Paris in the Heat - Packing
May 30th, 2015, 01:44 AM
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Paris in the Heat - Packing
This is the most minor part of it all but we're a bit surprised (and bummed but how bummed can you be ahead of trip to Paris) to see temps climbing sooo high next week in Paris. We're flying in for 1 week from Atlanta and we were excited for mid 70's temps and planned for nice pants and jeans, tops, light coat, sweater, flats.... Now I see 92 forecasted for Saturday and Sunday! I don't know if our apartment has AC... but also what to wear! We are....Family of five - girls ages 14, 11 and 8),
I had told my girls no shorts in Paris.... thoughts? Also had assumed no sandals but now I think a must.
Other tips for the heat????
I had told my girls no shorts in Paris.... thoughts? Also had assumed no sandals but now I think a must.
Other tips for the heat????
May 30th, 2015, 03:04 AM
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Paris heat is no different than Atlanta heat, so you're already an authority on how to handle it. Light colors, cotton, and drink lots of water. Skirts for the girls?
The only that might be different about Paris heat is that it probably cools down more quickly in the evenings than in Atlanta. I'm in Florida and in the summer temps will linger above 90 well into the evening. I hope it's not like that for you on your vacation especially if your place has no AC.
The only that might be different about Paris heat is that it probably cools down more quickly in the evenings than in Atlanta. I'm in Florida and in the summer temps will linger above 90 well into the evening. I hope it's not like that for you on your vacation especially if your place has no AC.
May 30th, 2015, 03:15 AM
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Why wouldn't girls that age wear shorts? Local teenagers do (except when visiting churches, where shorts may be a problem). Sandals are fine, if you don't mind dirty feet.
Here in Belgium it's was only about 12 celsius this morning. Last week was very cold too. Bring on the heatwave, I say!
Here in Belgium it's was only about 12 celsius this morning. Last week was very cold too. Bring on the heatwave, I say!
May 30th, 2015, 03:46 AM
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Heat will be worse in Paris since many places do not have AC - or have european type AC - which lowers the temps but not to the 72 american expect.
I would avoid shorts for adults - light skirts or capris instead. Sandals are fine but you also need closed shoes for days when it rains. And be aware that these temps are not normal for this time of year and it may get rapidly back to the upper 70s (although I have been in Paris when it was over 90 for 5 or 6 days in a row).
I would avoid shorts for adults - light skirts or capris instead. Sandals are fine but you also need closed shoes for days when it rains. And be aware that these temps are not normal for this time of year and it may get rapidly back to the upper 70s (although I have been in Paris when it was over 90 for 5 or 6 days in a row).
May 30th, 2015, 04:01 AM
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I don't understand the ban on shorts, especially for kids and adolescents. Here in Italy, the latest teen fashion is shorts that are so succint, there's no way they could be made shorter. A little googling will find the same style in France. By the way, dazzling white sneakers are also in.
May 30th, 2015, 04:59 AM
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We were in Paris for 12 days last July with our two daughters (14 and 11 years old) and I thought a lot about how to pack so I understand your concerns!
It was only warm for 2 days, the rest of the days were 60s and rain on and off.
On those warm, 80+ degree days, it was very warm particularly because the restaurants open their doors and windows and there didn't seem to be any air-conditioning, and even in museums where there is a/c, it's not as strong as it is here (or at least that was our impression). Our kids wore shorts and sandals and it was fine. I was also concerned about looking appropriate and respectful but they seemed to fit in. There are so many tourists looking much "worse" than we did
Parisians do dress well so I tried to make sure my kids didn't look too sloppy.
On the cooler days Parisians were dressed for the weather, not for the season. So we saw a lot of leather jackets and boots, even though it was July.
I personally didn't wear shorts but my husband did and frankly he was not the norm; you don't see many men in shorts. But he wanted to be comfortable.
I wore lightweight pants and short sleeves or a dress when it was warm. When it cooled down (again, most days were cool), jeans or black jeans were my staple, with very comfortable flats. And don't forget a lightweight jacket and long-sleeve shirts or sweaters. We ended up buying some warmer shirts for the kids while we were there because we didn't pack enough long-sleeves. Not sure how long you'll be there but our experience was that the weather was very changeable.
