Why I Love Paris in Winter
Is winter a good time to visit Paris? Of course, YES! The weather in Paris in winter is not ideal, and the darkness sets in early, but this does not mean you cannot have fun in the City of Light!
Paris is a magical city, one of the people’s favorite city break destinations in Europe. It is great, especially during the shoulder seasons, and long sunny days are guaranteed during the summer months. But actually, winter in Paris allows for a completely different experience – a more peaceful one without battling with huge hoards of tourists. For all this, some people think winter is the best time to visit Paris.
There are many things to do in Paris when it rains or when it’s too cold outside, and visiting Paris at Christmas is particularly amazing. Keep on reading this quick guide to winter in Paris with what to see, what to wear, and my best seasonal tips.
Are You Planning a Trip to Paris Last Minute?
If you are booking a last-minute trip to Paris, I’ve got you covered! Below are our guides, top tours, hotels, and more:
» Plan: Paris Travel Planner; Paris Arrondissements Guide; Check out the best Paris Metro tickets for tourists
» Book your flight tickets with Omio; book your train tickets with Omio
Book your transfer from the airport to the city with Welcome Pickups.
» Where to Stay: Best Districts to Stay in Paris
- Le Pavillon de la Reine (historical 5-star hotel in Le Marais)
- Hotel La Comtesse (mid-range hotel with Eiffel Tower view from all the rooms!)
- Hotel Ducs de Bourgogne (super central 4-star hotel near the Louvre)
» Top-Rated Paris Tours & Tickets:
- Louvre Museum Skip-the-Line Ticket
- Eiffel Tower Summit Access Ticket
- Seine River Night Cruise
- Château de Versailles and Gardens
- Catacombs Skip-the-line tour with VIP access to restricted areas
Want skip-the-line access at museums & attractions in Paris? Get your hands on a Paris Museum Pass!
» Don’t leave without travel insurance! SafetyWing Essential plan works well for long and short trips (from 5 days up). Can also cover electronics theft through their add-on.
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When is Winter in Paris?
The winter season in Paris corresponds to December, January, and February. Check out my specific guides for these three months, with the best seasonal activities, temporary exhibitions, and top tips.
Best Things to Do in Paris in Winter
Just in case you weren’t already convinced, here are the best things to do in Paris in winter and my top Paris winter tips for getting the most out of this beautiful season.
ENLIGHTEN YOUR WINTER SOIRÉES AT ONE OF THE LIGHT FESTIVALS IN PARIS
During the winter evenings, the sun sets early, but there are fabulous light walks and festivals in Paris to enlighten the French capital.
A light festival is a magical event taking place at nightfall. It’s an enchanted stroll in the middle of bright and colorful installations that are often accompanied by music, making for an even more beautifully immersive experience!
If you are curious about these Paris winter festivals, check out this post about the best light festivals in Paris and the dates.
EAT COMFORT FOOD
Every culture has comfort food that it turns to when the weather gets cold, and Paris is no exception.
Soupe à l’oignon (onion soup) and fondue are two popular foods in Paris, only served when it’s cold out. If you like sweets, try the galette des Rois, which you can find in the bakeries during the winter holidays (until Epiphany).
Need to warm your heart? Head to La Rhumerie (166 Boulevard Saint-Germain) in Saint-Germain-des-Près for the best rum in Paris and a great atmosphere, or try the vin chaud (mulled wine) while strolling through the Christmas markets of Paris.
Winter is also the best time for a cup of hot chocolate in your favorite Parisian café.
GO ON A WINTER WALK
Before you settle in for a cozy afternoon at a Parisian café, take a walk in one of Paris’ famous parks and gardens.
Walking around on a chilly, misty winter day may not sound like your idea of fun, but you’ll be pretty much guaranteed there won’t be many people around. Though the leaves have dropped, you can still appreciate the grandeur of these open spaces. The atmosphere of Paris in winter is always magical, even if the weather is not the greatest!
You have plenty of options to choose from, but the Tuileries Garden and the Luxembourg Gardens are the most central. Inside, a couple of guinguettes (food stalls) sell hot drinks and sometimes crêpes on the go. So grab your hot drink and enjoy the winter vibes!
