Fall is my favorite time to visit France. The summer rush is gone and you can be pleasantly surprised with late summer weather well into Fall this time of year.
I also love planning outfits when I travel to France in the Fall. You can be comfortable and chic if you know what to pack and how to make your clothes work well for you in terms of being able to mix and match.
I recommend leaning into neutrals (no matter the season!) as it always makes putting a myriad of outfits together easy. You’ll also more easily emulate the je ne sais quoi style of French women when dressing in neutrals.
What to Pack for France in Fall
As the founder of En Route to Rêverie I am in France often and can tell you that you should be able to enjoy Fall weather all of September, October and November and sometimes even into early December. But of course, the average temperature will vary depending on whether you plan to be in Central France such as Paris, the North of France of the South of France.
If you plan to travel to Paris in September, you may even be gifted with summer weather in the city of light in which case you’ll want to consult my How to Dress for Paris in the Summer guide. It’ll make your life easier as you begin packing for Paris and give you tips on emulating the style of Parisian women.
If you’re heading to the South of France you may want to include some additional summer weather items in your suitcase, too as sunny, warm days are common through the end of the year.
Below is a handy guide on what to wear to pack for France in the Fall. Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom to shop current styles of what I recommend, too and get a packing list you can pin or save to your phone for later.
Travel Umbrella
I am never without an umbrella when in France as it is often a matter of when not if when it comes to a bit of rain. This one meets my rigorous standards when it comes to a good umbrella.
Sneakers
A sneaker is an essential pair of shoes to pack. I always pack my Common Projects Sneakers for trips to France. The sneaker you’ll see on loads of French girls and my personal favorites for getting in my steps in Paris. In addition, I wrote a review of them here. (This post also includes some more affordable options).
Or alternatively try a pair of Sambas or Vejas which are a French company and seen all over the streets of France.
Ankle Boots
I love my Inez Suede Boots for trips to France and almost always pack a pair for Fall trips. (I own both the ginger and black colors and choose whichever pair goes with more of what I have packed in my suitcase).
These elegant boots are ones that I can walk all over in comfortably – even on the common cobblestone streets you’ll find in many villages and across Paris.
You can use code WIT&WHIMSY15 for 15% off your order.
Tights
For pairing with your favorite dresses and skirts, don’t forget to pack tights when traveling to France in the Fall should the temperatures be on the cooler side.
These are a personal favorite of mine.
Knee High Boots
Consider also knee high boots for days where it may be colder. This pair has long been a favorite of mine since I can walk loads and loads of steps in them.
Sweater Dress
A sweater dress can be a workhorse on trips because you can style them up or style them down. I wear mine with sneakers, with ankle boots and with knee high boots when traveling in France in winter.
This is a favorite affordable sweater dress I own in two colors. I recommend sizing up. I own the L.
Related: How To Style Sweater Dresses
Black Dress
A black dress is always, always in my suitcase when I head to France. Consider one with sleeves or in a heavier fabric like the wool, column style above.
Versatile Bag
A good crossbody bag with a proper closure will be key for you keeping your belongings safe and handy throughout the day’s adventures. I love this beautiful one for its styling versatility.
Related: My Bag Collection
Stripes
To add a bit of visual interest to my outfits in Fall I love a striped long sleeve tee or striped sweater to be popping out from underneath my coat or blazer.
La Ligne makes all my favorite striped sweaters that I own.
Jeans
I like the Agolde Riley Jeans for France trips because they can be dressed up or dressed down, don’t overly stretch and they have a flattering high rise and straight leg that pairs well with most of the shoes I usually bring with me on trips to France.
Sweaters
Good merino wool or cashmere sweaters are essential as base layers for exploring France in the Fall on chillier days.
Loafers
A comfy, buttery leather loafer never goes out of style and is great for Fall trips to France. Above I am wearing my Gucci loafers but I also love this affordable pair by Sam Edelman.
Slip Skirt
I love wearing a slip skirt year round but in the Fall I pair it with a boot with a walkable heel.
It’s a great look for Paris because it goes seamlessly from day to nighttime if you don’t want to do an outfit change before dinner. I love the Champagne color of the one above but I usually prioritize a black skirt as it is a bit easier to add to my suitcase for a variety of looks to be mixed and matched.
Related: What to Wear with a Leather Jacket
Car Coat
This coat is a workhorse in my coat closet. I love the tailored fit of it and that you can wear it layered and accessorized in cooler months or with a more feminine blouse in warmer months. I recommend sizing up.
I also love adding a ruffled collar top under coats or sweaters in the Fall. Perfect for a feminine French detail.
Leather Jacket
Two timeless pieces in my wardrobe that I’ve had for years are my Vince and J.McLaughlin leather jackets and a well-fitting button down (recommend sizing up). These basics when paired with classic blue jeans are great to have on hand for France in the Fall.
Madewell has a leather jacket that is similar in style to the one I own seen above as does Sezane.
