Take some Mole Skin with you incase you get a blister or a spot that feels like it MIGHT get a blister. Someone posted awhile back about Bandaid having some kind of protective thing so check your drug store. It's also good to take two pair of shoes. If you start getting a pressure point with one pair you can change out your shoes and give that place some relief.

Try one of those stores that specialize in walking shoes like...The Walking Company...I think it's called. Paris can be VERY hard on the feet. Happy Travels!

Thanks for the reminder about mole skin. I will get some. And a visit to the walking store is in my future.

I bought my husband a pair of these and he laughed out loud at me, "I"m not wearing these ugly-a$$ shoes!".

http://www.shoemall.com/ProductDetai...family_id=7701

Now he won't take them off.

Thanx to everyone who responded....I've already started my research and will be hitting the malls this afternoon!

Thanks Linda - My husband would love to wear Merrill's - but, they don't come in his width. I wear them and love them. Just can't find one to wear in Paris. Last summer I took a pair (the nylon clog) and got blisters. Oy, why is it so hard to find a comfortable pair of walking shoes!

For To_Paris:

My best advice for avoiding blisters is to have 3 pair of shoes total and rotate them. Even the best shoes after walking for an 8 hour day (something I do in Paris but not at home) can rub a spot wrong. So moleskin and change shoes.

It is also helpful to change shoes sometime during the day (whenever you stop back at your hotel room mid-day, or at the end of sight seeing before walking somwhere for dinner).

..forget fashion- comfort is the key as you must walk IMO (assuming you are able) to really enjoy Paris to its fullest. You are going in August so no hiking boots or heavy sneakers. Bring whatever you wear at home and make sure they are well broken in and comfortable on uneven pavement- think cobblestones. Please don't buy new shoes for the trip (unless a really spiffy pair for the evening) unless you have several months to break them in and you are absolutely sure that they will be comfortable at the end of the day.

Comfort is the most important to me too! What I wear at home doesn't work when traveling. When I travel I walk a lot - I mean all day and everywhere. At home, I don't do this. So, my shoes from home won't work for this much walking. I have done that in the past. I've taken my comfortable, reliable shoes that I use at home - but, when walking that much and in the heat - I get blisters!

I walk everywhere when in Paris or London. My shoes are black Mary Jane Naots. I believe they are made in Israel and are sold throughout the USA. I highly recommend them. Comfortable and not too bulky and unstylish...and they go through the Xray at the airport without a problem.

You are right! My answer did make me sound like the fashion police and I am actually quite unfashionable! My daugher lives in flip flops (being from Hawaii.) I was fairly astounded when she said she bought Real Shoes in Paris because she felt out of place in her flip flops. Just an anecdote, it is not the gospel truth.

All the advice on breaking in shoes is right on! I have 4 pairs of Easy Spirit Meddle leather walking shoes, I have walked soooooo many miles in the in DC and NYC with no problem. But I stupidly took a newer pair with me to Paris and got some bad blisters with this type shoe for the first time.

Great - I'll look for them. Any place special you buy them? Department stores? Particular shoe stores? Maybe I'll google them and see if I can see where to buy them.

I was in Paris in May with 5 other women....we had quite a variety of foot issues and blisters. Some of us didn't bring appropriate footwear.
My daughter told her friend that she needed to train for this trip, both walking and wine drinking, but she didn't take the advise.
We found that walking into almost any pharmacy and pointing to the offending foot area resulted in a product called Compeed Ampoules. I think it may be the equivalent of the bandaid product mentioned above, and those in our group needing them thought they were great!

I've forwarded this thread to my 20 year old daughter who is coming to Paris with us. She always wears flip flops! She enjoyed this thread and said she laughed.
But, more importantly, she is going to wear her new sneakers around to break them in before we go!
This is a true miracle. Thank you one and all!

That's what I love... a happy ending :-)

ToParis:
If it helps, my husband has a wide foot and usually can't wear shoes that come in M width only. This style of Merrell fit him perfectly. I think it has to do with the depth of the toe box.

Hi dear Fodorites. The Band-Aid for blisters is Johnson & Johnson Band-Aid "Advanced Healing Blister" Believe it or not they stay on through lots of showers. They also have the French name "Vite Gueri pour Les Ampoules" on the box. The small box contains 6 band-aids. This was recommended by my doctor & the pharmacist when I got my first every blisters in April of this year.

I will always take some with me when I travel in the future. Happy walking!

OK Linda431, I will have my husband try them. He'd be thrilled if they work for him!
Thank you LoveItaly - I will certainly buy a few boxes of these speical band aids before we leave. Actually, I'll buy them now. I was in NYC last weekend and, of course, I got a blister. They will have a permanent home in my bag!