Wondering what to wear in France in July? In this France Summer Packing List we will cover everything you need to pack for France for July no matter the region you are heading to as well as for the weather, beaches sightseeing and more.
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Weather in France in July
Summer is in full swing in France in July. While in this guide I will give you an overview of the weather in France in July it is important to point out that the regional differences are great across France. For this reason we have regional guidance below:
- What to wear in Corsica
- What to wear in Paris in June
- What to wear in Provence
- What to wear in the South of France in June
Also it is worth noting that the weather between months changes quite dramatically in France. Therefore if your trip spans a couple of months then please be sure to check out our other monthly:
How hot is France in July?
As Summer is in full swing in France in July you need to remember to pack for the heat. Now depending on which part of France you are visiting will depend on how hot is gets.
Usually in Paris. the temperatures in July tend to stick within the 20 to 27°C / 68 to 80 °F range. However it is not unheard of to reach 30°C to 35 °C / 86 to 95 °F.
Whereas in the South of France in Summer you can expect summer temperatures to be around 30oC (80oF) with little rainfall.
Does it rain a lot in July in France?
France in July is actually a relatively dry month however depending on the area you are visiting will depend on how much rain you will experience.
In Paris in July you can usually expect around 8 days of rain. However when the rain comes it us unlikely to be in huge deluges as the rain usually only totals 2.4 inches I the whole month in the city.
Whereas on Corsica you are unlikely to see any rain. And typically you will get more rain in the North than in the South of the country.
What to Wear in France in July
What to Wear in France in July for women
Skirts and dresses
Skirts and dresses are always top of my France summer packing list and capsule wardrobe. That is because it fits in with local style more than shorts.
The French tend to wear things that are midi or maxi in length, so I would save the short dresses for the beach and resorts in France. And remember churches in France will expect you to keep your shoulders and knees covered.
Also dresses in natural fabrics are a better choice as they will help to reduce sweat as well as selecting more flowing styles over tight fitting ones.
You will find that during the summer pastel shades and florals are always in style no matter the region you are traveling in.
Click here to shop summer dresses for France.
Trousers
Light weight trousers such as chinos, cotton pants and linen are good choices for France in July. Jeans are too hot to wear in France in July in the South and on the islands.
Trousers generally though are great for day to night transitions, and also work in places that require more modest attire such as churches.
Just be sure to check out our guide on how to pack linen for travel if you decide to go this route, as it is will help you reduce wrinkles.
Shorts
You will not tend to find locals wearing shorts in the city. Therefore to blend in with locals you will want trousers and skirts in the cities, and keep the shorts for beaches and coastal region or for out doing activities such as hiking.
Blouse
A loose blouse works perfectly for warmer days and cooler nights and is a great item to wear to dinner in France.
They are also a good choice if you plan to dine al fresco as France does get mosquitos in summer and blouses tend to over better arm coverage.
T Shirts and Tank tops
T Shirts are perfect everywhere in France during the Summer months. If you want to blend in more with locals in France we recommend packing plain or lightly patterned t shirts. Slogan tees and highly graphic tees should be avoided as these aren’t in local taste if you are trying not to look like a tourist.
Also at this time of year you will need more short sleeve than long sleeve t shirts with you. And tank tops are also acceptable. The only place you need to keep your shoulders covered are churches.
Pashmina
No matter where I am traveling to in Europe, or at what time of year a pashmina is always on my packing list. The reason for this is that they can be used as a scarf or extra layer on cooler days and can help make your outfit more modest for visits to monasteries or churches in France.
PJs or Nightie
Lightweight pyjamas and nighties are an essential for France in July as much accommodation in France or Europe generally will not have air conditioning.
Underwear and Socks
Goes without saying. However be sure to add sneaker socks with you as these will reduce sweat and odour.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses are essential in France especially in Summer. Be sure to pack a pair with good UVA protection for optimum eye protection.
Sunhat
A sunhat is an essential for France even in the cities but especially for the beaches and islands.
Whenever I travel with a sun hat I recommend taking this as carry on instead of a suitcase to help maintain the hats shape.
Shop wide brimmed sun hats here.
Swimwear (optional)
Swimwear is definitely an optional item depending on where you plan on visiting.
If you are staying in cities such as Paris in accommodation with no pool and no intention of visiting one of the city’s outdoor pools then you can leave your swimwear at home.
However if you are heading to the South of France I would advise bringing swimwear with you for accommodation pools or for on the beach.
If you spend time on the beach, a beach cover will also be required for when on the boardwalks and at beachfront bars and restaurants.
