--much easier to drag the bag with wheels than try to carry it. Also, packed in the bottom of your suitcase, stuff a collapsible duffel bag. You can check it on the way home (after stuffing it with some dirty laundry and such). Frees up more room for souvenirs.

    Try to blend in as much as possible. Opt for black as being your main wardrobe color. You can accessorize with accents of red, for example. Parisians do wear denim so feel free to bring your favorite pair along. Bring the following, based on the length of your stay and whether or not you're doing laundry: 5 shirts, mix varies by season--include white T-shirt (for layering) one pair of underwear and socks for each day (it may also be wise to bring at least one extra pair of each just in case your plane is delayed or anything like that) 2-3 sweaters for layering 3 pairs of pants...1 in black, 1 pair jeans, 1 in your own favorite fabric/color dressy outfit for a nice dinner or outing to Moulin Rouge shoes: bring 3--one dressy, two comfy for walking. Wear heaviest on plane. black leather jacket Pajamas belt tie or scarf umbrella...as soon as the first rain drop falls from the sky, the umbrella vendors are out in full force.

    Forget bringing sample sizes...if you have a lengthy stay, then you'll have to bring many samples or buy the products there. Here goes: Shampoo/Conditioner Deodorant Makeup Hair accessories/brush/spray/gel Toothpaste/brush Feminine hygeine products Razor, unless you want to go "natural" First Aid Kit: Bandaids, antiseptic, Ibuprofen/Tylenol, Moleskin for blisters, Immodium AD, cold/allergy medication, tweezers. Spare glasses, contacts Any medication you need, put it in your carry-on, never in checked luggage. A loofah and soap: Many hotels don't have washcloths available. Put your shampoo/conditioner/cleanser/anything spillable in zip-loc bags to prevent leakage.

    Tons of film! You never run out of subjects to capture in Paris. I bring a point-and-shoot camera and a small digital camera. Bring a mix of color and black and white film. Always have the security guards in the airports and elsewhere hand inspect the film. Don't put the film in your checked luggage...the x-rays are 5 times as powerful for checked luggage.

    Bring a journal, record your trip, jot down addresses, names of people you've met, that great wine you had at dinner, etc. Zip-lock baggies: Great for food for picnics, containing wetness, bagging potential leaks before they happen. I put my toiletries that have the potential to leak in a zip-lock bag to prevent a big mess. Address list for sending postcards. Small flashlight, esp if you are going to the Catacombs. Tiny locks...get the Travel Sentry locks (they have them at Target, for example). These locks allow the TSA to open your locks with a "special" key. It's also a good idea to lock your luggage in the hotel. Bring Shout wipes to eliminate stains.

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    Guide book, map and compass
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  • To visit Paris, you need very good walking shoes, a good guide book, a detailed map and a compass. Very good walking shoes. If you don't take care, you will have sore feet way before you have finished to visit Paris. Remember that the Louvre is hhuuuuge, Versailles even more and that there is much more to visit. Trekking shoes will be the best if you plan to visit Paris several days in a row, which I do not recommend, but I understand that if you are flying from a long way, that might be the only visit in Paris of your life and that you have to do it that way ! A good guide book. There are many and some are good. You will probably prefer to have a guide book in your language but if you can read French, I highly recommend the various "guide du Routard". They are printed every year and have always reliable tips. You can also have a look at their web site.

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    Packing for Paris
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  • I take one airline approved rolling suitcase (that fits in the overhead compartments) and a duffle bag packed in side for any souvenirs I might bring home!

    For two weeks of travel I take 3 skirts and 2 pairs of pants. I take 5 T-shirts and 3 light sweaters to layer in case it is cold. I also take one black dress for dinners that may not be casual. The most important things I take are two pairs of good walking shoes. One I wear on the plane and one I pack in my suitcase.

    Bandaids in case of blisters! (I tend to walk a lot when I travel so this frequently is a need of mine)

    Digital Camera-then you don't have to worry about film and can delete and retake pictures along your trip.

    Binnoculars for the cathedrals and the Eiffel Tower.

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    WHERE TO LEAVE MY LUGAGES
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  • A: AUTOMATIC LUGGAGE SAFE: *  Angers, Avignon-centre, Bordeaux, Cannes, Lyon-Perrache, Marne –la Vallée Chessy, Marseilles, Nantes, Nice, Paris Austerlitz/Est/Lyon/Montparnasse/Nord, Toulouse. En gare de Paris Montparnasse. You will pay by cash (Card sometimes accepted) depending of the size. Rates: 3,40 € (1), 5 € (1) ou 7,5 € (1) for 72 hours. Paris-Montparnasse, you can pay with cash or card. B- MANUAL LUGGAGE SAFE: **  Dijon, Lille-Flandres, Lyon-Part Dieu, Metz, Mulhouse, Rennes, Strasbourg. Ouverture périodique en gares de Saint-Raphaël, Bourg-Saint-Maurice, Moutiers et Saint-Gervais-les-Bains. Rate: 4,50 € (1) per lugage (valise, colis), and per day (24 hours), 5,30 € (1) per bike, wheel chair, etc... per day (24 hours) (1) Rates on 01/08/2002. ATTENTION: it may be closed for security issue.

