Paris in December 2022 – Quick Guide by a Local

12/11/22

Is Paris in December Busy? Crowds Forecast

Is December a good time to visit Paris? Years ago, the beginning of the month was usually quiet. However, since most of the Paris Christmas markets decided to open their doors around the end of November, Paris in December is all time jam-packed with people, especially on the weekends.

The beginning of the month is still considered low season in Paris, with better prices in transportation and accommodation, whilst the Christmas week is high season. However, we recommend booking everything well in advance if you want to visit Paris in December.

To optimize your time and avoid the longest lines, we recommend visiting temporary exhibitions during office hours when the locals are behind their desks. Book your tickets to temporary exhibitions well in advance.

Same advice for your Christmas shopping and the Christmas Markets in Paris: prioritize these activities for office hours and do more touristy things – less sexy for Parisians – on the weekends.

December in Paris is also the month for the year-end meetings in pubs and restaurants with coworkers, friends, and family. On weekdays (especially Thursdays), pubs and restaurants are busy with business meetings whilst the weekends are dedicated to friends and family.

If you have a specific place in mind for lunch or dinner for your Paris December trip, book well in advance.

How is the weather in Paris in December? December is a winter month in the Northern Hemisphere and the Paris weather in December is cold.

If we stick to the statistics, the average temperature in Paris in December is 10C maximum and 5C minimum, with a 15% probability of rainfall.

Does it snow in December in Paris? If a white Christmas is what you are looking for, then Paris won’t fulfill your wish. Snow in Paris in December is rare, with an average of 1.8 snowfall days. And if it does fall, it melts in a matter of minutes, thanks to the city’s “high” temperatures. What you are likely to experience, however, is cloudy days and regular rainfall. 

If you decide to visit Paris in December, it is always good to have a B plan if it rains.

What to wear in Paris in December 2022? The key to dressing in Paris in the winter is a good, warm coat. Still, it is a good idea to dress in layers because in some places indoors (e.g., inside the Louvre!!) it is too warm and you are likely to be ok with a light sweater.

What to pack for December in Paris 2022? The weather in Paris in December calls for good walking shoes, warm socks, scarves, a good warm jacket, and a foldable umbrella.

If you are interested in visiting Alsace’s Christmas markets, book your train tickets and accommodation right now. Strasbourg, Colmar, and all the Alsatian villages are easy and popular Paris getaways among tourists visiting Paris in December.

24th December (Christmas Eve) is when families gather for a pre-Christmas dinner and when many people go to midnight mass. On the 24th of December, shops and tourist attractions usually close earlier. Expect restaurants and night attractions like the Parisian Cabarets to have special programs and menus, and they may require advance booking.

25th December (Christmas Day) is traditionally a day spent at home with the family. Paris looks pretty dead, and some attractions are closed or have different opening times. When planning a trip to Paris at Christmas time, double-check your favorite tourist attractions’ opening times.

31st December (New Year’s Eve) is usually a normal working day for most of the Paris tourist attractions and shops, but perhaps some of them close earlier. Expect restaurants and night attractions like the Parisian Cabarets to have special programs and menus, and they may require booking.

Always have a B plan for rainy days in Paris. If you need some ideas, check out our list of fun things to do during a rainy day in Paris.

As we mentioned above, December in Paris is a bit crowded with people. Have a look at this article on ways to avoid crowds in Paris, with our best local tips.

A week before the departure, look at our post on Transportation Strikes in Paris, which is always up to date. Just in case . . .

Need insurance for France? Since August 2020, SafetyWing, our trusted travel insurance policy for long and short trips (starting with a minimum of 5 days), covers COVID-19 for new policies purchased, and since April 2021, unplanned quarantine is covered, too. Be sure to check France travel insurance rates and coverage with SafetyWing.

If you want to visit Paris for New Year’s celebrations, check out our dedicated article on what to do in Paris on New Year’s Eve.

Here’s the list of the best things to do in Paris in December 2022, other than the typical Christmas activities. Some of the dates and activities still need to be confirmed, so keep clicking for the latest updates.

Enjoy ‘Paris’s most beautiful avenue’ with a Seine River night cruise. Admire the city beautifully illuminated with Christmas lights and some of the main Paris tourist attractions, such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Invalides. It is difficult not to be in love with a view like this one!

Food tours are always a good idea in a gourmet city like Paris. Discover the famous food in Paris and some good addresses to eat or buy food while learning about a specific neighborhood.

For December in Paris, the pastry and chocolate walking tours are the best. Learn about the traditional cakes and sweets during Christmas in France and admire the best pastry shops beautifully adorned for the festive season.

The neighborhood of Saint Germain-des-Prés in Paris 6 is very reputed for its beautiful pâtisseries and chocolate shops, and this Saint Germain Pastry and Chocolate Walking Tour always has great reviews.

When it gets dark, cabarets are one of the most popular attractions of Paris at night, with music, French can-can, and lots of bubbles.

