France is more relaxed than its reputation suggests — but specific venues have hard rules. Michelin 3-star, Opéra Garnier, certain churches. Get these wrong and you'll be turned away at the door.
Two failures: 1) showing up to Opéra Garnier in shorts/sneakers and being turned away at the door; 2) being told to wear a jacket at a bistro (Paris is more relaxed than the stereotype). The reality is in between — and varies by venue.
The other French quirk: sneakers are the new fashion. White sneakers are accepted at many restaurants and theaters now, where they were verboten 10 years ago. Flip-flops remain universally banned.
Specific items from your suitcase that match. Don't wear something you don't own — adapt what you have.
The hard no's. Don't bring the wrong shoes.
Cover-ups, scarf rules at churches, jacket-never for men at gastronomes, etc.
Yes — clean, minimal white sneakers are widely accepted now at Opéra Garnier for performances starting after 19h. Ballet matinées are stricter; jeans are fine. Flip-flops, athletic sneakers, or hiking boots are not.
Almost never. Gastronomique restaurants: jacket yes, tie no. Opéra Garnier: jacket no, tie no. Business meeting: jacket yes if you're a man. Wedding: tie usually yes.
In summer (June-August), shorts are common and accepted in most venues. Outside summer, you may feel underdressed. Bikini top on the street: never.