February in Paris 2023
All you need to know to plan your trip to Paris in February 2023.
February in Paris is still a winter month and, therefore, mostly cold and with the occasional rainy days. By the end of the month, blossoms start appearing on some trees, but you still need to wrap up if you want to explore Paris outdoors.
In general, February is a quiet month, so it is an excellent month for sightseeing in Paris and enjoying the fun atmosphere of festivals like carnivals or the Chinese New Year. If you visit Paris in February, here’s the guide to making the most of your time in Paris in February 2023.
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Is Paris in February Busy? Crowds Forecast
February in Paris is still low season so it is a great time to explore the city and visit its main attractions without the crowds.
The only busy time in Paris in February is the days around St Valentine’s Day. This is not a traditional festivity in France but being Paris one of the world’s most romantic cities, many people visit Paris for a romantic getaway.
In Paris, February is a great time to visit your favorite exhibitions or bigger museums like the Louvre or Orsay. Even the free museums in Paris can be visited without the crowds!
Paris Weather in February
How is the weather in Paris in February? February is a winter month in Paris, and it is cold with short hours of daylight and some rainy days. However, as you get closer to the end of the month, the weather improves, and the start of spring is in the air.
If we stick to the statistics, the average temperature in Paris in February is 7C maximum and 2C minimum with a 13% probability of rainfall.
What to Pack for Paris in February 2023
What to wear in Paris in February? The key to dressing in Paris in the winter is a good, warm coat. Still, it is a good idea to dress in layers for when you are indoors.
What to pack for February in Paris? In February, the weather in Paris calls for good and warm walking shoes, warm socks, scarves, a good warm jacket, and a foldable umbrella.
If you want to have a more local look when visiting Paris in February, check out our winter packing lists for men and women:
Best Tips for Visiting Paris in February
In general, February is a quiet month to visit Paris and possibly one of the cheapest. If you decide to visit Paris in February, you will find cheaper flight tickets and train tickets, especially if you travel during the week, plus many hotels offer reductions at this time of year.
18 February to 6 March 2023 are school holidays in Paris (vacances d’hiver), and, commonly, parents take one week off for a family cultural trip somewhere else in France or Europe or a ski vacation in the Alps. If you decide to come during this period, book things in advance, especially train and flight tickets from /to Paris.
Saint Valentine’s Day in Paris 2023
14 February (St. Valentine’s Day) and the days around this date are a busy period in Paris. People like to come to the city for a romantic weekend getaway.
If you want to climb up to the Eiffel Tower on the 14th of February (or the days around St. Valentine’s Day), book months in advance. With Get Your Guide, you can purchase Eiffel Tower tickets up to 3 months in advance and cancel up to 24 in advance and receive a full refund if you can’t make it – Click here to book your Eiffel Tower tickets with Get Your Guide
If you have a restaurant in mind for a special dinner on the weekend of St. Valentine’s Day, be sure to book well in advance. Also, check that they don’t charge more than usual for Valentine’s specials.
Always have a B plan for Paris when it rains. You can check out our list of fun things to do during a rainy day in Paris for inspiration.
A week before the departure, have a look at our Transportation Strikes in Paris post, 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.
Best Things to Do in Paris in February 2023
If you visit Paris in February for the first time, you may want to tick some top tourist attractions off your Paris bucket list. The itineraries below are thought for first-timers in Paris, and they are planned around the main attractions and neighborhoods in Paris:
If you want to travel to Paris for a romantic getaway, check out our dedicated articles, with all the most romantic activities in the city (far from the clichés) and best tips.
Here’s the list of the best things to do in February in Paris 2023, with something for everyone. Some of the dates and activities are still to be confirmed, so keep clicking for the latest updates.
CELEBRATE THE CRÊPES DAY
On 2 February (Candlemas), France also celebrates Crêpes Day! Look for the best crêpes in Paris to celebrate this sweet day with your favorite crêpe recipe. During this day, food trucks and some bakeries also propose crêpes to eat on the go.
