Family Packing List for Paris and the South of France: What to Pack for a Summer Trip with Kids

[Marta Correale]

Practical packing list for Paris and the South of France in summer: what to pack, what to leave, home, what not to stress about France in summer means many things: Paris in the heat, the lavender fields of Provence, the beaches of the Côte d’Azur, the markets of Nice. It is a destination of trains and metros, of long lunches and evening strolls, of cities that reward walking and coasts that reward doing absolutely nothing at all. it is one of my favorite destinations of all and no matter how many times we go to France with kids, we just end up wanting to go again! Packing for France requires some thinking but not the way many overseas visitors think! France does not require is a wardrobe overhaul. France does not require you to change your style, wear a berret (please don’t!) or dressing up channelling your inner royalty while dragging yourself around a 40C degree summer. France requires clothing that is sensible! And this packing list helps you pick exactly the right ones! We have been to France in summer many times and since the most popular places for a summer vacations tend to be a mix of Paris and Southern France (good choice! Easy to see why this is so popular!) this packing lists focuses on these two and the journey in between. I hope you find it helpful! Paris vs the South of France: How Different Are They to Pack For? Fairly different, as it turns out — which is why I’ve combined them in one post so you can plan for both if you’re doing a longer trip. Paris in summer is very hot and since it is inland, it can get very oppressive. It is also a city that can get overcast, which means you can feel the heat intensely. This part of your vacation is a city trip: think comfortable walking shoes, a light layer in case of sudden rain, and one easy outfit for a nice dinner. The city can feel very hot in a heatwave but it’s manageable with light clothing and a water bottle. The South of France (Provence, the Côte d’Azur, Languedoc) is VERY hot: 30–35°C is normal in peak summer and it is not all coastal, so you will not always be able to just get into water at a drop of a hat. It’s also a mix of city and coast — Nice, Marseille, Montpellier for culture; the beaches and villages for relaxation. Pack for heat, sun, and some beach time alongside your city days. If you’re doing both on the same trip, the list below covers everything — I’ll flag where tips differ. Paris packing anxiety I want to address the Paris fashion anxiety upfront because I hear it constantly and it is, with great respect, not based on reality. Parisians are not standing on street corners waiting to judge your outfit. They are rushing to work, chasing their kids, sitting in cafés, living their lives. The idea that you need a carefully curated ‘Paris wardrobe’ to visit the city is a myth — and a useful one for selling things, which is probably why it persists. Wear what you find comfortable and what makes you feel good. That is genuinely all that’s needed. What France does require is practical packing, because you will be moving around. Paris means metros, stairs, and distances that are longer than they look on the map. The South of France means trains between cities, steps down to beaches, and markets where you’ll want free hands and a light bag. Pack for mobility and you’ll enjoy every bit of it more. Pack Light — Seriously France rewards light packers in a way that few destinations do. In Paris, you’ll be on the metro, often with no lift, always with other people, frequently on platforms that are too hot. A large suitcase on a Parisian metro at rush hour is a particular kind of misery. The city also involves a lot of walking between neighbourhoods; you want to arrive at each place feeling free, not like a pack horse. In the South, you’ll likely be taking trains between cities (SNCF trains have luggage racks but overhead space is limited) and moving between different types of accommodation. Many of the most charming villages and beaches involve steps, hills, or narrow lanes where dragging a large case is genuinely impractical. One manageable bag per adult and a backpack per child is the goal. You can do laundry — French launderettes (laveries automatiques) are easy to find and cheap to use — so you need far fewer clothes than you think. Documents & Travel Essentials Tip: Download your Paris transport app (Bonjour RATP or Google Maps works well) and buy a carnet of metro tickets or a Navigo card if you’re staying several days in Paris — it saves money and time at ticket machines. Clothing for Paris and the South of France Adults — Paris Paris in summer is warm but it’s fundamentally a city trip. Think versatile and walkable. Good to know: churches demand modest attire and this means covered shoulders and knees. Opt for longer items of clothing or bring a wrap for the days when planning visits to sacred areas. On the Paris fashion question: You will see Parisians in everything from beautifully put-together outfits to joggers and hoodies. You will see tourists in every possible style. Nobody is paying attention to you. Wear what you find comfortable and what makes you happy in the photos. That is all. Adults — South of France The South is hotter and more relaxed than Paris. Shift towards lighter, breezier pieces. Kids Shoes for France France is a walking destination. Comfortable feet are happy children and happy parents. On heels in France: The romance of Parisian streets and heels is a real aesthetic but also a practical nightmare for a day of sightseeing with kids. Save them for dinner if you want them and taxi rides; flat shoes will serve you much better for the actual day. Accessories & Day Bag Sun & Heat Essentials Essential for the South of France; worth having for Paris too on hot days. Tip for Paris in a heatwave: Paris can get genuinely hot in summer and the city heats up significantly. Many older buildings have no air conditioning. A portable fan (even a small handheld one) is surprisingly useful. Toiletries & Health Essentials France — and Paris in particular — has wonderful pharmacies and excellent cosmetic and skincare brands. I genuinely look forward to browsing a French pharmacy; it’s one of the small pleasures of being there! So don’t stress about toiletries: you can find almost anything you need, and discovering local products is part of the fun. Hotels in France almost universally provide soap and shampoo. Conditioner is rarely provided — if you need it, bring it or pick it up at a supermarket or pharmacy on arrival. Washcloths are not standard in French hotels (or most European hotels). If you rely on them, pack one from home. Things worth bringing: Good to know: medications often have different commercial names than back home. Therefore, it is useful to familiarize yourself with the name of the active principle (for instance: paracetamol, ibuprofen) so you can easily source it no matter what name it has here. Last time in Paris I got a terrible cold and paracetamol made me feel better: it was super easy to source even if the box and the name looked completely unfamiliar to me! Tech & Travel Gear Packing for Babies and Toddlers Tip: Monoprix in Paris is a wonderful supermarket for families — good range of food, snacks, and baby essentials, and branches in most central neighbourhoods. What NOT to Pack Final Tips Pre-book Paris attractions. The Eiffel Tower, Versailles, the Louvre — all require advance booking in summer. Don’t leave it until you arrive. Embrace the French pace. Long lunches, afternoon breaks, slow evenings — France is not a destination for rushing. Pack light enough that you feel relaxed, and let the trip unfold at its own pace. Trains are your friend. France has one of Europe’s best rail networks. Paris to Nice is a beautiful train journey; Paris to Avignon is under 3 hours on the TGV. If you’re combining Paris with the South, the train is worth considering over flying. Learn a few words of French. It genuinely makes a difference to how you’re received, especially outside of Paris. Bonjour, s’il vous plaît, merci — a little goes a long way. Safe travels! You might also enjoy: Summer packing list for Paris and the South of France: pin this!

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