| Before heading off for Paris, knowing what to pack and being sure that
you have everything you will need is important. It would be to your advantage
to not have to buy any essentials once there simply because the prices
are much more than what we are used to here in the States.
Also, if you plan on doing a little laundry in your sink (or facilities
if your hotel has them), you can pack less. Wearing layers is great because
the temperature can vary significantly in a day. You can wear shorts in
the daytime, but by evening, pants and a long sleeve shirt are nice to
have, even in the middle of the summer.
Summer Clothes:
For one week, the following are recommended:
-
2-3 pairs of shorts that are good for walking and carrying "stuff" because
you will most certainly accumulate maps, brochures, change, etc
-
4 short-sleeve shirts
-
2 long-sleeve shirts
-
1 nice shirt for going out in the evening
-
1 pair of nice pants
-
1 pair of lightweight pants when it gets chilly
-
A lightweight jacket
-
A pair of broken-in walking shoes
-
A pair of nice shoes
-
Plenty of socks and underwear for the week
Winter Clothes:
For one week, the following are recommended:
-
2 pairs of pants
-
5 long-sleeve shirts
-
2 short-sleeve shirts
-
2 nice shirts for going out in the evening
-
1 pair of nice pants
-
A pair of broken-in walking shoes
-
A pair of nice shoes
-
Plenty of socks and underwear for the week
-
And obviously a warm coat that will break the wind
Other stuff:
The following list does not have everything you may want to bring,
but just an additional list of some things you may have forgotten about
that are important.
-
Power converter for hair dryer, razor, etc.
-
Alarm clock
-
A backpack or waistpack for carrying food, and especially a bottle of water
-
Plenty of Traveler's Cheques
-
Converting some dollars into francs before leaving the U.S. is not a bad
idea because then you at least have something when you get there if you
cannot find a Bureau de Change immediately
-
A French/English Dictionary or Phrase book if you don't speak French
-
A guide book...I recommend Eyewitness, Frommer's, Knopf, Berkeley, and
Access.
-
A map of Paris and the Metro...I recommend the Michelin maps.
Try and think of situations you are going to be in and what you plan on
doing most of the time to help yourself decide what is worth bringing and
what isn't. I tend to like to explore all day and not return to the hotel
too often, so being able to bring things with me during the day is important.
If you are more prepared, you will be able to make the best of your time
in Paris, which never seems to be enough! |