I will be in Paris September 15th thru October 1st. This is my third trip but the first time staying in an apartment. Does anyone have a packing list or suggestion of things I might want to bring with me instead of purchasing when I arrive? Example: The unit does have a washer/dryer all in one unit..would it be more economical to bring a few individual laundry packets with me or is it easy to find travel size detergents so that I don’t end up with a lot leftover at the end of my stay? I know the unit doesn’t have a hair dryer so I am bringing mine; this is something I wouldn’t normally bring staying at a hotel. I appreciate all suggestions.

That's only two weeks, do you really intend to do a lot of cooking in the apartment? Because the only thing I might suggest was some small quantity of some spice/condiment if you really want it rather than having to buy a full container of it. Depending on what you like, you might bright a bar of soap or washing gel just so you have some right away and don't need to shop for that off the bat (and if you can squish in a roll of TP, that also). It depends if you know if that is going to be there or not, though. I don't rent deluxe apats, the ones I rent are pretty straightforward and it really is just an apt, there aren't alot of extras in them (like soap or TP or salt, pepper).

Your idea of a couple laundry packets sounds like a good idea, I have never shopped for laundry detergent but even in the US, you don't easily buy travel size laundry detergent in the supermarket, do you? I don't remember seeing any but maybe I just don't notice.

You are only going to be there a couple weeks on vacation, I wouldn't worry about special packing lists.

When we stayed in an apartment in Paris we looked for a small packet of laundry soap at the supermarket and couldn't find one. We ended up with a large one although we used quite a bit of it as the machine was so small that it took many more loads than it usually would at home (I believe most machine's are very small) so you might want to just go and get a big one as you will be doing more loads than you think. Up to you.
If you want to see the packing list that we used for our entire 5 week trip to Europe check out the last entry on my travelpod.com blog (angandjen) as it lists what we packed and also why. eg.
15.Small flashlight (very bright and small enough to fit in very small space in purse - this came in handy a number of times - looking down dark stairwells in castle in Greece, trying to find address on dark street in Paris etc.)

Read more: http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blo...#ixzz23SySateT

I also broke it out into what to pack for checked luggage and what we took on the plane. It also has a books list.

Just a thought : )

Have a great trip.

The washer may require special low suds detergent if it is a front washer. The apt we stay in while in Paris supplies it. I would ask the manager or owner exactly what is supplied. Our was fully stocked and it is a really nice apt but not deluxe.

Special spices and condiments are a good idea, IF you must have them.

Don't bring a hairdryer; it will not work right and could damage the wiring! Buy one once you get there.

For me one of the best things about staying in an apartment is shopping for supplies locally. Yes, there will be parts of packages left over, some of which come home with me to remind me of my visit until they're gone. So the question is never what will be cheaper but what do I have a perfect excuse to shop for.

Check with owner/rental company/etc and see if any "supplies" are provided...just to get you going.
We have rented apartments with Washer/Dryer and the specific soap was supplied...

If you are particular about coffee, and we really care about our morning coffee, I took a pound of freshly ground coffee from our local coffee bean purveyor.

The pound of coffee didn't last our 10 night trip. We had to replenish at La Grande Epicure and those beans were not as good or fresh as the cofee we brought at home.

I also had to buy a coffee scoop while in Paris - guessing with a spoon made for too weak coffee.

When I've rented apts ftrom the last renter. Last trip there was an almost full bottle of single malt scotch made my DH very happy.Everything was supplied or leftover .I hate French washers and go to laundrmat nearby!The inly things I really needed was butter and jam!

If you are planning to use your apartment eg cooking, washing, then you are going to have to go shopping...my kids are very sensitive to certain washing powders/soaps so I pack those for them. Just enough washing powder in a ziplock bag for 2-3 washes. Everything else I buy - havent had issues with not being able to get small/normal size packaging of items. Most apartments I've stayed at provide the very basic supplies including washing powder, toilet paper, soap, hair dryer etc. just not enough for long stay.

