Too much and you’re fighting it up Metro stairs. Too little and you’re buying a €40 rain jacket near the Louvre. The definitive Paris packing list.
Last Updated: April 2026
Getting the Paris packing list wrong costs you in two directions: too much and you’re wrestling a heavy suitcase up Metro stairways; too little and you’re buying a €40 rain jacket from a tourist shop near the Louvre. This checklist covers everything you actually need — not everything you might pack — across all seasons and trip lengths.
Key Paris packing rules:
✅ Pack for walking 10,000–15,000 steps daily on cobblestones
✅ Paris is style-conscious — smart casual beats full tourist gear
✅ Weather changes fast — layers beat single heavy items
✅ Carry-on only is achievable for most trips under 10 days
✅ A crossbody bag protects against Metro pickpockets
The Paris Packing Checklist (Master List)
Documents & Money
- ✅ Passport (valid 6+ months beyond return date)
- ✅ Travel insurance documents (digital + printed copy)
- ✅ Flight confirmations and hotel bookings
- ✅ Credit/debit card with no foreign transaction fees
- ✅ €100–150 cash for small purchases, markets, some cafés
- ✅ European Health Insurance Card / EHIC (UK travellers)
- ✅ Pre-booked attraction tickets (Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Versailles — see our Paris attractions guide →)
- ✅ Emergency contact list (offline, not just on phone)
Clothing — 7-Day Paris Capsule Wardrobe
Paris has a distinctly stylish street aesthetic. This doesn’t mean expensive — it means intentional. Avoid branded sportswear, oversized logos, and obvious tourist clothing in favour of neutral tones and versatile pieces.
Base layer (carry-on friendly):
- ✅ 3–4 tops (mix of casual and smart-casual; neutral colours layer better)
- ✅ 1–2 bottoms (versatile trousers or jeans; one pair covers multiple days)
- ✅ 1 smart outfit (dinner, theatre, upscale restaurant)
- ✅ 1 light dress or linen shirt (summer Paris is warm)
- ✅ 5–7 underwear and socks (merino wool socks worth the investment)
- ✅ 1 lightweight jacket or blazer (doubles for evenings)
- ✅ Sleepwear (or use a long t-shirt)
Outer layers (seasonal — see below):
- ✅ Spring/Autumn: Packable rain jacket essential; light scarf; mid-layer fleece or cardigan
- ✅ Summer: Sunhat; packable rain layer (summer storms); light cardigan for air-conditioned museums
- ✅ Winter: Warm coat (not your heaviest — wear it on the plane); warm scarf; gloves; thermal base layer
Shoes — The Most Critical Paris Decision
Your shoe choice will make or break Paris. Cobblestones in Le Marais, uneven steps at Sacré-Cœur, and 12+ hours of daily walking demand footwear that combines comfort with versatility.
- ✅ Primary walking shoes: Cushioned, broken-in trainers or walking shoes. Never new shoes. Never heels for cobblestones.
- ✅ Smart shoes: One pair of smart-casual shoes or clean leather trainers (nicer restaurants, evenings)
- ✅ Flip flops or sandals: For hostel showers or summer beach-club days (optional)
⚠️ The cobblestone reality: Ballet flats and thin-soled shoes are genuinely painful after 3–4 hours on Paris streets. Prioritise cushioning over style for daytime wear.
Tech & Electronics
- ✅ Smartphone (Google Maps offline for Paris works well)
- ✅ European plug adapter (Type C/E — UK 3-pin does not work in France)
- ✅ Portable power bank (10,000mAh minimum for full-day city use)
- ✅ Laptop or tablet (if working remotely)
- ✅ Camera (smartphone cameras are excellent; a compact camera is optional)
- ✅ Headphones or earbuds (Metro journeys, audio guides)
- ✅ Charging cables for all devices
- ✅ eSIM or international SIM: Don’t rely on airport roaming charges. Saily eSIM works across Europe from $3.99/day →
Toiletries & Health
Paris pharmacies (marked with a green cross) are excellent and stock most international brands. You can buy almost anything you forget. Keep carry-on liquids under 100ml each, in a 1-litre clear bag.
- ✅ Toothbrush, toothpaste (travel size for carry-on)
- ✅ Deodorant
- ✅ Shampoo/conditioner (or use hotel supplies — most Paris hotels provide basic toiletries)
- ✅ Sunscreen (SPF 30+ for summer; Paris is surprisingly sunny)
- ✅ Lip balm (Paris in winter is very dry)
- ✅ Basic first aid: plasters/band-aids, blister pads (essential for cobblestone walking), ibuprofen, antihistamines
- ✅ Any prescription medications (in original packaging; carry a copy of the prescription)
- ✅ Hand sanitiser
- ✅ Wet wipes (surprisingly useful for Metro pole contact, picnic prep)
Paris-Specific Essentials
These items are specific to navigating Paris well:
- ✅ Reusable water bottle: Paris tap water is safe and excellent. Fontaines Wallace (green iron fountains throughout the city) dispense free drinking water. Avoid spending €3+ per bottle.
