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Family Packing List for Paris
Paris with kids is a walking-and-Métro trip on cobblestone streets in changeable weather, with bag rules at most major museums. Pack for that, not for the Eiffel-Tower postcard.
Updated April 2026
Quick answer
For a 6-day Paris family trip, expect 4–25°C depending on season and 8–12 rainy days in most months. Pack layered weather-flexible clothes, broken-in shoes that handle cobblestones, a Type C/E plug adapter (230V), a slim crossbody for pickpocket-prone Métro lines, and a soft daypack under 55×35×20 cm so it passes museum scanners. A baby carrier outperforms a stroller on most older Métro lines because many central stations are stair-only.
At a glance
- Plug type:
- C / E (230V, 50Hz)
- Currency:
- Euro (€)
- Tipping:
- Service compris — rounding up appreciated, not required
- Tap water:
- Safe and free; Wallace fountains citywide in summer
- Typical step count:
- 20,000–28,000 per tourist day
- Louvre bag size limit:
- 55 × 35 × 20 cm
Sample checklist preview
6 days · 2 adults · 2 childrenWhat the generator starts with for this trip type — you can edit everything in the next step.
- Jacket×1
- Coats×1
- Sweaters×1
- Gloves×1
- Dress Shirts×1
- Dresses×1
- T-shirts×2
- Pants×1
- Shorts×2
- Socks×3
- Underwear×3
- Sleepwear×1
The full generator adjusts these for weather, laundry, travelers, and destination.
What actually matters in Paris
- •Cobblestones and uneven pavement make broken-in supportive shoes more important than fashion variety — leather sneakers or low ankle boots tend to win over fresh white runners that mark fast in damp weather.
- •A baby carrier is more useful than a stroller on most central Métro lines — older stations on lines like 4 and 7 are stair-only, and elevators are unreliable. If you bring a stroller, pick a lightweight one that folds one-handed.
- •Major museums (Louvre, Orsay, Pompidou) run bags through scanners. The Louvre allows bags up to 55×35×20 cm — a normal soft daypack passes; a hard suitcase or oversized pack gets sent to the cloakroom.
- •Pickpocketing is real on Métro Line 1, around the Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Cœur, and Champs-Élysées. A zip-top crossbody worn in front during transit is more useful than any anti-theft gimmick.
- •Tap water is safe and free; Wallace fountains across the city refill bottles for free in summer. A reusable bottle per family member saves real money over a week.
- •France runs on Type C/E plugs at 230V. US, Canadian, UK, and Australian plugs all need an adapter. Most modern phone, laptop, and camera chargers are dual-voltage — check the label rather than packing a converter you do not need.
- •Restaurants seat families later than in the US (most kitchens reopen around 7–7:30pm). One snack stash per kid prevents the early-evening meltdown.
- •Parisians dress more put-together than the Anglo norm — kids in athletic wear are fine, but adult activewear stands out. One smarter outfit per adult covers most situations without overpacking.
Typical weather by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7°C / 45°F | 3°C / 37°F | 11 |
| Feb | 8°C / 46°F | 3°C / 37°F | 9 |
| Mar | 12°C / 54°F | 5°C / 41°F | 11 |
| Apr | 16°C / 61°F | 7°C / 45°F | 10 |
| May | 20°C / 68°F | 11°C / 52°F | 11 |
| Jun | 23°C / 73°F | 14°C / 57°F | 9 |
| Jul | 25°C / 77°F | 16°C / 61°F | 8 |
| Aug | 25°C / 77°F | 16°C / 61°F | 8 |
| Sep | 21°C / 70°F | 13°C / 55°F | 9 |
| Oct | 16°C / 61°F | 10°C / 50°F | 11 |
| Nov | 11°C / 52°F | 6°C / 43°F | 11 |
| Dec | 8°C / 46°F | 3°C / 37°F | 12 |
Typical monthly averages for planning. Check a forecast closer to your trip.
Seasonal things to plan around
- Jul–AugHeatwave risk; many older buildings lack AC. Pack lightweight layers and plan museum-heavy mornings.
- Nov–FebShort daylight (sunset around 5pm in December). Pack reflective gear for kids if walking after dark.
- Year-roundPickpocket-heavy zones: Métro Line 1, Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Cœur, Gare du Nord, Champs-Élysées.
Common Paris packing mistakes
- •Bringing a full-size stroller and discovering most older Métro stations require carrying it up two flights of stairs.
- •Packing only one pair of shoes for cobblestones — when they get wet on day two, the rest of the trip suffers.
- •Ignoring rain. Paris averages 110+ rainy days per year. A compact shell beats an umbrella in wind, and umbrellas get refused at most museums anyway.
- •Bringing a chunky voltage converter — almost no modern travel devices need one. Type C/E adapters are enough for any dual-voltage charger.
- •Packing valuables in a backpack worn behind you on the Métro — pickpocket-friendly setup. Crossbody worn front is the standard local move.
