Are you wondering what to wear in France in November? In this guide we will tell you how to pack for France in November for sightseeing, the Fall weather, dress codes, dinner and more, no matter the region you are traveling to.
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Weather in France in November
France in November is still technically classified as Fall. Or autumn as we would say in Europe. However there is definitely a Wintery chill in the air. But how cold is France in November?
Note: 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:
Note: we always recommend checking the forecast at your destination(s) 7 days out from travel to make sure there are no expected weather fronts i.e. heatwaves or cold snaps.
How cold is France in November?
The weather in France in November means that you can expect very changeable conditions. However generally speaking you can expect, as always, the South of France to be the warmest region. Here the temperatures range from 9°C/48°F to 16°C /61°F.
Whereas the North tends to be cooler. For instance in the North and Central regions, which obviously includes Paris and Normandy, the temperatures rarely get above 10°C / 50°F.
Does it rain a lot in November in France?
November is a pretty rainy month in France. Across the whole month there is an average rainfall of 56mm which falls anywhere between 10-15 days across the month.
Note: it is important to note that there are some regional differences in France in November. For this reason we have some specific regional guides linked below:
- What to wear in Corsica
- What to wear in Paris in November
- What to wear in Provence
- What to wear in the South of France
Note: Although November is not as busy as summer it is still worth buying your attraction tickets in advance with skip the line access.
Does it snow in France in November?
Generally speaking snow in France in November is a rare occurence. That is unless you are traveling to higher ground and mountainous regions such as the Pyrenees or the Alps.
However in these regions you are still unlikely to get snow that lasts as even in Chamonix and other ski resorts in France full snow has yet to arrive.
For a France skiing packing list check out this post.
What do locals wear in France in November
Although November is Fall, you will see the French slowly transitioning to their Winter Travel Capsule Wardrobe as the month progresses. This means adding additional layers and coats.
Considerations for you France Packing List for November
Before we get onto the exact items to include in your France outfits for November, we thought is would be worth outlining some considerations for your packing list.
This means you will be seeing more layers, and coats. Generally speaking the coats are more fashionable, smart and wool as opposed to sports coats and more casual parkas.
Also it is worth noting that smart casual tends to be the most commonly seen attire in France among the locals especially when dining out. For more information on what to wear to dinner in France check out this post
Therefore when visiting France if you want to dress casually be sure to so in a stylish way.
Considerations for France November Packing List
Pack Light
We always recommend you pack light when traveling to Europe. Accommodations in Europe are much smaller than their American counterparts, and lots of luggage can be a strain on space. Also, you are likely to be using at least some form of public transport on your vacation in France. For this reason it is really important to not overpack.
However this is definitely harder in the shoulder and winter seasons. That is why we recommend packing a Winter Capsule wardrobe for France in November.
For more information on how to pack light for France checking out our 5 4 3 2 1 packing method or the Sudoku packing method.
And if you want to know more about how to pack a minimalist capsule wardrobe for any season check out this post.
What to Wear in France in November
What to Wear in France in November for women
Coat
November is probably the first month in France where you will need a thick coat as opposed to a jacket.
However if you are going on a more active vacation in France such as skiing or snowboarding a more practical coat is a better pick.
Skirts and dresses
I like to wear a dress when traveling, especially for nights out in Paris and other French cities. However for November in France you will need something a bit thicker and I like something with longer sleeves.
As a result for me there is nothing better than a sweater dress for France in November.
And we would never dream about going out in November in a skirt or dress without wearing a thick pair of tights too.
Click here to shop skirts and dresses for Paris.
Trousers
If skirts and dresses aren’t your thing then trousers are a great choice. As November is getting cooler we recommend picking thicker trousers made of heavier fabric.
Jeans are perfect for sightseeing during the day. I would recommend picking smarter jeans such as black jeans or dark blue jeans that are more fitted or skinny jeans however you will see all sorts of styles of the streets of Paris, Lille and Roen for instance. So it is most important that you feel comfortable.
If you want a smarter pant then we love a regular black pant (we love the Athleta Brooklyn ankle pant for travel) or a thick wool pant.
Click here to shop trousers for France.
Blouse
Blouses are perfect for France in the Fall for both sightseeing and going out to dinner. They are a versatile layering item and can be dressed up or down depending on where you are going.
T Shirts
I don’t think I ever visit France without a t shirt on my packing list. As the weather is quite changeable in November we recommend packing a mix of Long and short sleeve t shirts.
