The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Paris in Winter: Weather, Attractions & Tips

Thinking about charming European cities in wintertime, Paris is one of the best. The magical atmosphere of the city is something incomparable. In this article, we have highlighted all the best things to do in Paris in winter.

You can breathe the winter atmosphere while walking through the amazing Champs-Élysées or going for a hot chocolate on the hill of Montmartre, surrounded by artists and amazing landscapes. Spending winter in Paris will allow you to fall in love with the city even more. Thanks to the romantic things to do in Paris in winter, you can surprise your partner and organise your next trip to Paris.

If this is your first time in Pairs in winter, don’t worry; in this article, you will find all the best things to do, places to go, activities to don’t miss and where to stay.

It is always a good idea to plan a trip to Paris. The French Capital is capable of warming up your heart and making you happy even if is deadly cold. Start to plan your itinerary with our list of the best things to do in Paris in winter. The flights to Paris in winter are a lot cheaper than in other seasons, but the city preserves its charm. We travelled to Paris at Christmas, and it was a low-fare flight.

The atmosphere was amazing, and most of it, there was no queue for the attractions. We bought a regular ticket for the Tour Eiffel, and surprisingly we were up to the monument in 10 minutes.

Paris is less expensive in winter, even for the accommodation; hotels, hostels and even Airbnb are the cheapest. January is the ideal month to travel in Paris in winter, for prices, not being overwhelmed with tourists and still some markets around the city.

Incredible things to do in Paris in winter

Visiting Paris in winter you will enjoy some parts of the city just for yourself. It is unbelievably nice when you have the city all for you. Stroll around Montmartre and visit La Maison Rose for an amazing hot chocolate in Bohemian style.

The pretty streets of Montmartre are perfect for some instagrammable photos of Paris. If you are looking for shopping, the store windows of the Champs-Élysées is all yours. It is one of the glamorous streets of Paris, where you can find all the popular brands in fashion.

Let’s go to the cultural side, with a visit to some of the best museums in Paris. In our guide about the best things to do in Paris in winter, it is included a visit to the Museum du Louvre and the Centre Pompidou. But if you are more interested in this kind of visit to Paris, check our blog post about 2 days in Paris.

Try some of the best of French gastronomy by visiting fine restaurants in Paris. You can also go for lunch or dinner on the boat on the River, surrounded by the popular sight of Paris.

Winter is often associated with Christmas, and what is better than the markets in winter in Paris. Just in front of the Tour Eiffel, before you get up, you can enjoy the most popular Christmas Market in France at the Champs de Mars.

Paris markets in winter

Christmas is one of the best periods to visit Paris. This is the time of the year when the city dress to impress, with thousands of sparkling lights everywhere, the shop windows looking great and the famous Christmas markets.

The city in winter is full of markets around the arrondissement. This is where you can taste the best street food, with the local tasty cuisine and wine from the best vineyard surrounding.

The most impressive market in Paris is in La Défence. Visiting Paris at Christmas time, you can’t miss visiting the over 10,000 square metres Xmas decored stalls. Over 300 stands are full of craft, wine, food and beers. Other important markets too are in Place Joachim-du-Bellay in Les Halles.

If you are heading to Paris in winter 2020, we suggest you check the official online guide to the Christmas Markets in Paris.

You can find incredible information about the Tuileries Gardens and Notre Dame Cathedral Christmas Markets too.

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The markets of Paris are filled with any kind of goods, are the ideal opportunity to buy some souvenirs or gift from the Capital of France.

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Disneyland Paris is open in winter

Let’s leave the festive mood to get another good news. For who is the remaining kid inside, or have sons, is well to know that the famous theme park Disneyland Paris in winter time is open.

The popular attractions are open as usual, with the typical parade, fireworks and themed celebrations. Grab the chance to visit one of the most popular parks in Europe and in the World.

The ticket with the FastPass to the park starts from 56 euro, following this link!

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Take a cooking class in Paris

France is the home of delicious food and delicate cuisine. Why don’t you grab the occasion to learn some tricks from some of the best chefs. This will be your personal souvenir when you get back home. You could be ready to prepare for the next dinner for your family and friends. Taking a cooking class in Paris is easy. Your guide and chef will take you to visit some of the best markets in town and teach you how to buy the best fresh ingredients.

• Check some of the classes that we suggest to you!
• Learn how to make macarons in Paris
• Make your own French Croissants

From visiting a local market to pick up the ingredients to learn how to make everything from macarons to a three-course lunch, there are plenty of classes to choose from.

Discover the Art museums of Paris

If you are visiting Paris without getting into its museum, it means that you are not experiencing anything of the real city. Out to the amazing architecture of the building and the sight of Paris, the landmarks that we prefer are the Museum of Paris. Obviously, the most well-known museum is the Louvre. There you can admire priceless masterpieces and enjoy the world’s largest collection of artworks.

Those are just some of the best museum you have to pay a visit in Paris

Louvre Museum

This is the most iconic museum in the World. An almost 800 square feet area filled with priceless masterpieces from the most important artists in the World. Nice as a preview for a paragraph for the Louvre Museum. The world’s largest museum was originally a Castle, hosting the King of France Luis XIV.

When the king chose Versailles as his home, the Louvre became the place where the Royal family showed their personal collection. The collection of the museum increased year after year, collecting masterpieces not just from French artists but from everywhere.

The most important and iconic piece in the Louvre Museum today is the picture of Leonardo da Vinci “La Gioconda”.

If you want to visit the Louvre Museum and skip the line, check the ticket here for just 17 euro.

Centre Pompidou

This art gallery is one of the best in the World. Not only the masterpieces but also the architecture of the building are priceless. The gallery exposes a modern collection of art, but is not limited to that. You can explore the public library and the awesome cafè.

For full immersion in the Centre Pompidou arts, Check for the ticket online and skip the queue.

Musée d’Orsay

It is formerly a railway station that’s giving amazing indoor architecture. The structure was built between 1898 and 1900 and refurbished to be adapted as Museum. The Musée d’Orsay is today one of the most popular in the world and one of the most visited in Paris.

The galleries of this building host mainly French artists, with sculptures, paintings and photography. Head here if you want to admire the masterpieces of worldwide recognized artists such as Monet, Degas, Renoir, Manet, Cézanne, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Seurat and many others.

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Christmas Lights in Paris

We have told you already that we have been to Paris at Christmas. The lights of the city make you feel the atmosphere of the moment. Everything is sparkling and glinting. The Cathedral of Paris, Notre Dame, is usually decorated with lights that celebrate the beautiful lines of the church.

We loved the lights around the Tour Eiffel glint, visible from everywhere in Paris. The Champs Eliseu is decorated for the party, with many stands on the side.

The Christmas finery will steal the scene from mid-November. The city will become more glamorous, sparkling for the festive season. The twinkling lights and colourful decorations will open your eyes in all the central arrondissement of the city.

You will see the best of it on the famous Champs Elysées light up from November 24th 2019, until January 8th 2020. Other interesting streets with the best Christmas decor in Paris are Rue Faubourg-St-Honoré, Place Vendôme, Avenue Montaigne and Bercy Village. If you are interested, there is a Christmas lights Bus Tour that will show off the best illuminations of Paris from a double-deck bus.

Go wine tasting in Paris

The vineyards around Paris produce some of the best and finest wines in the World. Going to Paris without roaming around cellars is impossible. Doing wine tasting tour is something that you have to add to your list of things to do in winter in Paris.

Another thing you can do in Paris in winter is to try the vin chaud. This is the French version of the mulled wine, or gluhwein, in Germans.

Enjoy a two-hour session in the heart of Paris, with a riverboat sipping some of the best French wines. Included in the wine tasting, also a champagne flute ins pure French style.

For a more intense class, we suggest this one.  An informative experience through the best French wines in Paris. You will be guided through the Wine Regions of France in a virtual tour with an expert sommelier, sampling those amazing nectar of the gods. Check this suggestion for you!

