Paris Packing Guide - Our Essential Tips
This essential guide to packing for a trip to Paris, or anywhere in France, comes from my experience of over 19 trips to France and even more trips to numerous international countries either alone, with my husband or with our three children in tow.
In addition to our international travel, our family has explored my home country of Australia, from the hot northern tip of Darwin, the cold southern oceans when yacht racing in Tasmania, trekking in the red centre and much city and coast adventuring along the continent's vast east and west coasts.
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With my first child travelling to the UK and Europe at 6 months, my second coming along with the family to New Zealand at 6 weeks of age and my youngest starting his overseas travel with his brother and sister at 9 months, we've done loads of suitcase packing over the last few decades for short trips, long overseas hauls and even trekking.
So How Does My Experience Help You?
So how does all this help you? Well I think my extensive experience and packing guide will help you pack light and right, and thereby help you enjoy your holiday even more.
While a packing guide has some points that are the same wherever you go, there are specific things I pack when traveling to France and Paris.
Layers are the way to go.
Let's talk about layers. You will need to add layers early in mornings, night time and when the wind picks up.
Taking an easy layer off after walking or when the sun heats up is essential.
In and out of heated museums, cafes and public transport makes for very variable temperatures so shedding a layer or two will be much more comfortable and, if you are like me and prone to perspiration (which is so not elegant), you will be glad you chose the linen options and layered up. When we arrive for our lunch at the Ritz Paris each tour, I don't want to look like I've just run a marathon.
Natural Fibres Are Your Best Friends
Linen is my preferred fabric for shift dresses and shorts in summer, shirts and blouses throughout the year and evening pants.
As a crushed look is normal with linen this is a forgiving and fashionable fabric, oh, and of course, it breathes well in layers.
The French Quilted Jacket, Jumpers, Scarves and Skinny Jeans
Down or polyester quilted vests add warmth to chests, but not underarms and are lightweight. These I take all year round except for winter, when I swap my vests for jackets and add hats and thermal tights to wear under my jeans or skinny pants.
Lightweight woollen jumpers or cardigans add an instant thin, but warm layer and I always include a solid black or navy to wear with pants or shorts, over a shirt, wrapper around my neck for warmth or draped around my shoulders over a shift dress. Easy to wear alone, over another layer or under a quilted jacket this is a must if its thin.
Scarfs or wraps can be used to keep your neck warm, provide a head covering at religious sites, save yourself from sunburn and add a bit of glamour - and they take up such little room! Mix and match and there's almost no limit as to the variations you can create. I usually pack three scarfs when away for more than 2 nights.
Your wrap that you've already packed will also double up as a blanket on airconditioned planes and trains or a pillow if you need to catch a bit of shut-eye.
Jeans and skinny pants are worn all through France and a couple of pairs will see you through a holiday - one and one for spare. I always wear one on the flight and take the spare. A pair of more tailored pants come in handy for evening or fancy lunches (unless in summer, and then linen pants or a shift are my favourites).
Mixing It Up
You can easily change a day outfit to an evening outfit by changing your scarf, donning a bright red lipstick and wearing a heeled or glittery pair of shoes.
My final advice on apparel is to stick to neutral or solid colours and a few less patterned pieces and you'll be able to mix and match more easily. If you love colour, then create pops of colour with your scarfs.
The Little Extras
Be careful with all the little extras that you pack because they quickly add up in weight and if you will be constantly on the move during your trip, then you'll have lots more little things to pack up and possibly loose. That said, I find some little extras invaluable in the comfort they bring and as they take up such little space, they deserve to be included.
Gloves are an instant warmer and take up such little space in a handbag or tote bag that I carry them often. I find when my hands are warm I can go without the extra jumper or stay out a bit longer as the night chills.
Tucked away in my handbag (which is always a smallish crossover bag) lives a pair of socks or stockettes. They provide extra relief and freshness for tired feet and keep ankles warm later in the day, and again taking up no space at all, they are a must when a full day of walking is planned.
French ladies wear the crossover body handbag with such style it is almost a fashion staple. Add to this that your hands are free and your valuables are closer to your body, this type of bag makes plain good sense.
A lightweight journal and pen for jotting directions, addresses and special memories is essential. A foldable paper map and/or downloaded maps/apps (at home or on hotel WIFI) on your phone should be all you need.
If you are a reader, then save weight by downloading electronic books on your devices at home.
I also have a couple of movies downloaded on my phone, just in case I get stranded or similar, and I need something to amuse or distract me. (Never needed these yet, but I like knowing they are there in case.)
Heavier but essential items are phone, laptop, camera and all chargers ... and of course these will only work if you pack a French powerpoint adapter! I also cannot get by without a portable charger (aka power bank) as a back up and my additional smart phone with French sim. While you might not need a second phone like me, a French sim (prepaid and already activated or activated on arrival) is a good idea if keeping in contact with family, making restaurant reservations or social media if it'll be part of your everyday activities while away. Your provider may also have an international day option that you can activate for a relatively low cost.
Paris in April can be wet so a small collapsible umbrella is a must. Even if you never use it, if you did need to, you will be very happy you've packed it. Damp hair certainly cramps your style and when you enter that restaurant or cafe you want to feel your bedazzling best right?!
Shoes
I don't go overboard on shoes - there just isn't the space, particularly if taking only an international sized carry-on bag. Stylish walkers, ballerina flats and going out shoes make up my shoe wardrobe except in winter when comfortable and warm boots are my main footwear. Make sure you have two or three pairs so that you can rotate them around.
Shoes will depend on the season, but all are well worn in, polished and resoled or reheeled prior to the trip. No brand new shoes ever, NEVER!
Travelling Toiletries
Toiletries are always travel sizes for me, and I try to choose products that have multi purposes.
For example, I'll use one moisturiser on my face and body just for the trip, rather than carry numerous small bottles and creams that add loads of weight with their glass packaging. Don't forget that France is a leader in women's beauty products so it's easy and fun to purchase and try out new products anyway.
So there you have my essential packing tips for the perfect wardrobe for your next trip to Paris or France.
Bon voyage mes amis!
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