Dreaming of golden vineyards in Bordeaux, crisp café mornings in Paris, or charming hilltop villages in Provence? Fall is one of the most magical times to explore France, and with this France fall packing list, you’ll be perfectly styled and prepped for both city elegance and countryside coziness. Whether you’re walking cobbled streets or sipping wine under orange-leafed canopies, this guide has you covered.
Weather Overview 🌡️
Fall in France (September–November) varies by region but generally brings cool mornings, sunny afternoons, and chilly nights. Paris and northern cities average 10°C to 18°C (50°F–65°F) in October, while the South (Nice, Marseille) stays warmer a bit longer.
🌧️ Expect light rain, especially in Paris and Normandy.
🍂 Pack layers to transition from morning metro chills to afternoon café terraces.
What to Pack for France in Fall 🇫🇷🍂
🥖 French Fall Style: Polished, neutral, layered
Whether you’re in Lyon or Luberon, locals tend to dress with understated elegance. Think classic silhouettes, muted colors, and elevated basics. Style is subtle—nothing too loud, trendy, or logo-heavy.
👠 No athleisure unless it’s curated, and leave the flip-flops at home.
🧣 A scarf is not optional—it’s a French fall must.
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
If you want more options to have everything organized and well packed, take a look at these suggestions.
1. Rolling Backpack / 2. Luggage (large) / 3. Luggage (small) / 4. Toiletry Bag / 5. Beach Bag / 6. Backpack / 7. Packing Cubes
🧳 Carry-on suitcase – Ideal for trains + narrow stairwells
🧳 Checked luggage – If you’re touring multiple regions
👜 Duffle bag – Great for vineyard weekends
🎒 Lightweight backpack – Perfect for walking tours
👜 Daypack / personal item – For flights or train days
📦 Packing cubes – Separate outfits, layers, or city vs. country
👞 Shoe bags – For muddy countryside or rainy cities
💄 Makeup bag – Easy access for train touch-ups
🚿 Waterproof toiletry bag – Parisian hotels are compact
📁 Travel wallet – For passport, ID, and museum cards
👜 Collapsible tote – Perfect for farmers’ markets or wine shops
🧺 Laundry bag – For longer trips
⚖️ Luggage scale – European airlines are strict
🔒 Lock – Use at hostels or rentals
👜 Zipper pouch – For euros, metro tickets, and receipts
🧻 Quick-dry towel – For rural guesthouses
💤 Neck pillow – For trains or long flights
😴 Sleep mask – Jet lag relief
👗 Clothes
👕 T-shirts / tops (3–4) – Solid colors for easy layering
👚 Blouses / button-downs (2–3) – Elegant and easy
🧥 Sweaters / cardigans (2–3) – Wool or cotton blends
🧥 Trench coat – The ultimate French outerwear
🧥 Warm coat – Wool or padded jacket for November
👖 Dark jeans or trousers (2) – Slim or straight, no distressing
👖 Tailored slacks / culottes (1) – Dress up with ease
👗 Midi dress or skirt (1–2) – Flowy and fall-friendly
🏃 Activewear – For hikes in the Dordogne or yoga in Aix
🛌 Pajamas / loungewear – Chic and cozy
👙 Swimsuit – For thermal spas or hotel pools
🩲 Underwear (1 per day) – Seamless preferred
🧦 Socks (4–5 pairs) – Include wool for boots
🧣 Scarf (x2) – One silk, one chunky knit
🧤 Gloves – Especially by November
🧦 Tights – For dresses and extra warmth
🎩 Beret / felt hat – Iconic and functional
💆 Skincare
🧼 Cleanser – Remove travel grime
💧 Toner – Refresh tired skin
🧴 Moisturizer – Hydrate from within
🌞 Sunscreen – Especially for southern France
🧽 Makeup remover – Wipes or micellar water
🔬 Exfoliator – 1–2x a week
👁️ Eye cream – Combat jet lag
💦 Facial mist – Especially on travel days
😌 Sheet masks – Spa night in your château
💋 Lip balm – Fall wind is no joke
🎯 Spot treatment – Optional, but helpful
💄 Makeup
💄 BB cream or foundation – Light and breathable
🖊️ Concealer – Brighten under-eyes
🧂 Powder – Pressed compact for touch-ups
💖 Blush – Rosy and fresh
✨ Highlighter – For candlelit dinners
🌞 Bronzer – Optional
👁️ Eyeshadow palette – Neutrals + 1 bold
🖊️ Eyeliner – French flick, always in fashion
👁️ Mascara – Waterproof is safest
🪞 Eyebrow pencil – Subtle, defined brows
💋 Lipstick / gloss – Parisian red or autumnal nude
✏️ Lip liner – Optional
🌬️ Setting spray – Keeps your look in place
🖌️ Brushes / sponge – Compact set
💇 Hair
💇 Hairbrush / comb – Keep it smooth
🪢 Hair ties, clips, pins – Windy Provence = messy buns
🧴 Shampoo + conditioner – Travel size
🌬️ Dry shampoo – Quick refresh
🔥 Heat protectant – For styling
