Planning a summer trip to France and wondering what to pack?
This complete and practical France summer packing list has everything you need to dress smart, travel light, and stay stylish all season.
Weather Overview 🌡️
France in the summer (June to August) is diverse depending on the region — expect 75–95°F (24–35°C) in the south (Provence, Côte d’Azur), mild to warm 70–85°F (21–29°C) in Paris and the north, with occasional thunderstorms. Coastal areas are breezy, while cities can get hot and crowded.
What to Pack for France 🎒
Packing smart will help you make the most of your trip. Here’s everything you need to bring for a comfortable and stylish adventure.
Carry-On Suitcase / Travel Bag Duffle / Portable Steamer / Packing cubes / Luggage scale / Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones / Speaker / Portable Charger / Universal Travel adapter / Compact Hair Dryer / Eye Mask / Waterproof Toiletry Bag Hanging / Zipper Pouch / Water BOTTLE / Liquid I.V. Hydration Vegan
🧳 Luggage & Packing Tools
- 🧳 Carry-on suitcase (1) – Lightweight & cobblestone-friendly
- 🧳 Checked luggage (if needed) – Room for boutique shopping finds
- 👜 Duffle bag – Great for weekend trips to the countryside
- 🎒 Lightweight backpack or tote – For museum days or markets
- 🎒 Daypack / personal item – Fits under TGV seats
- 📦 Packing cubes – Keeps your capsule wardrobe organized
- 👟 Shoe bags – Protect your loafers or espadrilles
- 💄 Makeup bag – Your essentials, French girl style
- 🚿 Waterproof hanging toiletry bag – Airbnbs + hotels approved
- 📁 Document organizer / travel wallet – Chic & secure
- 🛍️ Collapsible tote – For French market hauls
- 🧺 Laundry bag or kit – Especially for longer trips
- ⚖️ Luggage scale – Avoid surprise overweight fees
- 🔒 Small lock – For hostel or luggage lockers
- 🧷 Zipper pouch – Jewelry, receipts, lipstick
- 🧼 Quick-dry towel – For beach or spontaneous lake swims
- 💤 Inflatable neck pillow – Essential on overnight trains
- 😎 Sleep mask / eye mask – Bright early sunrises
👗 Clothes
- 👕 T-shirts (3–4) – Neutral tones, mix & match
- 👚 Casual tops (2–3) – Linen, cotton, or silk
- 👔 Blouses / dress shirts (1–2) – Dinner-ready chic
- 🧥 Sweater / light cardigan (1) – For cooler evenings
- 🧥 Blazer / lightweight jacket (1) – Instant French polish
- 👖 Jeans (1) – Slim or straight leg
- 👖 Casual pants (1–2) – Linen trousers or cigarette pants
- 🩳 Shorts (1–2) – Tailored styles only
- 👗 Dresses / jumpsuits (3–4) – Midi or wrap dresses preferred
- 🧥 Light trench or raincoat (1) – Paris is known for summer showers
- 🏃 Activewear (1 set) – For morning jogs along the Seine
- 🛏️ Sleepwear – Lightweight & breathable
- 👙 Swimsuits (2) – For the Riviera or hotel pools
- 🩱 Swimsuit cover-ups (1–2) – Resort-chic
- 🩲 Underwear (7 pairs) – Lacy, seamless, and comfortable
- 👙 Bras (3) – Include nude tones
- 🧦 Socks (3 pairs) – Invisible for loafers or sneakers
- 🧤 Tights / hosiery (optional) – If you prefer layering
💆 Skincare
- 🧼 Cleanser – Gentle formula to beat pollution
- 💧 Toner – Refresh post-Metro
- 🧴 Moisturizer – Lightweight and hydrating
- ☀️ Sunscreen (face + body) – Non-greasy preferred
- 🧽 Makeup remover – Micellar water = très French
- 🧼 Exfoliator (optional) – 1–2 times/week
