A Perfect Packing List for Paris for Every Season!
Are you planning a trip to Paris and wondering what to include on your packing list?
In my opinion, Paris is a city everyone should visit at least once in their life. There is something so magical about walking along the Seine and seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night. You just have to experience it for yourself!
However, if it is your first time visiting Paris, you might be wondering what you should pack for the City of Love! Packing for Europe can be daunting, especially if you are trying to fit everything in a carry-on.
In this guide, I will cover exactly what to pack for a trip to Paris for each season, as well the essentials you’ll need regardless of the time of year. I’ll also include packing tips to minimize your luggage space and ensure you have everything you need for your trip to Paris!
I’ve also created a FREE international flight packing list and pre-trip checklist that you can download here before your trip! So keep reading if you need help planning out your Paris packing list!
Quick Mini Guide to Paris
Don’t have a lot of time? Here’s a quick mini guide to Paris to help plan your epic adventure!
Where to Stay:
– 4th, 5th, 6th, or 7th arrondissement
– Hotel Louis II (moderate & clean)
– Hotel des Londres Eiffel (great location)
– Hotel Mayfair Paris (boutique hotel)
Full Guide on Where to Stay in Paris!
When to Visit:
– I recommend shoulder season (Early May or late September)
– Summer (June – August) is peak season
– Winter can be chilly and rainy!
Things to Do:
– Go on a Seine river dinner cruise (full guide here!)
– Picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower
– Stroll through the many gardens
– Take a day trip by train
Paris Packing List Travel Essentials
Before we get into what to pack for Paris by season, I want to cover things you’ll need in Paris no matter what time of year you are visiting! These are the items that often make or break your trip, so don’t skip this section!
Capsule Wardrobe
If you’ve planned a trip to Europe before, you’ve probably heard of a capsule wardrobe. If not, let me explain!
A capsule wardrobe is basically a limited number of clothing articles that you can mix and match. For example, a little black dress that you can dress up for your Seine dinner cruise or dress down for a day of exploring the Louvre.
Other items like neutral-colored tops, linen pants, and your favorite pair of jeans should all be included in your capsule wardrobe!
The purpose of a capsule wardrobe is to limit the amount of clothing you bring by picking staple pieces that you wear multiple times in different ways! This will help reduce your overall luggage weight and size!
Trust me, you don’t want to be lugging a giant checked bag down the cobblestone streets of Paris! (Ask me how I know….)
Here are some of my recommendations to include in your capsule wardrobe! Remember to choose neutral colors and things that can be worn multiple times.
- Favorite pair of jeans
- Flowy pants
- White cropped tee
- Jean or leather jacket
- Little black dress
- Oversized white button down
- Neutral colored tank tops
- Lightweight jumpsuit
- Cozy sweater
- Beige or black shawl/kimono
Comfortable Shoes
Packing a pair of comfortable shoes is probably the most important thing you can do to prepare for your trip to Paris. In fact, it even makes my list of the 10 Things to Know Before Visiting Paris for the First Time!
Paris is a large city made for walking! From wandering through the Louvre to strolling down the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, you are bound to get your steps in while visiting Paris! (On all of my trips to Paris, I’ve walked over 20,000 steps per day!).
Even if you opt to take the metro or bus often, I promise you will still be walking a ton! So, comfortable shoes with good arch support are a must.
Most people opt for supportive yet stylish sneakers like Allbirds, Reeboks, or my personal favorite, these platform Converse. Or, if you are going for peak comfort, consider a cute pair of Dr. Scholl’s.
If you’re visiting in summer and don’t want to be stuck wearing sneakers every day, they are plenty of comfortable sandals out there to choose from. I personally wore these Reef sandals around France and Monaco and had no blisters or achy feet!
Hot Tip: If you decide to buy new shoes for your trip to Paris, don’t forget to break them in before you go!! You don’t want have blisters after your first day exploring the city.
Reusable Water Bottle
In addition to a capsule wardrobe and comfy shoes, I highly recommend adding a reusable water bottle to your packing list for Paris!
No matter where I am traveling to, I always bring a reusable water bottle! Why?
One, because I care about the environment and don’t want to continually have to buy bottled water. And two, because I never have enough water when on airplanes! So bringing my own bottle just makes sense.
