That Buzzfeed video was hilarious. Definitely showing to my just-turned-18 picky eater D who swears she will be more food adventurous on this trip!
We are truly excited. We have a cottage on Lake Huron in Canada where the waters are perpetually cold. I can’t wait to dip my feet in the sea and feel the warm clear water!!!
Travel time is just about here! We are doing some “pre-packing” at home - is it true that the 3-1-1 “liquid” policy does not apply to things packed in your checked baggage??? I haven’t checked baggage in ages and didn’t even think about this!
Have fun, abasket. Don’t forget to come back here with a full trip report.
You are correct, abasket. The 3-1-1 is only for your carry-on. You could bring an entire bottle of shampoo in your checked luggage if you wanted. Bon voyage!
Have a great trip - Paris is unique. Just an incredible city.
I didn’t read all the previous posts, although I’ve lurked off and on. Did anyone warn you about topless European sunbathing? I’ve never encountered anything offensive, but I do remember my shock the first time I encountered it. I still haven’t really adjusted. A couple years ago, I took my then 21 year old son to Italy and refused to go to the beach with him - didn’t want to deal with culture shock in a hormonal young man.
My husband and I still laugh about our favorite French sunbathing culture experience - we were staying at a quite nice hotel in Provence (when the $ was VERY strong - couldn’t afford it today). There was a young American couple lounging at the pool with us when a similarly young, very well endowed French young woman came to swim. Topless. The young husband could not keep his eyes off her and the young wife couldn’t keep the anger off her face as she stared at her husband eyeing the goods. We’ve often wondered what became of that marriage.
I can’t wait to hear your stories! Good luck on the flights!
Thanks all! I do know about the topless bathing. The trip to France I could have gone on with my mom and 10 year old brother when I was 18 (but didn’t because I was “in love” at home) - well, my mom and brother, age 10 wandered on one of those beaches! The 4 of us traveling together range in age from 18 to 81 - all women - we won’t join in but I won’t be shocked if we should see some topless women!
Man, wish I had figured out this 3-1-1 thing does not apply to checked baggage - I might have made some different purchases for family “hostess” gifts! I tried to choose all gifts that would be flat and light - a linen/embroidered envelope clutch, a beach/pool cover up, pretty kitchen towels, jewelry. Oh well!
Maybe I’ll pick up some small bottles of pure maple syrup - that was one thing I thought about (or honey??) and I see both are mentioned in this article - those of you familiar with French culture - are maple syrup and/or honey not easily found there???
http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2013/02/food-gifts-to-bring-french-people-from-america/
I was in Paris last fall with a friend who had studied there (in the last century) and has returned every other year or so since. She was insistent we buy lavender honey to bring home - she claims it’s something one can get in France, but is not the same if found here in the States. I don’t know if that’s just her notion, but I did get the impression that honey from Provence and perhaps other regions is readily available in France. (Paris Opera has bees on the roof and sells their honey!). It’s not really my condiment of choice, so I didn’t do a survey of availability. Maple syrup - don’t know about - seems like that’s maybe more of a Canadian or Northern US specialty???
David is a good source! He is one of my favorite “followees” on Instagram. Extremely prolific.
He nails it with pecans. The French have tried to grow them in their South, but without much success as the commercial production is more art than science. I am not sure about the chocolate.
This is something that might interest Frenchies. http://www.cookwell.net/shop/better-than-good/bacon-jam/
I also think that Mexican salsas and hot sauces work well, but might not convey that US message.
If you do pack maple syrup, honey, salsa, etc in your suitcase, don’t forget to put them in a sturdy ziploc bag. Same holds true for any liquids, actually, including shampoo and other toiletries. Changes in pressure can wreak havoc on your suitcase otherwise, which is not a nice surprise upon arrival. 
If you are bringing food items, I’d recommend quality products from native to your region. Pecans if you live in the south, maple syrup if from New England, southwestern salsas if from that region, etc.
^^Done deal @doschicos. Told the same to my D’s who purchased cute new cosmetic bags for all their hair products,etc - viva la ziplock bag!!!
I’m thinking I’ll have one more store stop for maple syrup and pecans - a nice easy gift of gratitude for our family hosts and those “extra” family you meet! All while staying under my 50 lbs on my checked baggage!
Have a blast, @abasket! You sound super prepared and organized. Now, the fun begins! Eat some nutella crepes for me. 
Honey is ubiquitous in Provence, really much more so than here.
Bringing any food product to France has a bit of a coals-to-Newcastle feel.
Yes, but people like to eat something that is different. By the way, there are great differences in the taste and smell of honey as the bees feast on different flowers. For instance, Mexican honey is sought after by German purists. It also crystallizes differently.
For a souvenir, how about a replica of a Red Wings puck? They still play hockey in Detroit, do they? I’ll have to check Romani posts.
Watching this thread with interest, I will be in France with a senior citizen a few weeks behind you abasket! Post whilst you are there, too!
@somemom, where will you be in France?!
I hope to be able to post a bit while there - hoping that the French embrace the word “wireless”.
wi-fi = wee-fee pronunciation in France & it is free at McDonalds
Not only will it be easy for you to find a hotspot, the French word for Wi-Fi is “le Wi-Fi.” Linguistic purity is not like it used to be.
“l’Hexagone est « le pays du WiFi » avec plus de 13 millions de bornes publiques, dépassant largement les Etats-Unis à 9,58 millions.”
That means that France has 13,000,000 hotspots and the US 9,580,000. Also expect the connections to be faster.
I still think it is easier and more convenient to purchase a prepaid SIM card.
PS This might help http://www.journaldunet.com/wifi/