 | Paris Packing Lists | Tips 31 - 40 of 270 |  |
Popular Packing Lists | Other Packing Lists Tips | All Tips (270) As little and as light as possible, you will be on the move in the most exciting, electrifying city in the world.
My best purchase was a SMALL, microfiber day-bag with shoulder strap that fit snug under my arm.
Dave's "girlie-man" bag
Here went the map, kleenex (see toiletries), guidebook, pen, small digital camera and bottle of water.
Also a slim money-belt "wallet" that hid under my outer clothes for passport and money/credit cards to frustrate the thieves on the Metro, at Eiffel Tower, Pigalle, and Versailles.
Good professional and broken-in walking shoes (Mephisto, Ecco, Dansko, with arch supports, whatever works for you). Don't underestimate this tip. Your feet will KILL you if you do.
Also shirts/blouses made with synthetic, wrinkle-resistant fibers. One decent black outfit for the opera, upscale dinners, etc.
Lots of Euro coins for public toilets. Don't leave the hotel without 'em. Put some kleenex in your day bag also for tp.
Hi-res (8Mb or better if possible) digital camera for personal shots, or a good solid 35mm with haze filters & lenses if you're really a serious photog.
A small portable tripod for night shots is a must unless you have the ability to freeze/turn to stone when you push the shutter - maybe "image stabilization" feature fixes this. Bring/buy beaucoup batteries or a euro rechargables kit
Also (just my opinion) don't waste valuable film or even finite digital "bits" on digital hand-held shots of the standard tourist spots like the Eiffel tower when you can download better ones anywhere, ... unless being able to "prove" you were there is important to you.
I buy high quality photos / postcards for the standard places (Eiffel, Arc, etc.)
My personal photos that I took and share here were of special, personal people, places & moments I don't want to forget.
When in doubt though, shoot it. It's amazing how much your pix and your journal mean to you a year later.
Don't forget your Metro Map
Paris Metro Map
This is for online: Paris Metro Map online
ask for a petite hard copy "plan de métro" when you buy your first carnet of 10 tickets or carte orange:
Marling Menu Master for France.... menu translator that will liberate you from English-speaking tourist traps and open up the heavenly delight of local cuisine.
A biggie: I am so glad I remembered to bring & keep a journal:
I could write feelings, impressions, and info into my journal at night in my hotel room. I forced myself to use it every day.
It was like gold to me about 6 months after I returned.
Also: Carry a small writing pad & pen at all times so you can communicate in an emergency: ("Écrivez svp?")
My favorite Paris Map - Michelin's Paris Plan et Index (resolution 1/10,000)... an excellent waterproof fold-up map with all info and just the right size.
Last (for now): a small phrase book with survival phrases in French (especially helpful in train stations under moments of stress when you forget all your French).
Good luck. Au Revoir! Leave a Comment
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Books:
I would guess that more books have been written on Paris than on any other city. As well as being a hugely popular tourist destination, many writers from France and especially from abroad have settled here or lived in the city at some point.
My favourite books about Paris/set in Paris are:
Shakespeare and Co. by Sylvia Beach
Paris to the Moon by Adam Gopnik
The Lost Generation by Noel Riley Fitch
A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway
Memoirs of Montparnasse by John Glassco
Paris: A Literary Companion by Ian Littlewood
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
Notre Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens Leave a Comment
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I brought good walking shoes. There are lots of cobblestones that are hard on you if you wear heels. I also wore jeans and black pants. Basic neutral colors seem best if you don't want to stand out. In the winter bring a warm coat and wear a scarf. An umbrella is a must.
Bring basic headache and cold medicine. I got a cold while there and had trouble describing my symptoms to the pharmacist. All I knew how to say was "je suis malade". I couldn't tell her I had a sore throat. The pharmacies are clearly marked with a neon green cross.
A good camera is a must. Bring plenty of film and if you use a lithium battery, make sure to bring and extra! Leave a Comment
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I've noticed that Parisians have a minimum of baggage when they travel. They don't hesistate to repeat the use of their clothing!
Bring outfits that you can mix and match. Depending on the weather, women can make use of scarves adn accessories to change the mood or the style of their outfits.
