What Type of Bag to Wear in Paris

With travel in fully swing again, I thought it would be the optimal time to discuss the best bag to carry when exploring Paris. Time and time again, I get asked by readers visiting Europe which is: What Type of Bag to Wear in Paris, while discovering the city, if it’s okay to wear a luxury bag around the city, and what essentials should I carry in my bag? 

If you are anything like me, when you are exploring a city you pop on a good pair of sneakers and could walk for hours around a new city exploring. By exploring in popular tourist areas, it’s common to be fearful of pickpockets. Even myself, who lived in a very tourist area for 7 years in Paris, I’m still fearful of being pick-pocketed. With that being said, today, I’m going to discuss what type of bag you should pack to Europe. 

Best Type of Bag to Wear in Paris

Given that you are going to be exploring the tourist areas, walking around in unfamiliar areas, and possibly taking the metro, the best bag to wear in Paris is a cross-body bag that has a zipper closure. Wearing this type of bag will limit your changes of being a target to thieves. If you own a cross-body bag with a thick strap, that’s even better. Crossbody bags are hands down the best bag to carry around Paris, plus, they are also typically on the light side, so it’s not heavy to carry if you are walking around for hours. 

I would avoid wearing any bag that has a large opening such as a Louis Vuitton Neverfull, these bags make it easy for someone to reach their hands into your bag when you’re not paying attention or in a crowded area. 

Can I carry a Luxury Bag around Paris?

One of the most popular questions I receive from people traveling to Paris, “Should I avoid wearing a Luxury Bag Around Paris”

The answer is simple, Wearing a luxury bag around Paris is absolutely fine! After all, Paris is one of the shopping capitals of the world! I would recommend if you are worried, pack a luxury bag that has a zipper closure and secure! Some of the most popular luxury bags I see people wearing around Paris are Louis Vuitton Bags, Celine Bags, Dior Bags, and YSL Bags.

For reference, if I’m carrying my Birkin Bag I will always Uber to my location and never take the metro. Definitely keep that in mind when you are packing your suitcase with your favorite designer bag or bags! Do you have a favorite bag to carry in Paris?

What should I pack in My Bag for a Day out Paris?

The first thing on the list is a portable Charger. You will be taking endless amounts of photos, using your phone for navigation, and looking up places to go. All these phone activities drain your battery, and it’s important that you have a portable charger with you. If you don’t have a portable charger then I would pack a wall charger (Then worst case you can always pop into a starbucks and charge your phone). 

The second thing that should always be in your bag if you visit Paris is a few Euros. I’m not talking thousands of dollars, but some smaller cafés and restaurants don’t accept credit card, so it’s always good to have a few Euros on you. 

The third thing I would recommend packing in your bag is Sunglasses. Paris weather can change so quickly, one second it’s cloudy out the next it’s super sunny. It’s important to always have your sunglasses with you!

Don’t forget your wallet, hotel / airbnb key, and a passport if you are utilizing the VAT Tax refund!

What If I buy a Luxury Bag in Paris, will it be safe?

If you are like me, you’re probably going to do some shopping in Paris! In fact, so many brands are actually cheaper in Paris than the US, and on top of that you get the VAT TAX refund back. 

With that being said, if you buy a Luxury Bag in Paris, I would definitely recommend taking an Uber or walking if you are close back to your hotel / apartment. You don’t want to be on the metro or walking long distances with your luxury shopping bags.

Once you get back to the hotel, I highly recommend that you take your luxury bag out of the shopping bag and store it in your suitcase with a Lock. My suitcase doesn’t have a built-in lock but I use the TSA approved ones. With luxury purchases, you can never be too careful.

Recap on What type of bag to wear in Paris

In Short, the Best Type of bag to Carry in Paris is a cross-body bag with a zipper closure. A cross-body is easy to wear for hours, is lightweight, and provides the best protection from being a target of a thief. I would highly recommend you  avoid wearing a bag that has an open and no secure closure. 

If you plan to go shopping and purchase a luxury bag in Paris, I recommend that after you purchase your luxury bag, head to your hotel by walking if you are close or by Uber. You don’t want to be carrying your luxury shopping bags on the metro. If you have no other choice than to take the  metro, sometimes luxury brands offer a neutral shopping bag. 

Sincerely Petite in Paris,

Diane