These are basically the things most Parisiennes have with them on a weekend, or even on a regular weekday. Nothing exotic, nothing specific to being a tourist. Just a few simple habits that make a day in the city easier, and that I'd recommend to anyone visiting for the first time.

6 things to have with you when visiting Paris: a tote bag, a small umbrella, a layer, a reusable water bottle, a portable charger, and a notebook or a book

#1 A Tote Bag

Start here, because everything else on this list goes inside it. A tote bag is the most Parisian accessory there is: practical, light, fits over your shoulder without getting in the way, and leaves your hands free. You'll use it constantly, for stashing your umbrella in the morning, for a viennoiserie you grab from a boulangerie at 10am without being hungry yet, for a bottle of water, for a book, for souvenirs that appear without warning.

If you want to arrive with one already sorted, or if you're looking for a nice one before you leave, French Wink has a lovely selection with very Parisian designs, a good option if you're in the US and want to order one ahead of time. Or buy one on your first day in Paris and let it become part of the trip itself.

One note for families traveling with babies or very young children: a tote bag won't cut it in that situation, and a proper backpack makes much more sense. But for everyone else, it's the one bag I'd never leave the hotel without.

#2 A Small Folding Umbrella

Paris weather is genuinely unpredictable, and not just in autumn or winter. Even in spring or early summer, the city has a way of producing a sharp shower in the middle of an otherwise sunny afternoon. It doesn't necessarily rain all day, but a short downpour while you're walking between two monuments is unpleasant enough that having a small folding umbrella on you is always worth it.

I mean small and foldable, the kind that fits flat in the bottom of your tote bag and weighs almost nothing. Not a full-size umbrella you'll have to carry around all day. The one exception: if you're visiting during a real heatwave, with a week-long forecast of 90°F and above, you can skip it. But in any other season, it earns its spot every time.

#3 A Layer You Can Add Or Remove

This one is underestimated until you experience it. Paris temperatures within a single day can shift dramatically: you might start your morning at 60°F, hit 80°F by mid-afternoon, and find yourself stepping out of a restaurant at 11pm into 50°F. If you've packed only for the afternoon, the morning and evening will be uncomfortable.

The solution is simple: always carry a layer you can put on and take off. In summer, a light scarf or a thin cardigan is enough. In spring and autumn, something a little warmer. In winter, a proper scarf is non-negotiable. The point isn't to be perfectly dressed for every moment, it's to not be cold when you don't need to be.

#4 A Reusable Water Bottle

Walking all day in a city is thirsty work, and buying plastic water bottles every few hours adds up quickly in both cost and waste. Bring a reusable bottle and refill it for free throughout the day. Paris tap water is very good quality, and the city has invested seriously in making it accessible: there are drinking fountains across the city, and many shops and cafés will refill your bottle for free if you ask.

The web app I recommend for this is Eau de Paris, which maps all the free water points in the city, including both fountains and partner businesses. It's a small thing but it makes a real difference on a long day of walking.

One caveat: for babies and people with specific health conditions, it's worth using bottled water rather than tap or fountain water. For everyone else, it's genuinely fine.

#5 A Portable Charger

Your phone will work harder in Paris than it does at home. You'll have maps open constantly, you'll be taking photos, checking the Bonjour RATP app, looking up opening hours, messaging people. Batteries don't last a full Paris day under that kind of load, and charging opportunities are less reliable than you might expect. Museums rarely have accessible charging points, and not every restaurant or café has a socket you can use without some degree of awkwardness. Leaving your phone behind the bar to charge while you eat could sometimes be a solution, but not a comfortable one.

A small flat power bank that slips into your tote bag solves this entirely. Charge it overnight, take it with you, and you'll never have to ration your phone usage to make it through the afternoon.

#6 A Notebook Or A Book

This one is a little different from the others, but I mean it genuinely. If you're someone who likes to write things down, a small notebook and a pen are worth having with you. A quiet moment in a café, a wait in a queue, a metro ride between neighborhoods: there's something nice about jotting down what you've seen rather than scrolling through your phone. You'll also come home with something more interesting than just photos!

And if you're a reader, bring a book. Parisians read, and reading in Paris is a very particular pleasure, especially when you're sitting in the Jardin du Luxembourg or the Palais Royal on a warm afternoon, watching the city move around you. Whether you're traveling alone or with others, there's no rule that says you have to be doing something every minute. Some of the best Paris moments are the slow ones.

Et voila! Now all you have to do is add these items to your packing list for your trip to Paris!

PS: If you're visiting in summer, don't forget sunscreen. Walking for six hours in a Paris July without any protection is something you notice by the evening. It fits easily in your tote bag, and it's the kind of thing you're glad you have.

If you found this blog post useful, you might also enjoy: The 3 questions keeping you up before your Paris trip… and their honest answers.