France for eight months and three seasons

Lisa,
It would help us to know what months you are going to be there.
Are you going to live only in Albi?
Also, have you checked the packing list on RS website?
That will give you a starting point and/or ideas on what to pack.
If you are going only to 1 place you can take more luggage since you won't be trucking it around.
Have fun.

Are you an EU citizen or have the authority to live in France for eight months?

It doesn't really take more stuff to live 8 months than 2. I'd do a basic layered wardrobe with silk long underwear to make it winter ready. Plan to augment your wardrobe once there if there is something you missed. It is easier to buy an extra jacket or sweater than to pack tons of stuff you won't need. I'd probably have 3 pairs of trousers, fitted t shirts for warm weather and cotton turtles and base layer for cold weather and a cashmere sweater and a polartek and a lightweight down vest for layering under a short trench coat or a shell suitable for hiking. The only thing I would commit to carrying with me for sure is very good shoes -- light hiking shoes that are water resistant are not only important for hiking but serve well in rainy weather in town. And at least one other pair of comfortable shoes you can walk miles in. For me it is Merrill breeze clogs. I'd not take more stuff than fits in a 24 inch suitcase and a small daypack as plane carry on that can double for hikes.

Nobody packs for eight months. Generally it is for eight days or maybe two weeks with planned stops at the laundry. If you are staying put in one area, you only take enough to get started and buy what you need while there. After eight month either ship home what you cannot carry or give it to a charity. How are you handling the 90 day limit of the Schengen zone?

What will you be doing?

Working? Retired early? Mature student? Guest professor?

What would you wear for what you want to do at home?

By the way - where is home? Do you have a similar climate to Toulouse or are you from hotter or colder climates?

I'm sure that you thought that you were giving a complete question but filling in the blanks will help us help you a lot more.

Are you aware of, and have dealt with, Schengen requirements?

When you say "light hiking" what do you mean by that? Do you mean walking in town and the surrounding countryside or do you mean needing walking poles and hiking shoes on unmade trails in the mountains? Thanks for filling us in.

If you have a French ID card and the French passport, you have the legal obstacles behind you, if you are not going over for job related reasons.

To me, "light hiking" means you are doing day hikes ranging in easy to moderate intensity, sticking to a pre-existing trail, and you likely don't need any specialized gear beyond a water bottle, a really good pair of waterproof trail shoes and some clothing that can be easily layered with a few pieces that have moisture-wicking or SPF features.

If you have an REI near you, pop in and explain to them what type of hikes you'll be doing and they will help you out. I'd recommend getting a jacket that "breaks apart" - waterproof outer shell, zip out insulated liner that can be worn on its own when it's warmer outside (Fall/Spring). And you can zip those pieces together and then add a fleece pullover or sweater underneath the jacket as an additional layer if your 8 months covers any months featuring winter temps. Spring and Fall can sometimes be chilly in France, so I'd bring a scarf, hat and gloves.

I'd get a moisture-wicking long sleeve top and leggings thin enough to wear underneath pants or another shirt to keep yourself warm on the chilliest days - something like Lands' End Thermaskins can work (and can also double as PJs on really cold nights). Get fitted for the right trail shoes for your particular foot. I love my Merrell MOAB 2 waterproof trail shoes and have also had some Keen's I really liked, but I got fitted by REI. I also swear by WrightSox dual layer socks to help avoid blisters or hot spots starting when I'm hiking long distances.

As for the rest of the time when you aren't hiking - just think layers that work in a place that experiences various seasons - you'll want short and long sleeve tops, jeans or whatever type of pants you normally wear at home when it's chilly and when it's warm. One or 2 outfits for dressier evenings out if you think you'll go to some nice restaurants, a bar, concert or theater event. Get yourself a pair of really comfortable flats you can walk all over in as your "city" shoes (plan for cobblestones) which can also be worn with your dressier outfits as well as more casual clothing. Add a pair of lightweight sandals and a bathing suit if you plan to do beach time in the warm months. For the clothing, stick to solids in neutral colors that work well with each other. Most of my travel wardrobe tends to be black, grey, white and navy blue.

There are loads of YouTube videos available online put together by women who travel suggesting what to pack if you are looking for more ideas.

lisajune, I’ve done this a few times for Paris. I stick to one color for pants, taking 3-4 pairs of black pants, different kinds of shoes mostly black, a variety of t-shirts, 2-3 sweaters, leggings that double as pj bottoms or layered under pants, a black jacket to wear with a fancier blouse and the black pants for dressy, a raincoat, winter coat, scarf, hat, gloves, a tiny bit of jewelry, some silk scarves for accessorizing, and a good quality black handbag. No, it doesn’t fit in a carry on. You’ll find more clothes to buy there once you pickup the local styles. It will be chilly Albi until late spring.

If we can trust the weather-summary chart on Albi's Wikipedia page (I haven't gone looking for a primary source), the average low temperatures are below 36F in the months of December, January, February and March. It most definitely can get unpleasantly hot in the summer, as can Toulouse.

Well, I am so impressed with this outpouring. Thanks to everyone. The last entrant really helped me a lot for my particular situation. But please dokeep your thoughts coming. I am gaining confidence. Amazing how emotions are so tied to clothing choices ! I’m considering using sendmybag.com to ship some things ahead. I am an EU citizen for those asking about my ability to stay there legally for so long.

Yup black clothing and shoes with punches of scarf color and bits of jewelry sounds reasonable but my red pumps talked me into bringing them alongside my black walking shoes. Gotta do it. 😉

I agree on the red pumps. For 8 months you most definitely need a change of shoes. And shoes are the one thing you don't want to have to purchase once you get there. The luxury of a foot-familiar comfy pair of shoes can not be overestimated.

An EU citizen...bravo! No doubt you have the ID card too and the passport. In France the ID card is more important than the passport, but then you most likely knew that anyway.

Since it took years for me to do this correctly, I’ll add this unrelated tidbit FYI in case you don’t know: you enter and exit the EU with the EU passport, but you exit and reenter the US with the US passport.

Will you explain about the ID card please?

Is travel insurance recommended?

Albi, where I will be living is not getting more than a few iches of snow ever , so do I bring just ankle boots or also just below the knee boots to wear as well? What do the local women wear, in this respect ? I seem to recall lots of boots just below the knee but that was when I lived in Grenoble decades ago.

Just wondering if it is worth it to haul my knee high boots with me? Is it a fashion “ thing” there or should I swallow my vanity?

This is a lot of anguish over boots and shoes. Why not take what you need for the first couple of months and either buy what you need later or have someone ship you your whole wardrobe.

Lisajune2015, I’d definitely go for the ankle boots over the just under the knees. Easier to pack, and (for me) easier on the feet.

Thank you for your kindness. Has anyone experience with shipping bags ahead of time with sendmybags.com?

Hi,

I was referring to the identity card in France. It's called the "carte d'identitê" which suffices for EU citizens when crossing into another EU country, say going from France to Belgium or Germany.

In Germany this ID card is the "Personalausweis."

As you are already an EU citizen, inquire at the French Consulate if you need the "carte d'identitê" if you don't have one.

As of a few years ago, France no longer requires EU citizens of other countries to get a French identity card (this is from the experience of my Italian husband).