What We Actually Saw on the Streets

Over the course of five days in Paris, across neighborhoods, museums, markets, and metros, one trend emerged loud and clear: classic comfort.

• Sneakers (mostly Adidas) were everywhere
• Loafers, both structured and soft, offered a dressed-up-but-comfy look
• Ballet flats and low black ankle boots gave a feminine finish to spring outfits
• Heels were virtually nonexistent during the day, aside from the occasional Mary Jane with a small block heel
• Designer logos were surprisingly rare. Most shoes were quietly chic, mid-luxury pieces that didn’t shout for attention

Sneakers: The Best Shoes to Walk Paris

Let’s start with the obvious. Sneakers are everywhere in Paris. Adidas, in particular, dominated: we saw Sambas, Gazelles, and Spezials in nearly every arrondissement. Most women paired them with jeans or wide-leg trousers and they gave each outfit a cool, unfussy feel. We spotted other brands too, but Adidas was clearly the standout.

Classic Adidas Sambas Originals

We saw a ton of Sambas – check out our photos below.

Though we saw a ton of Adidas, we also saw a good amount of white sneakers. Can’t beat them and they never go out of the style – all the way from affordable to luxury.

What We Didn’t See

What we didn’t see: athletic running shoes, bulky soles, or performance sneakers. Parisians opted for clean profiles, flat soles, and retro-inspired designs. Their sneaker game was intentional. If you’re looking for something to walk in all day that still looks elevated, these are your best bet.

The takeaway? Sleek sneakers are a great practical option when walking 10,000 or more steps in Paris. Mostly all of the ones below are still in stock so grab yours now!

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Loafers: Best Shoes for Walking in Paris

While sneakers led the charge during the day, we noticed many women wearing loafers that looked just as comfortable. In fact, loafers seem to be Paris’s quiet answer to dressing up without heels. They anchored outfits in a way that looked pulled together but still practical.

Note the colors: white, cream and black. We love that Parisian women keep their colors fairly neutral, with a pop of red being an exception at times.

We’re linking loafers from brands known for comfort and all-day wear, because when you’re walking across uneven cobblestone streets, the last thing you want is a trendy shoe with a paper-thin sole. While the exact loafers shown in the photos aren’t featured here, we sourced styles from brands that prioritize comfort. Since this article is all about walking in Paris, we focused on loafers known for cushioning, support, and long-wear durability. If you’re planning to put tens of thousands of steps on these shoes, they need to go the distance without leaving your feet sore by midday. While we haven’t personally tested every pair, we chose the options below based on each brand’s mission, materials, and sole construction.

Shop the optios below so you can add a little Parisian chicness to your wardrobe.

Pro tip: we opt for very simple classic ones without embellishments. We feel hardware and tassels make it incredibly difficult to style with an everyday outfit. Classic pieces make it simpler to style with almost any outfit.

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Mary Janes: Best Shoes for a Parisian Vibe

We also saw a few classic Mary Janes, the kind of shoes that feel like they belong in Paris. The Mary Janes, especially those with a small block heel, felt distinctly Parisian. Think soft leathers, single straps, and just a hint of polish.

Let’s talk about heels. We didn’t see pumps. We didn’t see stilettos. And we didn’t see kitten heels, at least not during the day. Everything was grounded, both literally and stylistically. We learned you don’t need high heels to look chic in Paris or anywhere else.

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The Stylishly Grounded Takeaway

What we loved most was how effortless it all felt. The takeaway is simple: you don’t need heels to look put together. In Paris, polished comfort wins every time. Choose the shoe that can take you from your morning croissant to your evening apéro without needing to change. That’s the Stylishly Grounded mindset.

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Next Steps

For more shoe roundups, reviews and articles:
→ Browse our Shoe Edit

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→ Explore our Handbag Edit