Purex 3 in 1 laundry sheets are great for travel. A full sheet works in the larger machines found in laundramats, and we found a half sheet worked well in the small combo washer/dryers we had in apartments.

http://www.purex.com/products/deterg...omplete-3-in-1

Also, I always take a medium-sized serrated edge sharp knife packed in a cardboard tube, a corkscrew and stopper for a wine bottle. If you cook, a few ziploc bags in various sizes come in handy for leftovers, cheese, etc.

If you have a lot of electronic gadgets to recharge, you might want to take a power strip. Many European apartments and hotels have limited outlets. Here's one that was recommended by someone who posted here some time ago.

http://www.amazon.com/VCT-USP600-Wor...sr=1-1-catcorr

Before you take <i><u>anything</u></i> check what is already provided. many owners stock their flats w/ laundry detergent, dish detergent, basic staples/spices. Etc. And some have rules to not use laundry detergent other than the type provided.

I would <B>NOT</B> take your hairdryer. Assuming it is dual voltage, it still may blow the circuits in your apartment (and in the whole rest of the bldg). And it won't work at full power. So - I'd buy an inexpensive one after you are in Paris.

Our apts in Paris, Nice and Italy always have supplied laundry and dishwasher detergent.
Bring a cake of soap for your personal use as a few times stores were closed when we arrived and there wasn't any in the apt.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, here is a little more information. The rental agency does not provide any extras in the apartment other than the basic cookware linens/towels and the first roll of toilet paper. The apartment in no way can be considered a luxury apartment but it is in our desired location and it satisfied the requirement of having a washer/dryer is equipped with a stove, microwave oven and refrigerator.

We only plan to do occasional cooking. But I am sure we will come across items that we we need or just want that does not come with the apartment, such as a knife or a cutting board, so does anyone have a suggestion for nearby places to purchase these items? We already know we are going to need a coffee pot..nothing fancy or expensive because we plan to leave it in the apartment for the next guest.We are staying in the 5th Arrondissement close to Notre-Dame.

Has anyone had issue with the Tide Pods laundry detergent leaking during transit? Do all of the Monoprixs in Paris carry items like laundry detergent, dish detergent, etc.? I don't recall seeing anything but a limited selection of food and drink items in the one near our hotel on our last stay.

The hair dryer I am taking is actually a very small travel hair dryer I purchased just for this trip with 110-220 dual voltage switch. I am taking it along with a converter plug, so I am hoping I don't have any issues. Thanks for the suggestion on the power strip it has been added to my list.

"<i>The hair dryer I am taking is actually a very small travel hair dryer I purchased just for this trip with 110-220 dual voltage switch. I am taking it along with a converter plug, so I am hoping I don't have any issues</i>"

Sorry, but I still wouldn't take it. Plus if it is a mini hairdryer it is already under powered. It most likely has a feature that prevents it from running on the highest setting(s) - making it even more under powered.

Now, it might work great - it might work great for a few days and then melt or burn up - it might work great until one morning when it blows the circuits while everyone else in the building is getting ready (lots of angry neighbors when that happens ) - or it might not work at all.

I'd buy a hairdryer in France.

ps: I used to always take a hairdryer and <i>most</i> times they worked just fine. But on two trips - not so great. One burned up (melting plastic smells AWFUL), and once I blew the circuits in a 3 unit bldg. They were all dual voltage. . .

MaineGG lists everything I was thinking of before I got to that post. I brought the Purex 3in1 sheets and they work fantastic and take up no room at all. I have also purchased the pods in Europe and threw the couple left overs in the luggage with no leaks. You might want to bring a small clothesline to hang out your wet things in the apt. There are a couple varieties you can find online. I also bring along a couple of caribineers for the ends in case there is not some where to hook it.

I blew up my hairdryer in Edinburgh, a la janisj, so when I arrived in Paris I needed one. We stayed in the Marais very close to Notre Dame. I purchased one at a big department store located on Rue di Rivoli, I believe, behind Hotel de Ville. The store has pretty much anything you will need.