- 👁️ Eye cream – For late-night wine & early croissants
- 💦 Facial mist – Pocket-size cool down
- 😷 Sheet masks (1–2) – Spa night in
- 💋 Lip balm – SPF version for café terraces
- 🎯 Spot treatment – Just in case
💄 Makeup
- 🧴 BB cream or foundation – Light coverage with SPF
- ✨ Concealer – For red wine nights
- 🧂 Powder – Set and forget
- 🌸 Blush – Subtle rose tones
- ✨ Highlighter – That effortless glow
- 🌞 Bronzer – Optional, keep it natural
- 🎨 Eyeshadow palette – Earthy or classic neutrals
- ✒️ Eyeliner – Wing it, Parisienne style
- 👁️ Mascara – Always
- 🪞 Brow pencil / gel – Frame the face
- 💄 Lipstick / gloss – Red is always in
- ✏️ Lip liner – Long café dates approved
- 💋 Lip primer – Optional
- 💦 Setting spray – Summer heat defense
- 🖌️ Brushes / sponge – Travel-size kit
💇 Hair
- 💇 Hairbrush / comb – Anti-static preferred
- 🎀 Hair ties, clips, bobby pins – Updos for hot days
- 🧴 Travel-size shampoo & conditioner – Nourishing formulas
- 🌬️ Dry shampoo – Extend your blowout
- 🔥 Heat protectant spray – For styling tools
- 💁 Styling cream / mousse – Easy volume or wave
- 💨 Mini blow dryer – Check your voltage
- 🧳 Mini flat iron / curling wand – Paris glam moments
- ✨ Hair oil or serum – Combat frizz
- 🎀 Hair accessories – Silk scarf = très chic
👠 Shoes & Accessories
- 👟 Sneakers / tennis shoes (1) – Neutral & sleek
- 🩴 Sandals / flats (2) – Walking & dinner-ready
- 👠 Heels or wedges (1) – For nights out
- 🧢 Hat / cap – Straw hat > baseball cap
- 🧣 Scarf – French girl staple
- 🕶️ Sunglasses + case – Don’t forget them
- 💍 Jewelry – Minimal, gold preferred
- ⌚ Watch – Classic is better
- 👜 Day purse + night bag – Crossbody and clutch combo
- 🌂 Foldable umbrella – Summer showers sneak up
🧾 Documents & Essentials
- 🛂 Passport + copies – Keep in separate locations
- 📄 Visa (if needed) – Schengen rules apply
- 🪪 Driver’s license / photo ID – ID for wine tastings
- 🩺 Travel insurance info – Keep a screenshot
- 💊 Health insurance card – Just in case
- 💉 Vaccination records – COVID proof optional
- 🛬 Boarding passes – Print + app
- 🏨 Hotel or Airbnb receipt – Needed for check-in
- 🚗 Rental car info – South of France road trip?
- 🗺️ Offline maps – Trust me, it helps
- 💳 Credit + debit cards – Visa and Mastercard widely accepted
- 💶 Emergency cash – €100–200 minimum
- 📞 Emergency contact list – Paper + cloud
- 🖊️ Pen & small notebook – For café journaling
- 📘 Pocket phrasebook – “L’addition, s’il vous plaît”
- 🔑 House keys – Keep safe at the bottom of your bag
- 👛 Wallet – Slim, RFID-blocking
- 💎 Valuables (in carry-on) – Never in checked bag
🩹 First Aid
- 🩹 Bandaids – Blisters are real
- 💊 Antibiotic ointment – Small tube
- 🧽 Antiseptic wipes – Handy on the go
- 🩹 Gauze pads – Minor cuts
- 🦶 Blister pads – Life-savers
- ✂️ Tweezers – For splinters, too
- 🩼 First aid tape – Small roll
- 🌡️ Thermometer – Pocket-size digital
- ✂️ Travel scissors – TSA-approved only
- 💡 Q-tips / cotton balls – Minimal pack
💊 Health & Hygiene
- 💊 Prescription meds – Bring extra
- 🤕 Painkillers – Headaches, cramps
- 🌸 Allergy meds – Paris pollen is real
- 🌊 Motion sickness meds – River cruises, trains
- 🧻 Stomach meds – French food is rich
- 💊 Vitamins / supplements – Optional