There are many good Parisian cabarets – click here for the ultimate cabarets of Paris guide – and you can watch a cabaret show with or without dinner, but the full experience is more fun!

For Paris December 2022, we recommend booking your cabaret show well in advance, especially if you want to do a cabaret show during the Christmas week in Paris. The Moulin Rouge is the most popular cabaret show in Paris but there are many more!

When Paris’ air gets cold and crisp, it is the perfect time to explore Paris’most beautiful covered passages.

These covered walkways, all bathed in natural light, are Art Nouveau /Neoclassical architectural gems built in the 18th century, the kind of place to see and to be seen whilst doing some shopping or drinking at a café.

Most of the best passages in Paris are in Paris’ central districts, in Paris 1 or 2 (click here for our quick guide to the Covered Passages). If you know where to look, you will find delightful vintage boutiques, cute cafés, and other curiosity shops perfect for unique Christmas gifts.

Visiting the churches of Paris is always a good idea, especially in Paris in December, when they are beautifully decorated for the Christmas celebrations.

The churches of Paris are always free to visit, and you have churches of all styles, from medieval churches to modern churches made of iron and concrete.

Unfortunately, Notre Dame is still closed to the public for restoration works. Still, the list of most popular churches in Paris includes other names like the Sacré Coeur – that you can visit during this Montmartre Walking Tour –, the church of Saint Germain des Prés (the oldest), or Sainte Étienne du Mont, which features the only jubé (rood screen) in Paris.

Paris is home to beautiful and elegant squares, great for a stroll and a coffee or some shopping. The squares of Paris in December are something not to miss, all beautifully illuminated and decorated for the festive season.

The royal squares of Paris (Place Vendôme, Place des Vosges …) are must-sites in the city, but we recommend going out of the beaten path for a taste of local life.

The picturesque Parisian cafés are always a good place for a break during the cold days of December in Paris.

The neighborhoods of Le Marais, Montmartre, and Saint-Germain-des-Prés are some good places to find picturesque cafés, but there are pretty cafés in all the districts of Paris.

Order a steaming cup of hot chocolate and cozy up with a good book or – for a more festive afternoon –, enjoy a glass of vin chaud (mulled wine) with your tribe.

The French castles are always great to visit, but they are stunning with the Christmas decorations inside the magnificent halls and gardens.

There are many interesting castles near Paris to visit, apart from the Château of Versailles. Some of these awesome French châteaux organize special events for the festive season, like Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte and its private Christmas tour.

For a more magical experience (who likes waiting in line in the cold for a long time?), enjoy Disneyland Paris with the Disney Premier Access® ticket and avoid the longest lines!

TIP: extend your Disney experience, spend one night or two at one of the hotels near Disneyland Paris with a free shuttle bus.

The Festival of Lights (Festival des Lumières in French) will take place from 14 November 2022 to 15 January 2023 at the Jardin des Plantes in the 5th Arrondissement of Paris. This Paris light show is a mesmerizing experience for all the family, with monumental light structures set in the alleys and pitches of this beautiful garden.

Every year the Festival of Lights comes with a different topic, usually aiming at raising awareness about the importance of protecting the endangered species of the planet Earth. This year 2022-2023 the exhibition is dedicated to the littlest creatures living in this world (Mini-Mondes en Voie d’Illumination) and we are sure it will steal your heart.

December in Paris is a great time for museum-going. If you have already visited Paris in the past, it is worth checking the list of temporary exhibitions in the main museums or art galleries because there are always good surprises.

In December, Paris always has an interesting cultural program for visitors and locals, usually with more free time during the holidays. The list of temporary exhibitions in museums and galleries for Paris in December 2022 is not complete yet (it’s too early for some dates). Keep clicking for the latest updates!

Cézanne, Lumières de Provence – Atélier des Lumières, from 18 February 2022 to 2 January 2023.

Kandinsky, the Odyssey of Abstraction – Atélier des Lumières, from 18 February 2022 to 2 January 2023.

The World of Banksy – The World of Banksy Expo Paris, from 17 November 2020 to 31 December 2022.

A Second of Eternity – Bourse du Commerce, from 22 June 2022 to 3 January 2023.

Edvard Munch – Musée d’Orsay, from 20 September 2022 to 22 January 2023.

Frida Khalo, beyond Appearances – Palais Galliera, from 15 September 2022 to 5 March 2023

Expo Hyperréalisme “Ceci n’est pas un Corps” – Musée Maillol, from 8 September 2022 to 5 March 2023.

Arts and Prehistory – Musée de l’Homme, from 16 November 2022 to 22 May 2023

Art Déco: France-America – Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine, from 21 October 2022 to 6 March 2023

Oskar Kokoschka Un Fauve à Vienne – Musée d’Art Moderne MAM, from 23 September 2022 to 12 February 2023.

Boris Mikhaïlov, Journal Ukranien – Maison Européenne de la Photographie MEP, from 7 September 2022 to 15 January 2023.