Are you wondering what to wear in Paris in February? February is the last month of Winter in Paris, however people are still firmly in their Winter capsule wardrobe. In this guide we tell you everything to pack for Paris in February for weather, dinner, dress codes and more.
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Weather in Paris in February
February is the last month of winter in Paris but how cold does Paris get in February?
How cold is Paris in February?
The weather in Paris is still pretty cold in February with the average temperatures are
Generally speaking the weather in Paris in January ranges from average highs of 9C/48.2F and average lows of 3C/37.4F.
Therefore you could say the temperature is cold but not freezing in Paris in February. However I still think lots of layers is the key to packing at this time of year.
Note: 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.
And if you are visiting other areas of France then be sure to check out our other regional guides for summer
Note: although the weather in this guide are historical averages however we advise always checking the weather at your destination 7 days in advance in case of anomalies such as cold snaps and heat waves.
Is it rainy in Paris in February?
February in Paris is slight drier than January, with only 8 days of rain, as opposed to January’s nine days. At this time of year we would always recommend keeping a compact travel umbrella with you at all time just in case you get caught in a downpour.
Tip: Want to skip queues in Paris? we recommend buying your Paris attraction tickets in advance with skip the line access for some of the most popular attractions such as the Louvre, Eiffel Tower and Disneyland Paris to name but a few. This way you won’t have to queue outside for as long in bad weather.
Does it snow in Paris in February?
Snow in Paris is quite rare at anytime of year including February. The snow fall that you get in Paris only tends to be a flutter rather than a huge deluge that settles and you may see this on a couple occasions but it shouldn’t really affect your packing list.
However back in 2018 Paris saw unusually heavy snowfall so it is possible to get heavy snow in FEbruary.
While normally I don’t suggest packing for snow in Paris it is always worth checking the weather forecast 7 days before travel as this will give you the most up to date information on whether to expect unusual cold snaps or even heatwaves.
How do Locals Dress in Paris In February
Parisians are always a stylish bunch, even in Winter. In February you will find that locals are still wearing their Winter Capsule Wardrobe.
This tends to translate into stylish coats, ankle boots and stylish sweaters. It is also worth sticking to a more muted color palette as this is more in keeping with local fashion styles. For this reason I tend to stick to black, white, navy or camel colors when putting together my capsule wardrobe.
What to Wear in Paris in February
So now you know what to expect from the weather in Paris in February we will turn our attention to what to wear in Paris in February? And first up is footwear!
Best Shoes for Paris in February
Ankle boots
Boots are absolutely the best thing to wear in Paris at this time of year but you need to pay attention to the type of boot you pack.
We always recommend ankle boots instead of knee high boots, but not for a fashion reason just becayse they are easier to pack.
We also recommend looking for a boot that is leather or has some waterproofing to cope with the Paris weather. For February I would definitely leave the suede at home.
I would also leave thin heeled shoes at home too, as these are actually on my what not to wear in Paris list. This is because Paris has lots of cobbled streets and uneven walkways which definitely don’t pair with thin heels well. Instead we recommend selecting a boot with a low thick heel or no heel at all.
Click here to shop ankle boots.
Sneakers
Sneakers are my favorite daytime shoe for Paris as they are most comfortable for lot of walking and are appropriate for museums, boat tours and more.
I would suggest picking the brand you are most comfortable walking long distances in. My favorite brands are Hoka and All birds.
I also love a white sneaker for their versatility. However I do worry about discoloration in European Winter weather so I tend to opt for a leather sneaker. My favorites are made by Ecco. These are great comfortable walking shoes but are also leather sneakers which mean they can cope with rain well.
What to wear in Paris in February for women
So now you know the best shoes to pack for Paris in February, we will turn our attention to what clothes to pack for Paris in Winter.
Coat
February is definitely still coat weather. Although you will see a lot of smarter coats on the streets of Paris, you should definitely consider how much time you will be spending outside as this will affect the type of coat you pack.
Click here to shop coats for Paris.
Hat, Scarf and Gloves
February is probably the last month that Winter accessories will be required in Paris. For any european winter vacation I advise packing glove that are touch screen compatible. This is because in Paris you will use your phone a lot for taking photographs, navigating the city and of course checking the metro times.
There is nothing worse than constantly having to take off your gloves to use your phone which is why we recommend touch screen compatible ones.