GO ICE SKATING
What to do in Paris in winter when it’s too ugly outside? Locals love ice skating, especially during the holidays, and spending an afternoon skating at an ice rink (patinoires in French) is one of the best things to do in Paris in winter.
My favorite skate rink in Paris is under the glass cupola of the Grand Palais in Paris 8 (from 14 December until 8 January), while the Patinoire Pailleron (32 Rue Edouard Pailleron, Paris 19) is open all year round.
Other ice rinks in Paris are at the Tuileries Christmas Market (Paris 1), La Villette Christmas Market (Paris 19), Parc André Citroën (Paris 15), Jardin d’Acclimatation (Paris 16) and La Défense Christmas Market.
Prices usually range between 10€ and 15€, and you must wear gloves.
VISIT THE GREENHOUSES OF PARIS
Look for primitive plants and explore exotic rainforests in the heart of Paris!
The greenhouses of Paris offer warm and dry environments to host the plants of the deserts (United States, Mexico, Sahara,…). They also host the dry forest, the mining maquis, the savannah, and the mangrove.
Even though rain is common in winter in Paris, you can always find a warm and cozy place in Paris’ greenhouses!
Grandes Serres du Jardin des Plantes: 57 Rue Cuvier, Paris 5. Opens from Wednesday to Monday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil: 3 Avenue de la Porte d’Auteuil, Paris 16. Opens from Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from Saturday to Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
MUSE ON MASTERPIECES
What to do in Paris in winter when it’s too cold and wet outside? Warm your hands in front of some canvases!
A good exhibition is always a good idea, and some of the most interesting ones are organized during the coldest months, starting with the Christmas holidays. And the Louvre is always a good idea, especially in Paris in the winter!
Check out my quick guides to December, January, and February in Paris to see what’s going on (best temporary exhibitions) in Paris, winter 2024-2025.
PERFECT YOUR WINE-PAIRING SKILLS
Wine tasting is another of the best things to do in Paris in winter. From the comfort of a nice and warm wine bar, let a French master sommelier take you through the finer points of French wines, learn how to pair them with the local food, and perhaps buy a couple of bottles.
TIP: Want to ensure your wine makes it home? Check our wine tote bags and wine suitcases quick guide
I love the proposal by the Caves du Louvre because of its unique setting in the wine cellar of King Louis XV’s sommelier. But there’s more! Here’s the list of the best-rated wine tours in Paris:
TAKE IN SOME SNOW
During the last three years, snow fell in Paris 5-8 times and did not last long. But if it lasts, Paris breathes magic and beauty blanketed in white with unique photo opportunities. And despite the cold, it’s impossible not to linger and play in it!
Update: we already had one day of snow in November 2024, so why not?
SMOOCH YOUR SWEETHEART
Paris is the City of Love and one of the world’s most romantic cities, making it a perfect place to spend Valentine’s Day. Check out my list of romantic things to do in Paris (far from the clichés) for a memorable Paris winter getaway with the one you love.
GO TO THE OPERA (GARNIER)
The Opéra Garnier (also known as Palais Garnier) is one of the most famous buildings in Paris. This opulent opera and ballet house is full of history and was the setting for the famous Phantom of the Opera.
You can visit the Opéra Garnier during the day. This entry ticket allows you to explore the many nooks and crannies in one of the world’s largest opera house, plus it gives you access to the temporary exhibitions. Be impressed by the facade with its rose-marble columns, baroque statues, and intricately carved friezes. Then, admire the Imperial Staircase, the Grand Foyer, and the magnificent Auditorium – Click here to buy your tickets
But why not visit the Opéra Garnier at night for one of its shows? Opéra Garnier is mostly about ballet, but not necessarily classical ballet. There are classical concerts and opera, too – Click here to view the full program
Arsène Lupin’s fans can also discover the new immersive game in the heart of the Palais Garnier!
Follow in the footsteps of the famous Arsène Lupin and try to solve the only mystery that has resisted him: the secret of Count Cagliostro!
During this thrilling investigation for all audiences, you will explore the magnificent spaces of the Palais Garnier, which has been transformed into an incredible life-size playground.
