France Travel Guide

Visiting Aix-en-Provence for the first time? Or a perhaps you’re a regular traveler? Sometimes it helps to have some helpful tips for planning your stay. I’ve put together a list of the basics as well as other items that you may want to consider tossing into your valise.

France Travel Guide Aix-en-Provence Family at Airport

If you‘ve previously visited to Aix-en-Provence, you know that the sandy shores of the Mediterranean are just a short 30-minutes drive, skiing in the southern Alps is 2-hours to the northeast, and Paris is only 3-hours away via the TGV high-speed train. You could easily wake up in Aix, hop on a 9am train at the gare, and be climbing your way up the steps of the Eiffel Tower by early afternoon.

Pictured: Leaving Seattle, WA USA to begin our French adventure in 2010 with my husband and two daughters. It still makes me smile that the airport curbside agent happily posed with us too – I was so excited that I didn’t even notice at the time.

Whether it’s your first time to France or you’re a seasoned veteran, deciding what to pack for your trip may begin to feel a little overwhelming. France has a surprisingly diverse climate from north to south considering that the country has about the same land mass as the state of Texas.

The time of year is also a something to consider. While it’s true that southern France enjoys a generally warm climate, winters can be chilly and temperatures will often dip below freezing in January and February, so make sure to adapt your clothing choices! Daytime outfits typically vary from casual to sophisticated – and of course lots of scarves! – while evenings tend to be more casual chic (although you’ll probably notice a range of styles given the city’s international influence).

1-Week — The Basics

  • 3 pairs pants (jeans + khakis/other)
  • 2 pairs of shorts (May – September)
  • 1 bathing suit (year-round, as many hotels have pool/spa facilities)
  • 5 t-shirts
  • 3-4 nicer shirts/tops
  • (Europeans tend to dress up, particularly in the evenings)
  • 1 scarf (any time of year!)
  • 1 pair of flip-flops or sandals
  • 1 pair of sneakers
  • 7 pairs of socks
  • 7 pairs of underwear
  • 1 coat (light in spring-summer, heavier in fall-winter)
  • 1 sweater/sweatshirt (more in winter)
  • 1 compact umbrella
  • 1 towel
  • Hat/sunglasses

Adjust all suggestions and quantities of this France travel guide as necessary depending on your length of stay, physical requirements and personal style preferences.

Women might add:

  • 1 beach cover up
  • 1 pair of leggings
  • 2-3 long-sleeve tops
  • 2 skirts/sundresses (summer)
  • 3-4 tanks
  • 1 light cardigan
  • 1 sunhat
  • Travel Safety Kit

Travel Safety Kit

  • Band-Aid Travel Pack
  • Ibuprofen
  • Hydrocortisone cream
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Earplugs

Miscellaneous

  • Luggage lock
  • Zip-lock bags
  • European travel plug adapter
  • 32oz. water bottle

Extras – ‘might’ needs

  • Tablet, phone, computer & necessary chargers
  • Reusable shopping bags or totes (for the daily markets of course)
  • Noise canceling headphones
  • Compact travel daypack
  • Travel journal
  • Work out gear
  • Wine bottle opener (for all those picnics in the park)

Toiletries

  • 1 toothbrush/toothpaste
  • 1 razor
  • 1 deodorant
  • Shampoo, conditioner, body soap
  • 1 hairbrush
  • Makeup you use
  • Hair bands / clips
  • Feminine hygiene products*

* You can buy here too, but your preferred products may not be available