The Best Walking Shoes for Paris
The Best Walking Shoes for Paris
My favorite way to explore Paris is by foot. My first solo trip to Paris was in 2010. I walked the city without a map, got lost, and enjoyed every minute. It is how I learned about Paris and all the hidden streets. The shoes you wear can make or break a trip. Blisters or uncomfortable shoes can slow you down. I also prefer to look like a local instead of a tourist. These are the best shoes in Paris, and I have recommended and tested them on a previous trip.
Shoes to Pack for a Trip to Paris
Plan to do a lot of walking as you explore the city of lights. It is my favorite way to see the city. A metro stop will always be nearby to get you to the Eiffel Tower or return to your hotel or rental apartment.
For colder months, you will want to pack a pair of comfortable ankle or knee-high boots. Last year, I saw that black riding boots were a big trend among Parisian women, and I cannot wait to order a pair.
In the warmer months, a great pair of flats or sneakers are the right shoes for Paris. Below, I break down the trending sneakers that won’t make you stand out like an American tourist.
P.S. For more Paris packing tips, check out this post.
The Best Sneakers for Paris
Comfortable walking shoes are essential for packing for a trip to Paris. Explore the different arrondissements (neighborhoods) Paris offers, each with its distinct personality. Sneakers are on trend right now with French women. It is more common to see Parisians wearing sneakers, especially on the weekends.
I picked up a pair of Vejas a few years ago, and now they are my go-to shoes for exploring Paris if I plan to do lots of walking. There are a few different Veja styles. I have the Campo style, which I think is a bit wider and has a thicker sole, which gives more support. The Esplar is a similar shoe, but I have heard people complain about it not being comfortable.
The Best Sneakers for Paris
Veja is a popular French brand. In the US, you can find them at Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, or Anthropologie. If you are in Paris and want to grab some, you can find them at a major department store such as BHV, Galleries Lafayette, or one of their stores.
Other sneakers you will find on Parisian women right now are the Adidas Sambas and New Balance.
Budget-Friendly Sneakers for Paris
For a budget-friendly option, I love the Madewell Low-Top Sneakers. They are the best white sneakers under $100; you can usually find them on sale. Sneakers are very trendy in Paris, and you will fit right in. Breaking in the Madewell shoes is a good idea before you leave town. They will mold to your feet well after a few wears. You will thank me later for this. Once you have them broken in, you will never want to take them off. I highly recommend wearing whichever shoes you bring to Paris for a night before you leave town to test your comfort level.
Paris Outfit Ideas With Sneakers
Pack sneakers, wide-leg pants or skinny jeans, and a leather jacket for Paris in the spring. Layer a long-sleeve tee underneath or a cardigan sweater, depending on the weather.
Sézane Jack Sneakers: Shoes for Paris
My other favorite sneakers include Jack sneakers from Sézane.
Comfortable Walking Shoes for Paris
It isn’t uncommon for me to walk 10 miles a day in Paris. I always find a reason to cross the Seine. It is so calming and a great place to watch the sunrise and sunset.
I have had my fair share of uncomfortable shoes on the streets of Paris, and I feel I have learned my painful lesson. I have also been caught in the rain more times than I care to admit and, in the end, ruined a few pairs of shoes.
My favorite walking shoes have been the Blondo shoes. They are great for fall and winter because they make various ankle—and knee-high boots. I have five pairs and counting! They are waterproof shoes, which is excellent, and I don’t have to worry about getting caught in the rain and ruining a pair of boots. The price point is between $125 and $200. These will bring new styles at the start of fall.
I like to wear these socks with my ballet flats and these no-show socks with my sneakers. (These were a reader favorite, but we sold them out.)
The Best Ballet Flats for Paris
When it comes to ballet flats, I love the Margaux Demi flat. I bought them after hearing so many people mention the brand. I purchased the 8.5, and I quickly fell in love with them. After walking miles in Paris in both the fall and spring, I can honestly say these are some of the best walking flats. The Margaux Demi flats are also one of the most popular shoes purchased by the Everyday Parisian community.
Using the bow tie at the top was a game changer for me, making them tighter and molding my feet better. They come in a variety of neutral colors. For a similar look, try the Demi Jane flat, which is a cross between a Mary Jane and a ballet flat. I own these in green and just bought the Ecru for summer.
Add a pop of color and pack a pair of red ballet flats for your next Paris trip. Madewell makes a variety of cute ballet flats, including the Greta flat. It is incredibly comfortable and has been tested for long walks in Paris. Pair your ballet flats with a trench coat, wide-legged jeans, and a white button-up for a classic look.
Sarah Flint flats are also a great option if you want a different style of flat. These need a little more breaking in, but once you have them formed to your feet, you can walk miles. This is the style I have.
The Best Flat Boots for Paris
For a dressy ankle boot, I love these from Sarah Flint. I have high heels to pair with dresses and jeans. The lower heel would be more ideal for walking around Paris. Cobblestone streets are not always the most suitable for high heels.
For the colder months, I highly recommend a flat boot for walking around Paris. My Blondos are my go-to, and one of your favorites, too! In the colder months, these tall boots will be in stock in all sizes. These are the best shoes and go with jeans and dresses. They are all-around great boots for under $250. I always rave about them, and many readers have picked them up. You can easily wear them for long walks in Paris. They fold up easily and roll the suede around the rubber sole when you pack them. The Blondo boots are high quality. I have owned the same pair for four years. They are available at Nordstrom and Tuckernuck.
Ankle Boots for Paris
Chelsea boots are the trend in Paris right now. I love these from Everlane, which held up to my walking test in Paris. They are also water resistant, which is helpful for rainy days in Paris. They run true to size. I am an 8.5 and come in black and brown. These are great for cold weather; you will want to pair them with chunky wool socks to keep warm. Sam Edelman and Madewell also make a great Chelsea boot.