Best Paris Winter Tips
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS ARE THE HIGH SEASON IN PARIS
Even if the low season in Paris technically starts on 1 November, things change again during Christmas in Paris.
When the lights are hung, and the enormous Christmas trees set upward, the city becomes even more magical. People like to visit Paris to enjoy the festive atmosphere and seasonal events.
For three weeks until the Epiphany (6 January), expect the usual high-season crowds, and you should book accommodation and tickets to the main Paris attractions well in advance.
Check out my specific guides for the Christmas holidays in Paris.
Below, I list the main Paris attractions you will need advance tickets for during the winter holidays, and I have added links to my favorite trustworthy providers for your convenience.
The good news is that Christmas starts setting in Paris in mid-November, so if you come during the second half of November, you can get a taste of Christmas and the Paris winter atmosphere without the crowds.
LEARN ABOUT THE WINTER HOLIDAYS IN FRANCE
There are many Paris events and holidays at this time of the year, especially in December and early January.
In Paris, the Christmas holidays start from 23 December 2024 to 6 January 2025. After the Epiphany, on 6 January, things get a bit sleepy in Paris. The long lines disappear, and people are more relaxed. However, there are other winter holidays in France where it is still necessary to book things in advance.
In Paris, winter school holidays start from 22 February to 10 March 2025. Commonly, families take at least one week off for a cultural trip or a ski trip in France, so if you are planning your Paris winter trip during these dates, book flight and train tickets well in advance.
Also, family attractions like Disneyland Paris tend to be more crowded during these winter days (check out the Disneyland Paris crowd calendar to find the days with fewer crowds).
Out of these periods, it is still a good idea to make hotel reservations early to score the best deals. In winter, Paris is definitely more affordable than during the rest of the year, but hotel prices tend to rise if you book at the last minute.
PAY LESS FOR AIRFARE, TRAIN TICKETS, AND HOTELS DURING WINTER IN PARIS
One of the biggest benefits of visiting Paris in the winter is that flights and hotels are often cheaper — especially during the weekdays.
According to Skyscanner, the best month to fly to Paris is in January, when tickets are 29% cheaper than the yearly average price, and there’s a similar situation for train tickets to Paris and within France. Once you have decided on your Paris winter itinerary, buy a month ahead or two for a real bargain!
YOU CAN CHOOSE MORE WIDELY
In summer, choices of restaurants, hotels, and museums are often made depending on price and availability. Since prices are lower and the crowds are diminished in winter, you usually have a wider choice of accommodation for your budget and for what you want to see or do.
STAY IN AN AREA THAT’S CLOSE TO EVERYTHING
If you are always thinking about “How can I be cold for the shortest amount of time possible?” while traveling in winter, then stay central for short or no metro rides.
By strategically planning where you stay, you will limit the amount of time you spend walking around in poor weather.
There are so many sights to see in Paris; most places in central Paris will be close enough to at least a couple of things you have on your itinerary.
If you are visiting Paris for the first time, have a look at the Districts of Paris Guide below to find your bearings in Paris and my suggestions on where to stay.
USEFUL ITEMS TO PACK
What to wear in Paris in winter? Winter in Paris is cold, but it barely goes below zero, so you might find it even mild, depending on where you are coming from.
We do have sunny days, but sometimes they are the coldest.
So pack for the cold weather as well as for heated indoors. In other words, pack plenty of layers that you can easily shed and add on.
What to Wear in Paris – Winter Season 2024-2025
It also rains quite a bit, so I suggest always carrying an umbrella in your purse /backpack.
Have a look at my style guides and packing lists for Paris in winter (for men and women) with my top tips for a more local look.
Winter in Paris: Conclusion
Winter in Paris means fewer crowds, lower prices, wider choices, and more quality time. Sure, the weather in Paris during winter won’t be perfect, but Paris doesn’t lose any of its charms when it’s chilly. Paris’ low season comes with plenty of fun, exciting things to do that are impossible when the city is (busy) hot and sultry.
So there you have it: what to do in Paris in winter with the best seasonal tips. Have you spent any winter in Paris? What are the best things to do in Paris in winter, in your opinion?
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