Because France experiences different weather patterns throughout different regions year-round, packing for a trip to France (especially as a female), can feel particularly challenging. But fear not, I live in Paris and have traveled extensively around France and have a pretty good idea of how to pack for a visit. The main thing that you’ll want to keep in mind is where in the country you’re traveling to, what time of the year you’ll be visiting, and how long you’re going to be gone for. This is the best France packing list – for female travelers.
Are you planning a trip to France? Don’t miss…
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- How to Spend 4 Days in Paris
- The Ultimate Paris Travel Guide
- Complete Guide to Visiting Rouen, France
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- The Best 2 Day Itinerary for Visiting Lyon, France
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- 8 Things to See & Do in Aisne, France
- How to Spend 2 Days in Aisne, France: Castles, Champagne, & History
- Menton Travel Guide – How to Experience the Pearl of the French Riviera
- Toulouse Travel Guide: What to See, Do, Eat, & Know Before Visiting France’s Pink City
What to Consider Before Packing for France
As I mentioned previously, there are three main questions to consider before you pack for your trip to France.
- What time of the year are you visiting? If you’re visiting in the winter months, where are you going? Will it be cold? Or are you heading south where it will still be decently warm?
- Where are you traveling to in France? If you’re traveling in the summer months the entire country will be hot, but if you’re visiting in the winter and you’re traveling to the north, the north is much colder than the south. You’ll need to keep this in mind when packing.
- How long will you be gone? I am an under packer and I would much rather have a light suitcase and not enough versus a heavy suitcase with too much. Consider how long you’ll be gone, what your ideal luggage situation is, and try to meet somewhere in the middle. I know that for me, I prefer to pack mostly accessories because they are light and make your outfit look different versus packing too many clothing items.
The Best Luggage to Bring to France
First things first when it comes to packing – you need luggage to put your things in. My biggest tip for traveling – especially through France – is to not overpack. Overpacking just leads to hassle and headaches and it’s not worth it. Especially if you’re going to be carrying your own things around through the cobblestone streets – no thank you. With that being said – here are my favorite pieces of luggage to bring with you to France!
- Travel Backpack
- Carry-on bag/checked bag (only if necessary)
- Packing cubes (helps with organization)
- Toiletry bag
- AirTags (this isn’t luggage, but I bought a pack after my bags got lost for 10 days in Saudi Arabia and now I’ll never travel without them!)
France Essentials
Next up: Your France essentials! These are things that you cannot travel to France without (in my opinion). As of 2025, there are no special documents that Americans need to bring when traveling to France, as long as you don’t plan on staying longer (in all Schengen countries) than 90 days. If you do plan to stay longer than 90 days, you will need a visa.
- Passport (needs >3 months before expiration)
- Prescription medication(s)
- Travel insurance – I would not travel to France without travel insurance; I personally use and recommend SafetyWing
- Travel adapter
Read more about why I recommend travel insurance…
- Why You Need Travel Insurance – From a Nurse’s Perspective
- 9 Most Important Things to Know About Travel Medical Insurance
Clothing/Shoes to Pack for France
When packing clothing and figuring out what to wear in France, the first step is knowing how long you’re going to be gone for so that you don’t over or under pack. The second thing you should know about France is that the weather patterns follow the weather patterns in North America (cold in the winter and hot in the summer); however, the south of France stays warm(er) year-round.
This section includes clothing that I’d recommend for any female traveling to France. I’ve included packing lists for different times/seasons so that you know what to pack based on what time of the year you’ll be visiting. (By the way, if you’re going on an extended trip – I recommend packing at least 12-pairs of underwear so that you’re not constantly doing laundry).
Packing for France in the Summer
The summer months in France are June, July, and August. During this time, the weather is generally warmer, with longer daylight hours. This is what I recommend packing for summer in France…
Packing for France in the Winter
As I’ve previously mentioned, if you’re visiting the south during the winter – you won’t need overly warm/heavy items. I’ve included a variety of different winter items based on where you’re traveling to.
