Paris in Winter: 39 Ways To Stay Warm And Snug On Your Trip

Paris in the winter time — why it's the best time to visit

The savviest travellers know that winter may well be the best time to visit France, or Paris at the very least.

Those masses of tourists you'll rub shoulders with in other seasons will mostly be gone, and you'll have Paris (almost) to yourself, both its main sights and its off-the-beaten-path attractions. Parisian winter months are officially those with the fewest visitors.

Not only are the crowds thinner, but they're replaced by locals, allowing you to glimpse a facet of Parisian life less visible in high season, when many Parisians have escaped the heat.

Prices are often lower in winter, and accommodation is more easily available. Anyone who has tried to reserve a decent room at a decent price in Paris during the high season will immediately understand the value of this. (The exception is Christmas and New Year's, when all of a sudden, low season temporarily becomes high season again.)

So yes, it may be cold and sometimes rainy, but when the sun finally does break out and the mist begins to sparkle, you'll feel like you're waking up in a fairy tale. And if snow happens to fall, then you'll know you're in one.

Should you consider visiting Paris in wintertime? Absolutely. Keep reading to discover why winter in Paris can be as memorable as summer.

The giant clock in the main hall of the Musée d'Orsay - a perfect place to escape any Paris winter weather

Paris weather in winter

Here’s a brief overview of the weather you can expect over the winter months in Paris, at least according to official forecasts:

• Paris in December: Paris weather in December is around 8°C (46°F), with around 11 days of rainfall and snow.

• Paris in January: The average Paris temperature during January is around 11°C (52°F), with around 10 days of rainfall and snow.

• Paris in February: The average temperature during February is around 7°C (45°F), with around nine days of rainfall and snow.

Visiting Paris in the winter: it doesn't snow often, but when it does, it is a thing of beauty

In a nutshell, normally expect grayness and rain, and a rare snowfall, but the sun does shine in winter – just not as often as we'd like.

39 Best things to do in Paris in winter

Deciding what to do in Paris in winter won't be a hardship – except for the choosing part. That's harder.

But this list will help keep you warm and fuzzy (or at least entertained) in the Paris winter whenever that thermometer drops. 

1. Mosey up to Montmartre

Yes, visiting Montmartre on a spring visit to Paris is ideal, but that doesn’t mean a winter visit is out of the question, on the contrary. 

On a bright sunny day, hike up Montmartre Hill or take a walking tour and visit the Place du Tertre, where artists continue to capture the faces of visitors despite their freezing fingers. The winter air makes the colors brighter, and the sun’s rays work hard to warm you as you bravely sip your coffee on a terrace.

If the day isn’t made for walking, hop the bus. It was once called the Metrobus, but after a major bus route reorganization, it re-emerged as Ligne 40, or bus line 40. More efficient, but oh so less romantic… Ride the bus around Montmartre and enjoy the scenery from the warmth of your seat.

Make your way to Montmartre museum and relive the area’s history in the 17th-century building which once housed the studios of such artists as Renoir. It's small, but absolutely delightful.

2. Be dazzled by the lights of Paris

Paris Christmas lights are absolutely stunning. Each year, the Champs-Elysées change their light designs and they're always a joy to look at.

But not only: many of the major boulevards have lights too, as do department stores. Enjoy the lights and much more on a Christmas walking tour...

You'll find the lights go up during early December, and usually stay up into early January.

The weather in Paris in December may not be ideal, but the ambiance is fabulous, especially on major streets like the Champs-Elysées, where lights provide a truly magical feeling

3. Admire department stores at Christmas

Emporia like the Galeries Lafayette and Printemps try to outdo one another with their Christmas decor and displays. They're so successful you might just forget you’re in a store and believe you've landed in a Belle Epoque museum.

From the sublime escalators of the Bon Marché to the enormous Christmas tree under the cupola of the Galeries Lafayette or the stunning colors of the recently renovated Samaritaine, you’ll be stunned by Christmas in Paris.

If you're visiting Paris in January, you may still catch the amazing Christmas display at Galeries Lafayette - plus you might be in time for the biannual sales.

4. Take a Seine River cruise

While the Paris winter temperature might be low, that doesn't mean you should forgo one of the most romantic things to do in Paris in winter: taking a cruise down the River Seine, one of Europe iconic waterways.

Paris during Christmas means bright lights, and a night cruise on the Seine will show off these illuminations in all their splendor. If you want even more romance, book an evening dinner cruise and enjoy some delicious French cuisine while floating by many of the most famous Paris attractions.

5. Do the rounds of the Christmas markets

France is famous for its Christmas markets, especially those in the eastern part of the country, but Paris, too, has its charmers. You can count a dozen or two, from huge and structured to the smaller neighborhood markets that pop up during the winter season.

The largest is probably at the Jardin des Tuileries, with rides, an ice-skating rink, and plenty of mulled wine. Then there’s the charming little Montmartre market at the Place des Abesses (a good one for foodies), and for something different, head out of the city core to the market at La Défense, the modern business sector, with its 150 or so chalets.

6. Get outdoors

On one of those beautiful, all-too-infrequent sunny days, Paris is a city to enjoy. You can walk the streets, sit in a café, or go to the park. 

A winter stroll among the statues of the Jardin du Luxembourg is a plunge into history. And if it’s not too cold and you’re dressed warmly, grab one of those metal chairs someone has lifted offthe pile and do some serious people-watching.

And then there's always the streets of Paris... Le Marais, winter or summer, is always a delight to explore.

7. Warm up in a spa

Even a couple of hours spent hopping between steam bath, sauna and heated pool will do the trick in winter.

For a real splurge, try one of these impossibly luxurious day spas in Paris. Surely you deserve it!

If you’d rather save your Euros for something else, you can still enjoy a day spa without breaking the bank yet still surround yourself with luxury. Or, book a hotel with a built-in spa and indulge several times a day.

France has strong ties to North Africa and the Middle East so Paris has several excellent hammams, thanks to its North African heritage, and many offer complete packages that include time in the steam room, a vigorous black soap scrub that leaves your skin impossibly soft, and massage. It's the perfect antidote to cold, gray winter days, and you'll emerge feeling absolutely renewed.

8. Get tropical in a hothouse

Call it a hothouse or a greenhouse, but the effect of walking into a tropical environment straight from a winter street is almost magical.

Gone are the chills and bare trees of a winter in France, replaced instead by lush green plants and in some cases, multicolored birds whose songs will make you forget winter with a single note.

The 19th century Jardin des Serres d'Auteuil (site in French) is a major botanical garden in which you can hide from winter if you happen to be in the 16th arrondissement near the Bois de Boulogne.

Or head for the Jardin des Plantes, with its museum galleries, gardens and zoo. This is an ideal outing for the entire family because in addition to greenhouses, you can explore a variety of museums that depict our evolution from prehistory onward (and, you've been warned, includes plenty of stuffed animals).

9. Go for brunch

What better meal to warm you up than a big, delicious brunch?

Brunches have taken Paris by storm in recent years, and their numbers are growing. Here are some of the best, from American-style to those with a decidedly French vibe.

10. Test authentic Parisian eateries

One thing that makes me feel warm and welcome is stepping into a beautiful Belle Epoque restaurant, a vintage interior with glorious Art Nouveau decor.

As I walk by the zinc bar with its old-fashioned coffee-making machine, there is an inevitable smell of French comfort food wafting across the room, just like it has for decades.

Where to find these?

Traditional bouillon restaurants, popular in the latter part of the 19th century, served sturdy but inexpensive meals to the workers pouring into the capital from the countryside. Many of them closed during the 20th century but suddenly, they're fashionable again.

A typical Paris bouillon restaurant - the Bouillon Julien, filled with Belle Epoque design

11. Sample winter foods

Paris in winter is the perfect time to taste those hearty alpine dishes that have made their way to the capital.

• Look for raclette, that glorious alpine melted cheese scraped over potatoes that you'll find at winter markets and cozy restaurants. 

• Tartiflette, also from the Alps, combines potatoes, reblochon cheese, lardons, and onions into pure comfort food heaven.

• Fondue too is an alpine dish but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a delicious one in Paris. When it’s cold outside, gathering around a pot of bubbling cheese will warm you up in no time.

• For something even heartier, there's cassoulet from southwest France, a casserole of white beans, duck confit and sausage originally from southwest France. It's the kind of meal that warms you from the inside out on the coldest Paris day.

• Another great food (but a lighter meal) is the crêpe, that large thin pancake so popular in Brittany and now across France and around the world. Start your meal with the salty version, known as a galette – the most popular are usually ham, cheese and egg but you’ll usually find a dozen or two varieties in a good crêperie. Follow with a sweet dessert crêpe.

If there’s a quintessential winter dish you must taste while in Paris, it's French onion soup. Jean-François Piège is one of France’s best-known chefs and rumor has it his onion soup at La Poule au Pot is the absolute best in Paris. It’s definitely on my list for my next winter visit.

Can you think of better ways to warm up in Paris than by trying some of the most popular French foods?

Or maybe you'd like to try some of the "less usual" French foods, like a plate of rich, buttery escargots?

This is the kind of food that will warm you up - something with cheese! Here, a tartiflette, melted cheese over potatoes, au gratin

12. Stohrer: the  oldest pastry shop in Paris

Stohrer first opened its doors back in 1730. When Louis XV married the daughter of Stanislas Leszczynski, former king of Poland, she reportedly brought her pastry chef, Nicolas Stohrer, with her when she moved to Versailles.

Go for the Baba au Rhum, which was reportedly created here, but also for the décor, which is classified as a national monument and signed Paul Baudry, who also had a hand in designing the interior of the Opéra Garnier.

There’s only the one (usually crowded) shop, at 51 rue Montorgueil.

13. Time for a Michelin-starred meal

For many visitors, Paris is the experience of a lifetime, so why not take advantage of this to try a Michelin-starred restaurant for the first time?

Don’t be fooled – they come in all sizes and shapes. Of course there are many that focus on grand luxury, but there are also affordable ones: the trick is to go for lunch, when prices are lower.

This listing (in French) has a number of Michelin restaurants with lunches under €50.

14. Drop by the Food Society Paris

First Lyon, and now Paris has its own giant food court, Food Society, with its 15 restaurants and bar and grocery, next to the Gare Montparnasse in the 14th arrondissement.

More unusual in Paris is that it’s open all day, 7 days a week, but in true French style, you won’t get much to eat before 11:30. Sample everything from oysters to pasta to Syrian pastries, and I promise you’ll be warm and snug by the time you step back outside. 

15. Take a food or pastry tour

When I don't know a place or want to get to know it better by delving into details, I usually go on a walking tour, especially one that involves food.

A food tour includes walking (to warm you up), food tastings (more calories) and often, wine tastings (warm you up even more!) You can jump on a day or evening tour, but in winter, especially if the sun is out, I'd go for the slightly warmer daytime experience.

Paris, not surprisingly, is heaven for walking food tours, filled as it is with delicious boulangeries, patisseries, fromageries, bistrots... you know what I mean!

Wherever you turn in Paris, you'll be confronted with the irresistible

16. Discover the passages of Paris

If what you really want is a stroll along some of Paris’ streets but the weather simply isn’t cooperating, this is your chance to discover the many covered passages in the city. (If you'd rather discover them on your own, here's a list of some of the main ones.)

Most of them date back to the early 19th century and are elaborately decorated with glass roofs and detailed floors. These stunning indoor streets are lined with shops, restaurants, galleries, and boutiques.

Gorgeous Galerie Vivienne, a perfect hideaway from Paris in snow

17. Browse a bookstore

I may be biased, but can there be anything more pleasurable than browsing through shelf after shelf of fascinating books?

Paris is filled with quaint bookstores – you've probably seen some of them in films.

Of course you know Shakespeare & Co, whose literary claim to fame was the publication of James Joyce's Ulysses, back when no publisher would touch a tale they considered far too obscene. Over the years, the bookstore also served as living room (and occasional bedroom) for many of the literary figures who made their way to Paris, luminaries like Ernest Hemingway, Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, to name just a few.

If today is the day you decide to explore the covered passages of Paris, you're in luck: two excellent (French) bookstores are hidden away here. The most gorgeous is undoubtedly the Librairie Jousseaume in the Galerie Vivienne, possibly the most beautiful of the passages.

The other is the aptly named Librairie du Passage, in the Passage Jouffroy, with its wall-to-wall wood-panelled shelves filled with rare and fine arts books.

18. Go to a comedy show

Laughter is a cure for many things – including the cold.

Whereas going to see a French play can be educational, you might not be able to understand it if you’re not fluent.

By taking in a comedy show in English, you’ll know why you’re laughing! 

19. Experience the Moulin Rouge

A cabaret show may not be your idea of a fun evening. I felt that way until friends took me here for my 21st birthday many, many years ago.

It’s not something I’d do again and again, but I’m so glad I tried it once!

The glitz, the glamor, the edginess – everything conspired to titillate. There's an added bonus these days: the menu has been completely overhauled and the cuisine is apparently fabulous (a definite improvement on bygone days when all the effort went towards enticing you to drink Champagne).

20. Explore the classics on your bucket list

You're in Paris, it's winter, of course you want to see the main sights!

There's no reason to change your bucket list just because it's winter: you can still head for your favorites – the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum (there's a lot more to see than the Mona Lisa), the Musée d'Orsay, some of the smaller specialty museums, often less crowded... 

In fact, winter might even be a better season to see the main Paris attractions: you'll have fewer long waits because it's less crowded, and rather than enter stuffy exhibition rooms, you'll be stepping into pleasant warmth.

21. Visit less frequented museums

Since we're talking about museums, it's a fact that most people make a beeline for the classical venues when they arrive in the capital. But what do you visit once you’ve seen these icons?

I have my own favorites, like the tiny Museum of Counterfeit Goods, which will take you less than an hour to tour but which will open your eyes about the multitude of fakes in the world.

For a bit of extravagance, the Baccarat Museum (designed by Philippe Starck, of course) showcases the finest of fine crystal, and even has its own restaurant, the Cristal Room Baccarat, which is surprisingly affordable given the menu and decor (those chandeliers!)

Here are a few other fabulous museums that are worth your time and perfect for a winter visit:

• Maison Victor Hugo on the Place des Vosges: the author lived here from 1832-1848 and wrote part of Les Misérables in this house
• 59 rue de Rivoli, a former squat turned contemporary art gallery, with artists in residence whose works in progress you can admire (and buy)
• If you’ve ever been to Grasse, near the French Riviera, you may have visited the Fragonard factory. In Paris, renew the assault on your senses with a visit to the Fragonard Perfume Museum

22. Go to the movies (but not just anywhere)

Paris is graced with several historical movie houses that have been refurbished to 21st-century safety standards while retaining their 1920s charm.

My favorite is the giant Rex cinema, with its 2700-plus seats Great Hall and an Art Deco façade to melt for. And if you're partial to neo-Egyptian decor, there's the Louxor.

Both will keep you toasty for an evening of entertainment.

23. Take in a fabulous ballet or opera

Paris is sublime when it comes to culture, with some of the best performers in the world passing through its venues.

If you like classical culture, you must take in a ballet at the Opéra de Paris (it's confusing, because operas now take place at another venue on the Place de la Bastille). The ballet is reason enough to visit the Palais Garnier, of course, but its absolutely extraordinary interior is what you're really looking for.

No ballet on the agenda? Take a guided tour of the building, or simply visit for a few minutes. You might never see another building like this. (I know, I'm biased.)

Even if it's only once, though, you must take in a classical performance while you're in Paris. Here's a calendar with performances and tickets.

The Palais Garnier is gorgeous from afar - you can see its massive rooftop. Inside, it's even more stunning

24. Take in a concert at the Sainte-Chapelle

Speaking of concerts, when the winter light glitters through the stained glass of the Sainte-Chapelle, the interior becomes a cloud of sparkles.

But once the sun has set, it’s concert time in the most serenely delightful surroundings you could imagine. 

The stained glass windows of the Sainte-Chapelle are among the most beautiful I've ever seen

25. Take a French cooking class

French cuisine and cooking techniques have long played an important part in the culinary world. And where better to learn how to make all those classic French dishes than in the capital?

There are multiple cooking classes that you can take to learn how to make perfect macarons, baguettes, choux pastry, and more. A cooking class is a wonderful way to ditch the cold outside and warm up with some hearty French food.

26. Go wine tasting in Paris

Wine tasting in Paris is always a good idea, but isn't it even better in winter when you can huddle around a cosy wine bar? There are several wine tasting classes and tours led by  expert sommeliers who will teach you to identify the finest French wines or Champagne and how to pair them with cheeses and other foods.

27. Design your own hat (like Lady Gaga)

Winter is when you need to cover that head! While a scarf or a cap will do, why not design your own signature hat with oodles of Parisian chic? 

Lady Gaga is known to have hats made here, so why not you?

28. Perfume making: an olfactory experience

Paris hosts some of the oldest and most iconic perfume houses in the world, such as Guerlain and Fragonard. No wonder it is the perfect venue to learn how to make perfume, an art Parisians have been perfecting for centuries.

Now you too can become an expert by attending a VIP perfume making workshop. You’ll learn how to mix essential oils and scents to create your own signature perfume under the watchful eye of a perfume making expert.

29. The dazzling Atelier des Lumieres

The Atelier des Lumières is a giant digital art performance that takes place in a former steel foundry. 

I have seen their sister shows in Bordeaux, the Bassin des Lumières, in an abandoned German submarine base, and in Provence, the Carrière des Lumières, which is held in an old quarry. Both were stunning.

I haven't been to the Atelier des Lumières in Paris, but I've seen its show in Bordeaux, by the same company. This shot of what I saw in Bordeaux can give you an idea of what to expect in Paris...

30. Soar over Paris with virtual reality

Have you ever donned a pair of virtual reality goggles and gone away? This is your chance!

If you really don’t feel like being outdoors, FlyView 360 is for the whole family, although I suspect kids will especially love it. I say suspect because I haven’t tried this myself – I suffer from vertigo and no matter how much I’m told soaring over Paris wearing goggles won’t make me dizzy, I’m not 100% convinced! 

31. Taste Angelina’s legendary hot chocolate

Hot chocolate is delicious almost any time of the year (all right, maybe not so much in summer), but it's particularly luscious when its cold outside. And there's no better place to enjoy a rich cup of chocolatey goodness than at the renowned Angelina Tea Rooms, which opened on the Rue de Rivoli in 1903.

If you've already been to Angelina and are now ready to broaden your horizons, everyone seems to have a favorite hot chocolate in the city. Like these from Vogue.

Or you can make it your mission to sample all the best patisseries in Paris...

32. Ice skating for the entire family

Paris, France in winter. The perfect place to go ice-skating. Yes, I'm serious.

Each winter, Paris unveils several large ice skating rinks, with venues ranging from the Eiffel Tower to the top of the Grande Arche de la Défense or  under the dome of the Grand Palais. The downside is that most are only open in December and until early January, and check first, because venues  change.

33. Aquaboulevard, anyone?

Now this one may be a bit of a stretch, but if you're desperate for some water fun time and don't have an indoor pool where you're staying, why not try the Aquaboulevard? It's a massive indoor complex with waterfalls, slides, waves, all the things you've come to expect in a water park.

I've never tried this one myself. It's expensive, and the reviews are mixed, with some people loving it and some hating it, but the thought of warmth in winter can be awfully tempting.

Just remember that in all public swimming pools in France, the "American" type swimming trunks, the loose-fitting long ones that look like shorts, are NOT allowed. You have to wear the small, tight speedo-type swim trunks, so either bring your own or resign yourself to buying one at the pool. It's the law. And it has been since 1903.

34. Make a beeline for Disneyland

Winter in Disneyland can be extraordinary if you’re lucky enough to witness snowflakes falling all over the Magic Kingdom.

Even without the flakes, Disneyland in winter is great fun. I visited with my niece in February and frankly, I didn’t even notice the cold.

Each time the weather turned chilly, we ducked into one of the many indoor attractions or arcades or eateries. To really warm up, head for Disney Paris for some classic entertainment that may well include the likes of Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck.

A bit of laughter and clapping is excellent to get that blood circulating.

That's me, wearing the ears my then-12-year-old niece insisted were suitable head attire

35. Visit the Salon de l’agriculture

The end of winter (the first week of March, actually) heralds the Salon de l’Agriculture, France’s premier agriculture fair.

It’s a fascinating event, so much so that most major politicians feel duty-bound to stop by and shake hands with farmers.

It’s about farming and cattle, of course, but also about plants and gardening and regional food products (my favorite). There are plenty of animals to see (for the little ones in your family), including cats and dogs to admire and ponies to ride.

It’s hugely informational but everything is in French, since this is a professional event. Their website is also available in English, but translations are usually delayed. Still, you won’t see anything else like it in France.

36. Traipse through the Catacombs

NOTE: The Catacombs are being renovated and will reopen in spring 2026

It might sound counterintuitive to head underground, where's it's dark and damp, in winter. 

On the contrary, there's a steady 14℃ (57℉) temperature throughout what is known as the world's largest grave, so if it's freezing outdoors, heading down into the Catacombs might actually warm you up.

If you haven't visited yet, it's an experience like no other, and while it is somewhat spooky (haunted even?), for some reason it isn't a scary place, rather serene is a strange way. You can either buy a ticket ahead of time, just before you visit, or book a tour if you'd like to know more about what you're seeing.

There are walls upon walls of skulls throughout the Catacombs - but the photos are more ghoulish than the reality

37. Indulge in special seasonal events

Plenty of events take place only in winter, and if this is when you visit, you might be able to coincide with some of them:

• New Year’s celebrations are fabulous in Paris: why not party on the Champs-Élysées or watch the fireworks on the Eiffel Tower (from a boat on the Seine if you can)?
• If you’re here on 6 January, make sure you buy a galette des rois, a cake-like pastry eaten on this day across France
• Each February, the city of lights has its own Paris Carnival, with parades, disguises and the works
• On 2 February, celebrate La Chandeleur (Candlemas), a pagan tradition turned Christian, by eating a crêpe
• On February 14, couples celebrate Valentine’s Day around the world, and France is no different. Go out for that special meal, have a Champagne tasting, or visit a royal château.
• If you're lucky, you might get to celebrate Chinese New Year in Paris, with its dragons and lions and parades and plenty of noise and lights

38. Shop the sales till you drop

Unlike many countries, France only has two official sales periods a year – in June, and in January. During each of these four-week periods, discounts are significant, up to 70% or 80% in some cases, and many of them are true discounts. In other words, shops don't order inferior merchandise in bulk simply to attract people into shops (yes, it does occasionally happen, but it's not the norm).

If you happen to be in Paris before the sales, say in December, make sure you scout the things you might want to buy, so once the sales start, you can head for your favorite shop or department without wasting any time.

To find the official dates of sales, Search for "dates soldes [year]" and they should come up.

39. Take a day trip from Paris

Winter is an excellent time for day trips from Paris, especially to destinations that shine without summer crowds. The Palace of Versailles is spectacular in winter, with shorter lines and a very different feel in the gardens.

The Champagne region, centered around Reims, makes a perfect winter escape – and what better season to visit Champagne houses and taste bubbly? The Loire Valley's majestic châteaux like Chenonceau and Chambord are open year-round and look particularly atmospheric against bare winter trees (for Chambord, dress warmly, there's no heating!)

These destinations are easily reached by train or organized tour, giving you a change of scenery without losing your Paris base.

What to wear in Paris in winter

While the exact winter weather in Paris is unpredictable, you can be pretty sure you’ll face rain and cold temperatures, and possibly even snow.

But because the weather is changeable, you’ll have to be ready for most eventualities. Rather than a full packing list, here are some tips on what to pack for Paris at wintertime:

• The most important rule for dressing for winter in Paris is to wear layers. Temperatures change, and forever going in and out of shops and museums means you’ll need to adjust your temperature constantly.

• You’ll need a thick jacket or coat. A long wool coat will strike a more sophisticated look, but a waterproof jacket will keep you warm and dry.

• Some people recommend boots, but unless you’re packing a large suitcase or want to wear them on the plane, I don’t see the need for them. Short ankle boots will do the trick.

• Whatever you pack for your feet, make sure there’s a good grip: the combination of cold and rain you sometimes get in winter can make those cobblestones slippery.

• Lines for attractions don’t disappear in winter (although they do get shorter), so plan for waits outside – and consider a hat, scarf and gloves. If you expect to be outdoors quite a bit, leggings or warm silk or merino thermal underwear make sense.

• Make sure you have a lightweight and water-resistant purse. Winter isn’t high season so pickpocketing is less common, but that doesn’t mean it’s non-existent. To avoid pickpockets, use a theft-proof bag. I have several of these…

• It does rain in winter so if you have a good travel umbrella you love, bring it along. Or buy one here.

Tips for visiting Paris in winter

Here are some practical Paris travel tips to help you plan your visit to Paris during winter.

Even if winter, Paris remains beautiful

Manage your expectations

The Paris winter season scene will be different from the customary Instagram shots of green squares and blossoms you've come to identify with Paris.

Winter, everywhere in the northern hemisphere, is less visually kind, and it will look different than the majority of Paris photographs we see. We need to expect that.

Plan for shorter days

Organizing our winter Paris itinerary is a bit trickier than at other times of year.

First, the weather can be a bit more unpredictable, but second, and most important in my opinion, is that the days are significantly shorter, which limits sightseeing time.

In December, on average, the sun sets before 5pm, whereas in June, it’s up until 10pm, a full five hours of extra daylight.

Check that attractions are open

Most attractions are open during winter, but some close in the low season, so check ahead of time online. Guidebooks can't always keep up in real time; for example, several still suggest Notre Dame Cathedral is closed for repairs (it's not!).

Beware the school holidays

School holidays in France seem to occur often, and winter is no exception. There are three zones, and they don't all holiday at the same time. The winter holiday usually lasts from early February to early March (you'll have to check every year because the dates change slightly).

If this is when you're planning to come to Paris, make sure you reserve your entertainment and accommodations well ahead of time, because it's busier than usual.

Don't automatically expect snow

Does Paris get snow in winter? Sometimes. You might even catch some snow in Paris in the fall. But it’s not common, so don’t come dressed for a blizzard.

If the snowflakes do start falling, grab your camera and rush outside to capture some of the shots of a lifetime, like snowflakes whirling around the Eiffel Tower in winter.

Hotel accommodation in Paris

Paris in winter FAQ

Before you go...

The thought of exploring Paris winter attractions might put a lot of people off because they worry about the cold or closures. Don't. 

Paris during winter somehow seems more sophisticated, and as you've read, there are plenty of activities you can enjoy when it's chilly outside. Plus, you’ll be able to get a sense of what the city is really like without the hordes of visitors. So if you’re willing to brave the cold, book a Paris winter trip, and be different! 

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