- •Underestimating the walk. Tourist days in Paris average 20,000–28,000 steps per adult. Kids get worn out faster than expected.
Notes by where you're traveling from
From the US
- •Flight: 7–9 hours direct from East Coast hubs; longer with a connection from the West Coast.
- •Adapter: Type A/B → C/E. Most modern chargers are dual-voltage; verify each device label.
- •ETIAS: target launch Q4 2026 for Schengen travel, with a 6-month transitional period before it becomes mandatory. Apply via travel-europe.europa.eu/etias once live. €20 fee, valid up to 3 years or passport expiry.
- •Currency: Euro. Use a no-foreign-transaction-fee card; cash is rarely needed beyond markets and small cafés.
From the UK
- •Eurostar from London St Pancras to Gare du Nord runs about 2h15m city center to city center — often easier with kids than flying.
- •Adapter: Type G → C/E. Same voltage (230V), so no converter needed.
- •ETIAS: UK passport holders are included when ETIAS goes live (target Q4 2026). €20, valid up to 3 years or passport expiry. Post-Brexit passport stamping already applies.
- •Currency: Euro. ATMs at Gare du Nord arrival have fair rates.
From Canada
- •Flight: roughly 7 hours direct from Montreal or Toronto.
- •Adapter: Type A/B → C/E. Same voltage check as for US travelers.
- •ETIAS: Canadian passports also need ETIAS once it goes live (target Q4 2026). €20, valid up to 3 years or passport expiry.
- •Currency: Euro.
From Australia
- •Flight: 22+ hours typically with one stop. Plan for jet lag — kids usually adjust on day 3.
- •Adapter: Type I → C/E. Voltage compatible (230V), so no converter needed.
- •ETIAS: Australian passports need ETIAS once it goes live (target Q4 2026). €20, valid up to 3 years or passport expiry.
- •Pack thinking long-haul: in-cabin essentials matter more than for short-haul travelers — meds, full change per child, entertainment kit.
Venue and attraction rules
- Louvre
- Bags up to 55×35×20 cm allowed; larger bags go to the free cloakroom or self-service lockers near the Pyramid entrance. All bags X-ray scanned at entry.
- Musée d'Orsay
- Same bag-size approach as the Louvre. Strollers allowed but tight in popular galleries during peak hours.
- Eiffel Tower
- Strict security; large bags and suitcases refused entirely. Food allowed on the esplanade but not inside the lifts or summit.
- Notre-Dame
- Reopened December 2024. Entry is free; reservations via the official site (notredamedeparis.fr) are highly recommended to skip long waits but not mandatory. Cathedral caps at ~3,000 at a time. Treasury area requires a separate paid ticket.
- Disneyland Paris
- 30 min east on RER A. Standard theme-park bag rules; ponchos and portable chargers earn their space for long park days.
- Versailles
- Day trip 30–40 min by RER C. No large bags or suitcases. Stroller-friendly grounds but Palace interior is busy.
FAQ
Is Paris warm enough for shorts and t-shirts in summer?
July and August daytime highs sit around 25–26°C with nights around 16°C, so shorts and t-shirts work for most days. Even in summer, pack one light layer per person — evenings by the Seine and air-conditioned museums can feel chilly. Many older buildings still lack AC.
Do we need an adapter from the UK, US, Canada, or Australia?
Yes for all four. France uses Type C/E plugs at 230V. UK Type G, US/Canadian Type A/B, and Australian Type I plugs all need an adapter. Most phone, laptop, tablet, and camera chargers handle 100–240V automatically — read the small print on the brick. Hair tools and small kitchen appliances often do not, and may need a real voltage converter or a 230V version bought locally.
Stroller or carrier for a toddler in Paris?
Carrier wins for daily use. Many central Métro stations are stair-access only, and Paris cobblestones are hard on small wheels. If you need a stroller for naps, pick the lightest one-handed-fold model you own and plan to carry it on stairs more than you expect.
How does Disneyland Paris change the packing list?
Disneyland Paris is 30 minutes east by RER A, not in central Paris. It usually runs cooler than the city in spring and autumn. Add a poncho or compact rain layer per person, broken-in walking shoes you would already pack for Paris, and a portable charger — the official Disneyland Paris app drains phones during a long park day.
What about pickpockets — do we need anti-theft bags?
Pickpocketing is real on tourist-heavy lines (Métro 1, around the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées, Sacré-Cœur, Gare du Nord). You do not need expensive anti-theft gear. A zip-top crossbody worn in front during transit, no phone in back pockets, and awareness when someone "asks you to sign a petition" handles 95% of risk.
Do we need ETIAS to visit Paris in 2026?
Not yet as of April 2026. ETIAS is targeted for Q4 2026 go-live with a 6-month transitional period before it becomes mandatory. When it launches, US, UK, Canadian, and Australian passport holders will need one before travel to France and other Schengen countries. Cost: €20 per adult, valid up to 3 years or until passport expiry. Apply through travel-europe.europa.eu/etias — no third-party site is authorized.
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