CELEBRATE THE CHINESE NEW YEAR IN PARIS
this year the Chinese New Year falls in January
If you are visiting Paris in February, you’re in for a treat! February in Paris comes with the New Chinese Year, and the New Year’s Parade and Chinese New Year food in Paris 13 is something not to miss.
Paris has three Chinese communities, located in Paris 2 (the oldest one), Paris 10, and Paris 13. They are all organizing big events to celebrate the New Year in these three districts of Paris.
TREAT YOURSELF TO A STEAMY HAMMAM AT THE GRANDE MOSQUÉE
After a busy day exploring Paris, treat yourself to a steamy hammam at the Grande Mosquée de Paris (39 rue Geoffroy-Saint-Hilaire).
In the Latin Quarter, the Mosque of Paris offers within its walls one of the best hammams of the city, and it was entirely renovated in 2019.
For 30€, you will discover an oriental spa that looks like the real hammams of the Maghreb: a succession of rooms with different temperatures. For an additional cost, you can ask for a massage performed by real professionals.
The hammam is open every day from 10 am to 9 pm. Note that this hammam is only for women.
CONSIDER A DAY TRIP TO DUNKIRK TO CELEBRATE THE CARNIVAL
February is also the month of the Carnival. Carnival in Paris is not as traditional as in other parts of Europe so if you like this kind of event, consider a day trip to Dunkirk (Dunkerque), in northern France.
Dunkirk is located only two hours from Paris by direct TGV train, and they know how to celebrate carnival!!
Click here to buy your train tickets to Dunkirk
Dunkirk holds one of France’s best carnivals, running three months, this year from 07 January 2023 to 16 April. However, the main events this year are hold from 18 to 21 February 2023 and from 25 to 26 February 2023 (click here for the full program).
Dunkirk’s unique carnival traditions date back to 18th-century farewell feasts, which were given in honor of the cod fishermen who were about to depart for Iceland. If you can, try to visit Dunkirk one of the three days before Ash Wednesday, when the fisher music bands parade the streets confronting each other with songs.
VISIT THE HAPPIEST PLACE IN FRANCE WITHOUT THE CROWDS
A day trip to Disneyland Paris is always a good idea, especially if you don’t have to wait in line to enjoy the most popular Disneyland Paris rides. Enjoy the Caribbean, the Far West, or Adventureland without the crows and winter-themed celebrations and parades with Frozen and her tribe (click here for our quick guide to Disneyland Paris).
February in Paris Disneyland is still low season and the entrance to the parks is cheaper than in other months – Click here to buy your Disneyland Paris tickets
TIP: extend your Disney experience, spend one night or two at one of the hotels near Disneyland Paris with a free shuttle bus.
FUN SOIRÉE IN A PARISIAN CABARET
A cabaret show with dinner is a good way to spend a fun evening in Paris. Enjoy an entertaining show with can-can, music, and extravaganza whilst sipping a glass of wine or champagne.
The Moulin Rouge, Crazy Horse, Paradis Latin… There are many good cabarets in Paris and choosing only one is always hard. To help you choose your cabaret experience, check out our Paris Cabarets Guide with the best cabarets in Paris.
TAKE A COOKING CLASS IN PARIS
Cooking lessons are a great way to learn about delicious food in Paris whilst having fun. Cooking classes help to immerse yourself in the local culture and it is also a great way to connect with other foodies in Paris.
Add a cooking lesson in Paris to improve your cooking skills and learn how to prepare the best traditional food in Paris.
There are many cooking classes available in Paris but the French pastry cooking classes are always the most popular. Here’s the list of our favorites.
ORGANIZE A FONDUE NIGHT WITH YOUR TRIBE
A night of February in Paris calls for a hot and comforting fondue with your tribe. There are many places to enjoy a fondue in Paris; here’s the list of our favorites:
- Il Cottage. 1, Boulevard Lannes, 75006 Paris
- Pain, Vin, Fromages. 3, rue Geoffrey-l’Angevin, 75004 Paris
- Le Chalet Savoyard. 58, rue de Charonne, 75011 Paris
If you are renting a furnished apartment in Paris, you can organize a fondue party in your ‘Parisian home’ if you have the right tools. For this, you will need alpine cheeses soon-to-be-melted, a crispy baguette, salad, cold cuts, and white Savoye wine.
