What to pack for Paris in December

13 rain days a month finds every seam. A real shell, not a windbreaker.

Lows around 37°F. Goes under the shell when the wind picks up.

Wear one, dry one. Cotton stays wet all week here.

The layer you'll wear more than any other.

Wind hits 20 km/h and temperatures drop to 37°F at night.

Gloves stop fingers from going numb in December cold and wind.

UV index sits at 0.9, too low for insects, so this stays home.

Urban terrain and crowds mean minor cuts and scrapes happen.

This country runs on Type C or E. Get one with USB-C so you're not fighting over the single outlet.

Daylight drops to 8.3 hours, so devices drain fast in the cold.

Set it up before you land. Signal drops for long stretches outside cities.

Dark by 5:50pm. Every campsite chore after that is a two-hands job.

Overhead bins fill fast in December, so 35-45L fits most airlines.

Eight hours of daylight means a small pack for day trips into the city.

Fits the overhead on every airline that matters. Skip the checked-bag line entirely.

For the passport, the chargers, and the one dry pair of socks.

Wind gusts to 20 km/h chill the neck faster than the rest of the body.

Thermal socks keep feet warm when temperatures drop to 37°F.

Treat the clothes once and it lasts weeks.

Tap water is safe, so a reusable bottle cuts plastic waste.

One brick charges the laptop, phone, and camera.

Hotel and cafe wifi is shared with everyone else in the building. A VPN keeps your banking and email to yourself.

Crowded December streets make bag tracking worth the space.

Packing cubes compress winter layers into tight spaces.

Rain and crowds mean laundry happens mid-trip.

Lows around 37°F. One blanket that packs small covers the car, the campsite and the beach at sunset.

Long flights and crowded transit need sound blocking.

Rain falls 13 days this month and boots need protection from wet streets.

High humidity at 88 percent and frequent rain breed germs on surfaces.

UV is minimal, so sunburn relief here treats other skin issues.

Short cables fit carry-on bags better than full-length ones.

A few phrases go a long way. Ten minutes a day before you leave is plenty.

International travel requires a passport and a protective holder.

Luggage locks secure bags through airport transfers and hotels.

A hanging bag saves counter space in compact Parisian bathrooms.

Trains and planes are standard between destinations on this route.