    ATTENTION: for security reasons, you cannot leave electronics and alarm clock in the lugages....

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  • Website: www.sncf.fr
  • Other Contact: site in English and French

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    IIIrd - Don't forget your rights !!!
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  • France, country of the human rights, etc... Here they are, these famous human rights : the "Declaration Universelle des Droits et des Devoirs de l'Homme et du Citoyen" (universal declaration of human and citizen rights and obligations), voted in 1789... We have been the first country to declare them, I would love that we be the first country to apply them TOTALLY !!!

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    Packing List
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  • Pay attention to your bag. It can be stolen by a running thief. Better to have a traditional luggage and a purse attached to the belt.

    WINTER : it snows rarely on Paris but the temperature can be low (+ 1 or 2°c) without freeze. Generally, there is a nice weather at the beginning of February. Have your wool and a rain coat. SPRING : March and April are often rainy. May is nice. Keep your rain coat and have good shoes. SUMMER : it can be hot but not too much. Often, there are rainy days either in July or in August. The beginning of September is nice. Have light clothes, a rain protection and good shoes. FALL (AUTUMN): it goes progessively colder and often rainy. Take care of you.

    Some medicines are delivered only with a medical prescription. Bring your own medicine. The chemistry is identified by a large green cross. For toiletries : Paris is the town of perfumes. You will find everything you need and you dream in this matter. The main brands at an affordable price can be bought at SEPHORA (several locations in Paris)

    Do not forget your flash to shoot photographs in the monuments and outside by night. The films can be very expensive in the touristic areas. You need to buy accessories : FNAC (Champs Elysees, Grands Boulevards, Forum des halles, la Defense). You need to make your films developped quickly : Photo Service .

    The camping of Paris is in the Boulogne Forest : it can be damp on Springs and Fall. If you go there : stay on a week day at 8:00AM, if you see a grey Renault Scenic, say "hello!", I am the driver and I go to the office.

    Be aware of pickpockets, especially in the Metro (lines 1, 4 and 12 above all). Split your documents and cash in separated pockets or purses. Electric plug : 2 pins, 220v. It is difficult to find an adapter : see the BHV (near the City Hall) or the Store 'Le Vieux Campeur' in the Quartier Latin (several stores in this area, especially rue du Sommerard)

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    Some good packing ideas (besides the obvious)...
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  • Great street map of Paris - Paris
    Great street map of Paris
    by Voyageuse30
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    This is just my humble opinion, but try to blend in with the crowd, instead of wearing loud flashy clothing (such as neon windbreakers, baseball caps and colorful tennis shoes- typical American casual wear). Just dress neutrally. It's always better, I think, to blend in instead of looking like a person who is obviously NOT from the area. It's better for your own safety, and maybe people will even mistake you for a local. :-)

    Bring any specific medications you need. If you happen to catch a cold or flu during your stay in Paris (like I did,bummer!), you can go to the pharmacies (marked with a lit green cross) and find over-the-counter medications to help you out. The pharmacists know their stuff.

    Film is expensive in Paris. Bring a digital camera or your own film.

    The photo is of the map I use when getting around Paris. It hasn't failed me yet. Most major bookstores sell it.

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    What you need in Paris!
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  • Depending on where your going to stay I suggest pack light. It doesnt mattter or your luggage or bags but carrying everything around regarless of traveling through the country side, or city hopping, carrying a large amount of luggage is a major pain in the ass.

    Comfortable shoes are a must since you will be doing more walking then a New Yorker! ..and you want to walk, the sites are to fantastic to miss not to. Also bring evening shoes in case your going to go and hit it up at some clubs. During the summer a light jacket is all you need and of course a beret to go with that dashing french scarf you'll be forced to buy at the Galleries Lafayette!

    Luckily we didn't need anything major on our trip just some midol and bandaides. And ladies i highly suggests you bring your own femine products because it's very difficult looking for pain killers and tampons with all men shop keepers!

    A basic 35 mm camera or a digital one will do simply fine

    Bring a bathing suit just in case....if you never been to the "beach" in Paris you'll be QUITE surprised lol. But I did happen to see a few couples swimming in the river- not to mention they were drunk.

    Have a marvelvous time!!!!!!!!

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