Make the next trip to France (or anywhere in Europe) as easy as possible. These are items that you simply need to pack for your trip to France.
Give yourself plenty of time to pack. It is very easy to leave it until the last minute, panic, and then realize that you have too much or that you have forgotten something vital.
Lingo Voyager Talking Translator
One of the most important things you will need in France is the ability to speak French. You may need to ask for directions or read a sign or menu that is only in French. If you don’t have a translator, you might really regret it! You can try to learn the language before you go, but you will find that when faced with people who speak French quickly, your mind goes blank.
What’s particularly great about this particular translator is that it’s a talking version, so you won’t have to deal with blank stares when you mispronounce a word. It also features a currency and metric converter, calculator, alarm clock, calendar, voice memo recording, and eight travel games.
Voltage converter with adapter set
If you plan to plug in whatever you bring, it won’t fit in the holes unless you bring an adapter (and these are surprisingly hard to find once you’re in France, particularly in small towns), and you could get burned if you don’t convert the electrical current . This is the best investment you can make: a few dollars to save (and be able to use) your electronics worth hundreds of dollars.
Comfortable walking shoes
In France you walk. You walk to buy. You walk along the Seine. You walk to the attractions. And when you get to those attractions, you climb 10 flights of spiral staircases or spend hours wandering through museum galleries. This is the best investment you can make before your trip. Get a good pair of high-quality walking shoes. If you don’t have cash, at least get a couple of walking inserts.
Ear pain headphones
Avoid ear pain on the long flight to France with these wonderful inexpensive headphones. You will find them indispensable to avoid the annoying outbreak and pain. Just stick them in your ears on departure and descent. They even come in kid-friendly versions, which could make for a much more peaceful flight for all comers.
Maps of France
The worst feeling is being in France, lost and only having a limited knowledge of the language. Avoid such mishaps with a very good map of France, which is absolutely crucial if you plan to drive. There are many versions so check them out before you go to make sure you have the map that you can easily use.
If you drive, it is a good idea to buy two types of maps. Try Michelin maps in book form for very detailed travel. And also get the big Michelin map to show the whole country in an easy way and find out where you are going.
Door stop alarm
For greater security in a foreign country, many people feel much better having an alarm. Place it under the door of the hotel or train compartment and if it is opened an alarm will sound. It just gives you more peace of mind when traveling abroad.
WindPro Flatwear Automatic Vented Umbrella
This may not seem crucial, but it is worth investigating (especially if you plan to visit Paris during the rainy / windy season, which some years can seem like January to December). It is also quite important to get a good umbrella. Everyone has had a bunch of compact travel umbrellas that bite the dust under the Parisian winds. This is resistant and especially ventilated so that the wind does not turn it upside down.
Undersea Samsonite Pocket
As anyone who has traveled France by train knows, versatile luggage is crucial. The rolling bag is preferable because it can be carried over your shoulder or rolled around airports or train stations when you feel like your shoulders are about to burn. This model is nice because it is compact enough to fit under the airplane seat, but it also has side pockets to quickly reach your passport and boarding pass.
