Paris What to Pack

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: In spite of what I read on this and other travel sites, jeans and sneakers are everywhere in Paris; however it is true that the European sneakers are not bright white. My daughter (15) and I just returned from 9 days in Paris and sported jeans and white sneakers for the entire trip. Yes, we did look like American tourists. We were American tourists. We had no problems with our style of dress and had fun picking out the other Americans in Paris by their appearance. My tip is don't go buy a whole new wardrobe for your trip to Europe. You won't be the only American there. The best way to see Paris is by walking and by the end of the day, you will be glad you had your bright white sneakers with you.

Luggage and bags: Everyone looks at packing differently. We check our bags through but still pack in a carryon. Most of the things you take, you never wear. Why carry them all over the world?

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Always bring at least one pair of very comfortable shoes. If tennis shoes are the only thing comfortable for you, bring them. If you look like a tourist, it's okay; you are a tourist.

Bring many light layers so you can pile them on in chilly wet weather and take them off when the temperature climbs.

Don't buy all new clothes if you don't want to look like a tourist. New stiff clothes scream "Tourist." Bring things you've worn and that are comfortable. Enjoy yourself. This is the trip of a lifetime . . . every single time it is still the trip of a lifetime.

Always bring rain gear. If you never have to use it, that's great. Be sure you have shoes you can wear on slippery cobblestones and/or wet slippery autumn leaves.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Don't worry about it. Anything you can get in Peoria, you can get in Paris. There are plenty of stores with every toiletry imaginable and many much better than you can get at home.

If you have prescription medicines, be sure you have the prescription written for generic drugs as the name may be different in Europe. Best to take a supply in your carryon bag.

Photo Equipment: If you are coming from the US, be sure your camera battery charger is dual voltage. Look on the back for 110-240 V and you are safe in Paris. You will need a plug adapter because in Paris the wall plug accepts two round prongs. These adapters are available at luggage stores, Target, Walgreen, Radio Shack and department stores. So are the dual voltage battery chargers. Try to find the general 3-prong adapter as these are becoming more common.

Miscellaneous: Just a reminder . . . don't forget that umbrella. Paris is beautiful in the rain, the lovely gray that you see in the 1930 and 1940 black and white Paris photos, but rain is wet. 8^)

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Luggage and bags: 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.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: 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.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: 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)

Photo Equipment: 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 .

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: 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.

Miscellaneous: 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)

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: If visiting Paris in the winter, make sure to bring lots of clothes to dress baby in layers. Also, a heavy winter suit or coat is necessary. It can get extremely cold in Paris for the winter and most Parisians dress their children very warmly. You may even want to purchase a footmuff for your stroller.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: If your baby is used to a specific brand, like mine, then be sure to bring enough for your whole trip. For example, Johnson & Johnsons cannot be found.

Also, be sure to bring Infant Tylenol, Dimetapp, Desitin, etc., as you may not be able to recognize the french equivalent should you need any.

Miscellaneous: Make sure to only try to bring a lightweight stroller. Many places are not stroller friendly and you will have to either carry baby and stroller as one up and down stairs, or take baby out to carry separately. We brought the Maclaren Volo stroller and it has been really good. Soon after we arrived in Paris we bought a rain cover for the stroller from Natalys and that is very useful to protect our son from rain and wind.

Also, we purchased a backpack carrier for our son (Deuter Kid Comfort I) and my husband is able to easily use it on the Metro and on other outings throughout the city.

I would also suggest that you bring plenty of sippy cups, pacifiers, and other accessories for your baby. These items are not sold in many places and again, your child may be accustomed to a particular brand or style.

