Wondering what to wear in Paris in August? Summer is in full swing in Paris in August and this Paris Summer packing list will tell you exactly what to pack for special events, certain venues and the weather.
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Weather in Paris in August
August is firmly summer in Paris and both the temperature and crowds are peaking. Therefore packing for the summer weather is essential in August. But how hot is Paris really in August?
How hot is Paris in August?
The average high temperatures in August tends to hover around 79°F/26°C and has an average low of 14°C /58°F depending on the time of month you are traveling. But generally speaking August is one of the sunniest months in the city so sunscreen is going to be an essential.
Remember if your visit covers two months be sure to check out our other Paris monthly guides. The weather does change in Paris month to month, and you never known when there are some special events that do require at alteration to the dress code.
- What to wear in Paris in July
- What to wear in Paris in September
And if you are visiting other areas of France then be sure to check out our other regional guides for summer
- What to wear in the South of France in Summer
- What to wear in Cannes
- What to wear in Corsica
- What to wear in France in August
- What to wear in France in September
Is it rainy in Paris in August?
The good news is that August in Paris is one of the drier months. On average there is about 56mm of rain in Paris in August which falls over 7 days. Therefore even if you do get rain during your visit in August, it is more likely to be in the form of light showers rather than sustained rain.
However all our Paris packing lists no matter the time of year include a compact umbrella because you never know with Paris but it is unlikely you are going to need a raincoat in August.
Note: Paris in August is definitely peak season. So you don’t have to wait outside in the heat at the major attractions we recommend buying your Paris attraction tickets in advance with skip the line access.
How do Locals Dress in Paris In August
Locals in Paris in August dress for the heat but never compromise on style. You will see lots of summer dresses and loose flowing clothing.
Short shorts are something you don’t tend to see Parisians wearing – in fact they are on my what not to wear in Paris list instead.
What to Wear in Paris in August
So now you know what to expect from the weather, what should you wear in Paris in August?
Best Shoes for Paris in August
Sneakers
Any visit to Paris will involve a lot of walking no matter the month you are visiting. In fact I think it is a city best explored on foot so it is important to have comfortable walking shoes with you. Sneakers I think are the best bet.
We recommend having a fashion pair as opposed to a sporty pair to be more in keeping with the locals, however any sneaker is better than no sneaker for sightseeing in the City of Lights.
However please note that some of the more upscale restaurants will not allow sneakers / trainers so do check your restaurant dress code. Also it is common for nightclubs in Paris to say no sneakers.
If you want to know what to wear in Paris at night check out this post.
Top Tip: We recommend packing sneaker socks and some odour eaters if you have room in your case just in case your feet do get sweaty when wearing sneakers to sightsee around the city.
Sandals
Sandals are great for Paris in August when you will be walking lots in the heat. They also work for restaurants and evenings out.
However if you want to wear sandals during the day due to the heat, we recommend selecting a pair with good arch support.
Note: flip flops are not a good idea for walking around Paris. They offer little in the way of arch support and aren’t good for days where you will be doing lots of walking and sightseeing.
Also if you want a shoe with some height then you should consider wedges instead of stilettos as these are safer and more practical in the city.
What to wear in Paris in August for women
Skirts and dresses
Skirts and dresses are perfect for touring Paris in August. Personally I think maxi and midi dresses are more in keeping with local style. The reason for this is because short dresses and mini skirts are not something local Parisians tend to wear.
Skirts and dresses also work for day and night in Paris and can be easily dressed up or down to meet dress code requirements with a few good accessory choices.
Trousers
Trousers are another great pick for Paris in August. We recommend packing loose trousers made out of natural fabrics such as cotton and linen as these cope better in the heat.
Personally I tend to leave jeans off my Paris in August packing list as I find them too hot for walking around the city in.
However if you do decide to bring jeans then be sure to pick a lightweight pair that are slim fit and darker in color if you want to fit in more with locals.
Note: I don’t normally put shorts on any Paris packing list for women as they aren’t something you will find locals wearing. However there aren’t many dress codes in Paris that exclude you wearing shorts. Therefore if you want to wear shorts you can but you will look more like a tourist in them.
Blouse
Loose blouses are perfect for Paris in the summer for both sightseeing and going out to dinner.
T Shirt
I always pack a few t shirts when visiting Paris no matter the season. For the summer, short sleeve t shirts are best. Tank tops are also perfectly acceptable in most Paris locations in summer. So feel free to pack a couple if you are going during a heatwave.
I recommend picking plain t shirts instead of 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.
Pashmina
A pashmina is always on my Paris packing list even in Summer.
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.
Underwear and Socks
Goes without saying.
PJs or Nightie
Lightweight pyjamas and nighties are essential for Paris in summer, especially. in August which is one of the hottest months of the year in the city. That is because although some hotels will have air conditioning, airbnbs will not usually have air con. Therefore you will want lightweight nightwear and loungewear with you.
Sunglasses
The sun can be bright in Paris so I definitely wouldn’t go in August without a pair of shades that offers good UV protection.
What to Wear in Paris in August Packing List for Men
For men visiting Paris in August we recommend adding the following items to your packing list:
- Mixture of long and short sleeve t shirts for day time and night. Polo shirts are also good in Paris for night.
- Shirts – mix of long and short sleeve
- Trousers – we recommend selecting natural fabrics such as cottons and linen as well as having one pair of smarter jeans with you for use on cooler days and in restaurants.
- Shorts – shorts aren’t commonly worn by locals off to the office etc. However if you want to bring shorts in July be sure to select a smarter, more tailored pair as opposed to cargo shorts.
- Blazer / Linen Jacket – perfect for smarter restaurants in Paris which have a dress code and and cooler days. Tip: Check any restaurants you have reservations for dress code before travel in case a tie or jacket is required.
- Sunglasses
- Sneakers
- Smarter Pair of Shoes or sandals
- Pjs
- Underwear
What to Pack for Paris in August (Non Clothing)
Now you know the clothes you should bring to Paris what else should you pack for visiting this amazing city in Summer?
We recommend
- Compact Umbrella – essential for any month in Paris.
- Sun Screen
- Aloe Vera / Aftersun
- Camera
- Charging Equipment
- Battery Pack
- Travel Adaptor for electronics
- Crossbody Bag – anti theft type.
Note: if you have room in your suitcase then you can bring toiletries with you. However toiletries are very easy to buy in Paris in supermarkets or pharmacies. Therefore we would recommend leaving the toiletries at home and buying them on arrival. It will save space in your case.
What to wear in Paris in August FAQs
Do I need swimwear in Paris in August?
You will only need to bring swimwear to Paris in August if:
- you are staying at a Paris hotel with a pool (there aren’t that many)
- you are planning to visit one of Paris’ many outdoor swimming pools / lidos.
- you are traveling to another place in France or abroad where you have access to the pool or are going to the coast.
If none of these things apply to you then you should be safe to leave the swimwear at home.
Do you need a raincoat for Paris in August?
Paris isn’t overly rainy in August and you should be able to miss rain showers by ducking into shops or attractions or my personally favorite a Parisian cafe for a cheeky macaron. For this reason I never travel to Paris in August with a raincoat.
Having said that though, I do always travel to Paris with a compact umbrella, just in case.
Do you have any questions about what to wear in Paris in August that we haven’t answered here? Then pop us a comment below and we will do our best to answer them as quick as we can.