What to pack for France in July for Men
For men visiting France in July, I actually recommend actually keeping things similar to the ladies packing list in terms of fabric selection and local fashion sensibilities.
Generally speaking we recommend packing the below for men in France in July:
Chinos/Linen Trousers
Lightweight trousers instead of jeans are more appropriate for France in July particularly in the South.
Also as most restaurants in France for dinner operate a smart casual dress code so trousers are a must. Shop Trousers here.
Shorts
The weather is perfect for shorts in July. However we recommend sticking to more smart casual shorts to fit in more with the locals. Cargo shorts will definitely mark you out as a tourist especially in the cities.
T Shirts and Shirts
Short sleeve t shirts are perfect for sightseeing during the day in July. In fact all my France packing lists have t shirts on them no matter the month. IN July short sleeve t shirts are most appropriate.
However for evenings I would recommend having a button down shirt with long or shorts sleeves and maybe a polo shirt for day to night transition outfits as many French restaurants adopt an informal smart casual dress code at night.
Swimwear
Only required if you are staying somewhere with a pool or heading to the South Coast.
Sunglasses
An essential no matter the month.
Hat
For same reason as above. Baseball caps aren’t commonly seen in the cities on locals, so a smarter hat is a better idea.
Underwear, Socks and Pjs
Note: if you plan to head over the border into a Monaco and are staying into the evening you may also need to pack a jacket to meet local dress code requires.
Best Shoes for France in July
France is a country that has so much on offer. From great city culinary experiences, museums and of course amazing beaches and waters. This can make packing shoes for France a bit tricky. We normally have 2-3 pairs of shoes with us when we visit France including:
Sneakers
Sneakers are the perfect shoe for summers in France, especially in the cities such as Paris, Provence and Rouen where you will have to do a lot of sightseeing on foot over varied surfaces including cobblestones.
Just be sure to have a lightweight pair with you that can cope with the heat as well as having sneaker socks with you too.
Sandals
After sneakers my favorite shoe for France in July is definitely a sandal especially outside of the cities and in the South and on the islands.
These are breathable for days when you do light walking and are also the perfect shoe for evenings out.
If you would like to wear a pair of sandals instead of sneakers for a large amount of walking then we recommend testing them before travel to ensure they are comfortable to walk in.
And if you want a sandal with height for evenings, then I recommend a wedge over a heel as these are better in the cities. But leave anything with thin heels at home as these definitely are on my n what not to wear in France list.
Espadrilles are another good alternative to sandals in France.
Flip Flops (optional)
Flip flops are not good shoes for walking around cities due to the lack of support.
We only recommend adding flip flops to your packing list if you plan on spending a lot of time on the beach or around hotel pools.
What to Pack for France in July (non clothing)
So now you know what to wear for France in the summer, we will turn our attention to what to pack for France in July other than clothes.
Our essentials to pack for France in July are:
- Sunscreen
- Aloe Vera / Aftersun – just in case you get burnt
- Lipbalm with SPF – as I mentioned the sun is strong so on top of sunscreen we recommend packing lip balm with sun protection. Our favorite brand at the minute is sun bum.
- Insect Repellant – particularly for the South if you are going to be by the water or plan to dine al fresco.
- Travel Adaptor – France uses standard European outputs and plugs.
- Power Pack / Battery recharger
- Crossbody bag – depending on where you are in France will depend on how much this is needed But I would recommend a crossbody bag for cities such as Paris and Marseilles. As with anywhere in the world tourist cities can attract pickpockets so any deterrents are worthwhile.
- Backpack – useful for being in cities.
- Beach Bag (optional) – useful if you are visiting an island or plan on doing excursions by boat.
- camera – France is a beautiful country you will want to take lots of photographs
- Towel (optional) – only for those planning on spending time on the beach or on boat excursions. We recommend a quick dry one where possible.
What to wear on Bastille Day
There is only one special event in France in July and that is Bastille Day and that is a big one. Bastille day in France is 14th July and celebrates French independence. But is there a special dress code in France on Bastille Day?
There is no rule to say that you have to wear something special on Bastille Day but if you want to fit in with the locals then you should consider wearing red, white and blue. These are the colors of the French flag and is something that many French people will wear.
FAQs about our France in July Packing List
What to wear to dinner in France?
France is a great foodie country. From bistros to cafesto fancy Michelin starred restaurants there is something foodie for everyone.
You will find many restaurants informally adopt a smart casual dress code in evenings. For this reason I tend to wear linen trousers, blouses and sandals or a maxi dress when I dine out in France at night.
Do you have any questions about what to wear France in July? Drop us a comment below and we will do our best to answer.