Elegance is important! We can tell who the tourists are. Keep your colors discrete, this would also make it easier for you to mix and match clothing.
Bring comfortable walking shoes! A good old pair of sneakers can be a tell-tale sign of a tourist. But one can find many good, comfortable and stylish walking shoes nowadays... Puma, Adidas, Camper, etc.
Ladies, save your heels for short distances and sit-down dinners! :)
In Paris, you would easily find all the toiletries that you're used to.
Just remember that the dispensing of medicines in French pharmacies is very strict. If you don't have a prescription from a local doctor, you will have to see one first before purchasing any medicines there, other than usual over-the-counter drugs. It would be better that you bring along all the medicines that you need.
Refer to this link for information on pharmacies in Paris that are open 24h a day, and everyday: http://www.aquelleheure.com/pharmacies.htm. Most pharmacies have limited hours, closing at 7pm and are not open on Sundays.
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"Freedom's just another word
for nothin' left to lose....
And nothin' ain't worth nothin' but it's free "
( © Kris Kristofferson)
So better bring some of these---------------------------->Paris is EXPENSIVE...
Lately the Euro is beating the bejaysus out of the yankee dollar,
making the simple pleasures of Paris much more costly than in the past.
In '01 it was 1.12 Euros/dollar or really ~7 francs to a buck (those were the days ...)
Now (Mar '08) $1.58 dollars = 1 Euro
Paris costs at least twice as much after 7 years
HUGE difference!
grrrr ... political rants are not allowed on vt
Check the latest exchange rates here:
Euros-to-dollars exchange rates Leave a Comment
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In case you want to bring any electrical appliances with you, here is the system France uses : 230 volts and 50 Hz. It is a round pin plug and receptacle with male grounding pin (see picture)
An adapter will allow you to plug an appliance designed for one type of outlet into another type of outlet. Despite the fact that more than a dozen different types of plugs are in use, a typical travel adapter kit usually contains about five adapters which are capable of dealing with most of the outlets shown here. Adapters often manage this versatility by bypassing the ground/earth wire.
Beware : an adapter by itself will not change the electrical voltage. You must be sure that your appliance can handle different voltages (either automatically or through a voltage switch). If it can't, you will need a voltage converter. Leave a Comment
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While I try to take as little as possible these are some items that I must take along with me on most of my travels. I travel during any season and adjust my packing list according to the weather, type and length of travel. Following is just a sample of the items that I usually take along:
2 pair of slacks one black, the other any color depending on the season (depending on the season, linen or cotton for the spring/summer, wool/wool blend or polyester blend for fall/winter
1 black jacket to dress up the slacks or for casual dinning)
1 black dress (for evening dinning, show, opera, etc, or for a night out at a club)
1 pair of jeans and a pair of khakis or Capri’s (again, depending on the season)
2 skirts or shorts which can be worn either during the day or into the early evening
2 white t-shirts or tank tops
3 casual/dress shirts (sweaters in the winter)
1 pair of walking shoes for daytime touring
1 pair black shoes or sandals
2 bathing suits and 2 cover-ups
one week’s worth of undergarments
2-3 pajamas or oversized t-shirts for sleeping
4 spare pairs of contact lenses
5-7 pair of trouser socks
contact lens solution
spare glasses
extra pair of sunglasses
blow dryer (never leave home without it)
travel iron
cosmetics in a travel case
my favorite shampoo and conditioner in travel sizes
hand and body lotion travel size
Tylenol, allergy medication and any other medication I am taking at the time
Hair accessories, brush, hats or caps
2 cameras, plenty of film and extra batteries for the camera
Guide books, itineraries, maps, copies of my passport, airline tickets, phone numbers to credit card companies, extra ATM card for withdrawal from savings if my regular card fails, 2 credit cards, $500 in cash for just in case of emergency, $200 traveler’s checks (again, for just in case something happens with my ATM cards)
Extra travel bag to put all my purchases in.