For Paris specifically, there are several public water fountains throughout the city where you can fill up your reusable bottle! In fact, the Wallace Fountains of Paris, which are dispersed throughout the city, have been around since the late 1800s! How cool is that?
I personally love this collapsible water bottle! It’s super lightweight and becomes tiny when you’re not using it, so you don’t have to worry about hauling a giant metal bottle around all day!
However, if you want one that keeps your water cold super cold, I recommend a Hydroflask!
Crossbody bag
Another must-have item to add to your packing list for Paris is a secure, cross-body bag!
It’s important to know that pick-pocketing is extremely common in Paris, especially in tourist areas. Thieves frequent areas like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre to prey on tourists!
So, it’s important to have anti-theft, cross-body bag or fanny pack that you can keep in front of your person at all times. I do not recommend wearing a backpack around Paris unless you can wear it in front of you.
Below are some cute options from Amazon! Some are harder to access than others, so choose whichever you feel most comfortable with!
Rain Jacket
Packing a rain jacket is important for every season in Paris! Unlike other countries, Paris doesn’t have a true “rainy” season. Sure, the rain in Paris vs London is a completely different ballgame (it rains A LOT in London). But it still can rain in France quite often.
So, I always pack a cute rain jacket or waterproof jacket, just in case! You can check the weather forecast each day on your trip to decide if you’ll need it.
🧳 Packing is the fun part — make sure everything before it is sorted! Flights, travel insurance, money abroad, and phone plans are all covered in my Passport to Confidence guide — a $7 planning roadmap for international travel. Download it and pack with peace of mind!
Converter/Adapter
One more important item to add to your packing list for Paris is a plug adapter and/or converter! If you’re traveling from outside Europe (like the USA), your plugs will not work in Paris hotel rooms.
Most of the EU uses two plug types, C and E. These are the plugs with two rounded pins. The USA, however, uses type A and type B.
So, you will need a travel adapter like this one to allow your devices to charge! These days, more upscale hotels will have USB plugs in addition to standard wall plugs; however, I wouldn’t count on this!
Hot Tip: If you travel to different countries often, I highly recommend a multi-type adapter so you will always have the one you need!
In addition to standard plug adapters, you may also need a an adapter/converter combo. France operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. The USA, however, operates on a 120V supply voltage and 60Hz. While most electronics these days can operate at both voltages, some can’t!
Electronics that are most commonly brought when traveling that might not work are hair dryers and handheld steamers. So, make sure to check your mini appliances before using and either buy a converter or leave them at home!
Paris Packing List for Summer
Now that we’ve covered the packing essentials for Paris year round, let’s dive into what to pack for Paris by season! Starting with everyone’s favorite – summer!
Summer is arguably the most popular time to visit Paris for tourists! Starting in May, temperatures in Paris start to warm up to the upper 60s. By August, highs are typically in the upper 70s and lows in the 60s.
So, depending on what month you visit in summer, you may be able to get away with shorts and tank tops only!
For example, when we visited in late May, it was still a little chilly for our Florida taste, so we wore jeans, sneakers, and light sweaters the whole time.
During the day, I could get away without the sweater when the sun was shining. But in the evening, like when we were picnicking at the Eiffel Tower, I needed it!
However, when we spent 4 days in Paris at the end of August, it was much warmer than our trip in May!
While there was still a cool breeze most days, I was able to wear lightweight linen pants and a t-shirt or a sleeveless jumpsuit. I always carry a jean jacket with me in case I get chilly, but if the sun is shining, you most likely won’t need it!
So, if you are visiting in the heart summer, you will definitely want to add shorts, sundresses, skirts, and tanks to your packing list for Paris!
Here are some cute options for your trip👇🏼
Paris Packing List for Fall
Next up is fall! As summer comes to end in Paris at the end of August, the temperatures start drop, along with the tourist numbers. I personally love traveling to Europe in late September / early October, as this is considered “shoulder season”.
(Shoulder season just means the season between peak season and off season! For most of Europe, shoulder season is typically spring and fall).
Fall temperatures in Paris can vary drastically depending on what month you visit. For example, September typically sees highs around 70 and lows in the mid-50s. However, November highs typically stay in the 50s with lows in the 40s. That’s a big swing!
If you’re visiting in September, you might be able to get away with a summery wardrobe. However, you’ll definitely want to pack a light sweater or jacket to carry around with you, especially if you’re going to be out adventuring all day.