🧴 Styling cream or serum – Keep frizz at bay
💨 Mini blow dryer – Many French hotels don’t provide one
🌪️ Flat iron / curling wand – Small versions
🌟 Hair oil – For dry ends
🎀 Hair accessories – Minimalist and chic
👠 Shoes & Accessories
👟 Comfortable sneakers – For cobblestones & café hopping
👢 Ankle boots – Waterproof = even better
🥿 Ballet flats – French girl staple
👠 Heels (optional) – Only for special evenings
🎩 Beret / wool hat – Weather + Insta-friendly
🧣 Scarves (x2) – One silk for chic, one warm for function
🧤 Gloves – By late fall, essential
🕶️ Sunglasses – Still bright in the South
💍 Jewelry – Keep it classic, not flashy
⌚ Watch – French trains wait for no one
👜 Crossbody bag – Secure + stylish
👜 Clutch – For dinners out
🌂 Umbrella – Foldable and wind-resistant
🧾 Documents & Essentials
🛂 Passport + copies – Always have a backup
📃 EU visa (if required) – 90-day stay limit for most
🪪 Driver’s license / ID – Needed for car rentals
🩺 Travel insurance – Recommended
📱 Flight & accommodation confirmations
🗺️ Travel itinerary – With reservations and train info
💳 Debit & credit cards – Notify bank before you go
💶 Euros – Cash for cafés and open-air markets
📞 Emergency contacts
🖊️ Pen + small notebook
🗝️ House keys – Keep secure
👛 Wallet – RFID safe is best
💎 Valuables – Carry-on only
🩹 First Aid
🩹 Bandaids – For boot blisters
🧴 Antibiotic ointment – Scrapes + cuts
🧼 Antiseptic wipes – Multi-use
🩺 Gauze pads – Optional
🦶 Blister pads – A lifesaver
🔍 Tweezers – Grooming or splinters
🩹 Tape – For minor fixes
🌡️ Thermometer – Optional
✂️ TSA-safe scissors
🧽 Cotton balls / Q-tips – Compact kit
💊 Health & Hygiene
💊 Prescription meds – Original bottles
💊 Pain relievers – For wine headaches or sore feet
🌾 Allergy meds – For fall pollen or countryside
🌊 Motion sickness pills – For wine-country drives
🤢 Digestive meds – Cheese + croissant combo = risky
💊 Vitamins – Travel packs
🧼 Hand sanitizer – Essential
🧽 Disinfecting wipes – For flights + public spots
🦟 Bug spray – Optional
💊 Birth control / emergency contraceptives
👁️ Eye drops – Fall wind = dry eyes
👓 Contact lenses + solution
🪞 Mirror – For makeup on-the-go
🪥 Toothbrush + toothpaste
🧵 Floss + rinse
🧼 Body wash
🧴 Deodorant
🪒 Razor + cream
💅 Nail kit
🧲 Tweezers
🌸 Perfume – Soft and elegant
🧻 Pocket tissues – Often missing in public WCs
📱 Tech & Electronics
📱 Phone + charger
💻 Laptop / tablet – Optional
📸 Camera – France is a photo op
🔋 Power bank – Long days out
🔌 Charging cords
🔊 Bluetooth speaker – Airbnb nights
🔌 European adapter (Type C/E) – Required
💾 USB drive – Optional
🗺️ Offline maps – Google Maps + SNCF
📡 SIM card / eSIM – Better rates than roaming
📚 Kindle / e-reader – Cozy reads on train rides
🎧 Earbuds or headphones
📱 Waterproof phone case – Optional
🎧 Entertainment
📚 Book / Kindle – A French novel or travel memoir
🎬 Downloaded shows – Netflix on the TGV
🎧 Podcasts – Culture, food, and history
📓 Journal – Document that magical bistro moment
🃏 Card games – Great for wine night
📰 Magazines – French fashion inspo
🎒 Extras
🥖 Snacks / bars – For train travel
💧 Reusable water bottle – Save plastic, refill anywhere
🛍️ Foldable shopping bag – For wine, cheese, and flea markets
🧺 Travel detergent – For sink washes
🧵 Mini sewing kit – You will pop a button
📣 Safety whistle – Optional for solo travelers
🧼 Lint roller – Especially with wool coats
🦶 Inflatable footrest – Long flight = better rest
👃 Shoe deodorizer – Fall shoes stay on all day
😴 Melatonin – Jet lag relief
✈️ Travel Tips
✔️ Learn basic French greetings
✔️ Dress stylish, not flashy
✔️ Download SNCF & map apps
✔️ Bring cash for village cafés
✔️ Pack a capsule wardrobe for layering
✔️ Always carry your passport
✔️ Don’t overpack—it’s a walking country
🛂 Visa Tips
🛂 US/EU visitors don’t need a visa for trips under 90 days
📄 Proof of return ticket and accommodation is sometimes asked
📸 Bring extra passport photos just in case
📑 Print travel insurance and bookings
🧾 Check customs for alcohol, perfume, cheese limits
✅ Must-Haves for a Smooth Trip
🛂 Passport + copies
📱 Phone + EU adapter
💳 Credit cards + euros
🧴 Sanitizer + meds
🗺️ Offline itinerary + maps
🎒 Weatherproof day bag
💧 Water bottle
🧣 Stylish scarf
👍 Good-to-Have Items
🧺 Travel steamer or wrinkle spray
🎧 Noise-cancelling headphones
🌙 Sleep mask + earplugs
🌂 Compact umbrella
🧴 Hydration packets
🛍️ Extra tote for souvenirs
🧸 Travel blanket for long trains
