If you’re heading out for a trip to France, you’re probably really excited to soak up the culture, eat some fantastic food, and see some amazing sights. You also might be wondering what you need to pack!
If this is your first trip to France, packing might feel overwhelming which is why we’ve created this handy guide to packing for your trip to France. To find out how best to pack, what you definitely need to carry, and what you can leave out, check out all the information below.
Preparing for your trip
Before you begin packing, you’re going to need to prepare for your trip. Preparation includes booking flights, accommodation, checking out all of your sightseeing options as well as looking into whether you need a visa for your trip.
Like other European countries, France has an ETIAS system, similar to ESTA in the US. An ETIAS allows residents from participating countries to travel the Schengen Zone in Europe without a traditional visa. This means whether you plan to travel to Germany from Canada, or travel from the US to Spain, you may need to apply for an ETIAS. To find out if you need an ETIAS, check out this list of participating countries.
Things to pack for a trip to France
Once you are prepared, it is time to pack for your trip to France. France is a fantastic country for shopping and prices tend to be reasonable. Unlike the US, French shops will display their prices including taxes, so you don’t need to do any mental maths before reaching the checkout.
Seeing the sights in France can mean lots of walking around cities and so packing light is a good option. If you cannot fit certain products in, you’re likely to be able to find an equivalent somewhere in France, don’t worry!
Essentials
To begin with, you should pack a small and lightweight backpack with the absolute essentials for traveling. You’re likely to need a plug adaptor for all of your chargers as well as your cell phone and any other electronics you wish to take. We recommend carrying a Kindle or other e-reader rather than multiple books too!
You will also need maps of the cities and regions you’re heading (or a map app!), tickets for any visits you’re making, a camera to capture all the incredible sights, a form of photo ID, and a raincoat!
You should also consider carrying a French phrasebook, sleep mask and earplugs for long train journeys, and a reusable water bottle. (You will be able to find safe drinking water across France.)
Toiletries
While you can pack all your regular toiletries, like shampoo, conditioner, soap, and face wash, you are also likely to find something similar to your usual product while in France. This means that if your case is slightly too heavy, you could forgo the toiletries and just shop while you’re there!
Clothing
When it comes to climate, France is relatively temperate. The south is a little hotter than the northern regions of the country and if you’re visiting Paris, you should prepare for rain (yes, even in the summer).
You should pack clothing that is sturdy and comfortable, especially if you’re planning on doing a lot of sightseeing and even if you’re going in the summer, we still recommend packing warming clothing, like jumpers and coats, as well as clothing suitable for rain!
Health
While you should always pack any prescription medications you need, if you forget any non-prescription medicines, you will be able to find an equivalent while in France.
Health supplies you should pack include sunscreen, medication for diarrhea and sickness, painkillers, antibiotic cream for cuts and wounds, bandages, antibacterial hand sanitizer, antihistamines, and insect repellent.
Ensure you’re also carrying details of your health insurance just in case you get injured or sick while in France.
Emergency supplies
In your backpack somewhere you should carry an emergency supplies kit. While this may crossover with your health supplies, there are a few non-health-related supplies you should carry too. These include extra cash, carried separately from your main supply, a power bank for your phone and other electronic devices, a small first aid kit, a copy of your passport, and a list of emergency contacts as well as your accommodation address.
Conclusion: What should I pack for a trip to France?
A trip to France can be an exciting prospect, and with incredible culture, art, history, and food to indulge in while you’re there, you probably don’t want to have to worry about packing! Packing for France is relatively simple and resembles packing for most other European cities.
You’re likely to be able to find supplies similar to the ones you use while in France, so if you forget something you don’t need to worry. You should always ensure you have any prescription medications and a form of photo ID, but toiletries, non-prescription medications, and other supplies are all easy to find.