Paris museum’s / Security

It's probably easiest to visit the websites of the individual museums themselves for their lists of prohibited items. Here are the visitor regulations for the Louvre:

https://www.louvre.fr/sites/default/files/medias/medias_fichiers/fichiers/PDF/louvre-visitor-regulations.pdf

Depending on the size, you may have to check the bag

In the event that you do have to check your bag, I suggest you take a small cross-body bag or pouch to put your valuables in. Something you can carry in the larger bag if you want, but pull out if you have to check it.

We are in Pairs now and have been for 5 days. We have been to most of the major museums and sights and frankly I woul leave the pack at your room. It is nothing but an additional burden and a real time waster in security lines as every bag is xrayed or searched or both. In museums these bags can be a real bother to those around you especially in the really crowded places.

In addition you can buy water and snacks from vendors for very reasonable prices at virtually every major sight in Paris.

Also do what the Parisians do (the men at least) carry your wallet in your front pocket.

Lease your passports and documents at the hotel.

You will be less tired and happier without all that baggage. Of course I cant predict the weather but for the last 5 consecutive days here it has been sunny 80-85 dregs and not a cloud in the sky. I am hoping this weather follows me to Normandy.

Have a good trip.

Note that a front pocket is not secure from pickpockets. I know three men who have lost wallets that way. Pickpockets are pros. Use an inside secure zipped pocket in a jacket or if you don't have something like that, get a neck pouch worn under the shirt.

And yeah. I can't tell you how much my life improved when I stopped lugging a heavy bag everywhere. We carry one messenger bag between us on day trips and take turns carrying it. but for touring around Paris I manage just fine without a purse or pack. And if lugging a large camera have just the small bag for that. You don't need to lug rain jackets, water bottles, snacks, etc etc around town. Once I figured out I was hauling all this weight and seldom using the stuff, I felt so free.

Why not just wear a money belt? All you need is an ID, debit card and some cash. Maybe museum and metro tickets.

Also do what the Parisians do (the men at least) carry your wallet in
your front pocket.

No, no, no! I know well-traveled people personally who've lost their wallets this way and never felt a thing. We don't use moneybelts because they are not intended to be accessed publicly AT ALL plus we simply can't tolerate them on us but there are other methods of keeping the goodies safe and sound.

Kathy what's wrong with a money belt? Rick Steves recommends it.

Leave most money and credit cards in the hotel safe - if you have one. Don't make the mistake of putting anything in rain jackets - pickpockets are excellent.
You will have "a side pack" - what it that, exactly?
Fruit and snacks and a water bottle are OK and cameras may not be permitted, depending on which museum you choose.
It probably won't rain...

Kathy what's wrong with a money belt? Rick Steves recommends it.

I know he does, and there's nothing "wrong" if them if you find them comfortable but they don't work for us. There are multiple ways to skin that cat and we just find some other methods more to our liking.

We’re going to be spending all day and well into the evening out and about Paris...Will be visiting several museums.

Do you have just one day in Paris? If so, I suggest you limit your museum list to one (especially if it is the Louvre) or two. It is easy to get museum burnout. Besides, there's so much more to Paris than museums and the usual suspects big attractions (Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Arch de Triumph, etc.).

I also agree on limiting the size of your bag and the amount of stuff you haul around. As mentioned, you'll get tired of carrying it and it also makes you a more appealing target. I don't want to either overemphasize or underemphasize the dangers of petty crime. It is good to be vigilant and take steps to help prevent being a victim. This includes when and how you visit hot spots. Practice situational awareness. The only time I felt a little uncomfortable was when we were strolling down the Champs-Elyse. Suddenly I was approached by one of the infamous "survey takers". She seemed to come out of the blue, which was a warning sign I wasn't paying enough attention to my environment. After giving her a polite but firm "non, merci", I did a 360 scan to look for her partners/accomplices.

Kathy....I will be in Paris in June. Had thought about maybe getting a money belt. I am curious as to what other ways you use to keep your belongings more secure? And did you carry a purse? Thanks.

A money belt is a body safe; they are not purses to be accessed in public. Those neck wallet things can be used by men under shirts and accessed. I find them uncomfortable and have an irrational fear of someone grabbing the cord, but have never heard of that happening. For women, if you don't have secure hidden zipped pockets then use a small cross body bag worn in front. I use a money belt in transit on public transport and then when I get to the lodging, stow it in the hotel safe or in the apartment.

As janet says.. a money belt is not used to access money during your day out sightseeing ( if you must. go into a private place like a bathroom stall ) .. its DEEP storage.. not a purse!

Ive used a purse in Paris for the last 40 yrs.. ever since I started carrying one.. why wouldnt I .. do you think Parisian women dont carry purses. I use a cross body messenger style bag.. and I put my money in the inside zipped pocket.. I generally leave my passport in my room safe.. if doing a daytrip out of city I will take it though.. sometimes in moneybelt. .but I generally only wear a moneybelt when traveling.. not sightseeing.

Vaccines .. nope.. its Europe not Africa Mexico or South American.. lol they get all the same vaccines we do so if you are up to date for what you need at home ( say Tetnus ) then you are fine.

I wouldn't carry all the stuff either.. you arent camping.

PS.. while museums do allow WATER.. many forbid other liquids like juices and soda. ( too messy if spilled ) Some allow a few snacks.. most do not allow entire picnic lunches( they don't want people tempted to munch on a sandwich while walking about )

Is your hotel way out.. most folks do return later in day to freshen up for dinner and rest a bit..

Yes, I understand that women in Paris carry purses. I was just asking Kathy specifically about her method since she doesn't use a money belt but has "found other ways of keeping the goodies safe." Just was looking for info. I think the safe at the hotel will come in handy and I will just use a small cross over purse for just a few items.

Versailles made me check a full size umbrella but said a small fold up umbrella was okay to carry. I didn't carry anything into Paris museums but saw they check all bags and purses. I don't know at what point they make you leave it at the door?

Versailles made me check a full size umbrella but said a small fold up umbrella was okay to carry. I didn't carry anything into Paris museums but saw they check all bags and purses. I don't know at what point they make you leave it at the door?

I was just asking Kathy specifically about her method since she
doesn't use a money belt but has "found other ways of keeping the
goodies safe.

Csolinda, we have a mid-sized, cross-body, unisex Pacsafe bag with locking zippers that my husband usually carries (although I would if traveling alone) for his daily cash/card, copies of our passports, a guidebook & map, a small camera, shared water bottle and a few of his small personal items.

I carry a very lightweight nylon shoulder bag for the larger camera, extra battery, a emergency supplies (Advil, wet wipes, tissues, moleskin, a few bandaids), hairbrush, notepad & 2nd map. Sometimes we'll tuck travel umbrellas into the mix. My daily cash and a card go into a very small, zippered cloth pouch I pin under my waistband: comfortable, invisible and inaccessible to fingers other than my own.

The bulk of the cash and extra cards stay the the room safe. When we transfer cities or countries, most of it goes into the Pacsafe. Unlike some other tourists, when we leave the hotel in the morning we're almost always gone until turning in for the night so we go prepared for the day. But neither bag is overly large, and we've only had to check them at museums which make you check EVERYTHING, like the Borghese in Rome.

I'll mention that I have often have a couple of small bills and some coin in my pocket - nothing I can't afford to lose - and never had them lifted.

Thank you Kathy! I appreciate all that info. Sounds like a good way to go.