What I tend to do if I am traveling during the colder season, I usually wear the jacket, a heavy sweater, wool pants, along with boots (these are items that would take up more space in the luggage). In my carry-on bag I usually have an oversized T-shirt, drawstring cotton pants and a spare pair of socks which I change into about 1 ½ hours into the flight if I am going to Europe. I also carry my tooth brush (no morning breath here), something to read, glasses, contact case and travel solution, Tylenol (I usually get headaches during long flights).
Remember to adjust your packing to the location and time of year, and just go out there and enjoy your time wherever that may be. Leave a Comment
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Make sure you can reasonably carry your bags if you plan on taking the metro and not a taxi. There are plenty of stairs to manuever around so don't overpack. Also, bring a bag that is secure (not like a one snap bag) b/c it'll be harder for people to swipe say, your wallet.
Everyone in Paris wears scarves. Bring a couple of every and any color.
Bring your own deodorant. They may not have your brand here.
an adaptor if it has flexible voltage (read 110-220 V) or a transformer if it's only one of the two. It would be a shame to have your battery die at Sacre Coeur.
An alarm clock, a wash cloth (european hotels don't consider this a necessity) a duffel bag to carry souvenirs home in, and Hershey's chocolate kisses to bribe airport customs! ;-) Leave a Comment
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Don't pass up the opportunity in bringing back a few bottles of really good wine whilst in France. I would especially recommend the rather fine bottle of 2001 Chateaux Neuf du Pape (as seen the photo).
Therefore, get a good wine carrier, preferably one that will fit in your hand luggage due to the weight of a good half-dozen bottles.
I would also recommend getting hold of the very best tupperware container you can to take home some of those wonderfully smelly French cheeses. After all, you dont want to spend a couple of hours on a plane feeling uncomfortably like you have just had a fart in a lift. Leave a Comment
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To protect your feet from blisters, you'll want to use some Moleskin. This adhesive cotton padding is soft & puffy yet thin. You cut it out with a hole in the middle where your blister is. You don't cover the blister. This creates a raised area around the blister protecting it from pain while walking. You'll find this is definitely a lifesaver when walking many miles in Paris as you are certain to do. Some types of moleskin come precut but I prefer the roll so that I can cut out the sizes I need. I've used Dr. Scholls but there are sure to be other brands. Leave a Comment
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- Mercure Paris Royal Madeleine
9 rue de l'Arcade 08 Arr., Paris, France - Residence Monceau Etoile (25 Rue De Saussure )
25 Rue De Saussure, Paris, France - Acadia Opera
4 Rue Geoffroy Marie 9th Arr., Paris, France - Kyriad Paris Montparnasse
55 rue de Plaisance 14th Arr., Paris, France - Westminster Opera
13, rue de la Paix Place Vendome, Paris, France - Arcantis Frochot
3, rue Frochot 9th Arr., Paris, France - Hotel Des 3 Nations
13, rue Marsollier 2nd Arr., Paris, France - Novotel Paris Porte De Orleans
15/17/21 boulevard R. Rolland, Paris, France - Exclusive Villa St Martin
27, rue des Recollets, Paris, France - Novotel Les Halles
8 Place Marguerite de Navarre, Paris, France - HOTEL LE LAVOISIER (SB)
21 rue Lavoisier 8th Arr., Paris, France - Hotel Princesse Caroline
1 bis rue Troyon 17th Arr., Paris, France - Hotel Neva
14, rue Brey 17th Arr., Paris, France - Minotel De Geneve
Kfar Blum, Paris, France - Hotel De Champagne
168 Rue du Faubourg Saint Denis 10 Arr., Paris, France
Destinations near Paris- Île de la Cité, 1.22 km / 0.76 miles
- Clichy, 4.44 km / 2.76 miles
- Neuilly-sur-Seine, 5.22 km / 3.24 miles
- Asnières, 6.65 km / 4.13 miles
- Boulogne-Billancourt, 7.13 km / 4.43 miles
- Courbevoie, 7.13 km / 4.43 miles
- Suresnes, 7.31 km / 4.54 miles
- Puteaux, 7.31 km / 4.54 miles
- Bois-Colombes, 7.39 km / 4.59 miles
- Issy-les-Moulineaux, 7.39 km / 4.60 miles
» See all locations nearby» Popular Île-de-France locations» Popular France locations
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