Are you wondering what to wear in Paris in March? March marks the beginning of Spring in Paris, however its’ changeable weather means it can be challenging to pack for. In this guide we tell you everything to pack for Paris in March for weather, dinner, dress codes and more.
Weather in Paris in March
March is the beginning of Spring in France but what can you expect of the temperatures in March?
How cold is Paris in March?
Although the start of Spring, the temperatures are still cool and changeable in March. Generally speaking the weather in Paris in March range from average highs of 13C /55F to average lows of 5C/41F.
Therefore layers are still going to be your best friend in Paris in Spring.
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.
- What to wear in Paris in February
- What to wear in Paris in April
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 March?
March is actually one of the wetter months in Paris in Spring, as usually you see around 9 days of rain across the month.
This isn’t too rainy, but certainly warrants packing a compact travel umbrella.
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 March?
Snow is a rarity in Paris. February can sometimes see some heavy snowfall but it is not commonplace. Generally speaking you will may see snow on one day in March but it will only be a dusting. Therefore you can leave your snow boots at home if you are visiting Paris in March.
Note: 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 March
Parisians are always a stylish bunch no matter the season. But March is a tricky one to dress for even for locals. In Early March you will find that locals are still wearing their Winter Capsule Wardrobe but you will see locals slowly transitioning into their Spring capsule wardrobe as the month progresses.
Now black is always a popular color in local wardrobes, you will also see more pastels and even florals creeping into Parisians wardrobes.
What to Wear in Paris in March
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So now you know what to expect from the weather in Paris in March we will turn our attention to what to wear.
Best Shoes for Paris in March
Shoes are the most important part of any packing list as they can make or break your vacation enjoyment. So what are the best shoes for Paris?
Sneakers
Sneakers are my favorite shoe for Paris no matter the month. Some people worry I know worry that sneakers will make them look like a tourist but you will see sneakers on the streets of Paris being worn by locals and tourists alike.
Hoka and All Birds are currently some of my favorite walking shoes but you also can’t go wrong with a white sneaker for its versatility.
Ankle boots
Boots are a great pick for March when you still will encounter cool weather and rain. Given the rain in March we recommend selecting a boot that is leather or has some waterproofing to cope with the Paris weather. Suede definitely isn’t a great pick for Spring.
Also opt for a thick heeled boot over a thin heeled one. Thin heeled shoes are on my what not to wear in Paris list as they don’t cope well with cobbles.
Click here to shop ankle boots.
What to wear in Paris in March for women
So now you know the best shoes for Paris we will turn our attention to what clothes to pack for Paris in Spring.
Jacket
March is still quite cool in paris. So although you may not need your thickest coat, you will want a warm jacket such as puffer jacket at least.
Click here to shop jackets for Paris.
Skirts and Dresses
Dresses are a good pick for both sightseeing and evenings out in Paris. A sweater dress or jumper dress is good for the start of the month but by the end of March a long sleeve wrap dress is a good idea.
Trousers / Jeans
For the daytime in Paris pants are my go to and jeans in particular are perfect for March. I always advise people pick jeans in a darker shade and that are more fitted in style as this is more in keeping with local Parisian sensibilities.
However I would not only pack jeans. I personally don’t think you can go wrong with a black pant at any time of year in Paris.
Click here to shop trousers for Paris.
Blouse
A blouse is a great choice for Paris in Spring because they are a great layering option or as a top on their own on a warmer day. For Spring, I like a blouse in a pastel color or a floral.
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 Spring 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.
We use the hoodie for day time sightseeing and the sweaters and cardigan as great day to night transition pieces.
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 March.
What to Wear in Paris in March 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 March. Depending on when in the month you are traveling will depend on the thickness you require.
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 March (Non Clothing)
Now you know the clothes you should pack what else should you pack for Paris in March?
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 March FAQs
Are there any places in Paris with a dress code?
Though most places tourists visit in Paris don’t have a dress code. Some higher end restaurants will have a smart casual dress code though and you may want to dress up if you are going to visit the Moulin Rouge.
Do you need a coat for Paris in March?
For March you will still need a coat. However depending on what part of the month you travel will depend on the thickness you need.
Do you have any questions about what to wear in Paris in March 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.
