Packing for Paris

Spring in Paris can be beautifully warm and balmy (as it was yesterday) or downright damp and miserable (and that type of weather can easily extend into June depending upon Mother Nature’s caprices).

Here’s your packing check list:
A sun hat - for walks through the gardens.
Sunglasses. Take your coolest shades.
Sunscreen.
Three pairs of shoes. One pair for serious walking. One pair for strolling i.e loafers or any attractive reasonably flat shoe. One pair for clubbing or theaters, restaurants, etc.
Bandages, blister protection. (The word for blister in French is ‘ampoule’ - they have
plenty of stuff for blisters in French pharmacies).
Jeans and a well-cut jacket/blazer.
Mini-umbrella
Raincoat/Leather Jacket
Long scarf
Socks and your sexiest lingerie,
(in case you’re in a car accident, of course)
Bathing suit (you never know when you may be invited to someone’s place in the country - or to the beach in Normandy!)
Anything linen, i.e. pantsuit, skirt. It wrinkles but that doesn’t matter.
One evening outfit: dress, skirt and blouse or dress shirt and jacket (ties aren’t normally necessary, except if you’re attending business meetings or attending official events).
A huge handbag (to carry your Plan de Paris, your digital camera, your picnic lunch, your umbrella, etc.)
Business cards.
Extra memory cards for your digital camera if you bring one.
Adaptor plugs for French sockets!!!
Postcards of your hometown. Photos of where you live and your family members.
(to share with the people you may meet).
French-English dictionary.
Notebook and pens.
Sketchpad and pencils. Be an artist in Paris.
Nail Polish.
Keep make up minimal and natural.
Extra bar of soap (some hotels are stingy with soap).
Wash cloth.Towel. (Especially if you are staying at Paris hostels or B&Bs) 3-Star Hotels and up normally provide sufficient towels.
Sundries such as dental floss, toothpaste, shampoo, etc. can all be easily replenished at the pharmacies, at Monoprix, or other similar chain grocery stores in Paris. Don’t waste precious luggage space on sundries.
For more packing ideas, check out www.OneBag.com

Haven’t bought your luggage yet?
Cheapest luggage I’ve found to date is at Big Lots.
You can buy a set of sturdy carry-on and check-in bags for less than $70 (including tax). Check your local stores for sales on luggage! (Today may be the last day at some branches).