Will you be jetting off to the South of France soon, but are stressing about what to pack? While planning for hot and sunny summer French Riviera weather is generally straightforward, fall can be another story. As it happens, I’ve just returned from a two-week South of France trip and am sharing my complete packing list below.

Yes, fall offers relief from scorching summer Mediterranean heat, but will you need a jacket? Maybe you are also wondering if there will still be beach weather or if you should expect rain instead.

I will admit, fall weather in the South of France can be tricky to predict and even trickier to pack for. However, below I will share everything I brought with me in a carry-on bag to help you determine what you actually need. Without further ado, let’s breakdown what to bring on the perfect South of France packing list.

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you buy or book through one of these links, I may earn a small commission.

---

A Complete South of France Packing List in October

You may be wondering how I packed for a two-week South of France trip in just one carry-on bag? My honest answer is that I stayed in an Airbnb in Antibes that had a washer during part of my trip.

This enabled me to pack less clothing, since I could wash and re-wear most of my outfits. Bringing less stuff also means you’re luggage is not nearly as giant and heavy to lug around cities like Nice upon arrival.

Here are all the items I squeezed into my carry-on, including things I didn’t need and things I wish I would’ve brought.

South of France Packing List Essentials:

Below are the items you absolutely must have (or would do well not to forget) when visiting the South of France:

• Passport
• Copy of passport to keep on your person. I like to keep my actual passport locked in my hotel room to avoid it being lost or stolen. Even a phone screenshot is better than nothing.
• Global Entry card
• Boarding pass (be sure it reflects TSA PreCheck if you have it)
• Credit cards: I like to bring one Visa and one Mastercard when traveling internationally.
• ATM card: You generally won’t need much cash when traveling in the South of France, unless you’re really planning to get off the beaten path. Withdrawing about €100 per person upon arrival will ensure you have cash for purchases at markets and small businesses. You can always take out more if needed.
• Face masks: While optional at this point, let’s face it – they can help prevent illnesses contracted during travel. Admittedly, I’ve largely stopped wearing them and guess what? I have a post-trip cold!

Good to know: Starting in the first half of 2025, Americans will need a visa to enter France and other European countries.

What to Wear in the South of France

Outfits to wear in the French Riviera vary by person and season. Obviously, you want to look somewhat stylish in towns like Nice and Cannes, but also dress comfortably for exploring. Here are my best tips when considering what to wear in the French Riviera:

• Bring Layers: Temperatures are pretty mild in the South of France during the fall. Expect warm days where a jacket is not required and cool nights. Mornings can be chilly and warrant a light jacket – especially in late October and November. Shorts are generally not worn this time of year except for hiking or exercising.
• For wet weather: Expect there to be rain at least one of your days if you are traveling in October or November, as this is statistically the rainiest season. I recommend having a light rain jacket, extra socks, and an umbrella.
• Packing bulky items: Coats can be difficult to fit into carry-on luggage. Therefore, I’d advise simply wearing them on the plane if you are lacking space (you can always take them off during your flight).
• Mix and match: I like to pack multiple tops that can go with a few pairs of pants, a jacket, and a scarf (a capsule wardrobe). It also helps to stay within a simple color palette of black, white, denim, and neutrals.
• Channel the Locals: While I did squeeze in a couple fun outfits, it’s not realistic to go full “Emily in Paris” when packing just a carry-on. That said, the French have a more subdued style anyhow, so keeping it simple will help you blend in.

Here is exactly what I packed for my recent two-week trip, where I spent 10 days in the French Riviera.

The Clothing I Packed for 2 Weeks in the French Riviera, Annecy, & Geneva

• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Pullover sweatshirt
• 14 pairs of underwear
• 3 pairs of no-show socks (for dress shoes)
• 14 pairs of regular socks
• 1 pair of black patterned tights
• 8 tank tops for sleeping
• 3 bras (2 regular, one strapless)
• 2 sports bras
• 1 bralette
• 2 pairs of pajama shorts
• 3 basic t-shirts (1 white, 1 black, 1 black and white striped)
• 2 graphic t-shirts
• 2 pairs of jeans (1 skinny, 1 straight)
• 1 pair of black lounge pants
• One pair of linen pants (white with skinny blue stripes – I actually liked wearing these hiking because they were moisture-wicking)
• 2 pairs of hiking pants (I was the only one wearing yoga pants. I recommend keeping colors plain to blend in. Black is always classic choice).
• 2 athletic tops for hiking
• 1 casual light jacket (beige)
• 1 light rain jacket (light green)
• 1 long-sleeve long flowy dress (was warm enough without jacket during mid-October evenings in Nice)
• 2 dressy tops (1 black and white polka dot blouse, 1 black short sleeve sweater)
• 1 black camisole (layered under jacket)
• 4 casual short-sleeve/tank tops (2 black, 1 blue, 1 white)
• 1 scarf (great for layering on chilly days)
• 2 bracelets
• 2 necklaces
• Optional: A swimsuit. Most beach clubs are closed and temperatures are generally not comfortable for swimming. However, I did see people in the water sometimes. The Mediterranean sun still feels pretty hot even when the high is in the low 70’s°F (20’s°C).

Note: I also purchased two pairs of small hoop earring from the Galeries Lafayette in Nice and wore them almost every day.