Luggage and bags: Pack lightly. During winter we don't sweat and don't need to change cloth very often. Metro stations are occasionally with escalator so prepare to take you luggage up and down by stairs. Rolling suitcase is a better option.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: I usually wear 3 - 5 layers : T-shirt, light long shirts, sweater or light jacket, & winter coat. It's better if you wear black, just like the Parisian do.
Wear only water proof jacket or coat. Also wear that can protect you from wind, don't wear knit-sweater only. You'll still feel the wind chill. Also wear only shoes that can keep your foot warm, for example leather boots, if necessary wear double socks.
Also bring : hat, scarf, glove, long underpants.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: In the place where I come from, I live in humid and hot weather every day. In winter my skin become very dry, so don't forget to bring oil for dry skin or a good moisturizer.
Bring your medicine, and also instant hot drink like ginger or tea. Tea in Paris is awful. So better bring one from home.

Photo Equipment: Bring your camera and huge capacity of memory card.

Luggage and bags: Gosh there are porters and luggage carts bring a nice suitcase and put the heavy stuff in there. Only carry a small carry on with essentials and complain about all those people stuffing the overheads with their life possessions.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Paris is an elegant city. If you are over the age of 30, I suggest you acknowledge this and dress as elegant as you can. You will not be out of place; especially if you are a woman.

I won't go as far as saying men should where a tie, but if you go to le Moulin rouge for a show ( and you should) you will feel good wearing a jacket or a suit with a nice shirt.

Walking is a must so take good shoes, but not runners please. Spring weather calls for a light coat, the obligatory scarf, tied just so and maybe a sweater or two.

You can never go wrong with a jacket so I would always wear a jacket in the evening. If you end up in a more casual place just sling it over your shoulder. Alors..men start dressing again. You partner will be a lot happier!!

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: You can buy anything you need there. And since you will, leave the colognes etc at home and get them duty free or at a boutique in Paris.

Photo Equipment: The smallest digital you can get that doesn't ruin the cut of your jacket.

Miscellaneous: I made the mistake of buying a travel guide and those little books weigh a fair bit. I discovered most things can be downloaded from the web and then tossed, once consumed.

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Luggage and bags: IF YOU ARE USE TO WARM PLEASANT WINTER THAT ARE NOT TOO COLD...PLEASE FOR YOUR OWN COMFORT.. TAKE SOME REALLY NICE WARM CLOTHING TO PARIS DURING THE WINTER !!!
YOU HAVE TO TAKE PLENTY OF PICTURES ..SO STORE UP AS MUCH FILM OR BATTERIES AS YOU WILL NEED..
TAKE SOME TISSUE ALSO IF YOUR NOSE SEEMS TO BE SNIFLING TO THE BRISK COLD TEMPERTURE .. : )

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: COMFORTABLE SHOES.. .YOU MAY WALK MORE THAN YOU EXPECTED !!!

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: SOME ASPIRIN.. .IN CASE YOU MISSED TAKING A PICTURE THAT WAS A KEEPER!!!

Photo Equipment: PLENTY OF FILM!!!!! OR /AND PLENTY OF BATTERIES !!!! AND ADAPTER!!!!

Miscellaneous: PLENTY OF SOCKS !!! OR BETTER YET. .SOME REALLY THICK WARM SOCKS !!!! ALSO TRY AND TAKE SOME SUNSHINE WITH YOU !!!

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Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear:
When I think of Paris, I think of beautiful sunny weather and strolling along the river Seine. And yes, that is what I did! But, it isn't always that sunny, so be prepared for some rain! During my latest visit to Paris in October I had both. Quite a bit of sun, but also some cloudy skies and a bit of rain.

I've added two charts that give you some idea about the weather in Paris. I wouldn't go here in the midst of summer as it can get very hot in the city (+35C). On average the temperatures are much more bearable though. June has an average high of 23C, July 25C and August 25C. After that the temperatures quickly get lower with 16C in October and only +7C in December and February. In April it slowly starts to warm up again with an average of +16C.

The rain seems to be quite constant throughout the year, although a bit less in mm in early spring (March and April). Rainy days are around 12 to 13 the year round, but December/January has on average the most rainy days with 16 to 17 of them.