Packing for France if You’re Visiting Wine Region
One of the most famous things to do in France is to travel to the country to visit their world class vineyards. If you’re coming to France with the goal of a “wine” trip/trip through the vineyards, here’s what to pack…
Toiletries to Pack for France
When packing your toiletries, keep in mind whether you’re planning to check a bag or carry-on. Depending on which you’re doing, you might need to keep your liquids less than 3.4 fl oz. (By the way, I like these containers if you’re carry-on only!).
- Tampons/menstrual cup
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- Skincare products
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Razor
Electronics to Pack for France
Electronics are certainly not a necessity to travel to France, but in this section I’ll share with you the electronics I use when traveling. Of course, if you love capturing pictures and videos, you’ll more than likely be wanting to take a camera and maybe your computer to edit your photos; but if that isn’t your thing – you can skip over this section!
- Drone
- Camera (I use this Canon camera)
- GoPro (for smooth videos and underwater captures)
- AirPods (for the airplane)
- Laptop
- iPad/Kindle (for books)
- Selfie light (to take photos/videos in dark places)
- Portable charger
- Travel adapter
Health Items to Pack for France
As a nurse, of course I can’t not include health items that I would recommend packing if you visit France. Below you’ll find a few health related items that I took with me and they all came in handy!
Packing Tips & Tricks
1. If you’re going to be gone a long time and staying in rental properties, make sure to pack miniature Tide PODS to wash your clothes (I purchase the whole box and then pack a few with me – in a bag – on each trip)
2. Travel with reusable plastic bags – it never fails that I always need a bag for something
3. For more space, roll your clothes instead of folding them
4. Weigh your bag before getting to the airport; and know your baggage limits for each airline you fly. In Europe, airlines can be strict about weight for carry-on bags (especially on Air France) and I’ve had to check several carry-on bags for not meeting the weight requirement. (You can purchase this luggage scale to easily weigh your bags!).
France Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting France
TRAVELING THROUGH FRANCE
- The easiest way to book train tickets in France is through Omio
- To book a flight to France, I recommend a large booking platform or Skyscanner to compare options
- For car rentals in France, I recommend Discover Cars
- If you want an English speaking driver waiting to pick you up at the airport, use Welcome Pickups
- I highly recommend travel insurance when traveling through France – I use and recommend SafetyWing(read why here and here)
- If you need a SIM card, aloSIM for an easy and affordable e-SIM – use code “KYLEE5” for a 5% discount
ACCOMODATION IN FRANCE
- To easiest way to book hotels in France is through a large booking platform
TOURS IN FRANCE
- For tours and activities in France, I recommend using Get Your Guide or Viator
- For food tours in France, I recommend Devour Tours
- For walking tours in France, I recommend Take Walks
- For tickets to museums and attractions, I recommend Tiqets
WHAT TO BRING TO FRANCE
- Don’t forget a France guide book to help plan your travels
- You’ll need a travel plug adapter (France uses type C)
- My favorite luggage is Calpak
- My favorite travel backpack is Nordace
- I recommend bringing a reusable water bottle to cut down on plastic waste
- I use this eye mask on the plane to help get some shut eye and help with jet lag
I hope that you found this packing list for France helpful! If you have any questions about packing or visiting France in general, let me know in the comments below!
For more information on things to see and do in France, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinfrance” or under my highlights for “France 1″, “France 2”, & “France 3”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “France” highlight
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Founded by Kylee, a NICU nurse with nine years of experience, including seven years as a travel nurse; Passports and Preemies was created in 2017 and is now the go-to travel and lifestyle channel for nurses who crave adventure beyond the bedside. Whether you’re a staff nurse looking for your next getaway or a travel nurse navigating life on the road, this space is designed to help you maximize your time off, explore the world, and prevent nurse burnout.
On Passports and Preemies, you’ll find everything from travel nursing insights – how to get started, land the best assignments, and thrive on the road – to expert travel tips, destination guides, and real-talk about balancing nursing with a life well-traveled. Passports and Preemies also includes Beyond the Bedside – group trips for nurses around the world; as well as the podcast, Passports and Preemies Talks.
