Paris packing list: what to wear in Paris + style tips to be comfortable and stylish

view of Paris

Full Paris packing list: what to pack for Paris in each season, Paris travel essentials and style tips to be comfortable and stylish during your Paris trip.

Deciding what to pack for Paris is always fun however, coming up with a Paris packing list is also always a bit of a headache!

Fashion capital of the word, Paris is the type of city where you can have fun dressing up to your heart content however, it is also a city where you will do a lot of walking and a lot of hopping on an doff the metro, so comfort also is a concern.

Striking the balance between comfort and look is at the core of a good Paris packing list and over the course of my many trips to Paris, I believe I have found the perfect formula!

This is my full packing list for Paris. It includes Paris travel essentials, recommendations on the best shoes for Paris sightseeing fashion tips to fit in and not look like a tourist (or at least not too much), things to pack for Paris with kids and packing tips for Paris in each season.

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Image of the Eiffel Tower in Paris in the fall with text: Season by season full Paris packing list

Full Paris Packing List

What to Pack for Paris: travel essentials

Comfortable walking shoes

Paris is a city you will explore vastly on foot and by metro so comfortable shoes are a must!

So much that we have a full section about this article about them, just a little farther down this page!

There you will find our favorite shoe style and shoe brands for Paris in all seasons and you will see why we recommend sneakers, flats and heels for the city.

Crossbody Bag

A crossbody bag is my favorite type of day bag for Paris. I love crossbody bags for several reasons.


In terms of appearance, they are closer to what locals have so you know you can blend in better than if you are wearing a travel backpack.

In terms of safety, crossbody bags allow you to have your belonging close to your body and cannot be easily accessed without you noticing (unlike a backpack)

The come in all sizes so you are likely to find one that works for you.

I personally do not find you need an anti-theft bag and a standard good quality crossbody bag is more than enough in Paris however, if you feel an anti-theft one gives you peace of mind, the ones below are good options (some even have a space for your water bottle).

A crossbody purse is the best bag for walking around Paris for me: my favorite of all are by Italian brand ‘Gabs’.

Me in Paris in autumn

French Phrasebook / translation app

Speaking French goes a long way in Paris.

While most people do speak English, you will find many prefer not to and expressing yourself in French will mean fewer headaches and misunderstandings.

I find a good French phrasebook to be the best option although some apps cut as google translate can also come in handy.

Travel adaptor

A travel adaptor is always a good idea and a necessity if you come from the US, UK, Ireland and many non EU countries.

The power adaptor will help with different types of sockets and potential differences in power that can be damaging to your appliances and even dangerous.

ID / passport / personal identification docs

Always have some form of photo ID on you.

French authorities require you to have a form of ID o you at all times and you may be asked to show it by officials and the police.

Make sure you also have a copy of your passport or ID in a separate pocket or bag so should you by misfortune lose your bag, you can get a passport replacement more easily.

Power bank

A portable power bank comes in handy when you are out and about for hours, especially if like me you are attached to your phone for ottos and maps!

Travel umbrella

Always a good idea in Paris! Opt for a lightweight one you can fit in your bag without adding too much weight and go for a windproof travel umbrella like this one: in Paris, you will need the extra sturdiness!

Layers

I go more in detail about this below but it is always a good idea to have an extra layer with you in Paris.

I like to have a light cardigan I can fit in. y bag even in summer so I know I don’t have to get back to the hotel should the temperature suddenly drop

Debit card / Credit card and cash

I recommend you always have both debit card and cash on you (not a lot f cash, but enough for emergencies).

Paris is very debit card friendly however, shops may not accept card payments for very small sums so some cash is important to have

Reusable water bottle

Bottled water is expensive and comes with plastic you need to then dispose of so I highly recommend you bring a reusable water bottle with you.

Free drinking fountains are common in Paris: look for them in pars especially and you will always have nice cook drinking water with you without spending a cent!

Paris packing list: the best shoes for Paris

In Paris you are going to do a lot of walking so finding good city walking shoes is paramount.

Depending on the seasons and your style, I recommend you opt for the following types:

Runners/ sneakers: runners and sneakers may not strike you like the most Parisian of looks however, they are perfectly acceptable in Paris and a great option for long hours of sightseeing.

Locals also wear them (French women most definitely do not wear only pretty ballerina shoes!) however, not all styles are equal.

To blend in with Parisians without compromising comfort, opt for fashion sneakers and not running ones and pair them with jeans or petty pants rather than shorts or combat trousers.

Slip on walking shoes: a good alternative to fashion sneakers are slip-on walking shoes.

Depending on the color and exact model you choose, you can wear them with several types of outfits and can be your main go-to shoe for your trip

Ankle boots: ankle boots are my favorite type of city shoe for the midseason and the fall in particular.

Paris in the fall and spring can be chilly and wet and a good waterproof ankle boot will be a good ally against the weather. Oft for low heel ones and rubber soles for comfort

Tall boots /city snow boots: winter can be very cold in Paris and while you don’t usually need full-on snow boots, warm city winter boots can be a lifesaver.

Opt for lined, lightweight ones such as these Columbia ones for a comfortable, warm and stylish look (they are the ones I use, they are wonderful, albeit on the narrow side)

Walking sandals: walking sandals are fabulous for the summer and a must-have for long hot summer days in Paris. I am a fan of Teva and find their leather one perfect for the city (I have these ones)

Nice shoes for the evening: Paris is one of the few cities I always recommend to have an extra pair of nice shoes for!

