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I’ve been a tour guide in Paris for over 15 years, and one of the most frequently asked questions from my clients before they arrive is what they should wear and what they should pack. Since Paris is the original fashion capital of the world, many also ask how to dress Parisian and how not to stand out like a tourist. 

Summer in Paris is the busiest time of the year and May, June, July, and August are the peak-season months. The temperature in Paris can greatly vary even in one day, with the morning and evening temperatures ranging from the high 50s to mid-60s, and daytime from the low 70s to the mid-80s.

There are exceptions, and Paris over the past 10 years has had its share of heatwaves, with temperatures reaching well into the low to mid-90s, which can be a problem because many attractions, cafes, restaurants, and even some hotels do not have air conditioning.

I have prepared a list of the essential things to pack if you are coming in the summer, so you will be prepared for any kind of weather.

On the top of the list are comfortable shoes, and I can’t stress this enough. Paris is a walking city, and you can’t manage the streets without proper shoes. I had a client a few years ago who showed up in high-heeled sandals and about 15 minutes into the tour, we had to stop at a shoe store so she could buy a pair of running shoes.

Bring at least two pairs of rubber-soled shoes or sneakers with good support. Mephisto is a great brand that has super comfortable footwear with great support. Arche is a popular French brand of women’s shoes, which all have thick rubber soles and are fashionable and comfortable at the same time.

Women should also bring one pair of semi-dress or dress shoes for the evening. I don’t recommend wearing sandals because of the cobblestone streets. 

The weather in Paris can be so unpredictable. The famous expression applies: “If you don’t like the weather, just wait 10 minutes.” Although summer is not the rainy season in Paris, we frequently get sun showers, during which a downpour can sometimes last a few minutes or up to 20 minutes. A light raincoat or trench coat is useful, and if you get a really light one, you can roll or fold it and put it in your tote bag, backpack, or purse. A nylon parka or rain poncho will serve the same purpose.

Editor’s Note: Need a raincoat? Check out our 2022 Best Raincoats review.

Also put a portable umbrella at the top of your list, preferably one that’s lightweight. Alternatively, if you forget to pack your umbrella, many four and five-star hotels will provide umbrellas in the lobby. 

Since the temperature can dip into the low 60s at night and in the mornings, it’s advisable to bring a light jacket, sweatshirt, or nylon parka, preferably one that’s lightweight and foldable.

Light layers work well, so if you are out all day, you can peel off your layers as it gets warmer. 

Even though it can get hot in the summer, Parisians still wear light cotton or linen scarves to protect their necks. So, if you want to fit in like a local, bring a fun patterned or colored scarf. 

Pro Tip: Go to YouTube to search for videos about how to tie a scarf the French way. 

It’s acceptable to wear walking shorts or jeans during the day, but if you are going to a restaurant, bar, or club at night, I recommend men bring a pair of khakis or dress pants, along with a pair of leather shoes, either loafers or oxfords. Throw in a polo or button-down shirt to complete the ensemble. 

Women should bring at least one dress, not too formal, to wear at night to a restaurant, bar, or club. You can wear them with a casual flat shoe, or a ballerina flat from Repetto, which is very Parisian. Alternatively, a nice pair of dress slacks will do the trick instead of a dress. 

Up until about 10 years ago, it was taboo to wear shorts in Paris, and if you did, you were immediately tagged a tourist. In recent years, shorts have become more acceptable, and you see Parisians mostly wearing walking shorts. Denim cut-offs, short shorts, and running shorts, except if you are jogging, are a no-no. Flip flops and oversize sports jerseys also scream tourist, so leave them at home. 

The sun can get very strong in Paris in the summer, so I recommend a sunscreen with at least a 30 SPF or more. Top French brands of sunscreen include La Roche Posay, Clarins, Bio-Derma, and Avene. If you can’t find these brands at home, know that almost every pharmacy here stocks them. 

Bottled water in Paris can get expensive, costing as much as $8 for an 8-ounce bottle at a café in a tourist area or an upscale restaurant. There are a series of 85 water fountains with potable drinking around Paris, named Wallace Fountains. They are named after a wealthy Englishman, Richard Wallace, who designed the beautiful fountains of green cast iron with four goddesses holding them up and donated them to the city in 1871. 

Pro Tips: You can buy a six-pack of 1.5-liter Evian water for $4 in the supermarket. That said, tap water is perfectly fine to drink, and the Paris drinking water has lots of minerals. When you go to a restaurant or café, ask for a carafe d’eau, which means a carafe of water. 

Converter plugs are another item to put on the top of your must-pack list. The voltage in the U.S. is 120V and in France, it’s 220V, which means that the plugs are different. You can buy sets of them with multiple plugs to charge your computer, tablets, or cell phones. 

A power bank is another essential item to extend the battery life of your mobile phone, so you don’t run out of juice when you can’t find an outlet. 

You don’t need to always carry your passport, and it’s best for safety reasons to leave it in the safe of your hotel room. However, it’s a good idea to have a paper copy or photocopy of it on your mobile phone. You will also need it when you want to apply for the 12% VAT tax refund when you spend 175 euros or more in one shop. 

If you are taking any kind of prescription medicine, it’s a good idea to have a paper copy or photocopy of your prescription on your mobile phone in case you run out or need to refill your medication. 

This isn’t a must, but packing a mini-steamer or iron is a good idea to unwrinkle your clothes after they’ve been bunched in a suitcase for days at a time. Summer fabrics such as light cotton, silk, and linen tend to wrinkle very easily. 

Pro Tip: Hotels will sometimes provide irons in the rooms. Check online or call in advance. 

If you forget to bring anything on this list, not to worry. Paris is a great shopping city, and everything on the list is easily accessible at the thousands of shops and boutiques.

The best place to get most of the above items under one roof, at reasonable prices, is a chain of stores named Monoprix, which is similar to Walmart or Target in the U.S. You’ll find one in almost every neighborhood. Other department stores include BHV, Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, and Le Bon Marche.

Richard Nahem is an ex-New Yorker living in Paris since 2005. A travel writer and photographer, he’s been publishing his blog Eye Prefer Paris since 2006 and also writes for publications such as Travel Agent Central, Passport Magazine, The Guardian, Bonjour Paris, and Luxury Travel Advisor. He focuses mainly on luxury travel in Europe. Richard also leads private personalized tours of Paris for clients looking to explore the off the beaten path Paris they never usually see on their own.