dress codes?
 

Does anyone know if there are dress codes for visiting the cathedrals and museums in Paris. I had heard that there were no short sleeves and no shorts allowed in some places. <BR> <BR>Thanks, <BR> <BR>Michelle

Michelle, <BR>In cathedrals, the general rule of thumb is no shorts and no sleeveless apparel. If heat is a factor, try a skirt with no hosiery & a short-sleeved top. <BR>Bon Voyage! <BR>BC

I have been to Paris five times and have never noticed a dress code anywhere. I feel more comfortable not wearing shorts in Notre Dame, etc. but I have never noticed anyone stopped. The only guards that I have ever seen were in Vatican city at St. Peters. There they ask you to dress in proper attire.

If you think of it in terms of being respectful because you are visiting a house of worship (no matter what your beliefs) the "dress code" should take care of itself. While short sleeves and even sleeveless may not be a problem, halter tops,bare backs and shorts are not considered appropriate.

I don't think there's any dress code in cathedrals in Paris. Definitely not a no short sleeves one, never heard of that policy in Catholic churches. I was raised Catholic and they were very Victorian were I was (US midwest) but even then we were allowed to wear short sleeves. I have never worn shorts into a church in Europe because I don't wear shorts there anyway while on vacation, so perhaps I didn't notice; there are plenty of tourists around Notre Dame wearing shorts, so I think they are allowed in. I am guessing you are talking about just sightseeing it as a building, not going to a service dressed in shorts, which I would think extremely poor taste and unacceptable.

There are certainly no dress codes in museums, and I've never seen anyone denied entry to any of the 'tourist' churches or cathedrals. <BR> <BR>Only you can determine what level of casual dress is comfortable for you.

Museums aren't a problem for shorts -- many tourists wear them and even a few French people do too. <BR> <BR>When you're planning on visiting cathedrals try to think of it this way -- if it were YOUR place of worship, how would you want visitors to dress? Most are "working" cathedrals, and whether or not mass is going on, there are worshipers there. They aren't the same as museums.

Except during mass, you won't be kicked out of a church or cathedral for wearing inappropriate clothing (as long as you wear some ;-)), but local people will privately comment about the lack of manners of (American) tourists wearing short or revealing shorts, halter tops, etc.

"Respect"? Respect for who, exactly? <BR> <BR>I sure don't care what people wear in churches or cathedrals. For crying out loud, do you think I'd stop people from entering St. Peter's just because they're wearing shorts? It's people that care about things like that. Rules about what to wear, and not wear, out of "respect" are made by people, not me. <BR> <BR>If you want to show respect for me, then love other people. <BR> <BR>

Just got back from Paris last week, there was one sign in a church that requested no sleeveless attire. We were in so many church, can't be sure but I thought it was Notre Dame, many tourists had shorts on and no one was refusing them entrance. When we were at Sacre Coeur an attendant was reminding men to remove their hats, most of which were baseball caps, but no other signs were posted about clothing

To be honest, I can't say I care that much for those baseball caps, but I'd never stop anyone from entering a church because they were wearing one. <BR> <BR>

I was in Sacre Coeur last summer and was literally assaulted by some man, apparently with the church, who had serious issues with my shorts. He grabbed at my pants and shoved me. I apparently could walk around the edges of the church, but not in the sacristy itself. These were not short shorts, but Bermuda length. There are no signs warning you about clothes.

Bob, <BR> <BR>Sorry about that. The guy at Sacre Coeur was one of mine. <BR> <BR>Minion Trainer

For goodness sake! If you go into a Christian church, you dress decently and take your hat off if male. Some churches and cathedrals actually have services going on during the day and some e.g. Salisbury Cathedral have prayers said every so often.<BR>If you go into a synagogue you cover your head and if you go into a mosque, you cover up and take off your shoes. It is arrogant and disrespectful to do otherwise. BTW, some shops notably Harrods in London have dress codes.<BR><BR>