Plain t shirts tend to be more in keeping with local style over patterned, graphic or slogan tees to be more in keeping with the local style.
Note: don’t lean in too much to the striped Breton and red look. It will undoubtedly mark you as a tourist. However a striped t shirt on its own is fine for Paris paired with nice trousers or skirt.
Layers
For France in November I would pack layers such as cardigans and sweaters.
Usually for November I will have a cardigan, a hoodie, smart sweater and a jacket with me for a week. For Fall I like to stick to neutral colors in France but this is just a personal preference.
Pashmina
Pashminas are on all my European packing lists as they are so versatile. They can be an extra layer if you get a sudden cold snap but can also make an outfit more modest.
Pashmina
A pashmina is always on my France packing list.
It can act as a scarf to dress or a a more casual outfit but is a useful extra layer on cooler nights and days. Shop pashminas here.
PJs or Nightie
A heavier weight pj is better for November
Underwear and Socks
Goes without saying.
What to pack for France in November for Men
The packing list for men is quite similar as the ladies packing list for France and we recommend packing:
T Shirts and Shirts
As with the packing list for women, we recommend packing t shirts that are plain as opposed to graphic or slogan.
For November you are likely to need more short sleeve t shirts however I would add at least a couple of long sleeves too!
But on top of t shirts we recommend having a button down shirt with long or shorts sleeves with you. These work for restaurants with smart casual dress codes and at museums and tourist attractions such as Versailles and the Louvre.
Click here to shop mens t shirts.
Chinos/ Jeans
Jeans are great for sightseeing in November. You may want to add a smarter pair of chinos to the packing list too for nights out and fancier dinners. Later in the month you may also want some wool trousers.
Shop men’s travel chinos here.
Layers
A hoodie, jumper and sweater alongside the jacket are the perfect layers for 7 days in France.
Coat
Smarter ones are more in keeping with local styles however as a tourist a waterproof coat may be more useful.
However if you are doing a more outdoorsy vacation or plan on doing some winter vacations, then a more practical coat is a good idea.
Underwear, Socks and Pjs
Goes without saying.
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 November
One of the trickiest areas of any packing list is shoes. If you are traveling to France in November we recommend packing at least 2-3 pairs of shoes. Our favorite shoes for France at this time of year are:
Sneakers
Sneakers are my top sightseeing shoe for anywhere in Europe. They are good in the cities but are also good on beaches and in the countryside and can even cope well on cobblestones streets, of which there are plenty of in France.
My favorite brand of sneakers for walking are Hoka and AllBirds. I personally avoid white sneakers in November due to the wet and risk of discoloration however this is just a personal style choice.
Also for this time of year a waterproof sneaker such as an Ecco is a good pick for rainier days.
Ankle Boots
As the weather is changeable in France in November we recommend having a leather boot with some waterproofing as well as a sneaker. These are also better for wearing for evenings out where there are smart casual dress codes.
Click here to shop ankle boots.
What to Pack for France in November (non clothing)
So now you know the clothes to pack for France in November, what other items should be on your what to pack for France in November list .
Personally I always pack the below for France in November:
- Compact Umbrella – essential for any month in France but especially November.
- Backpack – for storing items on your day trips.
- Crossbody Bag – anti theft type as with any city it can have issues with pickpockets around main tourist attractions.
- Sun Screen – an essential for all travel packing list.
- Lipbalm –
- Reusable Water Bottle –
- Camera
- Charging Equipment
- Power pack / Battery Pack
- Travel Adapaters for electronics – France uses standard European outputs and plugs.
- Travel First Aid Kit
- Blister plasters
- Toiletries – for our essential toiletries packing list click here.
Note: If you have room in your suitcase then you can bring toiletries with you. However toiletries are very easy to buy in French cities in supermarkets and pharmacies. For this reason we would leaving the toiletries at home and buying them on arrival to save on space in your suitcase if you are staying in a city.
FAQs about our France in November Packing List
Are there any special events in France in November?
There are no real special events in France in November that have special dress codes.
Do I need coat in France in November?
Given the weather in France in November you will need a big coat. In fact this is the first month where you will need coat instead of just a jacket.
What to wear to dinner in France?
France is a great foodie country no matter the time of year you are visiting. So what should you wear to dinner in France?
Most restaurants in France (apart from very touristy ones) will 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 at this time of year.
Do you have any questions about what to wear in France in November? Drop us a comment below and we will do our best to answer.