How,long is the trip?

If he needs pants other than jeans, you might check Travelsmith.com for options.

When is it - summer?

My son is a rock climber and buys pants at outdoor/climbing stores that dry very quickly. I don't know exactly what the fabric is, but they are lightweight and comfortable. If you have an outdoor/climbing store in your area, I would check there. They are made specifically to pack small and dry fast. Also, they don't wrinkle. Something like this:

http://www.backcountry.com/marmot-arch-rock-pant-mens?CMP_SKU=MAR00F1&MER=0406&skid=MAR00F1-SLGRE-S34&CMP_ID=PLA_GOc001&mv_pc=r101&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PLA&mr:trackingCode=DF35FBF3-1DC9-E411-BDDA-BC305BF82376&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=c&mr:adType=plaonline&mr:ad=92885917717&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:tid=pla-153196792837&mr:ploc=9008532&mr:iloc=&mr:store=&mr:filter=153196792837&gclid=Cj0KEQjw3Le4BRDxx5bk4aDn9t4BEiQAfmxQGSKyUREppDVf_JZnVY3jMwTVrvw0jgptvA4UyW5UaTMaAvMk8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

Personally I would never assume that a teenager will do laundry. Especially under the circumstances, without full facilities, in another, very exciting, city and being a boy.

I would just opt for everything to be as light weight as possible, to save space in the luggage. Wear the big things, like sneakers and hiking boots and a fleece. If jeans are allowed by his school, I think I'd pack nothing but jeans, since you're right they don't show the dirt.

edited to add ... Don't forget to pack at nylon laundry bag. I've known kids, I won't say who, who mix their dirty laundry in with the clean laundry when they're traveling. Lovely. For souvenirs, you could pack a very lightweight nylon duffel. And he could fill that up with souvenirs and bring it as carry-on when the trip is over?

My kids went on various trips with schools and other groups and they usually had a meeting or sent home information about the trip that covered money, itinerary, passports (remember to pack a photocopy as well as the original), food, behavior and what to pack.

Any chance the two teachers might be planning something similar?

I'm also having a hard time envisioning a teenager who will wash out laundry in a hotel sink. My daughter would have broken her arms carrying enough clothing not to have to do that (and still look clean and cute!) and my boys would just have worn the clothing again. And again...

The trip is 10 days in mid-June, and they will hit stops from Normandy to Nice, so all kinds of weather. They have the lecture of no t-shirts with text, 2 pairs comfortable shoes, rain jacket, one suitcase, one carryon.

You're all right, he won't do laundry! We have cute nylon laundry bags and they have in fact used them in the past. DH just uses the big outside pocket of his suitcase for laundry.

Costco has some stay-cool shirts that are very lightweight and comfy--and cheap--so I think I'll pick up a few of those. Rolled up they will take hardly any space at all. And REI and another outdoor store are nearby, we'll stop in there, too. Maybe I'll send 2 pair of those light pants and 2 jeans. I do think he needs a Tilley hat, so I'll see what else they have these days. I know I won't get him to put on sunscreen on his own, but I'll send it anyway. Heck, they will be in a bus or train (TGV!) a lot anyway.

they were told not to bring euros at all, but the debit and credit cards okay. We are trying to tell DS that we have euros he can bring just to have some cash on arrival, but apparently they plan to make time to stop for cash. (Our cards let us withdraw internationally without fees)

If poissible, have him pack all dark clothing. I agree with mtn. Being a teen, the likelyhood of him taking time out to do laundry is slim to none. If he takes black, navy, and brown items, they will less likely show soil and can be worn more than once, if necessary. Also have him roll his clothes rather than fold. If he does need to do a bit of de-wrikling, tell him to use a hair dryer if there's one available.

I'm a confirmed roller lol! And yes, he wears mostly greys and blues, and I think a subtle tone-on-tone pattern will help camouflage the travel. I also like those light nylon travel cubes when traveling from place to place, it helps me keep things tidy. But I don't think he'll use them. Maybe he will use one, at least, for socks and underwear.

With the ample luggage allowance of one suitcase and a carry on he really won't "need" to do laundry. If you want to spend the money, Ex Officio travel underwear are great. Hand wash, dry overnight.

Agree, all dark colors: dark wash jeans, black jeans (2 pairs), no shorts, dark shoes and socks and shirts/T's (both long and short sleeves) that allow for layering allow flexibility without packing too much. A windbreaker with a hood in a dark color would be a good item for outerwear.

Will he have to carry his luggage from place to place? If so, then the ability to maneuver luggage on sidewalks and on/off trains and buses is a consideration. The carry on luggage restrictions are very strict on international flights so choose his carry on according to the airlines regulations, which the school will provide.

We leave for a week in France this weekend. We are both packed in carry on's only. We are flying Air France from Boston to Paris. They have very specific allowances on their website, which you may find helpful.

http://www.airfrance.us/US/en/common/guidevoyageur/pratique/bagages-cabine-airfrance.htm

What a wonderful opportunity!

I find almost all girl underwear can dry overnight, esp if you're traveling in Europe, where the heated towel racks are so common… Excellent for drying things. I don't know about boy underwear. I agree though, exofficio underwear dries very,very quickly. But it's expensive too.

He will have a rolly that fits in the overhead, but he can also check it. It's light enough to carry so it doesn't clatter on the street. We are good packers (DH is brutal about it lol!) and he's been in charge of his own packing (using my "Flylady Packing Control Journal") since he was 5 but he's never been on this kind of a trip before.

We should learn soon which airline they are flying. Bonnie_ann, have a great trip! Bon voyage!

MtnRd, he's a woven-boxer boy, and they dry quickly.

I understand that Merino wool T-shirts can be worn for several days without washing and don't stink. I haven't tried it out myself yet.

Do you have Academy stores where you are? Or a sporting goods store other than REI? REI will be more expensive and pants your son may not wear after a 10 day trip are not the kind of thing I would want to go to REIL for. My sons were both in scouts and wore pants that were a nylon or other lightweight fabric on camping trips They look similar to khakis. I would send a couple pair of those -- have him wear a pair of jeans (not faded, ripped or torn) and maybe pack another pair in black.

I would suggest packing a small spray bottle with febreze for fabrics. He can wear a shirt for a day and then febreze and hang it. It will help freshen it and it's not onerous like doing laundry. Especially for shirts that have been gently worn, like just for an evening. Also be sure he packs a plastic ziplock bag for anything he packs that may still be wet or damp. We've taken swims and then had to leave, so thankful to have a way to pack the wet suit.