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What to wear in Paris in October

What to wear in Paris in October

Wondering what to wear in Paris in October? In this guide we will tell you how to pack for Paris in October for sightseeing, the Fall weather, dress codes, dinner and more.

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Weather in Paris in October

Fall is in full swing in Paris in October. And as the leaves change color so does the temperature. But how cold does Paris get in October?

How cold is Paris in October?

Two women pulling suitcase in Paris in October
What to pack for Paris in October

Paris in October is full Fall and the temperatures are starting to drop. Generally speaking the temperatures in October have an average high of 17C/62F and average lows of 10C / 50F.

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 October?

Though you are likely to experience some rain in October, you shouldn’t have too much. There are typically around 8 days of rain in October and often the rain comes in showers rather than heavy rain storms.

While we don’t think rain coats are an essential in October we certainly recommend packing a compact travel umbrella.

Note: Paris in October is still counted as peak season. Therefore 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.

How do Locals Dress in Paris In October

October is Fall / Autumn in Paris and you will see the locals moving away from their summer capsule wardrobe in favor of their Fall capsule wardrobe. As such you will see Parisians opting for layers.

What to Wear in Paris in October

woman in front of arc de triumph in Paris in October
what to wear in Paris in October

So now you know what to expect from the weather, what should you wear in Paris in October?

Best Shoes for Paris in October

Sneakers

Comfortable walking shoes are an essential for Paris no matter the time of year. Paris is a city where you will be doing a lot of walking and sneakers for me are the best shoes for sightseeing in.

My favorite brands for travel tend to Hoka and All birds but for Paris in October my go to is a white sneaker such as the Addidas Cloud Foam brand.

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.

On top of sneakers we also recommend packing:

Ankle boots

As the weather is changeable in Paris in October 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 wear in Paris in October for women

woman in front of arc de triumph in Paris in October holding a phone
what to wear in Paris in October

Skirts and dresses

Skirts and dresses are perfect for touring Paris in October. In October it is worth packing a pair of think tights to wear wear them in.

Click here to shop skirts and dresses for Paris.

Trousers / Jeans

If skirts and dresses aren’t your thing then trousers are a great choice. Depending on the time of month you are traveling will depend on the type of trousers that are best.

Personally I think jeans are the perfect trouser for October in Paris.

Click here to shop trousers for Paris.

Blouse

Loose blouses are perfect for Paris in the Fall for both sightseeing and going out to dinner. They can be dressed up or down for night and day, and work in almost all venues that you will be visiting. Click here to shop blouses.

T Shirt

I don’t think I ever visit Paris without a t shirt on my packing list. As the weather is quite changeable in October we recommend packing a mix of Long and short sleeve t shirts.

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.

Click here to shop tees.

Layers

For PAris in October I would pack layers such as cardigans and sweaters.

Usually for October 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 Paris but this is just a personal preference.

Jacket

For October, we recommend packing a slightly heavier weight jacket than for September. A trench coat can be an excellent selection for Early October, however a puffer jacket or wool coat is good for later in the month. Click here to shop jackets.

Pashmina

A pashmina is always on my Paris packing list even in Fall. 

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

Lightweight pyjamas and nighties are essential for Paris in Fall. 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 October without a pair of shades that offers good UV protection.

What to Wear in Paris in October Packing List for Men

For men visiting Paris in October we recommend adding the following items to your packing list:

  • A Mixture of long and short sleeve t shirts for day time and night are perfect for October. Polo shirts are also good.
  • Shirts – a button down shirt is a great choice for Parisian restaurants/
  • Sunglasses
  • Trousers – jeans are great for sightseeing in October. You may want to add a smarter pair of chinos to the packing list too for nights out and fancier dinners.
  • Blazer – perfect for smarter restaurants in Paris.
  • jacket –
  • Layers – such as a hoodie, jumper and sweater alongside the jacket.
  • Sneakers
  • Smarter Pair of Shoes for dinner – we recommend a pair of waterproof ankle boots.
  • Pjs
  • Underwear

What to Pack for Paris in October (Non Clothing)

Now you know the clothes you should bring to Paris in October what else should you pack for visiting the city of light? 

We recommend

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 October FAQs

Do I need swimwear in Paris in October?

It is unlikely that you will need swimwear in PAris in October. The only reason you should consider packing bathing suits for Paris in Fall is if:

  • you are staying at a Paris hotel with a pool (there aren’t that many)
  • 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 October?

Paris isn’t overly rainy in October and you should be able to miss rain showers by ducking into shops or attractions and having a trusty travel umbrella to hand. 

Do you have any questions about what to wear in Paris in October 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.