We've rented several apartments and never took anything extra but we always travel with the things Maine mentioned anyway. Purell sheets are the best way to transport laundry detergent/softener. We never leave home without our own corkscrew and stopper and decent knife for cutting cheeses (which all have to go in checked bag of course) because we like to picnic a lot. And I always have a Baggie full of Baggie of various sizes (including a garbage bag or two).

It's probably just as easy to buy a hair dryer there and the leave it (unless you plan to come back a few times--which we always do). That way you don't have to worry about current or adapters or anything. Very nice to eliminate every concern possible

And Michelle is right about the clothes line and the carabiners. I love the clothes lines that are twisted rubber meaning you don't need clothespins.

We pack this way for every trip so we don't do anything different when we're renting apartments.
Have a fabulous time!!

ok so I am nixing the hair dryer and putting on the list of things to buy on arrival. I don't want angry neighbors.

I am ordering a small travel clothesline.

I am putting on my packing list a corkscrew and stopper as this is something we forget every trip.

I am going to go with the Purex laundry sheets because I received two good reviews for them.

Thanks Michele_d for telling me where I could find a store. I googled stores on Rue Di Rivoli and found Bazaar de l'Hotel de Ville (BHV) which I believe will do the trick.

Please keep the suggestions coming.

My dual voltage hair dryer has always worked just fine. The one time I didn't pack it and relied on the hotel dryer, after a couple of days I had to go shopping for one. Finding an inexpensive, not too large, hair dryer in Paris was not as easy as everyone suggests. I was in and out of a lot of shops and wasted a lot of time before finally finding something reasonable (but very nice) in a hardware store.

I always take laundry detergent. You don't need much in those front loading machines with small capacity. I pack powder in a screw top plastic container (pods, too, so they can't burst or melt onto anything).

You might want to pack your favorite herbs and spices (and I always bring garlic powder and white peppercorns for vinaigrette) in those tiny zip locks (for pills). One of this or that in a full sized bottle is really pricey - an assortment would be quite the investment. Fresh herbs are sold in gigantic bunches (though sometimes a vendor will sell you less).

If a good knife is essential to you, bring one. Or, plan to shop for one (a nice souvenir).

I bring enough coffee for a couple of pots. Best if it's vacuum sealed (or your clothing absorbs the aroma). Then, I head straight for Cafes Richard (which we now order from home in between trips).

Ditto the advice to toss in a coffee measure! Always missing! Even in the "fancy" place we stayed with a drip pot and a Nespresso!

I always pack one or two plastic hangers with swivel hook and skirt clips (for hand washing and slacks, etc.).

A few microfiber cloths are handy for many things (even lint removal).

And, if you like ice, toss in a few plastic trays. Usually, there's only one tiny tray. First thing I do is find a bowl for the freezer and refill the trays frequently.

Be SURE to survey the kitchen utensils before going shopping, if you'll need a colander, grater, etc.

I cut those large plastic cutting mats (cheap at BBB) in half and pack a couple of those.

For sure, you can go shopping for anything missing (and rue Montmartre is kitchenware heaven, along with BHV), but nothing is inexpensive or as easy to find as you would presume.

The place must be really modest if there's not even a coffee maker! You might want to try a French press at home, and toss that in, too.

For lots and lots of "suggestions" and laughs, see

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...de_France.html

That's a fun thread!

Does your apartment have an electic kettle? I no longer use a coffee pot at home - tired of glass carafes breaking! Instead I use the pour over method using the Milleta plastic filter and a paper filter -- every cup is fresh. They cost about 3 or 4 dollars each. We have two - and take them with us on the road. In the Usa we bring the kettle to our hotel room too! This might be a cheaper option than buying a coffee pot.


http://shop.melitta.com/WomWorld.html

I found a bottle of Method Laundry Detergent that uses a few squirts per load. I save it for vacation laundry and pump it into a 3 oz container. Works great.

The advantage to getting an apartment for me is to be able to use all of the things I see in the markets, so I pack a couple of tiny bags of spices (labeled and stapled to a card)