How to Prepare And What to Pack For A Fabulous Week In Paris

What to keep in mind when planning a summer vacation in Paris

So you’ve decided to book a trip to Paris this summer. That’s great – and you are in for a treat! With an abundance of incredible museums, famous cultural landmarks, great shopping opportunities, and some of the best food in the world, Paris is a bucket-list-worthy destination any time of year, and every adventurer should travel to it at least once in their lifetime.

As you may have heard, Parisians are a ‘special breed.’ French women and men alike are incredibly stylish, carefree, and chic without trying too hard, and they can be pretty difficult to impress. But with a bit of preparation, there is nothing you should worry about. With my help, discover tips and tricks on what to pack for a summer week in Paris.

white jeans / classic jeans / perfect t-shirt / cashmere t-shirt / tennis shoe / ballerina flat / black scarf / red scarf / green scarf / red scarf 2 / necklaces bundle / square earrings / pearl earrings / bracelet / sunnies / cashmere wrap / handbag / black dress / red dress / skirt / white blouse / black blouse / cardigan / camisole

Preparing Before Your Paris Trip

The last few days before vacation can be stressful, and there is so much to do! You shouldn’t forget some essential things before switching to holiday mode.

Even if you’re leaving your home for just a week, it is still important to prepare for your absence.

First, make sure to water any plants you own. It’s a great idea to get a house sitter or neighbor to come every day to check on them. If that’s an option, leave them clear instructions. 

Walk around the house and check that windows, doors, gates, and exterior structures like a garden shed are locked. Install timers on the most used lights and set them to reflect your usual hours.

Unplug everything you can, such as computers, TV, etc., and consider closing the main water register to avoid floods while away.

Set a note to remove the trash and recycle, clear your fridge, and discard all leftovers before you leave for the airport. Remember to take care of your pantry, too. You’d be surprised to know how awful rotten potatoes can smell!

Unless you’re planning on bringing your furry friends with you, you should find a suitable pet sitter. Leave clear instructions, emergency information, and your house rules for the sitter.

Go through your house and check whether anything dangerous isn’t left behind. Leave plenty of food and fresh water.

Before heading to Paris, call your alarm security system company and tell them when you’ll be on vacation.

The same goes for your credit card company. Let them know you will be using your card in another country and avoid the headache of finding yourself without access to money in the beautiful city.

If there’s one thing I learned not to leave home without, it’s travel insurance. This is especially true since the pandemic and other events worldwide. Reading the policy is not the most fun, but it is necessary to understand what’s covered in case you need it.

Since I am at it, include a first aid kit in your hand luggage, too.

Make sure you have everything you need and get your Travel Planner. Use this link for an instant 20% OFF. Have a relaxed and organized trip, knowing you took care of everything!

planning a summer vacation in Paris

Taking care of the practicalities at home isn’t the only thing you should do before heading on your trip to Paris.

We want this to be a fabulous vacation without nasty surprises or unpleasant situations. So, you must plan your trip, and this is what you should think about:

The Weather

Summers in Paris can be hot. We’re seeing heat waves across Europe, and it isn’t uncommon to have 38-40°C days, turning what could be lovely summer weather into blazing hot days.

It’s not uncommon for restaurants and apartments (if you’re heading to an AirBnB) to not have air conditioning. Therefore, you should plan your outfits for these warmer days and bring breathable and lightweight clothes. 

Check the weather forecast and plan your days in Paris accordingly. You can also expect rainstorms in the summertime, so having an umbrella or a rain jacket with you is a ‘must’ too.

Buy tickets in advance

Did you know Paris has been awarded the title of the most visited city worldwide for numerous years? It is true—the French capital is full of tourists. Careful planning is essential if you wish to avoid crowds. 

Unless you want to stand in long queues, purchasing tickets online for famous attractions before leaving your home is a good idea. This can be done for almost any must-see site in Paris, such as the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Musee d’Orsay, and more. Quite often, this is also how you can get a better price.

Avoid the extra cost of buying your tickets on the day of your visit and skip the lines with the Paris Museum Pass.

Use Google to find out the best time to visit each attraction. It will show a little graph of the busiest times of the day, and you can avoid the crowds.

Level of formality

It is no secret that people in the US are much more laid back than Europeans. Among other European countries, French people are often considered the most formal. Politeness is an essential value in the Land of Eiffel.

For example, in the US, salespeople leave us alone; when you enter a shop or any other public place, you should always greet someone with a ‘Bonjour.’ Otherwise, you will be perceived as rude.