Click here to shop winter accessories
Skirts and dresses
Personally I find it still a bit chilly to be sightseeing during the day. However I like to wear a dress to dinner in Paris, particularly at the more upscale rather than tourist restaurants.
Because of the temperatures at this time of year I usually select a sweater dresses / jumper dresses for warmth. And I always pair them with thick tights and boots.
Trousers / Jeans
For the daytime pants are my go to. Jeans are perfect for this time of year. I know a lot of people worry that if they wear jeans they won’t look like a local. However Parisians will wear jeans too. Just pick a more fitted and darker color pair to be more in keeping with local style.
On top of jeans I would also pick some other heavier weight pants like cords or wool trousers. But I think you can never go wrong with a plan black pant for France at anytime of year. Currently we love the Athleta Brooklyn ankle pant for travel.
Click here to shop trousers for Paris.
Blouse
A blouse is a great choice for Paris in Winter because they are a great layering option. Click here to shop blouses.
T Shirts
T Shirts are great no matter the time of year for Paris. At this time of year a mix of long and short sleeve t shirts are advised.
Also if you want to dress like a French woman we would recommend a plain t shirt instead of a very patterned, or graphic or slogan tee.
Click here to shop tees for Paris.
Layers
Layers are absolutely essential for Winter in Paris. We like to pack a sudoku wardrobe when we travel, which means having 3 top layers with you. Usually we pack
- a cardigan,
- a hoodie, and
- smart sweater.
Pashmina
A pashmina is always on my Paris 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.
Underwear and Socks
Goes without saying.
PJs or Nightie
Thicker weight PJs are best for Paris in February.
What to Wear in Paris in February Packing List for Men
So now you know what to pack for women in Paris in February, we will turn our attention to a men’s packing list. We think these are all essentials for men in Paris:
Jacket / Coat
An absolute staple for February.
Chinos/Jeans
A combination of chinos and jeans mean you should be covered for every occasion.
As with the women’s packing list we recommend selecting more fitted and darker color jeans.
T Shirts and Shirts
A mix of long and short t shirts are perfect for men during the day. And for evenings having one button down shirt is a good idea for smarter restaurants.
Underwear, Socks and Pjs
What to Pack for Paris in February (Non Clothing)
Now you know the clothes you should pack what else should you pack for Paris in February?
We recommend packing:
- Documentation – i.e. including but not limited to Passports, travel insurance, prescriptions, visas etc as required.
- Universal Travel Adaptor – France uses the traditional European plugs. Therefore if you are traveling to France or Europe generally from the UK or USA etc you will need an adapter to make your electronics work.
- Compact Umbrella – essential for Paris in February.
- Crossbody bag – All tourist cities in the world unfortunately have pickpockets and Paris is no different. Therefore we recommend using a cross body anti theft bag with you such as this one.
- Reusable Water bottle – it’s just more environmentally friendly and will save you money on buying drinks while out and about.
- Medication – as required. Just be sure to bring the prescriptions with you if you are traveling with prescription medication, and pack them in your carry on instead of your checked luggage.
- Lip Balm – Our favorite brand at the minute is sun bum and is good to combat the cold air effects on your lips.
- Travel First Aid Kit
- Blister plasters
- Camera
- Power Pack / Battery charger – you will use your phone a lot while traveling through Paris, so have something to recharge as you go.
- 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 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 February FAQs
Do you need a coat for Paris in February?
Yes, February is probably the last month you need a thick Winter coat every day in Paris. So be sure not to forget it.
Paris Winter Packing List Checklist
So just to recap here is our complete list of what to add to your Paris Winter Packing List
- Waterproof and Wind resistant Coat or jacket
- Scarf, Gloves, Hat and ear muffs
- T shirts
- Thicker weight trousers such as jeans, wool trousers or corduroy trousers.
- Merino Wool Thermal socks
- Layers such as sweaters, fleeces, jumpers and hoodies
- Dresses / Skirts
- Warm Nightwear
- Ankle Boots
- Sneakers
- Medication and Documentation
- Back Pack
- Travel Adaptor
- Toiletries
- Camera
- Battery Pack
- Sunglasses
- Travel first aid kit including blister plasters
- Lip Balm
Do you have any questions about what to wear in Paris in February 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.