What to Wear in Paris in Autumn | A Paris Packing List for September

Choosing to visit Paris in autumn is easy—I mean, Paris is always a good idea, right!? In the autumn months–late September to late December—the weather is cooling, tourist crowds are ebbing, leaves are turning brilliant hues and if you’re late in the season, the Christmas markets are starting. But choosing what to wear in Paris during this transitional season can be a little tricky, so let me be your guide you. Learn what to pack for Paris in fall with the following tips and a printable checklist that is available at the end of this post.

General packing tips for Paris

Climate

Generally, weather in Paris is largely influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. This moderates the climate keeping it quite temperate, though at times, it may still experience more Continental extremes of hot and cold. Rain at low levels is fairly consistent throughout the year, with a slight dip in summer. Winters are cloudy, rainy and windy with occasional snow in winter. Since Autumn can range from late summer weather to more winter-like, here is a breakdown of each month:

September

Autumn begins in late September, when the weather becomes more unstable, temperatures drop, clouds gather and more consistent rain returns. Late September temperatures range from 10-20°C (about 51-68°F) and the chance of a wet day is about 24%.

October

October in Paris sees temperatures drop further. Daily temperatures in early October range from about 10-19°C (50-66°F), while in the later part of the month they range from 7-14°C (44-56°F). The chance of rain is pretty even throughout the month, around 25%.

November

Temperatures continue to descend, with an average range of 7-14°C (44-56°F) at the beginning of the month and 3-9°C (37-48°F) at the end. The chance of rain throughout November is consistently 26%.

December

December temperatures start out where November leaves off at about 7-14°C (44-56°F) and fall to an range of about 2-7°C (36-45°F). The chance of rainfall is 26% at the start of the month, increasing to 30% by the end. December has the highest number of wet days, with an average of 13 days seeing rainfall.

Clothing and comfort

Paris is a very walkable destination, so expect to work up a sweat at times, even on a cooler day. Pack lightweight, layerable pieces that will allow you to adjust to changing temperatures.

One water resistant outwear piece is good for rainy days, and make sure it is long (at least to your knees) and has a hood or pack a separate rain hat. I am not a proponent of umbrellas in tight sometimes crowded city streets.

Down is a poor choice for rainy environments unless it’s encased in a completely waterproof outer layer. Once wet, down never performs as well thermally. Cotton is also not ideal, especially for garments like socks that might get wet. Wool is a great option as water tends to bead on its surface.

Currency

The Euro (EUR or €) is the official currency of France. Note that prices are written a little differently in France and broader Europe. A comma or the Euro symbol are used to separate Euros and cents, where in English we would use a decimal point. For instance, $9.99 in English is €9,99 or 9€99 in France.

Withdrawing local currency from an ATM on the ground can be the best option for getting a favourable international currency conversion rate. Paris is a fairly card-friendly city, however most ticketing machines such as those for public transport, require a card with a chip. If your credit card does not have a chip, then you will need to carry some cash with you. If you are doing day trips out of Paris, it is also a good idea to carry some cash.

Etiquette

French culture is formal, especially when compared with the modern UK, USA or Australia. Always begin by greeting someone, no matter what your interaction is: bonjour during the day and bonsoir in the evening. As if it needs saying, normal manners apply. S’il vous plait for please and merci or merci beaucoup for thank you.

Tipping in restaurants is appreciated but not expected – staff make a monthly salary and a service charge is regularly included which indirectly benefits staff. A customary tip of 5-10% is adequate for exceptional service. For taxi drivers, €1-2 will do unless you have a long ride or heavy bags. For hotel bellhops or a helpful concierge, tip €1-4 and €24 per night for housekeeping. Gratuities for tour guides are typically in the realm of €2-5 per day for group guides or €10-20 for private guides. Tip half that for the tour driver, if there is one.

Parisians tend to be well dressed, combining classics with a little bit of edge. If you want to avoid looking like a tourist which makes you a target for pickpockets and other unscrupulous types, leave your shorts, baseball caps, neon and activewear at home. Dress nicely for restaurants (no jeans or sneakers) and more conservatively for religious sights.

Electronics

Electricity in France is delivered at 230 volts, 50Hz. Depending on where you are travelling from and what kind of appliances you are bringing, you may need a voltage converter. Generally, modern phones, tablets and laptops are made for both 110-127V and 220-240V, but it is best to check or you will ruin your appliance or device. France uses type C and E plugs, so you will almost certainly need an international adaptor.

Environment

Consider the environment and minimise packaging and disposables as much as possible – these guides have some practical suggestions: 8 Essential Eco-Friendly Travel Products and 5 Steps to More Sustainable Travel.

You can drink the tap water in Paris, and there are water refill stations around the city to discourage people from using single-use plastic bottles. Some water fountains even deliver sparkling water! Don’t pay for something you can get for free, pack a reusable water bottle for Paris.

Depending where you live or travel regularly, some of the things I recommend you pack for Paris may not be part of your existing wardrobe. Consider borrowing and/or thrifting items to fill the gaps, if there is something you need. I share my sustainable sources for travel clothing here.

Passport and visas

Ensure your passport has at least 6 months validity and plenty of pages for your new passport stamps. Check whether you require a visa for entry into France – it will depend on the country of your passport.

Security

Pickpocketing and petty theft are common in the train/buses and frequently touristed areas. Pickpockets commonly work in gangs, where one will distract you while the other swipes you wallet, so be vigilant.

Keep your valuables to a minimum, secure those you must take and don’t flash them around. Ensure your bag is zipped up and within reach at all times. Crossbody style bags are preferable, as they can’t be easily pulled off your shoulder. Thieves have been known to slash bags to get at their contents or cut the strap to remove them entirely.

Don’t leave your phone or wallet sitting visible on a tabletop, even if they are right in front of you – they are easily snatched by a passerby. Also, don’t stand close to the roadside using your phone, step back from the curb, out of reach of passing snatchers on bicycles. See this post for general travel security tips.