Trousers
Trousers are a great addition to your France wardrobe as they style well with a variety of shoes for both day time and night time activities.
Tweed Jackets
Mango and Veronica Beard are my go-tos for tweed jackets. Wearing above the Bash Paris jacket in a M. This is a good more affordable alternative.
Blazers
This wool, oversized blazer is a favorite jacket for me to bring to France in the Fall because it is really versatile and a heavy enough weight that you can wear it as your main jacket for much of Fall and into Winter. Wearing a size 6 and it comes in three colors. I’m wearing it in the first photo of this post, too.
And Sezane is also great for blazers.
If you don’t have a black blazer that you feel great in, there’s no time like the present. It’s an instant mood booster and can be restyled throughout the year in loads of ways. I never go to Paris in the Fall without packing a black blazer.
This one is a great affordable option for a black blazer and I love this plaid one. The tones are so beautiful for France in Fall.
Lady Jackets
Or consider a striped lady jacket like this one by J.Crew (above in size L) or this one by Alex Mill.
Sweater Jacket
Similar to a knit lady jacket, consider a wrap sweater jacket. This piece is one of my favorite items to carry to throw on top of a tee and look instantly more leveled up.
This one is my personal favorite and I own it in two versions! You can use code WIT&WHIMSY20 for 20% off your first order.
The fabric is particularly well suited for travel as it doesn’t wrinkle easily. It’s also got a nice weight to it so you can use it as more of jacket on warmer Fall days. It comes in several colors and the neutrals lend themselves well to being a travel wardrobe workhorse. It may not look like much but trust me when I say – the fabric and fit of it is special.
Above I paired mine with my favorite Sarah Flint Natalie flat.
Shirt Dress
A shirt dress is a great day to evening look in Paris. You can wear it with sneakers for exploring during the day and the sub out a dressier shoe for an evening out in the city of lights.
I adore the Tuckernuck Chloe Dress. It’s beautiful on and has a great fabric. I sized up to a L. It comes in a variety of colors if you prefer to wear a bit more color in the Fall!
Satin Pants
I love satin pants for travel nights out because they are so comfortable and roll up to take up next to no room in your suitcase. Paired with a chunky knit sweater it is perfect for a Fall evening in France.
I find great satin pants at Reformation and I’m wearing the La Ligne Mini Marin sweater (size L) above.
Ballet Flats
My Chanel ballet flats come with me to France every single trip no matter the season!
I also have a more affordable pair by Margaux that are timeless. And J.Crew makes a pair under $130, too.
Silk Cami
This go-to look is perfect for exploring Northern and Central France in the Fall. Chic, put together and comfortable. Pair this look with sneakers or ballet flats.
I love this M.M.LaFleur blazer’s lightweight ponte fabric that makes it a dream to travel with. See how I styled it for evening further below in this post.
It is paired with the silk tank by M.M.LaFleur I always travel with. It pairs perfectly under all my favorite blazers and little jackets for Fall. Bonus points for the fact that it is washable silk!
Dressy Blouse
Perfect for dressier dinners at brasseries or bistros or five star hotels. A silk top with jeans and a small heel. I sized up to a L in this top and I’m wearing my favorite Manolo kitten heels. This pair is good, too.
I almost always travel with my Agolde Riley jeans because they are rather versatile for styling.
Midi Dress
The reason I love a good midi dress for Fall is because of its styling versatility.
So the same one I may style one day with a sweater over the shoulders becomes perfect for nighttime when you add a blazer and a chic belt over it.
Trench Coat
I never go to France without a trench coat. It’s the perfect topper much of the year when you travel and it always brings together an outfit.
Pair it with a black pant, with cropped jeans or over a dress. This style is classic from J.Crew as is this one from Sezane both of which I own. I find the one from Sezane travels a bit better (it never requires steaming!)
A favorite pair of black pants are the M.M.LaFleur Meija.
Versatile Cardigan
This sweater kind of does it all. Which explains why I now own it in three colors and the striped version!
Wear it frontwards or backwards or with jeans, pants or with a skirt or over a dress unbuttoned.
Packing List For France
You can save this sample packing list to your phone or pin it for later! A lot of the items included and similar items can also be found in The Shop.
SHOP THE PACKING LIST HERE AND HERE
As I pack for fall trips to France I really consider what pieces are able to be versatile and worn a myriad of ways. I also always want the items to be comfortable.
I’m not personally a fan of packing cubes but I do know others that swear by them to save space when traveling. Instead I rely on my compression Away suitcases and then opt to roll all my clothing items.
I recommend you plot out your outfits in the Notes app on your phone ahead of time and cut out any pieces that are too bulky or can’t be worn in more than at least two outfits.
Packing in a color scheme will also be really helpful. I tend towards black, navy and camel or ivory when it comes to my wintertime French travels.
Shop for France in the Fall
If your trip to France this Fall includes Paris, see even more Paris Packing Lists.
Heading to France? Book En Route to Rêverie and get customized recommendations based on your travel preferences to make your next trip the best one yet.
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