Paris packing list

Practical checklist for a trip to Paris — what most travellers wish they'd packed, grouped by category. Pair it with each attraction's own "What to bring" section for site-specific extras.

Clothing

Layers (T-shirt + jumper + jacket) Oceanic climate — 10°C swings in one day are normal
Comfortable waterproof shoes 15,000+ steps a day on cobblestones, often damp. Break them in.
Compact umbrella or rain shell Rain falls year-round — half the days in winter, showers in summer
One smart outfit Paris dresses up: nicer restaurants, opera, rooftop bars
Scarf The most Parisian item there is — warmth + church-modesty cover
Warm coat (Nov–Mar) Damp cold along the Seine feels colder than the number says

Documents

Passport Valid 3+ months past return date (Schengen rule)
Travel insurance certificate EHIC/GHIC if you're in Europe/UK; otherwise private cover
Printed copy of accommodation Border officers occasionally ask; saves the WiFi scramble
Backup card photo (cloud) Snap your passport, cards, insurance to encrypted cloud storage
Museum reservations on phone Louvre, Orsay, Notre-Dame all run timed entry — screenshot QRs

Electronics

Type C/E plug adapter Two-prong European, 230V — same as Spain, Germany, Italy
Power bank (10,000 mAh+) Long days of phone use: maps, photos, timed-entry QRs, audio guides
Phone charger + cable USB-C standard now, but bring two cables if you can
e-SIM or roaming plan Orange Holiday or Airalo work well; EU roaming if you're European
Headphones Most museum audio guides run via your phone now

Health

Refillable water bottle Tap water is safe; Wallace fountains across the city
Basic painkillers Ibuprofen / paracetamol — saves a pharmacie trip
Blister plasters Cobblestones + long museum days punish new shoes
Hand sanitiser Metro touchpoints and museum queues
Sunscreen SPF 30+ (May–Sep) Open-air days: Versailles gardens, Seine walks, café terraces

Misc

Daypack (15–20L) Louvre security rejects large bags; keep it small and zipped
Reusable shopping bag Market streets (rue Cler, rue Mouffetard), boulangerie runs
Eye mask + earplugs Haussmann-era buildings have thin windows on loud streets
A book / Kindle Café culture rewards lingering; RER to Versailles takes 45 min
Offline French phrase pack A "Bonjour" before any request transforms the service you get

Money

Contactless credit/debit card Accepted nearly everywhere, including metro turnstiles
A few €5/€10 notes Boulangeries, market stalls, public toilets, small tips
Backup card (different network) Visa + Mastercard combo covers all card-reader edge cases
Zip pocket or money belt Pickpockets work Line 1, Montmartre and the Eiffel Tower queues

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