Clothes

Depending on where you are coming from, Dijon may have a very different climate than what you are used to, this can make packing somewhat a challenge. Have no worries! Below are some tips on what clothing to bring. 

Winter: 

Dijon has a relatively mild climate, which makes packing more simple than some other destinations. Typically the winter is cold, but pretty mild with the average low being -1 ° C / 30 ° F. It doesn’t usually snow in Dijon, but the areas surrounding Dijon do see snow more often. Even though it doesn’t often snow in Dijon, in winter it does often rain and you should have clothing to be prepared for this. It is also a good idea to note that buildings are usually kept on the cool side, and many residences (unless you rent your own apartment) will often determine when to turn on the heating and set a limit in the temperatures.

You should have a good warm coat for winter that is water resistant. If you are on a budget, you could get by with your spring / autumn coat and layering up underneath. If you chose the second option, be aware that if you plan to travel around in the area around Dijon, that they tend to be a bit colder. 

You will also want to invest in gloves, especially if you plan to ride a bike, as it can be quite windy in winter. Other winter clothing such as a scarf and hat would also be a good idea to have to keep warm when walking to class. Due to the rain, you should also make sure to bring an umbrella with you and it is recommended to have some water resistant shoes to keep dry and warm. 

If you don’t already have, there is no real need to buy snow boots or any other shoes specifically for walking around on ice and snow unless of course you plan to travel to see snow. Dijon is relatively flat and due to the mild temperatures, even in the morning it is rarely icey and shoes with a good grip will be sufficient. 

Autumn / Spring:

Autumn and Spring are both mild and cool. May tends to be the most rainy month, but you are likely to see some rain throughout both seasons. The average temperature in Spring is about 16 ° C / 60 ° F during the day and the average temperature in Autumn is slightly warmer at 17 ° C / 63 ° F. In both Autumn and Spring the temperature can drop at night, it’s a good idea to always have a warm sweater with you.

In general, you’ll want to have a nice coat to keep you warm and dry. In France, it is common to layer, especially due to the change in temperatures throughout the day. This means that layering will be ideal to keep you warm and at a comfortable temperature. It is also a good idea to keep a sweater with you as it will often get much cooler at night, and buildings are less likely to be heated especially to the end of spring and early autumn. 

Summer:

Summer in Dijon is warm, and not too humid. It is also the most dry season with July being the driest month. The average summer temperature is 25°C/77°F during the day, but sometimes there are heat waves, so be aware that sometimes the temperature is much higher. It is also important to note that air conditioners are not very common in France and you are unlikely to have one at your residence or at the university. 

If you are not from a warm climate, be sure to pack clothing that is airy and breathable so you don’t sweat too much or overheat. Also it is very important to have sandals or breathable footwear to keep cool and comfortable. Because it is also rather sunny in summer, be sure to wear some sort of SPF to keep your skin healthy. I also recommend keeping a shawl or sweater for the evenings as it can feel cool when the sun goes down.

Besides that, any summer clothing is acceptable and will do, but it is good to note that fashion in France, especially for women, can be serious business and you may want to see what is in style at the time when you come. If you are not fashion oriented, then just pack what you think will be most comfortable in and don’t sweat the fashion norms. 

Miscellaneous

If it is your first time living in France or away from home, then you may be wondering what other items you should take or leave. This will vary greatly depending on you and what you consider to be ‘must haves’. Overall it is relatively easy to buy most things in Dijon, and with the internet and Amazon, you can get most things easily enough…for a price. 

If it’s your first time to live outside your country, then it may be a good idea to bring some items that you consider to be essentials from your home with you. This will vary by your definition of essentials, but things like family photos, a childhood stuffed animal, decorations that remind you of home etc. can all help to make your new home feel more homey and will help to combat homesickness.

Also think of things that you use frequently and are difficult or expensive to buy here but may be very cheap where you come from. Things like food, healthcare or beauty items may all be things that you want to bring from your home country. If you are struggling with homesickness, being able to authentically cook a local dish with the spices/ingredients that you are used to, will do wonders to make you feel more at home. 

Also if you have a specific beauty or health care routine, it may be a good idea to bring items to maintain it. For example, deodorants, skin care, tampons and pads, makeup, vitamins, medicines, birth control etc. can all be different from what you are used to in your home country. If you think that you wouldn’t like to deviate from your current products, or for some reasons, can not deviate from it, then it is recommended you bring some this as well or check the prices on Amazon first as sometimes it is significantly more expensive to buy it from there compared to bringing it with you.