As your Paris trip date approaches, you’re certainly starting to think about what you need to bring. I bet you’re more focused on what clothes to pack (and our Paris Packing Guide can help with that), but there are a bunch of other very important essentials you won’t want to forget.
The last thing you need is to be a sleep-deprived zombie after a noisy night at your hotel, or to finally frame the perfect Eiffel Tower shot only to discover your phone is dead. So, before you zip up that suitcase, stock up on these clever Paris travel accessories.
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EU-friendly plug adapters
France runs on the EU’s Type C outlets, which are two round pins and a little grounding hole that unfortunately won’t work with your American, British, and certain other plugs. The voltage is also 220-240V, which is higher than in North America and some other countries.
For your items that are dual voltage (here’s how to figure out if they are), be sure you have an adapter with you or you won’t be able to charge your stuff.
This fantastic travel adapter fits virtually any plug around the world, and this all-in-one version has USB and phone ports, so you won’t need to worry about needing more than one adapter.
Power Banks
Between taking hundreds of photos of the Eiffel Tower and all that amazing French food you’re going to eat, using your phone as a map, and checking your restaurant reservations, your battery will not survive Paris on its own, so I really recommend bringing a power bank.
I actually never travel without one, and I think this power bank is perfect because it’s so powerful it can also resurrect your laptop. This tiny option is ideal if you plan on traveling with a smaller bag, and it’ll keep you from wasting your time racing back to your hotel for a charge.
Image Courtesy of AWAY
Cable Organizer Pouches
Now that you’re actually able to charge your phone, you need to track down your cable. I don’t know how much time I’ve lost digging through my bag trying to find my cable or untangling it.
A cable pouch keeps this potential chaos under control. These great cases fit a lot and can save the day, and this compact case is small enough to keep in your day bag and easily find between the Louvre and lunch if you need to charge up your phone with your power bank.
Travel Pillows
If you’re arriving from overseas, the flight over to France is long enough to owe your neck an apology if you skip this one. A travel pillow can give you more comfort and improve your sleep, which isn’t easy on long-haul flights, but which can also give you that extra boost you’ll need to get through that very tiring first day in Paris.
For maximum coziness, this memory foam pillow feels like sleeping on a cloud. If you’re an aisle person, this pillow was designed for side sleepers and will keep your head from dipping into the aisle and getting accidentally hit in the middle of the night by dozy passengers on the way to the loo.
Sleep Eye Masks
Between trying to get a few winks on the plane and your Parisian hotel room letting in a little more street glow than you’d expected, an eye mask is a small but mighty Paris travel accessory. It’s another non-negotiable one for me, and it can really make a huge difference to your sleep quality.
Some airlines give out free ones, but they rarely do the trick. I’d pick up a super-efficient one in advance instead. This cushioned eye mask blocks out light with zero mercy, and this one promises total darkness – just make sure you set your alarm, or you might sleep right through your morning activity.
Ear Plugs
You never know if there’ll be a snorer sitting next to you on the plane, plus charming old Paris buildings come with charming old Paris acoustics, meaning you might hear your neighbor’s 6 am shower, noise from the street, or an out-of-tune accordion player.
I truly never travel without a few pairs of these amazing earplugs, which are much better than the free ones that might come with your eye mask or be provided by your airline. You’ll still hear your alarm, but they’ll block out the worst door slammings and honking horns.
Noise-Cancelling Headphones or Earbuds
You can take the “noise blocking” to the next level by picking up a pair of noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds. They’re perfect for drowning out a chatty flight or even to sleep with at your Paris hotel (yes, certain neighborhoods have early morning garbage collection).
This headphone option is the gold-standard pick, while these earbuds do the job in a fraction of the space.
Packing Cubes
Museum-casual by day, slightly fancy for dinner by night, packing cubes to keep those two wardrobes from colliding into a suitcase avalanche. I travel a LOT, and this is definitely a smart travel accessory I can no longer go without. This set is lightweight but durable and comes in a bunch of different colors, and this one follows the cute-and-functional route.
Refillable Toiletries Bottles
French pharmacies are a dream, and you might want to visit one while you’re here (we have a guide on them too), but you’ll also want to come with your own favorite shampoo and conditioner. Instead of that huge full-sized bottle weighing down your suitcase, bring a bit more than you think you’ll need in some handy refillable toiletries bottles.
If you plan on using them a bunch, then go for this stylish set, or keep it compact and simple with this set, which is a great option, especially if space is tight.
Reusable Water Bottles
There are tons of ways you can get free water in Paris, so a reusable water bottle is definitely another Paris must. The water here is safe and usually actually tastes pretty good. In most squares you’ll find Wallace Fountains, which are lovely vintage green fountains, most parks also have some sort of fountain, or just fill it up from your hotel’s sink.
You might already have one, but if you don’t, this stainless steel water bottle is great and lightweight, plus it comes in lots of fun colors that can help brighten up a rainy Paris afternoon.
Small Travel Umbrella
Speaking of rain, Paris’s weather can unfortunately have some severe mood swings. It could be all sunny at lunch, but raining buckets by 3 pm. A folding umbrella means you get to be all nice and dry while everyone else sprints for cover.
This compact umbrella folds down small enough to live in your bag full-time during your trip, and if you’re lucky, you might not even need to use it!
After reading my list of the best Paris travel accessories, are you looking for more tips for your Paris trip? Read these next:
