Socialite Paris Hilton has denied reports of giving a Nazi salute while partying in France, insisting that she was merely dancing while scratching under her nose.

The reality TV star was with friends on a luxury yacht in St Tropez's harbour and she came under fire on Sunday when pictures of her were published.

In them, she appeared to be marching like a Nazi with her hand in the air and her fingers under her nose, while wearing a military cap.

But Hilton's representative has quickly dismissed the outrage, claiming the 29-year-old hotel heiress always dances with her hands in the air and was just scratching an itch, reported Daily Mail online.

"Paris was dancing and having fun with her arm up in the air as she always dances like that and was scratching (her) face when a photo was taken. And the hat was a military-style hat from a club,"said her spokesperson.

The publicist insists Hilton would never upset Jews by mimicking the signature salute of the man behind the Holocaust, adding,"Half of her family is Jewish and many of her friends are as well.