What to pack for Paris in May

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

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

A UV index of 7.8 burns skin in 25 minutes, even on cloudy afternoons.

Wind at 18 km/h kicks up glare off the Seine and wet pavement.

Parks near the city hold standing water where mosquitoes breed in May warmth.

Blisters from new shoes and minor scrapes happen on every multi-day city walk.

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

Fifteen hours of walking drains your phone before the museum closes.

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

Overhead bins fill fast on the flight in, so pack light enough to avoid checking.

Museums and parks are a 20-minute walk apart, so carry water and a map.

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.

UV hits 7.8 here. Long sleeves beat reapplying sunscreen every hour.

Fifteen hours of May daylight means extended time in direct sun across the city.

Treat the clothes once and it lasts weeks.

Paris tap water is safe, but refilling beats carrying bottled water all day.

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 trains and busy stations make bags disappear in seconds.

Damp clothes from rain need separation from dry ones in a small hotel room.

Humidity at 71 percent means laundry dries slowly, so wash every five days.

Metro noise runs 80 decibels and street traffic never stops, even at night.

Thirteen rain days in May soak through regular shoes, so treat the leather before you leave.

Lips crack in spring wind and high UV before you notice the damage.

Shared metro handles and café tables need a clean before you eat.

Insect bites itch worse in heat and sunburn makes the itch unbearable.

One outlet per hotel room charges nothing while you sleep, if the cable reaches the bed.

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

Border checks at the airport move faster with your passport already separate.

Luggage locks stop casual theft in shared hostel rooms and train luggage racks.

One bathroom sink handles toiletries for two people if they hang and drip dry.

Train seats don't recline and park benches aren't beds, so neck support matters.