10 Essential Items You NEED to Pack for a Trip to Paris
Paris is a dream destination for many.
With Paris being on many bucket lists, you are probably already looking forward to your very first trip to the city of love.
As someone who has travelled to Paris a lot, in this article I will help you to pack for your upcoming trip out by listing 10 essential items you need to pack for a trip to Paris.
1. Comfortable Walking Shoes
Paris is best explored on foot. That is why the first thing you always need to pack for a trip to Paris are comfy walking shoes.
Go for stylish yet supportive shoes to keep you comfortable while you explore city’s charming streets and historic sites. Even if you go out at night I would take one pair of comfortable shoes in your bag to switch out the pair of shoes you are wairing.
My favourite shoes to wear on the cobblestone streets of Paris are ballet flats. I have worn many shoes in Paris but I love ballet flats – especially in warm weather, because they are so easy to kick off.
Tip: Do not go for hiking shoes or white tennis shoes. They will make you stand out like a sore thumb and make you a mark for pickpockets targeting tourists. Instead go for a stylish sneaker that does not look too sporty.
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2. Weather-Appropriate Clothing
Paris weather can be unpredictable. That is why I would always recommend packing layers. Bring a mix of lightweight and warm clothing so you can easily adapt to temperatures and weather.
- Spring/Fall: Light jackets, scarves, and sweaters.
- Summer: Breathable fabrics like cotton and linen.
- Winter: Warm coats, gloves, and hats.
Weather in Paris is rather unpredictable. I would check the weather forecast before you leave. Spring weather can mean a lot of rain in Paris. Paris in the spring is amazing and I love the mild temperatures, while Paris in winter can be either unseasonably warm or bitterly cold. That is why I like to pack only a couple of days for my next trip to Paris so I can really tune my wardrobe to the weather.
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3. A Versatile Scarf
A scarf is a must-have Parisian accessory. It keeps you warm in cooler weather and can even add a touch of style to your outfit. A scarf – especially a big one, can even double as a makeshift blanket on chilly evenings.
In winter you can go for a thick woolen scarf while in spring I would go for a pashmina type scarf. In summer you can always choose a thin scarf that acts as a nice fashion accessory.
You can always combine a versatile scarf with neutral colours, a little black dress, a blazer or even a leather jacket! They are honestly so easy to mix and match and a staple for the everyday parisian!
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4. Portable Umbrella
Rain can catch you off guard in Paris, so tossing a compact umbrella in your bag is a smart move. Paris weather is famous can change quite fast, and a small umbrella fits easily in your bag.
A small umbrella will keep you dry during unexpected showers so you can explore the city’s charming streets and iconic landmarks without having to find chelter.
I would really take a small umbrella with you from home. They do sell them in Paris but the ones you will find in shops are going to be incredibly overpriced as they are marketed to tourists.
Another thing I would pack for paris is a trench coat. These are incredibly chic and stave off the rain!
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5. Travel Adapter
If you’re heading to France, I would highly recommend putting a travel adaptor on your Paris packing list. You’ll need to bring a travel adapter since they use Type C and Type E plugs. These are common in Europe but different from what you’ll find in places like North America and the UK.
A universal adapter is a great idea for frequent travelers. A universal adapter works in almost any country, saving you from buying a new one each time you travel.
Plus, some adapters even come with multiple USB ports, so you can charge several devices at once.
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6. Reusable Water Bottle
Another item I would really recommend you carry with you is a reusable water bottle. You’ll find plenty of public fountains (fontaines) around the city where you can refill with fresh drinking water—usually in parks, squares, and near popular spots.
Water in small shops can be pretty expensive (again, because it is marketed at tourists) and there isn’t always a supermarket around on your Paris trip. Additionally, Americans and British people are always shocked that water in restaurants in Paris isn’t free – you have to pay by the bottle and it’s often expensive. Although I would warn against using your water bottle in a restaurant, the water bottle means that you can stay hydrated throughout the day so you don’t arrive at a restaurant parched and begging for water.
Tip: don’t put the water bottle in you suitcase. Instead I would put it in hand luggage, then you can ask the air hostess to fill it up with water during the flight.
7. Guidebook or Travel App
It’s also a good idea to take a guidebook or good travel app with you if this is your very first time in Paris. They offer detailed historical insights, interactive maps, and well-curated itineraries.
As for offline maps you can download offline maps of an area in your Google Maps app so you can find your way back to your hotel or Airbnb even with poor connection.
8. Sunglasses & Sunscreen
Paris in summer can be boiling! That is why sunglasses and sunscreen need to be on your packing list.
I would really recommend taking sunglasses and sunscreen with you when visiting Paris in spring, summer or early autumn. Sunglasses shield your eyes from harmful UV and sunscreen is essential because even on cloudy days UV can sneak through and cause skin damage.
The sunscreens I would recommend are:
- Sun Bum 50 for summer
- Australian Gold Spray 30 for spring (and if you want to tan)
- Nivea Kids protect and care for children
- Hawaiian Tropic After Sun as after sun
9. Camera or Smartphone
When you go to Paris you will obviously want to capture the sights and take some selfies. Make sure to bring your camera or smartphone to shoot iconic spots like the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame or even Montmartre.
Also remember to take extra memory cards, extra batteries for your camera or even a powerbank (portable charger) with you so your devices won’t run out of juice or space.
Obviously always pack your phone charger, and I like to bring an extension lead as well just in case there aren’t a lot of plugs in the room (which is very common in Paris!)
10. Anti Theft Backpack
If this is your very first time in Paris I would also recommend bringing an Anti Theft Backpack. Sure Paris is pretty safe, but like every large city where tourists flock to monuments and museums, there are a lot of pickpockets around.
There are lots of different anti theft backpacks available – from laptop bags to stylish bags you wouldn’t even know were anti theft.
Here are my recommendations:
- This one from Pincel because it looks quite stylish
- This one from Cheruty as it has a leathery look
- This one from Marketron because it can hold a laptop
Paris packing tips:
1. If you are staying a week in Paris it is a good idea to think about building a capsule wardrobe. That’s what parisians would do. These capsule wardrobes means you can cut down on the clothes to take when heading to Paris while still being able to conquer the streets of Paris in a very fashionable way.
2. There are no ultimate paris packing lists. Everyone wants something different from their holidays and this will obviously impact what to bring to Paris. Some people just want to eat their way through the city while others will be walking around Paris the whole day. Bring what you want to bring – but obviously check the weather before deciding what to wear in Paris.
3. If you can only bring carry-on it is not a bad idea to invest in packing cubes. They fit really nicely in your carry-on bag when you are packing for a week into a small bag.
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