- 🩸 Feminine hygiene products – Your preferred brand
- 🧴 Hand sanitizer – Always
- 🧽 Disinfecting wipes – Flight trays, phones
- 🦟 Bug spray – Especially in the south
- 💊 Birth control / Plan B – Bring from home
- 👁️ Eye drops – Dusty streets = dry eyes
- 👓 Contacts + solution – TSA-friendly size
- 🪞 Travel mirror – Optional
- 🪥 Toothbrush + toothpaste – Fluoride-approved
- 🧵 Floss / mouthwash – Travel-size
- 🧼 Body wash / soap – Hotel bars not always great
- 🧴 Deodorant – Long wear
- 🪒 Razor + shaving cream – Pool day prep
- 💅 Nail file + clippers – Don’t get caught without
- ✂️ Tweezers – Double duty
- 🌸 Perfume – Rollerball = tres French
- 🧻 Tissues / cotton rounds – Compact & handy
📱 Tech & Electronics
- 📱 Phone + charger – Must-have
- 💻 Laptop / tablet + charger – If you need to work
- 📸 Camera + SD card + battery – For those postcard-perfect shots
- 🔋 Power bank – Full travel days
- 🔌 Charging cords – For all your devices
- 🔊 Bluetooth speaker – Hotel chill vibes
- 🔌 Universal adapter (Type C & E for France) – Don’t forget!
- 💾 USB or hard drive – Optional
- 🗺️ Offline apps – Google Maps, Citymapper, Bonjour RATP
- 🌐 SIM card or eSIM – Orange or Bouygues options
- 📚 E-reader – Lightweight for travel
- 🎧 Earbuds / headphones – For long train rides
- 📱 Waterproof phone pouch – If you’re hitting the coast
🎧 Entertainment
- 📚 Books / e-books – Set in France = extra points
- 🎬 Downloaded movies/shows – Netflix for downtime
- 🎧 Podcasts / music playlists – French café vibes
- 📓 Journal / sketchbook – Document your trip
- 🃏 Card games / travel games – TGV time-pass
- 📲 Streaming subscriptions – Pre-download content
- 📰 Magazines – Paris Vogue, anyone?
🎒 Extras
- 🍫 Snacks / protein bars – Flight fuel
- 💧 Reusable water bottle – Eco-friendly + Paris fountains
- 🛍️ Foldable shopping bag – From the boulangerie to the marché
- 🧺 Travel laundry detergent – For longer stays
- 🧵 Mini sewing kit – Fashion emergencies
- 📣 Safety whistle – Especially when solo
- 👚 Lint roller – For dark clothes
- 🦶 Inflatable footrest – For flights
- 👟 Shoe deodorizer – Warm days, closed shoes
- 🌙 Sleep aid (melatonin) – Jet lag help
✈️ Travel Tips
- ✅ Check airline bag size rules (Air France, EasyJet)
- ✅ Print confirmations + save to your phone
- ✅ Learn basic French phrases
- ✅ Plan day-one outfit in your carry-on
- ✅ Keep passport, cards, and meds with you at all times
- ✅ Take a luggage photo for ID
- ✅ Alert your bank before travel
🛂 Visa Tips
- ✅ Most visitors from US, Canada, UK: no visa <90 days
- ✅ Print out hotel & return flight details
- ✅ Bring 1–2 passport photos
- ✅ Review EU customs rules (food, meds, gifts)
- ✅ Always have proof of funds & insurance (just in case)
✅ Must-Haves for a Smooth Trip
- 🛂 Passport + printed copies
- 💳 Travel credit/debit cards + € cash
- 📱 Phone + charger + adapter
- 🩺 Travel insurance + medical cards
- 🎒 Lightweight day bag
- 🧭 Offline directions & reservations
- 💧 Water bottle
- 👗 1 polished outfit for Parisian nights
👍 Good-to-Have Items
- 💦 Electrolyte packs
- 🧼 Travel steamer
- 😴 Eye mask + earplugs
- 🎧 Noise-cancelling headphones
- 🛏️ Travel blanket
- 💤 Neck pillow
- 🏷️ Luggage tags
- ☔ Compact umbrella
- 📶 eSIM or local SIM
- 🛍️ Extra tote for chic souvenirs