Enjoy! It was so much fun for the kids. And if I can give a little non-solicited advice...we went to the Eiffel Tower late one night. Decided to walk up, which was so easy. Really! No lines at all to do the stairs. Then walked down and stayed to watch the tower lights twinkle at 10pm. Definitely a highlight of the trip.
It was only warm for 2 days, the rest of the days were 60s and rain on and off.
On those warm, 80+ degree days, it was very warm particularly because the restaurants open their doors and windows and there didn't seem to be any air-conditioning, and even in museums where there is a/c, it's not as strong as it is here (or at least that was our impression). Our kids wore shorts and sandals and it was fine. I was also concerned about looking appropriate and respectful but they seemed to fit in. There are so many tourists looking much "worse" than we did
Parisians do dress well so I tried to make sure my kids didn't look too sloppy. On the cooler days Parisians were dressed for the weather, not for the season. So we saw a lot of leather jackets and boots, even though it was July.
I personally didn't wear shorts but my husband did and frankly he was not the norm; you don't see many men in shorts. But he wanted to be comfortable.
I wore lightweight pants and short sleeves or a dress when it was warm. When it cooled down (again, most days were cool), jeans or black jeans were my staple, with very comfortable flats. And don't forget a lightweight jacket and long-sleeve shirts or sweaters. We ended up buying some warmer shirts for the kids while we were there because we didn't pack enough long-sleeves. Not sure how long you'll be there but our experience was that the weather was very changeable.
Enjoy! It was so much fun for the kids. And if I can give a little non-solicited advice...we went to the Eiffel Tower late one night. Decided to walk up, which was so easy. Really! No lines at all to do the stairs. Then walked down and stayed to watch the tower lights twinkle at 10pm. Definitely a highlight of the trip.
May 30th, 2015, 06:07 AM
#9
Air conditioning works just as well IN Paris as it does in New York, believe me. Hopefully you have it where you are sleeping. Mommy, you are NOT going to heaven by making the kids miserable with that shorts ban.
May 30th, 2015, 07:09 AM
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I don't know. If I was 14, I wouldn't mind at all rushing out to buy skirts and sundresses for my trip to Paris.
Edward, my husband has a pair of very lightweight pants for hot weather travel. They're by Columbia, very comfortable.
Edward, my husband has a pair of very lightweight pants for hot weather travel. They're by Columbia, very comfortable.
May 30th, 2015, 07:10 AM
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Yes local kids that age wear shorts and sandals so why shouldn't yours? they may be the only ones in those temps not wearing shorts!
Tell them to dress as they would in their hometown - very little difference amongst youths these days in France or U.S.
Air conditioning works just as well IN Paris as it does in New York, believe me.>
Oh don't believe that - Paris rarely gets extreme hear and AC may not be up to the job of 90s even IF they have it - depends on the type of hotel - modern chains like IBIS or Novotel will certainly have decent AC but older places maybe none or insufficient ones.
Tell them to dress as they would in their hometown - very little difference amongst youths these days in France or U.S.
Air conditioning works just as well IN Paris as it does in New York, believe me.>
Oh don't believe that - Paris rarely gets extreme hear and AC may not be up to the job of 90s even IF they have it - depends on the type of hotel - modern chains like IBIS or Novotel will certainly have decent AC but older places maybe none or insufficient ones.
May 30th, 2015, 08:27 AM
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Where does this stereotype come from that folks in Paris don't wear shorts? Or sandals? Was true years ago that only young school kids wore shorts and shorts were frowned on - but that has not been the case for decades.
May 30th, 2015, 09:28 AM
#15
People who are worried about looking stylish when they travel probably shouldn't go anywhere in the first place, because not only will they always get it wrong, but they will constantly think that people are looking at them (and not approvingly) and it will diminish their enjoyment of the trip. If you want to see stylish clothes, just buy a few magazines and save your money.
May 30th, 2015, 09:55 AM
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I completely agree with kerouac, palen, sanderskn, et al. Comfortable clothes are the way to go for vacation travel. Locals will know you're a tourist no matter how you dress. Besides, it's not as if your choice is to dress either for a fashion show or as a flood victim.
