What Shoes to Wear in Paris: Chic, Comfortable & Actually Walkable
Paris is one of those cities where you want your shoes to look as good as the rest of your outfit — but Paris is also a city where you can easily walk 20,000 steps without even realizing it.
So what shoes should you actually wear in Paris?
After traveling through Europe and testing the shoes I really wear, I've learned that the answer isn't packing a different pair for every outfit. It's choosing a few shoes that are comfortable enough for Paris streets but still feel polished and stylish.
Here are the shoes I'd actually consider for a trip to Paris.
A Stylish White Sneaker
If I could bring only one shoe to Paris, a stylish white sneaker would be very high on my list.
I love a white sneaker because it works with almost everything: wide-leg jeans, linen pants, skirts, dresses and even a simple pair of trousers.
My personal favorite is the VEJA Recife.
They're polished enough that they don't feel like a traditional athletic shoe, but comfortable enough for a full day of sightseeing. I've worn mine for extremely long walking days, and that's the kind of shoe I want in Paris.
The key is choosing a sneaker that looks intentional with your outfit rather than something that looks like you just left the gym.
Good with:
Wide-leg jeans
Straight-leg jeans
Linen pants
Midi skirts
Casual dresses
A Fashion-Forward Sneaker
Paris is a great place for a sneaker that has a little more personality.
This is where shoes like Adidas Sambas, Gazelles, Puma Speedcats, or similar low-profile sneakers come in.
They're not necessarily the shoes I'd choose for a 20,000-step sightseeing day, but they're fantastic when you want your outfit to feel a little more current.
I especially love them with wide-leg denim.
This is the shoe I'd reach for when the day involves a little less walking — shopping, a museum, lunch, or wandering around a neighborhood.
A Comfortable Sandal for Summer
If you're visiting Paris in late spring or summer, I would absolutely consider packing a comfortable sandal.
My go-to is a Birkenstock Arizona with the soft footbed.
They're not the dressiest shoe in your suitcase, but they're incredibly practical. And when you've been walking all day, sometimes practical wins.
They're especially nice for warm days when you don't want to spend another 12 hours in sneakers.
I'd choose a neutral color so they work with the rest of your travel wardrobe.
Good with:
Linen pants
Shorts
Denim
Casual dresses
Skirts
A Chic Flat or Loafer
There are going to be times in Paris when you want something a little more polished.
Dinner. Drinks. A museum. An evening wandering along the Seine.
That's when a flat or loafer can be useful.
I like a simple neutral style because it can instantly make an outfit feel more finished without requiring you to pack an entirely separate “dressy” wardrobe.
A pair like Rothy's loafers is worth considering if you want something lightweight and easy to pack. Ballet shoes are a great option too.
Just remember: I wouldn't make a brand-new pair of flats your primary sightseeing shoe. Paris is not the place to discover that your new shoes rub.
A Chic Sandal for Dinner
If you're traveling to Paris during warm weather, you may also want one sandal that feels a little more elevated.
This is where a simple leather sandal comes in.
I love the look of a neutral leather sandal because it can take the same basic outfit from daytime sightseeing to dinner.
A pair like Beek is a good example of this idea: comfortable enough to be practical, but beautiful enough to feel like part of the outfit.
The goal isn't to bring a “dress shoe.”
It's to bring a shoe that can do both.
What I Wouldn't Wear in Paris
There are a few shoes I would personally leave at home.
Brand-new shoes
Do not make Paris the place where you break in your shoes.
Wear them at home first. Walk in them. Make sure you know exactly how your feet react to them.
Uncomfortable heels
Unless you're specifically going somewhere that requires them, I wouldn't waste precious suitcase space on high heels.
You'll probably walk much more than you expect.
Shoes that only work with one outfit
This is one of my biggest travel-packing rules.
If a shoe only works with one dress, it's probably not earning its place in my suitcase.
I want my shoes to work with jeans, pants, skirts and dresses whenever possible.
How Many Shoes Do You Really Need for Paris?
Honestly?
Probably two or three pairs.
For a typical Paris trip, I'd build my shoe lineup around:
1. A comfortable everyday sneaker
For serious sightseeing and long walking days.
2. A stylish sneaker or sandal
For when you want your outfit to feel a little more fashionable.
3. An optional dressier shoe
For dinners, evenings and occasions when you want something more polished.
That's it.
You don't need a suitcase full of shoes to look stylish in Paris.
You need shoes that can handle the walking — and a wardrobe where everything works together.
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