Packing for France -- any tips?

[Thorn]

We were all set to do that trip a couple of years ago...but, alas, they didn't have enough people and they cancelled on us after we bought airline tickes We managed to pick up a semi-self catered in the Dordogne instead and had a great time--big heavy tanks, but we were on vacation so it didn't matter--more time for the scenery (and oh what scenery)

Anyway....packing-wise, Triskeliongirl has just about everything I could think of. The wrapper was nice for not standing out like a cyclist. Our weather (same time of the year) started with fog and cool in the AM (jackets and long sleeves) and by afternoon, you could be dripping in sweat. So, arm warmers and a packable jacket are a must.

Lightweight pants for strolling Paris and maybe a skirt for evening wear. I'm happy with a bright skirt, simple coolmax T and my "dress Tevas", but I'm rather casual even when dressed up.

If you haven't booked a hotel in Paris and you want me to I can look ours up for you. Simple, basic (two twin bed, maybe a little room to turn around; bathroom and shower stall). Nothing fancy, but clean, friendly, and located across from the Sorbonne (and a great little cafe around the corner for breakfast and people watching).

Great choice in vacation (our take....http://www.cassandrathorn.com/PhotoR...05/2005France/)

Oh, and if the weather gets hot, stop in a cafe and try a Mint Diabolo (?sp?)--awesomely refreshing.

Enjoy

[michelem]

DH & I did a bike tour in Italy this summer. We did the "one bag" thing and it worked out just fine (one carry-on bag each). PM me if you want a copy of our packing lists - I can e-mail them to you.

[CommuterChick]

This group is the best!

The Experience Plus list is too general to be that useful, I'm going by Rick Steves and turning to your collective wisdom for bike-specific.

Thorn, how wonderful you rode in the same area! Shame they cancelled you -- was it the same time of yr? I always take Paris hotel recommendations, so by all means send it! We were able to book http://www.hotelprinceparis.com/ just off the Rue Cler -- nothing fancy, we kinda set the bar at clean 2-star Rick Steves level.

Kelownagirl, you do look fine in your photo -- I think summer weather might be easier, it's the inbetween stuff that's forcing all this thought. I've got 3 pr undies, that Ex Officio stuff, 3 pr quick dry sox and that's all I need, they're great.

Hmm, Triskeliongirl, you're all recommending skorts, I'll revisit that. I do have my trusty reversible skirt for city/country, happy/conservative wear. But a skort could be good, I've been riding a lot, maybe could pull it off ;-) And I've got the soap, so I'm good there. Plus we always pack a small container of goop -- perfect for those chocolate gelato stains.


I had planned on taking a helmet, but it was a matter of shlepping it around for a week in Paris. Since they can provide it, why not? And since I don't use clip-ins now (it's a goal of mine), I figured the French countryside was not the place to learn.


Michelem, tnks for the packing list offer, I'll PM you.

Any favorite thin pad shorts?

thanks!

[kelownagirl]

We stayed here for 3 days in Paris. Smallish rooms but spotless and nicely decorated. Best part was that we could walk to the Eiffel Tower and the Arch de triomphe.

http://www.hotel-ambassade-paris.fed...page_en_1.html

I might have a picture of our room if you're interested...

[Christopher]

Sounds a great trip. On top of what's already been recommended, I'd say to take a Buff or something you'd use as a 'cool rag', as the limestone plateaux can be very hot indeed. The light can also be very strong as it reflects off the limestone, so pack best sunglasses and good sunblock.
Oh and the Gouffre de Pardirac is a steady 60 degrees F or so, so perhaps a light fleece would be good. I think the trip lasts about an hour, long enough to get quite cold without a jacket, especially if it's been hot on the surface.

[Thorn]

We stayed at http://www.hotel-cluny.fr/home.php. We did walk from there to the Eifel Tower, but it was quite a hike. However, it was quite convenient for the medieval art museum and Notre Dame (where we huddled inside with 1000 other people hiding from the rain until we realized that the gargoyles would be fun to see in a downpour). Well, and it is also close to the Luxemburg gardens because anyone who tries to learn French using the PBS series French in Action must visit the Luxembourg Gardens I think we got the hotel from Rick Steves, too--a great way to find a 2-star that doesn't break the bank and you know has seen a cleaning staff.

But, yep, we were set to do an October-ish Dordogne trip in 2005. The entire travel industry was depressed and they couldn't fill the trip. They expressed almost as much disappointment as us as, apparently, it is one of the favorite trips of the owner. Odd, though, I have a travel motto--"it isn't what you didn't do, it is what you did that counts" and, our backup plan turned out to be more fun that I could have imagined. We had planned on self-catering in a couple of years (after I had some French), but the cancelling forced us to push the envelope. By the end of the trip, my French was still miserable, but I wasn't at all embarassed to get into a Frenglish conversation.

Ahh...it was a good trip...hope yours is just as good (or even bettter, if possible!)