May 30th, 2015, 10:54 AM
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I. Your girls can wear whatever they like--that's not a problem one bit. They are visiting a country, not meeting the in-laws or applying to college (yet).
At the same time, I do think sundresses and cute skirts are a great idea. Well-scrubbed and well-dressed kids (and adults!) are welcome in ANY culture.
My husband does not wear shorts, but he has super lightweight pants that work.
II. Sandals are just fine-I can't imagine not packing my dressy Tevas in summer when I'm having to walk all over tarnation and my "restaurant shoes" are sandals, too.
Athletic shoes are just fine (all of Europe wears them).
Shoes to REMOVE from the kids' packing list, though, for OTHER reasons:
--flats (really bad for miles of walking)unless for just inside a restaurant
--flip-flops (ditto) unless for around house
--and backless sandals (risky on escalators, stairs, etc especially when they'll be dragging roll-on luggage, too)
Yeah, my little girls, now adults, fought me a tad my shoe restrictions until they traveled on their own as teens and found out the hard way. I chuckled when I saw what they packed on their most recent trips with us.
III. I agree that the temp probably will drop in Paris during your stay and always do be prepared for some rain.
French AC <u>generally</u> does NOT work the same in France as it does in Atlanta and Florida where I swear that I(I'm from the Northeast)have to pile on a winter coat to enter a restaurant or a store.
So you can view that as a bad or as a good thing.
I've tended to view it as good.
Enjoy your trip and your girls.
We did!
AZ
At the same time, I do think sundresses and cute skirts are a great idea. Well-scrubbed and well-dressed kids (and adults!) are welcome in ANY culture.
My husband does not wear shorts, but he has super lightweight pants that work.
II. Sandals are just fine-I can't imagine not packing my dressy Tevas in summer when I'm having to walk all over tarnation and my "restaurant shoes" are sandals, too.
Athletic shoes are just fine (all of Europe wears them).
Shoes to REMOVE from the kids' packing list, though, for OTHER reasons:
--flats (really bad for miles of walking)unless for just inside a restaurant
--flip-flops (ditto) unless for around house
--and backless sandals (risky on escalators, stairs, etc especially when they'll be dragging roll-on luggage, too)
Yeah, my little girls, now adults, fought me a tad my shoe restrictions until they traveled on their own as teens and found out the hard way. I chuckled when I saw what they packed on their most recent trips with us.
III. I agree that the temp probably will drop in Paris during your stay and always do be prepared for some rain.
French AC <u>generally</u> does NOT work the same in France as it does in Atlanta and Florida where I swear that I(I'm from the Northeast)have to pile on a winter coat to enter a restaurant or a store.
So you can view that as a bad or as a good thing.
I've tended to view it as good.
Enjoy your trip and your girls.
We did!
AZ
May 30th, 2015, 11:15 AM
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French AC generally does NOT work the same in France as it does in Atlanta and Florida where I swear that I(I'm from the Northeast)have to pile on a winter coat to enter a restaurant or a store.>
dukey says AC in NY and Paris work exactly the same - are you saying that is not true?
and no it ain't - Paris rarely gets that warm so don't have often high-energy AC in places!
dukey says AC in NY and Paris work exactly the same - are you saying that is not true?
and no it ain't - Paris rarely gets that warm so don't have often high-energy AC in places!
May 30th, 2015, 05:24 PM
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I am grateful for many of the comments. Yes we know HEAT in Atlanta (and thus were excited for cooler temps in Paris. In Atlanta though girls are in athletic shorts or shorty jean shorts and tank tops... if we were traveling to NYC I would suggest more spiffy clothes than that so I think the same for Paris. I disagree that comfort alone is the ONLY thing to think about.
My girls are excited about being stylish in Paris. They want to be stylish and not stand out like tourists. Yes maybe that's a fool's errand but I think there are degrees. And my guess is that it's appreciated... a little.
My girls are excited about being stylish in Paris. They want to be stylish and not stand out like tourists. Yes maybe that's a fool's errand but I think there are degrees. And my guess is that it's appreciated... a little.