Loafers for Paris
Loafers are currently trending on French girls, and I am here for it. The French are wearing loafers with socks. I wear two pairs often, a chunky pair from Sézane and a pair from Larroudé that are super comfortable.
Remember that your perfect pair of shoes may differ from mine. If you need good arch support or have foot issues such as plantar fasciitis, choose the right shoes for you. Just remember you will be doing a lot of walking in Paris. You will want to pack your most comfortable shoes to avoid sore feet. I hope this post was helpful! If you have any shoe favorites that I didn’t cover. Please comment below and share with the EDP community.
This post does include affiliate links that help contribute to my coffee and croissant research. Merci!
P.S. Don’t miss A Guide to Paris in the Fall and My Favorite Boutique Hotels in Paris
Bonjour, I’m Rebecca!
I’m a photographer, blogger, croissant-lover, and world traveler. I hope that Everyday Parisian inspires you by bringing a bit of France into your daily life and helps you plan the best trip to Paris with personalized recommendations for places to stay, explore, and eat.
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I will be in Paris in July and know that it will be uncomfortably hot as I have been there in July in the past. What do you wear to appear fashionable and not too American. Are skorts acceptable, I know shorts are not preferred. Thanks.
I recently bought a pair of Vejas and then some small sneaker sponges to keep them clean! Any tips for keeping them white are much appreciated.
I love Rothy’s and their driving slippers are so comfortable. Washing them is 100% why I keep buying/taking them for travel.
My favorite walking shoe is the Crissy slip-on loafer from SAS Shoes:
https://www.sasshoes.com/womens-crissy-slip-on-loafer/233008660085.html
They are sturdy (my current two pairs have lasted almost four years of near-daily wear), comfortable, and attractive. They can be dressed up or down: they go equally well with jeans or a party dress. I have plantar fasciitis, and I can easily put in insoles for that condition in my pairs of the Crissy shoes. I also have double-wide feet, and I am happy that SAS Shoes regularly sells shoes in that width. The only disadvantage is that the Crissy shoes are $185 a pair. However, since the shoes last for years of hard daily use, I willingly save my pennies to buy them.
Hi Katheryn,
Thank you so much for sharing your favorite loafers! I am sure the EDP community will love this helpful advice. It sounds like the shoes are a great investment for years to come.
Going to Paris in the Spring and I don’t want to look like a 65 year old women there for the first time (which I am!). Suggestions for a capsule wardrobe and really comfortable but cute shoes?
Thanks!
Scored myself a pair of Blondo Idra waterproof ankle booties at Goodwill today for $6.99. The soles look like they’ve never even been worn before!
Great post. That’s a lot of shoes to pack. But not very budget friendly. And that’s a lot of shoes for 1 trip!
Hello Vandana,
This is a general suggestion based on all seasons. The post is to help you make the best decision based on your budget and the time of year you are traveling. The Madewell sneakers are under $75 on sale and are very budget-friendly.
Have a great day,
Rebecca
Thank you! I learned about the Demi ballet flats some time ago and after being introduced by you I decided to check out further. Decided to order a black pair and I am happy so thank you. Wanted pink but went with good old standby black. Loved the burgundy and brown from last fall. I most often wear Chanel two toned so I suggested to the Margaux co would they do some colors? Anyway I mainly wanted to thank you again for suggesting. It pushed me when you said comfort…
I always bring a pair of Veja or Adidas white sneakers! And I have been using a pair of Franco Sarto boots with a slight heel on colder, wetter days…but am SO interested in checking out the Blondos!
I hope you love the Blondos as much as I do!
xo
I second the Rothys. I wore walked 10 miles one day this April while in Paris. Tossed them in the wash when I git back to Boston. They’ve got round toe, pointy toe, loafer and sneaker. My favorite sneakers are my white on white tretorn nylite.
Hi Stephanie,
Great to know! Thank you. I love that you can throw them in the wash.
xo
Rebecca
I might need the snake skin version of the ballet flats. So cute! I have ultra sensitive skin. The elastic doesn’t look too tight, like on other flats that just have it at the back. Is it soft against the skin?
I literally walked 21 miles in the red flats and didn’t have an issue. I always wear little socks with them to protect my feet from blisters and sweat.
I have found the best shoes which are designed by an Australian podiatrist and physiotherapist. They come with with insole inserts for extra comfort.. There are sandals, boots and jogger styles as well as ballet slipper styles. I have in excess of twelve pairs and a number of them have walked rhe streets of Paris. I love them.
They are sold online all over the world at www. frankie4.com.au
My fav cute walking shoes are my Rothys! Sooo cute and so comfortable, and you can throw them in the wash!
You can throw them in the wash? I need to check these out ASAP. Thanks for the tip!
My favorite walking shoes on European trips are from Mephisto. In the summer I’ve been able to find lightweight sneakers that have a little metallic trim that work well with pants, skirts, and even casual summer dresses. In the winter I purchased the Mephisto black sneaker called Lenzo that has a thicker sole and suede shell that keeps you warm while walking on the frozen concrete. Mephisto is always very supportive.
I’m updating for summer with white Mephisto Hawaï with silver trim. They are very similar to Lenzo shoe. I’ll be in Europe this May getting my steps in. Also bringing Blondos for the rain days.
Taryn Rose makes the most beautiful and comfortable suede flat. Rothy’s also makes super comfy and stylish flats that are machine washable!! They are made from recycled water bottles—how cool is that?!
Great post and unless I’m going out to a restaurant I live in my black leather converse high tops. They go with most things and are so comfy. I do all my photoshoots and weddings in them too. A great investment and pretty cheap at underc100 euros. I’ve walked all over Paris numerous times and Rome and they are still going strong after 2 years! Xx