What to pack for a trip to Paris?

Most visitors to Paris underestimate the physical toll of the city before they've even reached their first museum.

In short, what catches you out here

Paris demands relentless walking — visitors routinely log 15–20 km per day across cobblestones, metro stairs and museum halls, leaving feet blistered and legs exhausted by day two.
In summer, most Paris metro lines have no air conditioning. Platforms and carriages reach 35–40°C, turning short commutes into draining ordeals.
Major sites — Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Sainte-Chapelle — have long outdoor queues with little to no shade, exposing visitors to direct sun for 30–60 minutes at a stretch.

Why this list?

The combination of endless cobblestones, sweltering metro carriages with no air conditioning, and outdoor queues that stretch across shadeless courtyards for an hour or more catches even seasoned travellers off guard. Add strict restaurant service windows that leave the hungry stranded between 14h and 19h30, shops that simply don't open on Sunday, and hotel check-ins that refuse bags before 15h, and you have a city that rewards meticulous preparation far more than it lets on. The list below focuses on the friction points that repeat in every honest review of a Paris summer trip — the blister that ends day two early, the dead phone in the middle of the Marais, the museum bag that fails the size gauge at the cloakroom door. Tick these off before you leave and the city becomes considerably more enjoyable.

When to go

April to June ·September ·October

Paris is at its best in spring and early autumn: mild temperatures, flattering light and fewer crowds; July–August bring mass tourism that overwhelms major sites and public transport.

Less favourable : July to August

What people ask most before coming

What documents do I need to travel to Paris — ID card or passport?

France is part of the Schengen Area. EU and EEA nationals can enter with a valid national identity card alone. Travellers from outside the EU/EEA will generally need a valid passport, and those from many non-EU countries should also check whether a Schengen visa is required well before departure — requirements vary by nationality and should be confirmed with the relevant French embassy. Keeping copies of your travel documents stored separately from the originals is a sensible precaution.

Can you pay by card everywhere in Paris or do you need cash?

Card payment (Visa, Mastercard, contactless, Apple Pay, Google Pay) is widely accepted across Paris, including for small amounts in shops, restaurants, museums and public transport. Cash can still come in handy at neighbourhood bistros, street markets and for tips, so carrying a small amount is worth considering. ATMs are plentiful throughout the city, though your home bank may apply foreign withdrawal fees — worth checking before you leave.

What type of power plug does Paris use and do I need an adapter?

France uses Type E sockets (two round pins with an earth hole) at 230 V / 50 Hz. Travellers from most of continental Europe typically use compatible plugs and need no adapter. Those arriving from the UK (Type G), the US or Canada (Type A/B, 110–120 V) will need a travel adapter, and visitors whose devices only handle 110–120 V should also check whether a voltage converter is needed — look for '100–240 V' on the device label, which indicates it is universally compatible.

See the 3 other questions

Where is it?

Weather thereloading the forecast…

✔To do before you leave

Your countdown: every action at the right time, from furthest ahead to departure day.

J-30 · check GHIC validity before departureA GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card, the UK replacement for EHIC) must be in date for French healthcare entitlements; renewals can take several weeks via the NHS website.essential
J-14 · book timed-entry tickets onlineTimed-entry slots for the Louvre, Eiffel Tower summit and Sainte-Chapelle sell out days or weeks in advance; walk-up visitors often queue for over an hour only to be turned away.essential
J-3 · book luggage storage in advanceHotels enforce check-in after 15h and check-out before 11h; pre-booking a Stasher or Radical Storage locker near your first or last attraction removes hours of bag-lugging.recommendedfrom 2 nights
J-1 · store digital copies of passport and travel insuranceIn a pickpocket incident — common on the RER B and in Montmartre — losing physical documents is far more disruptive than losing cash; cloud copies speed up any police report.recommended
J-1 · download offline Paris mapRunning Google Maps live all day across Paris's dense grid drains battery rapidly and consumes roaming data; an offline map works without a signal in metro dead zones.recommended
To do · stock up on groceries Saturday eveningSupermarkets and many bakeries close or run reduced hours on Sunday; buying breakfast items and snacks the evening before avoids a frustrating Sunday-morning search.recommendedfrom 2 nights
To do · note restaurant lunch and dinner service windowsKitchens close between 14h and 19h30; planning meals around these windows prevents being caught hungry in a neighbourhood where every restaurant displays a 'service terminé' sign.recommended

✔The essentials

Without these, the trip is compromised. Don't forget them.

blister plasterEven with good shoes, cobblestone friction causes hot-spots by day two; pharmacies sell them but at tourist-area prices and with a language barrier at the counter.essential
anti-theft crossbody bagRER B, Montmartre and museum exits are flagged pickpocket zones; a bag that closes and sits against the body removes the easiest opportunities for theft.essential
cushioned walking shoeDaily distances of 15–20 km over cobblestones and metro stairs destroy unprepared feet within the first day, often cutting the trip short.essential
European Health Insurance CardUK visitors travelling from Britain are entitled to state-provided healthcare in France with a valid GHIC/EHIC; without it, even a minor medical visit involves full upfront payment.essential

✔Nice-to-haves

Not vital, but noticeably more comfortable with them.

