joanne_a

My first trip to France; what do you recommend we bring regarding converters and/or adapters to use with blowdryers (I do have a universal standard travel blowdryer, but does this need an attachment to work?), recharger for digital camera, recharger for the walkie talkies (for the kids and for us to keep in contact), cell phone, etc.? We're staying with friends in a villa in St. Remy, I think this is where we would need them more so than at most hotels. What do you bring?

StCirq

I would buy a cheap blowdryer once you get there. I've seen a fair number of people melt and explode those supposedly dual-voltage U.S.-made dryers.

Your camera recharger is probably already set to work in Europe. Most of them are made to work anywhere in the world. Check the fine print on the back of it, or call the manufacturer.

If your walkie talkies are U.S.-made, you should know that the frequency they use can interfere with emergency service (fire, rescue, police) in France.

You'll need a small adapter for your cell phone recharger. You can get it in any éléctroménager or FNAC or similar store for a couple of euros.

Lesli

You will definitely need plug adapters - to the two-prong, round-pin type used in France. If your appliances are dual voltage (France is 220v), that will be it.

Most chargers for digital cameras and phones are. Your hairdryer will have a switch/button that you'll need to manually change if it is. Otherwise, you would need a voltage converter.

Type "france AND hairdryer" into the text box at the top of this page to pull up lots of prior threads on this topic.

bob_brown

I carry a converter kit with plugs and a transformer that switches between 50 watts max (US amps) and 1600 watts.
The settings are maximum.
The 50 watts does my razor; the 1600 does other appliances like immersion heaters, hair dryers, etc.

The brand name is Dilana. It has made the rounds so to speak for 7 years: all over Western Europe and Australia/New Zealand.

The plug adapts the transformer to the wall socket, and you plug your US device into the transformer.

kybourbon

Look at all of your rechargers and see what voltage is listed. If they say 110-240 then you only need a round 2 prong plug adapter. If they are 110 only then you will need a voltage regulator. A travel hairdryer should be dual voltage and there will be a switch or plastic screw on it that you will need to set to 240. Some of the newest dual voltage appliances don't even require you to set them but should be listed as 110-240 somewhere on them.

hopscotch

Most hotels have hairblowers wired in. Since you are staying with friends maybe they already have one.

CarolA

I second the buy a hairdryer. You will find that it works MUCH better then the US one. Plus you can just abandon it to the next guest.

SalB

Check your camera battery recharger very carefully. Ours is not dual voltage and requires a converter. I usually plug it in the bathroom plug . . . adapter, then converter, then recharger.

We always carry a couple adapters so we can plug in several things, like my laptop. It's a good idea to have converter too just in case you need it.

I'll vote for buying a hairdryer there. It's one less thing to pack. Even inexpensive hotels have hair dryers and any place else, you can use your Eurocheapie.

Have a great trip.

Doriana

I bought a Lewis N. Clark dual voltage hair dryer several years ago and have used it in Italy, Ireland, Spain, and England (so far) with no problems anywhere. It's small and lightweight and, though most places I've stayed have had a hair dryer in the room, I like mine better than some I've found in hotels (memories of wall-mounted hair dryer in Rome that would have taken an hour and 45 minutes to dry my hair). With this one I just have to make sure I bring the correct plug adaptor for the country. It was about $30, which seems kind of pricey, but it's nice not to have to think about it from trip to trip. (An added bonus is that whenever my regular hair dryer overheats and conks out, I've got this one as a back-up. I just have to remember to switch to American voltage -- I can never remember which is which.)

bob_brown

I don't know what US amps are either.
That was to have been deleted and slithered through.
I think I was going to make a reference to US appliances. But amps are amps. One ampere will flow when one volt is applied across a resistance of one ohm.
As far as I know, amps or amperes have not yet been nationalized.
Maybe Al Gore invented amps.

P_M

I blew out my "American" hair dryer a few years ago and had to buy a European one. Although I was annoyed at the time, I'm really glad it happened now. It's so much easier to take one that works instead of bothering with adapters. Go ahead and buy a cheap one over there, then you'll always have one for your next trip. And you can lend it to friends when they go.

joanne_a

Thanks everyone for your advice; even to Professor Brown for the dissertation on amps (Al Gore invented those TOO?) - you're funny. It's amazing all the little details to think about before embarking on a trip to Europe - going to some of the remotest islands in the Caribbean and we still have American comforts - air conditioning, electricity, familiarity of our own culture, English spoken for the most part. I am so excited about the upcoming France trip as I expect it will be a refreshing change in culture and hopefully a fantastic adventure. Thanks again, everyone.

Singletail

Enjoy your trip and don't take any converters and don't get into any political discussions since the latter seem to bring out the very worst in people.

edovre

Who needs a hairdryer? You're travelling - this is a built in excuse to let your hair go. Important disclaimer: I am a balding 40-year-old with 1/4" crew cut. I agree w/ above about the converter/adapter. Find one device that does both functions, and you will blow up nothing.