Ballerina flats, wedges and heels are all acceptable: while the traditional French stereotype is to have Parisian women in flats all the time, this is very much not the case and you see heels everywhere in Paris so if that’s your style, absolutely for it!

Best jackets and coats for Paris

Paris has cold winters, possibly chilly springs and fall seasons and summers with changeable weather so some form of jacket is usually handy to have.

For winter in Paris, you want to pack a full-on winter jacket: thins waterproof and puffy jackets with hoods and good lining to keep you protected in case of rain or snow.

In the mid season, I find puffy short jackets or leather jackets the best. Opt for faux leather so you don’t have to worry about rain

For the summer, you may not need a jacket at all (it can get very hot).

However, I always find a layer is a good idea as the weather can change and if you are staying day sin the city, you may well find you need to reach for a top layer later in the evening.

A light raincoat is always a good idea in Paris: you can opt for a packable and stylish style like this one to be ready for all weather.

What to pack for Paris in winter – Paris packing list winter

If packing for Paris in winter, may sure you pack:

  • Good shoes (see above)
  • Underwear and socks
  • Long pants/ Trousers (jeans or woolen)
  • Top thermal layer
  • Long sleeve tops
  • Warm sweater, woolen top, warm cardigan
  • Proper winter jacket, waterproof, with hood
  • Scarf, gloves, hat
  • Warm nightwear
  • Slippers /warm socks for the hotel

If packing for winter in Paris with kids, also pack:

What to pack for Paris in spring – Paris packing list spring

  • Good shoes (see above)
  • Underwear and socks
  • Long pants/ Troursers (jeans or woolen)
  • Tights and skirt/dress
  • Short-sleeve tops
  • Long sleeve tops
  • Warm sweater, warm cardigan
  • Midseason jacket
  • Scarf / pashmina
  • Nightwear
  • Slippers /flipflops for the hote
  • Sunglasses

What to pack for Paris in Summer – Paris packing list summer

  • Walking sandals
  • Underwear
  • Long pants (lined and jeans work well and have you covered in all types of Paris summer weather)
  • Summer dresses/skirts
  • Light cardigan
  • Light jacket
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Light summer nightwear

If going to Paris in summer with kids, make sure you also pack swimsuits and water shoes as they may want to get wet to cool down in Paris parks and pools!

What to pack for Paris in the fall – Paris packing list fall

  • Good shoes (see above)
  • Underwear and socks
  • Long pants/ Troursers (jeans or woolen)
  • Tights and skirt/dress
  • Short-sleeve tops
  • Long sleeve tops
  • Warm sweater, warm cardigan
  • Midseason jacket
  • Scarf/pashmina
  • Nightwear
  • Slippers /flipflops for the hotel
  • Sunglasses

Packing for Paris: Toiletries and First aid


Make sure you have a good travel toiletry bag with:

  • Dental kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, floss etc)
  • Face wash and cream
  • Makeup / makeup remover if using
  • Shower gel / shampoo/ conditioner
  • Body cream
  • Deodorant
  • Shaving kit
  • Female hygene essentials
  • Brush / comb
  • Hair ties
  • Travel First aid Kit – see what we pack in our family travel first aid kit here

Accessories

  • Crossbody bag
  • Body wallet if using
  • Sunglasses
  • Necklaces – good to dress an outfit up and down and make it go from day to night
  • Scarves

Tech and electronics

  • Universal adaptor
  • Charging cables
  • Portable power bank
  • Phone
  • Camera
  • Laptop/Ipad / Kids tablets
  • Essential travel / language apps (maps, booking apps for accommodation and tours etc)

What to pack for Paris with babies or toddler – Paris packing list for your little one

If going to Paris with a baby or toddler, I recommend you also pack:

The best luggage for Paris

When traveling to Paris, I love to have:

Travel Backpack – this is a perfect choice if you like to pack light or only have a couple of days in the city.

Travel backpacks like this osprey one I use open like standard suitcases but carry like a backpack and can go carry on if flying.

If you prefer wheeled luggage and bags or spinners, I recommend Travel Pro Series 5 as soft shell luggage for Paris and Samsonite Omni for hard shell luggage.

Please be advised that especially older Paris hotel has steps and very small lift so don’t overpack and don’t get bags you cannot easily maneuver.

I highly recommend you have packing cubes with you as a quick way to fit more stuff in the space you have.

What to wear in Paris: style tips


Paris is known for being a stylish city and knowing what type of clothes people wear in Paris can be handy to help you blend in.

As a general rule, neutral colors and black are perfect for winter. A combination of beige, camel and black is a Passepartout and looks stylish day and night.

In spring, you can opt for pastel colors like light beige and powder pink.

For women, a little black dress is a wonderful Paris must have as you can easily use it during the day (you won’t easily be overdressed in Paris!) and you can add jewelry to make it nice for the evening too.

Capri pants are a nice Paris staple and if you opt for jeans, opt for darker colors and well-cut models: consider wearing them with a button shirt for a very Parisian take on the denim look!

Try to avoid going out in jeans and sneakers for the night, especially if you are hoping to get into clubs and cocktail bars, unless you know that look is welcome in your bag or choice.

I hope you enjoyed this packing list for Paris and it helped you decide what to pack for your Paris trip.

Safe travel planning! Find all our Paris articles and travel guides here.