day pack under 30 cm heightSeveral Paris museums enforce maximum bag dimensions at cloakrooms; a slim day pack passes the gauge and avoids the cloakroom queue entirely.recommended
small cash reserve in eurosSome street markets, canal-side crêpe stands and small neighbourhood bakeries remain cash-only; arriving without any euros causes avoidable friction at the moment you want to pay.recommended
power bank 10 000 mAhNavigation, museum audio-guide apps and translation tools running simultaneously flatten a phone battery well before the end of a full sightseeing day.recommended

✔Weather & season

Adjust to the time of year and forecast for your trip.

compact folding fanMetro carriages on most lines have no air conditioning; a fan provides the only relief during underground commutes in 35–40°C heat.recommended☀️ heat
light linen or cotton layerMuseum interiors are heavily air-conditioned against the summer heat, creating a sharp cold shock after queuing in 27°C sun; a packable layer prevents the discomfort without adding bulk.recommended☀️ heat
lip balm with SPFHours of outdoor queuing under direct sun dry out lips quickly; this is consistently overlooked even by visitors who remember sunscreen for their skin.comfort😎 sun
reusable water bottleOutdoor queues at major monuments can last 45–60 minutes in direct sun; the city's Wallace fountains offer free refills but are hard to find when you need them most.essential☀️ heat
sun hat with brimQueue areas outside the Louvre, Eiffel Tower and Versailles offer no shade; a wide brim protects both face and neck during the inevitable wait.recommended😎 sun
sunscreen SPF 50Standing in unshaded queues for up to an hour per site adds up to several hours of cumulative sun exposure across a multi-day visit.recommended😎 sun

✔ My own items

✔ Good to know

Check your passport is valid for the full duration of your stay — France is part of the Schengen Area and most non-EU visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa, but your passport must be valid throughout. EU/EEA citizens can travel with a national ID card instead. source
If you are from a visa-exempt country (e.g. US, UK, Canada, Australia), keep an eye on the upcoming ETIAS travel authorisation scheme, expected to become required for entry into the Schengen Area in 2026 — it may be worth registering in advance before you depart. source
Carry a chip-and-PIN bank card as your main payment method — contactless is widely accepted in Paris, but many vending machines, self-service kiosks, and smaller neighbourhood shops still require a PIN. Keep a small amount of euros in cash (€20–50) for bakeries, markets, and the occasional small café. source
Pack a Type E plug adapter if your devices use a different plug standard — France runs on 230 V / 50 Hz and uses the two-round-pin Type E socket. Most modern laptops and phone chargers handle the voltage automatically, but double-check your appliances before plugging in.
Tap water in Paris is safe to drink and free at public fountains — no need to budget for bottled water throughout the day. If you take prescription medication, bring enough for your entire trip plus a few extra days, along with a copy of your prescription in case of checks at the border.
Sort out travel health cover before you leave: EU/EEA citizens should bring their EHIC or GHIC card for access to French public healthcare at reduced cost; visitors from outside the EU are strongly advised to take out comprehensive travel insurance that includes medical repatriation. source
Selfie stick — Consider leaving it at home — selfie sticks are routinely turned away at the entrance of Paris's major museums and monuments, including the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, and you may be asked to put it away or leave.
Drone — Flying a drone over Paris and its landmarks requires prior authorisation that is very difficult to obtain — plan to leave it behind to avoid having it confiscated at a site.
Oversized suitcase for day trips — Paris's older Métro stations have no lifts and very narrow turnstiles — a large rolling suitcase can make getting around the city far more difficult than a compact bag.
High heels — Many of Paris's most visited spots — Montmartre, the Marais, the Tuileries Garden — are paved with cobblestones or gravel; flat, comfortable shoes will serve you much better.

Paris official website

✔ Frequently asked questions

Is tap water safe to drink in Paris and where can I refill my bottle?

Tap water in Paris is considered safe and good quality, monitored by Eau de Paris. Over 1,200 free drinking fountains are spread across the city's parks, squares and streets — including the iconic Wallace fountains — so carrying a reusable bottle means you can stay hydrated at no cost. Some fountains even offer sparkling water. Cafés and restaurants displaying the 'Ici, je choisis l'eau de Paris' sign will serve tap water on request.

How to get around Paris using public transport?

Paris has an extensive network of metro (16 lines), RER trains, buses and trams run by the RATP. The Passe Navigo Easy rechargeable card is the most practical option for casual visitors — load individual tickets or a carnet, and tap in as you go. If you plan to travel frequently over several days, the Paris Visite Pass (1 to 5 days) may work out convenient and includes discounts at some attractions. Vélib' bike-share stations cover the whole city for shorter hops, and many central sights are easily reached on foot.

What should I pack for Paris depending on the season?

Paris has a temperate oceanic climate with noticeable seasonal swings, so layering is the key strategy almost year-round. In summer (June–August), light clothing suits the 20–28 °C range, but a compact rain jacket is worth tucking in as summer storms are possible. Spring and autumn call for a trench coat or light jacket over layers, while winter (December–February) requires a warm coat, scarf and gloves. Whatever the season, comfortable and ideally waterproof walking shoes are strongly recommended — the distances and cobblestones add up quickly — and a small umbrella is useful throughout the year.