Ice-skating in Paris in winter 2023

In your list of things to do in Paris in winter, you can’t miss planning to go ice skating. Write down this information, because we think you will love it. One of the best rooftops in the city has got a free ice skating rink open all winter from 9.30 am to 8.30 pm. The Department store Galeries Lafayette has got one of the best views of Paris. This is included in our list of best photo spots in Paris.

This year they are offering the ice rink entrance for free. Head to the shopping centre during the sunset to enjoy the best lights of Paris, and then you will see the Eiffel Tower sparkling in the dark night of Paris.

The Eiffel Tower Ice Rink

Do you love skiing? So, this is the right experience for you in Paris. Right up the Eiffel Tower, every year, an ice rink is installed. It is one of the most romantic things to do in Paris in winter. Access to the ice rink cost around 7 euro per person. You will not just have the pleasure of skiing 57 metres above the ground but also enjoy the amazing view over Paris.

There are a few shops on the same level selling hot soup, sandwiches, waffles, and crepes. Take a break and sip a hot chocolate up to the most iconic monument of France.

Enjoy the snowy Paris

It is not quite common to see the snow alight over the building in Paris, but when it does, the atmosphere is like in a fairytale. The magical scenario of Paris with the snow is surreal, and you will enjoy the hill of Sacre Cour of Paris or the Montmartre area. The whitewashed roofs are the perfect picture to take of Paris. In the past few years, Paris has got several snowy occasions, so be ready for it.

Watch the show at Moulin Rouge

This is another iconic piece of Paris; the Moulin Rouge is, for many, a place where luxury and glamorous life meet. Why don’t you watch the show at Moulin Rouge? Becoming popular thanks to a Hollywood movie is today one of the most popular attractions of Paris.

It is considered the birthplace of the modern Can-Can dance, the typical seductive way for the courtesans to attract. Today the Moulin Rouge attract mainly tourists and curious, still offering high-quality entertainment for the visitors. The building itself maintains the club’s decor, with the appliance in stile romance of fin de siècle.

Hot Chocolate and a Book in Paris Montmartre

Talking about crazy scenarios of Paris, we will help you to imagine the next one. Pick a cosy bar in Paris and lie down with a book and a hot chocolate. Like in the best bohemian story, we will give you some insight that we think will make your visit to Paris more interesting.

Actually, just strolling around the picturesque borough of Montmartre, you will run into some of the cosy coffee shops and boutiques of all of Paris. One of our favourites to enjoy this Parisian vibe afternoon is Meson Rose. If you are not fancy to check an afternoon café alone, check out those tours that will help you a lot.

Montmartre is a picturesque area of Paris, and we highly suggest you find an accommodation here. The costs to stay in Montmartre can be high, but it will give you a chance to taste the bohemian side of Paris. Speaking about staying in Montmartre, you should plan at least 5 days in Paris to fulfil your passion for the city of love, poets and artists.

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Go up the Tour Eiffel | See Paris from another point of view

The Eiffel Tower is a point on the map for every tourist visiting Paris. Not everybody will go up to the Eiffel Tower because of the long queue. If you want to skip it, the price is really worth. Here you can book your skip-the-line tickets!

From the top of the most famous tower in the world, you can admire the French Capital from another point of view. The Tour Eiffel can help you with a 360 view of Paris, worth any time of the day. We enjoyed going up when the sunset was almost gone and enjoyed the view even at night. All the lights of the city were on for an unreal atmosphere.

Breakfast on the Tour Eiffel

This will be one of the most romantic things to do in Paris in winter. The Breakfast on the Tour Eiffel will cost you less than you are expecting. For 39 Euro you can grab a cosy breakfast on one of the most important monuments in the World.

With a proper French croissant and a passionate guide that will help you to discover the city starting from the Eiffel Tower.

Go shopping in Paris on the Champs Elysees

What is better than a walk along the Champs Elysees, the iconic fashion street of Paris. This will be the perfect adventure for fashion lovers and not only. In winter, the street is full of lights that will become romantic and glamorous at Christmas time.

Going from the top of the Arc of Triomphe down the street, there are all the best fashion brands in the World. Not only, but the street also offers a wide choice of cafes, restaurants and elegant boutiques. 