Shorts and tennis shoes might not cut it in those excellent restaurants you want to try, so it’s a good idea to consider the Parisian dress code before packing your flip-flops. Your little black dress and a nice pair of shoes might come in handy for your evening outings.

What Shoes To Pack For A Paris Trip

If there is one thing any Parisian will tell you is that driving a car in the city is a nightmare. The traffic is terrible, and parking is difficult, so most locals favor the metro or their legs.

You should prepare for a lot of walking, and the best way to enjoy your long travel days is to pack comfortable shoes.

Keep in mind that many streets of Paris have cobblestones, so although you may look fabulous in high heels, they will make you feel miserable on your visit to this gorgeous city.

Make sure you pack comfortable walking shoes to have a good time walking around Paris.

Plan Your Paris Outfits Wisely & Pack Light

Fashion is a key element of culture and tradition in the French capital. If there is one place where you can let your inner fashionista shine, it is here. Luckily, you don’t have to bring your closet with you to look your best.

I’m a firm believer in packing light. With air travel as stressful and chaotic as it is now, packing a single carry-on will keep you agile and allow you to adjust quickly to changes.

Another thing to consider is your time in the city. Navigating through the city’s cobblestone streets will be challenging with a giant suitcase, so I strongly recommend traveling with a carry-on bag and a travel backpack.

When packing for Paris, take classic items that can be styled in multiple ways and make you feel comfortable, confident, and elegant. 

Your life will be much easier if you stick to a particular color palette. For example, by sticking to neutral colors like black, white, beige, and navy, you can mix and match without taking too many items. You can throw a pop of your favorite color on a pair of comfortable sandals or accessories.

Most importantly, have fun getting dressed!

A packing list for a week in Paris – Your Paris Wardrobe

The easiest way to plan how many items you should pack is to follow this “Bottoms x Tops Ratio”

Plan one bottom (pants, skirt, or shorts) for every three days; then plan two to three tops for each bottom, making sure they mix and match to maximize your options.

For a seven-day trip to Paris, I’ll bring three bottoms and seven tops. I will wear one of the bottoms (the bulkiest one) and one of the tops plus a light jacket on the way in and out of my destination.

My evening outfits include the bottom pieces above and one or two summer dresses.

white jeans / classic jeans / perfect t-shirt / cashmere t-shirt / tennis shoe / ballerina flat / black scarf / red scarf / green scarf / red scarf 2 / necklaces bundle / square earrings / pearl earrings / bracelet / sunnies / cashmere wrap / handbag / black dress / red dress / skirt / white blouse / black blouse / cardigan / camisole

When it comes to shoes, I’m very practical: one feminine and nice-looking tennis shoes for the day and a pair of flats for the evening. Plus, I have flat feet that don’t go well with shoes without support. I’m glad that sneakers have become more fashionable, and we no longer need to look like we have run out of the gym.

I don’t fuss with my brands and stick to what I know works well for me. Nothing beats the comfort of the Minnie ballet flats from Tory Burch, and while they’re an investment, they also last forever if you take good care of them. They fold nicely and take no space in the suitcase, and the leather ones have excellent cushioning. They’re perfect for night outings.

The same goes for the brands I wear – mostly J.Crew, as they’re long-lasting, practical, and offer a classic look I tend to stick to.

95% of my clothes don’t require ironing, but if you have items that will wrinkle, double check if your hotel/Airbnb offers an iron; if not, plan to bring a hand steamer like this one. It’s excellent.

• Wear the bulkiest and darkest items like your trench coat or leather jacket on the flight and save space in your carry-on.
• Use packing cubes and learn to fold like Marie Kondo. You’d be surprised to know how much you can fit in a carry-on bag!
• Bottoms x Tops Ratio – Plan one bottom (pants, skirt, or shorts) for every three days; then plan two to three tops for each bottom, making sure they mix and match to maximize your options.
• Every summer, the city creates pop-up Paris beaches along some areas along the Seine. Make sure you check where they are and what activity is being offered in each of them to plan your days.
• Remember that Paris is full of fabulous boutiques. So even if you forget to bring something, you can easily purchase it when you arrive.

Paris is unlike any other place in the world. There is something magical about the city of lights. Perhaps it is the stunning architecture or the fascinating people – either way, there is no question why the French capital should be your next summer destination.

I hope this Paris packing list helps you make the most of your time in Paris!