My husband and I are travelling to France next week and spending a week in Provence, four days in the Vaison la Romaine area and 3 days in Aix en Provence. We'll mostly be looking to do casual lunches/dinners but we're planning on 2-3 Michelen rated restaurants for dinner. What type of dress code should we expect? Would nice dark jeans and a nice shirt (button up collared shirt for him, blouse for me) be acceptable? Or should we bring dressier clothing? We'll be in Paris for a couple nights as well and will bring nicer clothes for dining out there, but wasn't sure if Provence is a little more relaxed. Any advice is appreciated!
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10229 posts
If you're being nicer clothes for Paris, why not just wear those? Maybe dress nicer for the first good dinner in Provence and see what others are wearing. Then you could decide for the other nights.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
1068 posts
I thought Provence would be more laid back than Paris, and was surprised at the number of (really wealthy looking) folks who were dressed VERY NICELY for dinner. In other words, I wouldn't put your "nicer" Paris dinner togs at the bottom of your bag! Remember what your deportment teacher once told you - it's always okay to be dressed like you are going on to someplace nicer after you've finished up where you are.
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
Agreed, why not wear the nicer clothes you'll be wearing in Paris? Certainly I hope you'll be doing laundry at some point during your trip. And certainly don't bring something extra from what you'll already have with you.
Posted by
Toronto, Canada
415 posts
If you are talking about restaurants with Michelin stars I would recommend dressier clothes. If they are just rated by Michelin they might be a bit less dressy. Have you checked to see if there is a dress code at these restaurants? In any event, I would recommend you take the dressier clothes.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Provence is a pretty big area with thousands of places to chow down. There can't possibly be a norm. Any observations are anecdotal without referencing a specific beanery.
Posted by
San Francisco
2 posts
Hi there, based on our experience, as long as you avoid jeans, shorts, and sneakers/tennis shoes you should be OK. I would avoid jeans but you should be OK with khakis/black pants/skirt. Just check the websites for the places you are visiting to make sure there are not special requirements (jackets, ties, etc.).