The sales in France will start after Christmas, so is fine if you are checking for a trip in January. Mind that Sales in French is “Soldes”. If you are looking for a shopping trip in Paris, check out also Galeries Lafayette, a kind of Harrod shop in London.

Take advantage of January sales in Paris

As said before, January is the ideal time to visit Paris for a shopping trip. In France, by law, the shops are allowed to hold sales just twice a year, in a fixed timeframe. One of them is in January and is about wintertime. Luckily the sales time in France is in January which is the best period to catch bargains for flights to Paris and cheap accommodations.

The weather in Paris in winter is completely unpredictable. Generally doesn’t rain so much, but the sky is pretty grey all the time. We were lucky that close to Christmas time, we didn’t get any rainy days, with sunshine, especially in the early morning and it wasn’t that cold. But Paris is really cold, especially in January.

The temperatures are pretty much the same from December to February, going from 3 to 8 degrees, 46°F to 37°F. December in Paris in our opinion, is less coldest compared to January and February. 

The position of Paris, in the middle of the country, makes it really cold during the winter months. The French Capital can get frosty at night.

Paris in winter temperatures

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Which month of winter should I visit Paris in?

Visiting Paris in winter is always beautiful, for the atmosphere, the glamour of the city, the romantic lights and landscapes. But, like any city in the world, there are some months that are highly advised to travel in Paris, more than others.

From our experience, is our opinion that Paris is worth a visit in Winter, especially in December. This is the most charming time of the year to discover Paris. But for price reasons, January is the cheapest one. Check below for a detailed list of the winter months to visit Paris.

Despite the cold temperatures in winter in Paris, the city is plenty of things to do indoors. You will always find a warm spot to thaw out in, cosy cafès and the cutest restaurants.

Paris in December

The city in December has a particular look. The festive mood is taking Paris to show the best in the city. Loads of Christmas markets are making hot the atmosphere of the period. Of the three winter months, December is the one we suggest for a quick escape to Paris.

Visit Paris in January

January is the coldest month of the year in Paris, it is true. But on the other hand, it is the month with the best chances to see the snow. Not only, as you have read before, is when the sales start. It is not a horrible month by the way. January has still got a chance to be picked for the lowest prices.

Despite that, there are not many tourists as in the other months. This is good, because Paris tends to be overcrowded sometimes.

Discover Paris in February

This month is ideal if you are thinking of declaring your love. Paris is so romantic, and February is when Valentine’s Day is happening. Pick your best romantic spot in Paris and enjoy the atmosphere.

What to wear in winter in Paris

A list of a few things you don’t have to miss in your luggage heading to Paris in winter.

• Comfy shoes (You will walk a lot)
• Trendy scarf
• Colourful dress (if you are a woman)
• Cosy hat
• Warm Jacket
• Rain Jacket

Inspiring Outfits for winter in Paris

Those are some of the best outfits we found on Instagram. Take some inspiration from those amazing Instagrammers. Choose the best winter in Paris outfits.

What to pack for Paris in winter

Heading to Paris in some of the coldest months of the year needs detailed planning. What to pack for Paris in winter is not always easy to explain. It is obviously depending on how many days you are staying in the city.

One of the things that we think you have to pack is an umbrella. For many years around the world, we always have learned that a waterproof bag can save your life. Travelling in winter, we always carry with us an extra layer in the bag, just in case, you know!

By the way, is good to choose whole scarfs and a couple of jumpers. Check the weather forecast a couple of days before to be sure to pick the right shoes. We always advise getting a pair of shoes waterproof as well, or just a spare one. We also suggest investing in a waterproof bag that can keep drying your valuables, clothes and cameras. Check which bag we use on our trips.

A list of things to pack

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Where to stay in Paris, France

Hotel with the best view of the Eiffel Tower Paris

Those are just a few examples of Hotels with Eiffel Tower view balconies. It is true those are expensive and sometimes too much. But, if you are looking for a unique experience in Paris, maybe a hotel with an Eiffel Tower view from the Room for your honeymoon, those are the best. It could be a once-lifetime holiday and you deserve the best. Book your accommodation in advance, keeping the low price for the best.

