Why is it harder to pack for a summer short trip?

I don't think you need to go that minimal. You're going on a whim. It's a short trip. You're not moving between destinations. And it's Paris. Take all your fabulous summer clothes and have fun.
On a practical level, I would want to have a top and two pairs of underwear per day. I would take both dresses, linen shirts and skirts and more pants/shorts/capris. Instead of the sweaters, how about a lightweight shawl/sarong that you could use on the plane and/or in case you are chilly in the hotel? It might also provide some extra shade when combined with a big sun hat. I'm thinking of you standing in a crowd in the hot sun at the end of the race.

it’s hot in Europe right now I don’t know if tops can be worn more
than once without laundry

Pack a little atomizer bottle so you can spray the smelly parts with vodka per Mardee's tip.

I’m sorry if the top is hot and sweaty, I don’t want to just spray it to get rid of stink I want to clean it so I’m taking one that will dry overnight. That’s just me. It’s not anything wrong with the idea, but I know myself.

I realize I could take all this stuff, but I also need to be able to lift the suitcase into the overhead bin by myself without assistance because I certainly don’t want to check it

Now coming back, it will be under the plane mainly because I buy liquids in Paris😂

Time to get out the kitchen scale so you can choose the lightest fabulous linen garments. Have a great time!

Carol, your minimal option list looks good to me, especially if the dress is one that washes/dries quickly overnight. I have a Royal Robbins dress that I literally wear every other day if I’m some place really hot because it feels cool and dries very quickly. (I have three of them now in various colors/prints because I wear them during the summer at home, too.)

Just check this week if it’s warm in your city that everything you’re planning to take feels good in hot temperatures. I had a shirt I took a few years ago to Italy made of some unknown fabric that turned into a personal sauna when I wore it the first day in Venice - ugh. ; )

If it’s really hot, I like to take an additional quick cool shower later afternoon and change into a dress, so I pack 2-3 dresses and additional underwear sets. Your skirt could work as that option, too.

Have a great time!

Second vote for Royal Robbin’s dresses. I wore them on hot days in Vietnam. You can dress them up with a chain, scarf and sandals. Or be comfy in sneakers. Easy to wash in the sink… and quick to dry!

I don’t think your list for 5 days is minimal at all! Just take at least 2 tops you can sink wash, wrap in towel, then hang dry overnight and you are golden. I mean, it’s only 5 days! Sounds like a fun trip, have a great time!

Thanks Jean, I'm going to try the Royal Robbins dress, but sleeveless really doesn't work for me. (I think the word used to describe it was 'frumpy'??) We shall see!!!

https://www.zappos.com/p/womens-royal-robbins-camino-pucker-dress-deep-blue/product/10024295/color/32354

Five hot days = six short-sleeve blouses, plus your one long-sleeve blouse. No laundry needed.

How many pairs of shoes are you taking?

The TDF two years ago, both in the Pyrenees and at the end, in Nice, was exceedingly hot. Stay hydrated, and hopefully you can find some shade.

I’m having difficulties packing for our Wales trip later this week. Unusually warm (hot) there, but you also have to account for expected rain, and it might cool off after few days, and we’re planning on hiking, in addition to needing “city” clothes. London the very end, but clothes will be more casual than I’d normally prefer, as I’m not packing for any formal occasions. One opera performance, but it’s outside. Oh, to have big luggage, and packing for any occasion, and somebody to transport it. If I had a private jet, all that other stuff would fall into place.

Enjoy Le Tour! Hope the riders get some relief from the miserably hot roads. The organizers have been adjusting the stage schedules, to shorten the time in the excessive heat, but it doesn’t seem to be making an enormous difference.

Sandanciso, the dress I have & like a lot is the Royal Robbins Spotless Traveler Tank Dress. I usually don’t care for sleeveless, but it’s cut very nicely along the shoulders.