Footwear for the South of France

Shoes will depend on what works for your feet, as well as room in your suitcase. I recommend bringing no more than two different types of shoes if you’re only packing a carry-on. Here’s what I brought:

• 1 pair of tennis shoes to wearing hiking and exploring
• 1 pair of black dress shoes to wear out to dinner
• Shoe inserts – I would be lost without my arch supports

If you want to blend in with the locals, try to keep shoes neutral. White sneakers and black or beige dress shoes are best. I brought black running shoes since that what I already owned.

Planning a trip to the South of France? Then make sure to join my Facebook group for the best tips, places, and hotels on the French Riviera.

Personal Care Items

Below are all the essentials you’ll need for personal care when packing for the French Riviera or elsewhere in the South of France. If you aren’t checking luggage, you will be limited to a 1-quart bag with up to 3.4 oz. each for liquids, gels, and aerosols.

To comply with this, I often use small reusable containers for shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. However, if you aren’t picky, hotels and vacation rentals usually provide these items for free. For things like face wash and shave gel, I try to find samples sizes for purchase from stores like Target, Sephora, and Ulta Beauty.

Pack in Your Carry-on

• Face sheet masks
• Eye sheet masks (I like brightening ones with caffeine)
• Wide toothed comb
• Dental floss
• Toothbrush
• Deodorant
• Cream blush
• Bronzer
• Makeup brushes
• Black eyeliner
• Neutral eye shadow palette
• Hair ties
• Fashion tape
• Cotton balls
• Q-tips
• Eyelash curler
• Pads/tampons
• Razor
• Mouth guard (I wear one while sleeping)

Pack in a Separate 1-Quart Liquids Bag

• Toothpaste
• Eye makeup remover (consider bringing wipes instead to save space in liquids bag)
• Perfume
• Eye shadow primer
• Mascara
• Sunscreen
• Foundation or skin tint with SPF
• Face wash
• Moisturizer
• Eye cream
• Under eye concealer
• Hand lotion
• Shave gel

If it is still difficult to squeeze the above items into a small 1-quart bag, see if you can share anything with your travel companions (if applicable). My husband always seems to have extra space and we can both use the same toothpaste.

Additionally, some airlines have become more lenient with hand sanitizer in recent years. Therefore, you might be able to pack a small container outside of your normal liquids bag.

Medications

It’s critical to continue taking care of your health while traveling; the last thing you need is downtime in your Cannes hotel nursing an ailment. I actually stayed in bed a full day during a previous Paris trip because of a stomach bug. Things happen!

Minimize interrupting your adventures for medical reasons by staying prepared. This includes daily prescriptions and preventative items, just in case.

• Prescription meds
• Advil or other pain reliever
• Band-aids
• Neosporin
• Vitamins (keep that immunity high while traveling) – optional
• Probiotic (in case of upset stomach)

Electronics

In today’s world, it’s necessary to travel with at least some electronics. For example, you’ll definitely want your cell phone for communication, if not also for navigation and photos.

Even though international flights usually have decent entertainment, I still like to download a few Netflix shows to my iPad. I also prefer to bring my Sony A6000 camera for high quality photos.

• Cell phone
• Phone charger
• iPad
• iPad charger (may be same as phone)
• Portable USB charger
• Universal travel adapter/converter (the outlets in Europe are a different shape and voltage than in the USA)
• Camera
• Camera lens
• Camera charger
• Hair straightener
• Hair wand for curls (or curling iron)

Other South of France Packing List Necessities

Below are some other miscellaneous items you will want for your South of France trip. I know I was glad to have the following:

• Printed copies of itinerary, entry tickets, addresses for lodging
• Small cross-body purse
• Any unused euros from prior trips
• Reusable water bottle (insulated is ideal – be sure to fill up before boarding your flight!)
• Under-the-seat-bag for plane
• Cell phone tripod
• Headphones
• Pen
• Alcohol wipes for airport and plane (surfaces can be dirty)
• Books
• Snacks for plane. I really don’t like plane food, so I often bring granola bars from home and purchase sandwiches in the airport

Items to Leave at Home When Packing for the South of France

Don’t bother bringing the below items, which are supplied by your hotel or will otherwise take up extra space. You can always buy the below products as needed in Nice or elsewhere.

• Hair Dryer: This one is up to you. Technically, everywhere I’ve stayed in the South of France has had a hair dryer. However, at Nice’s Hotel Le Grimaldi, the hair dryer in my room was awful, so I air dried my hair every day. Only bring a hair dryer if you have the space and refuse to potentially air dry.
• Towels: All hotels and Airbnb’s have bath towels. Beach towels are another story, although they may be provided at beach clubs.
• Sunscreen for body: If you can fit this in your bag, great. I was able to fit a compact bottle on a recent trip. Otherwise, you will find plenty of sunscreen to purchase at French pharmacies.
• Bug spray: Only buy on arrival if needed. I have gotten some mild insect bites while traveling in the South of France, but so few that it’s not worth it to me to pack insect repellant.
• Anti-itch cream for mosquito bites: If you really need it, you can simply buy this product in France.

• • •

Now you are all set to start packing for the South of France in just one carry-on bag and small personal item (if you want). Not only will you look fabulous while staying comfortable, but you can also avoid the hassle of checking a bag. All you have to worry about now is buying train tickets and deciding which charming villages to visit (after getting that much-desired passport stamp!).