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Things to do in Paris Winter 2023

If you are deciding to spend a few days in Paris this year, it is well that you know some of the best things to do in Paris in winter 2020. From the Christmas lights to the best Christmas Markets in the city. The illuminations of the period run from 24 November 2019 to 8 January 2020. Lighting designer Blancère Illuminations have created one you can’t miss.

The best and biggest Christmas market in Paris is in La Defénse. The over 10,000 square metres will open from the end of November until the first week of January. Sign in on your Bucket list of Paris in winter.

Another amazing event in Paris in 2020 to don’t miss is visiting the Musee De Arts Forains. It will seem to be back on time, with the awesome Festival du Merveilleux. The doors of the park open from December 26th 2019, until the 5th of January 2020.

Listen to a festive concert at Saint-Germain des Prés. It will take you into the festive atmosphere with a classical concert in a gothic church.

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Winter trips from Paris

Paris could be just a short break. A good point is where to start a trip in France. The surrounding areas of Paris look fabulous in winter. Actually, France in winter is amazing, with cute villages and amazing landscapes. We suggest a few cities easy to reach from Paris on a short trip. From Paris, you can visit Toulouse, in about 2 hours by train. Check our guide on how to spend One day in Toulouse!

It is also nice to visit the Provence Area, with cities like Marseille or Avignon. Bear in mind that the Cotè d’Azur is not that far, and in January is amazing and cheap. Visit Nice or the luxurious Montecarlo from Paris, reaching the area by train or bus for a ridiculous price.

Q&A Things to do in Paris in winter

What is it like to visit Paris during the winter?

Visiting Paris during the winter is like being in a big winter wonderland. A fairy tale location that can be unique and extraordinary with white and soft snow. The French Capital is amazing in winter, when the Christmas markets, the sparking lights make the atmosphere particularly magical.

But Paris is enthralling at any time of the year, with the glamourous cafè and restaurants. Experience Paris in winter; perhaps it will give you a complete view of the city, and it is also the period less overcrowded with tourists. January and February are considered the quietest months in the city.

How crowded is Paris in the winter?

We have started this topic above. The wintertime in Paris is usually considered the lowest season, talking about tourism. Excluding the days that go from Christmas time to New Year’s Eve in Paris is the lowest season. Not many tourists around that makes it the best way to explore the city. The department stores of the French Capital are not overcrowded, which makes your shopping even more affordable, thanks to the sales of January.

If you are a cultural traveller focusing more on architecture and museum visits, January and February are the right months for you. Place a winter in Paris on your bucket list; if you are lucky, you will enjoy Paris in the snow.

Is Paris worth visiting in winter?

Yes, Paris is worth visiting in winter. The atmosphere is completely different, thanks to the Christmas vibes approaching the city. The city is less crowded than in the summer months, and you will be able to visit all the most famous landmarks in Paris without much crowds.

Why you should visit Paris in winter?

Visiting Paris in winter means having fewer crowds around the city and being able to enjoy the winter atmosphere around Paris. Additionally, there are so many great things to do in winter and you won’t be out in the cold for too long if you plan your itinerary in advance.

Is Paris too cold in December?

Yes! December is considered one of the coldest months in Paris with a temperature around 3 and 5 degrees.

Is Paris cheap in December?

The cheapest time to visit Paris is early December, January and February. You can find cheap flights from any European destination, and from London, you can catch the train from King Cross and reach Paris in a few hours. If you organise the trip in advance, you will be able to save a lot of money.

What is the best winter month to visit Paris?

November to February. If you love Christmas, visiting Paris at the end of November or early December, you will be able to enjoy all the lights and decorations around the city without mentioning the Christmas markets. We visited Paris a week before Christmas, and to be honest, the atmosphere was just another level.

Is the Eiffel Tower open in winter?

Yes! The Eiffel Tower is open all year and even in winter. In fact, don’t miss this experience and book your tickets to visit the Eiffel Tower.