Best Shoes to Wear in Paris: What Women Are Actually Wearing Right Now
Packing for Paris? Here are the shoes Parisian women are actually wearing.
In Paris, the Adidas Samba is practically a uniform. From the Marais to Montmartre, even down in the Metro, the city’s most stylish locals leaned into functional footwear, and yet still managed to look effortlessly, undeniably chic.
Over the course of five days in Paris, we saw: Sneakers (mostly Adidas), loafers, and Mary Janes. Surprisingly, we didn’t see any ballet flats, though we are certain they are still worn often. We also didn’t see high heels during the day. Also, we noticed that barely anyone was wearing flashy logos.
We rounded up a ton of photos and exact links to each item in this article, so if you want to see the best shoes for walking in Paris by category, keep reading!
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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. We spotted other brands too, but Adidas was clearly the standout.
Classic Adidas Sambas Originals
We’ve documented the street style in realtime and found women wearing a multitude of styles.
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Tokyo Adidas Originals
In addition to the original, women also wore the slimmer cousin of the Original Samba, the Tokyo.
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Pop of Color
Beyond the original Samba colorway, we also came across a multitude of colors, like the green featured below.
White Sneakers
In addition to Adidas, we also spotted white sneakers across different price ranges.
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
Beyond sneakers, loafers were everywhere on Parisian women: an elevated swap that feels polished without heels. Neutral tones like white, cream, and black dominated, with the occasional pop of red.
While not the exact pairs photographed, these styles are built to keep pace with long days on foot, balancing chic and practical with ease.
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Pro tip: we opt for simple classic loafers without embellishments. We feel hardware and tassels make it incredibly difficult to style with an everyday outfit. Minimal loafers pieces are simpler to style with almost any outfit.
Mary Janes: Best Shoes for a Parisian Vibe
Mary Janes, especially those with a small block heel, felt distinctly Parisian. Here are actual photos of ones we saw.
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The Stylishly Grounded Takeaway
What struck us most about Parisian footwear was its effortless blend of function and refinement. Every look felt intentional and unforced. What you didn’t see were women teetering through cobblestones in stilettos; instead, there was a quiet confidence in shoes designed to move with the city, not against it. It’s a reminder that style isn’t about sacrificing comfort but mastering it. So the real question is: when you’re packing for Paris, which pair will earn its place in your suitcase?
For more shoe roundups, reviews and articles:
→ Browse our Shoe Edit
For handbag reviews and recommendations:
→ Explore our Handbag Edit
Why Trust Stylishly Grounded
Stylishly Grounded is dedicated to providing honest, well-researched recommendations for footwear that blends comfort and style. Our editorial choices are guided by our mission to help readers find high-quality, wearable shoes that truly fit their needs. We are committed to curating content that prioritizes thoughtful insight and practical value, ensuring every selection aligns with the preferences and lifestyles of our audience. Transparency and trust are at the core of everything we do, and any future collaborations will always be clearly disclosed.