Layers are key when packing for Paris in autumn, since the temperatures can swing so much on a given day.
While temperatures are warmer during the day, it can get much cooler at night. I typically always carry a jean jacket with me for the evenings! And trust me, Paris at night is something you won’t want to miss!
As fall continues into October and November, you’ll want to pack warmer clothes for your Paris adventure. Thicker sweaters, jeans, and ankle boots make the perfect wardrobe choice for autumn in Paris!
Paris Packing List for Winter
Winter might not be your first choice for when to visit Paris. Unfortunately, temperatures in Paris during the winter rarely get low enough to snow, so white winters aren’t too common! You can expect highs in the mid-40s and lows in the upper 30s!
What is common during winter in Paris is, unfortunately, rain! Like I mentioned above, it can rain any time of year in Paris. But, the most heavy rains typically occur in December and January.
So, if you are planning to visit Paris in the wintertime, make sure to pack a warm winter coat that is also rainproof! In addition, you’ll want to pack waterproof boots and an umbrella!
Hats, scarves, and gloves will also keep you warm as you wander through the Parisian streets.
I personally haven’t been to Paris in the winter, but I have visited nearby Strasbourg and Colmar in December, and it was much colder than I expected!
Paris Packing List for Spring
Spring is arguably one of the most beautiful times to visit Paris! Like autumn, spring is shoulder season in Paris, so you can expect cooler temperatures and fewer crowds.
In addition, flowers around the city will be in bloom, which is just the icing on the cake! When we visited Paris in May, we took a day trip from Paris to Versailles and were in awe of all the stunning florals around the gardens.
Temperatures from March – May range from the mid-50s to the low 60s. However, like autumn, it really depends on the specific week you visit.
During any time of year, but especially spring, it’s important to check the weather before your trip so you know what to expect. Make sure to pack for a variety of conditions in case things change!
In general, you’ll want to pack light layers for a trip to Paris in spring. Jeans, a long sleeve t-shirt or sweater, and a light jacket makes for the perfect spring wardrobe!
FAQ About Packing for Paris
Do you wear jeans in Paris?
Absolutely! Jeans are a staple item to pack for Paris in any season.
How to pack for Paris in a carry-on?
My biggest tip for packing for Paris in a carry-on is packing cubes! Packing cubes are incredible for keeping clothes organized and consolidated. In addition, I highly recommend rolling your clothes instead of folding them. Last, focus on building a capsule wardrobe so you can re-wear items.
What to wear in Paris as a tourist?
Honestly, don’t stress too much about this. I used to be so worried about standing out as a tourist in Europe. The truth is, nobody really cares! Wear the white sneakers. Wear the baseball cap. As soon as you start speaking, they are going to know you’re not French!
Final Thoughts
That wraps up my guide on how to pack for Paris in every season! As I mentioned, there are several items you’ll want to add to your Paris packing list regardless of the month you’re visiting in, like a plug adapter and comfortable walking shoes.
However, your specific outfit choices will vary depending on the time of year!
So whether you’re spending a quick 3 days in Paris or a full week in this incredible city, I hope this packing guide has helped you!
Next, check out my guide on how to take a Day Trip from Paris to Versailles to extend your adventures around Paris!
Or, check out my other Paris blog posts below! ⬇️ 🇫🇷
Visiting Paris For The First Time: 10 Things To Know!
Where To Stay In Paris For First Time Visitors: Detailed Guide
3 Days In Paris: The Perfect Paris Itinerary
Day Trip From Paris To Versailles: A Complete Guide
19 AMAZING Things To Do In Paris At Night!
5 BEST Dinner Cruises In Paris: Prices, Duration, & More
The 7 Best Day Trips From Paris By Train: A Complete Guide
How To Spend 4 Days In Paris: The Ultimate 4 Day Paris Itinerary
A Perfect Packing List For Paris For Every Season!
15 Hidden Gems In Paris You HAVE To Visit!
How To Have A PERFECT Picnic At The Eiffel Tower In Paris
London Vs Paris: Which European City Should YOU Visit?
The BEST 7 Day London And Paris Itinerary!
Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning!
Save this post for later!
Enter your info below and I'll email you the link to this blog post so you can refer back to it later 🙂
This is such a helpful guide and I love the pics with outfit inspo as well! I am not very good at having a capsule wardrobe in general, but I would love to aspire for that kind of great packing.