CHECK OUT THE TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS IN FEBRUARY IN PARIS 2023
February in Paris (and winter in general) is a great time for museum-going. It is worth checking the list of temporary exhibitions, especially if this is not your first time in Paris.
We still don’t have the full list of temporary exhibitions in Paris in February so keep on clicking for the latest updates
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.
Monet – Mitchell – Fondation Louis Vuitton, from 5 October 2022 to 27 February 2023
Années 80 – Musée des Arts Décoratifs, from 13 October 2022 to 16 April 2023
La Fabuloserie a 40 ans – Halle Saint Pierre, from 25 January to 25 August 2023.
NEED MORE IDEAS FOR FEBRUARY IN PARIS?
Need more inspiration for your trip to Paris in February? Check out our articles January in Paris and March in Paris. Some of the activities proposed in these pieces are also great for February in Paris.
Where to Stay in Paris in February
We recommend Booking.com for booking your hotel in Paris. They have a wide variety of accommodation of all kinds and good rates. In addition, they propose the option to cancel for free, most of the time up to 24 hours.
SLEEP WITH EIFFEL TOWER VIEWS
If you have the budget, why not treat yourself to the pleasure of waking up with an amazing Eiffel Tower balcony view?
Some of the best hotels in Paris also come with awesome views of the Eiffel Tower, especially beautiful during its night show!
Check out the best hotels with Eiffel Tower Views
The good news is that a cozy room with Eiffel Tower views is not exclusive to the best hotels in Paris. If you are looking for a more local experience, there are also beautiful, fully equipped apartments to rent with amazing Eiffel Tower views
Check out the best apartments with view of Eiffel Tower
HOTELS AT LE MARAIS IN PARIS 4
Le Marais is a central neighborhood in the Seine’s Right Bank, perfect to set your base in Paris, especially if you are visiting Paris for the first time. It is beautiful, well connected by the metro, and with many beautiful cafes and restaurant options.
Click here for the best hotels in Le Marais in Paris 4
HOTEL DE JOSEPHINE DE BONAPARTE, Paris 4, $$$$
Located in a former convent, this charming hotel is inspired by Napoleon’s wife, Joséphine de Bonaparte. Its uniquely decorated rooms are elegant and romantic, and its cozy saloons are the perfect place for a last glass of wine.
Click here for the Latest Prices
HOTEL FRANCE LOUVRE, Paris 4, $$$
Hotel France Louvre is a typical Haussmaniann-style hotel located in Le Marais. The rooms are small but cozy, all elegantly furnished in Louis XIV style. Some of them have lovely views over Hôtel de Ville and Tour Saint Jacques.
Click here for the Latest Prices
HOTELS AT SAINT-GERMAIN-DES-PRÉS
The neighborhood of Saint-Germain, on the Left Bank, is a great place to put your luggage down in Paris, especially if you are visiting Paris for the first time. It is picturesque and central, with many entertainments, beautiful cafes, and restaurant options.
Click here for the best hotels in Saint-Germain
XRELAIS CHRISTINE; Paris 6, $$$$
This hotel is set in a 16th-century private mansion in the heart of Saint Germain-des-Prés. Its rooms are unique, and designed in different styles. Guests can enjoy elegant common spaces, a garden, a spa, and a fitness center.
Click here for the Latest Prices
HOTEL CHAPLAIN PARIS RIVE GAUCHE: Paris 6, $$$
This chic and modern hotel is located only a few meters from Luxembourg Gardens and is one of the best mid-range hotels in Saint-Germain. The rooms are fancy and colorful. We especially like its chic dining area and floral courtyard, where you can have breakfast or a drink.
We hope you enjoyed this February in Paris 2023 quick guide and it helped you plan your trip to Paris in February. Bon voyage!