- ✅ Crossbody anti-theft bag: For the Metro and crowded tourist sites. Should zip closed and sit in front of your body. Anti-theft crossbody bags on Amazon →
- ✅ Compact umbrella: Paris gets sudden rain showers year-round. A pocket umbrella (not a golf umbrella) is genuinely useful.
- ✅ Blister pads: Non-negotiable. Buy Compeed or equivalent before travel — you will need them by day 2.
- ✅ Small padlock: For hostel lockers if staying in shared accommodation.
- ✅ Offline maps downloaded: Download Paris on Google Maps or Maps.me before flying. Metro signal is unreliable.
Bags for Daily Use
- ✅ Day bag/daypack: 15–20 litre backpack or large crossbody for museum days, Versailles, day trips
- ✅ Packable tote: For market shopping, beach bags, overflow. Takes zero space in luggage.
Seasonal Paris Packing Adjustments
| Season | Months | Key additions | What to skip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Waterproof layer, light scarf, layers | Heavy coat (pack a packable rain jacket instead) |
| Summer | June–August | Sun hat, sunscreen, light cardigan for museums | Heavy clothes — but always a light layer for evenings |
| Autumn | Sep–Nov | Waterproof shoes, packable puffer, scarf | Open sandals (cobblestones + autumn rain = bad) |
| Winter | Dec–Feb | Warm coat (wear on plane), thermal underlayer, gloves, warm hat | Bulky items that won’t fit a carry-on; wear your heaviest layer travelling |
Paris Packing for Carry-On Only
10 days in Paris carry-on only is achievable. The discipline is in choosing multi-purpose items and being honest about what you’ll actually wear. Key principles:
- Build around a 3-colour palette (e.g. navy, white, khaki) so everything mixes and matches
- Choose merino wool where possible — it doesn’t smell after multiple wears and dries quickly
- Use compression packing cubes — they genuinely compress clothing volume by 30–40%. Best compression cubes on Amazon →
- Wear your bulkiest items on travel days (coat, heaviest shoes)
- Check the airline carry-on size limits → before choosing your bag
Recommended carry-on for Paris: Osprey Farpoint 40
At 40 litres and 1.7kg, it handles Metro stairs comfortably and fits most European airline overhead bins. See our full luggage guide for Paris →.
What NOT to Pack for Paris
- ❌ High heels — cobblestones will destroy them and your feet
- ❌ Large SLR camera + multiple lenses — unless photography is the primary purpose; it’s a pickpocket magnet and exhausting to carry
- ❌ Full-size hairdryer — hotels almost always provide one; buy a travel adapter instead
- ❌ Too many “just in case” outfits — Paris has excellent shopping if you genuinely need something
- ❌ UK 3-pin plug devices without adapters — French sockets are Type C/E (two round pins)
- ❌ Expensive jewellery — Paris pickpocket risk at tourist sites is real; leave valuables at home
Pre-Travel Booking Checklist
Pack these before your trip, not at the airport:
- ✅ Eiffel Tower tickets (book 3+ weeks ahead in summer) — via Tiqets →
- ✅ Louvre timed entry tickets — via Tiqets →
- ✅ Versailles skip-the-line — via Klook →
- ✅ Airport transfer booked — via GetTransfer →
- ✅ Hotel confirmed — Search Paris hotels on Expedia →
- ✅ Travel insurance confirmed
- ✅ Offline maps downloaded to phone
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I pack for 3 days in Paris?
For 3 days, carry-on only is straightforward: 3 tops, 1–2 bottoms, 1 smart outfit for dinner, comfortable walking shoes, light jacket, and essential toiletries. Use the same base clothes and swap accessories. The full master list above covers everything; for a long weekend just scale it down proportionally.
Is Paris casual or formal dress code?
Casual but polished. Parisians wear fitted, simple clothing in neutral tones. Shorts are fine for tourists but uncommon on locals. Smart jeans with a clean top is perfectly appropriate for all but the finest restaurants, which generally ask for smart casual.
Do I need cash in Paris?
Less than you might think. Most Parisian restaurants, cafés, shops and Metro machines accept card. However, street markets, some boulangeries, and small food stalls are cash-only. €50–100 in cash covers most situations. Use a Wise or Revolut card to avoid foreign transaction fees.
Is Paris safe for tourists?
Yes, but pickpocketing is common at major tourist sites (Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Cœur, Louvre, busy Metro lines). A crossbody bag worn in front, inside jacket pockets for valuables, and basic awareness is sufficient protection for most travellers.
What adapter do I need for France?
Type C or Type E (two round pins). UK 3-pin plugs will not fit French sockets. Universal travel adapters are widely available — pack one per trip. European travel adapters on Amazon →
More Paris planning resources: