Paris in Winter: 31 Fun Things to Do (+ Why to Visit!)

We have now visited Paris in winter several times, and we have to say–as if returning voluntarily for more than one helping wasn’t hint enough–we adore it.

Sure, the weather is generally gray, cold, and wet, there are no cherry blossoms or colorful gardens to speak of, and bundling up in coats and scarves to explore outside is a given… but Paris in the winter is a magical experience.

The streets get quiet, the gobs of tourists melt away until only a reasonable crowd remains, the Christmas decor is beautiful, and the whole city has a subtle atmosphere that is a combination of relaxed and mysterious (Venice in November is one of the only other places where we’ve experienced this specific vibe).

Suffice it to say, we won’t stop returning to Paris during winter anytime soon.

Whether you’re aiming for a festive trip to Paris in December, a romantic Valentine’s Day trip to Paris in February, or something in between, we recommend everyone who wants to visit Paris consider staying open hopping on that great flight deal and exploring the City of Light in winter.

Here’s how to make the most of a winter trip to Paris, from what to pack to the best things to do in Paris in winter!

The Best Things to Do in Paris in Winter

Explore Paris’ many Christmas markets.

Christmas markets are a treat throughout Europe, but the ones that pop up all over Paris in winter have a little something extra: great views of Paris!

Consider picking up Christmas gifts for your loved ones (and plenty of mulled wine and sweets for yourself, of course) within sight of classic Parisian sites like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and Sacre Coeur.

Want to mix it up?

Head out to La Defense, Paris’ normally-quite-dull-for-tourists business center, to experience the biggest Christmas market in Paris!

Paris is home to more than a dozen Christmas markets each year, ranging from those that are open for nearly 2 months to those open for only a day. You can check opening dates for this season here.

Enjoying the Christmas market in front of Hôtel de Ville!

Enjoy ice skating with a view.

Ice skating is a classic Parisian winter tradition, and courts are set up all over Paris each year.

From the rink at the Tuileries Christmas Market to one on the rooftop of Galeries Lafayette and beyond, the city offers no shortage of opportunities to don some skates as the holiday season heats up.

Escape the cold by museum-hopping through Paris in winter.

When visiting Paris in the winter, there’s no reason to feel guilty about missing out on sunshine and cherry blossoms by ducking into some of Paris’ truly spectacular museums.

While icons like the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay should certainly top your list when visiting Paris at any time of year, the less-than-ideal winter weather means you might have an excuse to visit some of the city’s less famous, but also incredible, other museums.

In addition to the city’s two most famous museums, you can also consider checking out Centre Pompidou (for modern art), Musée Jacquemart-Andre, Le Grand Palais and Le Petit Palais, the Musée Rodin, Musée Cluny (medieval art–we love this one!), the Museum of Romantic Life, Musée Carnavalet (which covers the history of Paris), and so, so many more!

Cozy up at a cafe with hot chocolate.

People-watching is an iconic Parisian tradition, and there’s no cozier time to do it than during winter in Paris!

Pick an adorable cafe (preferably with a large window), grab a steaming cup of hot chocolate and a macaron, and enjoy watching the city go by.

Angelina famously serves Paris’ most iconic hot chocolate, but while it’s delicious, you’ll find excellent options all over the city–including at the Christmas markets!

Bundle up and enjoy the views from a Seine River cruise.

An enclosed river cruise, perhaps even with dinner–what better way to experience the magic of the Seine without braving Paris’ winter weather?

We were bundled up in coats when we took our first Seine river cruise… and found that the experience was absolutely worth the trade-off (and we loved that the boat was less crowded than over the summer).

Book your Seine river cruise today!

Indulge in a macaron baking class.

Winter in Paris is the perfect time to duck inside for a cooking class!

And, if you have a bit of a sweet tooth, you might consider signing up for a macaron baking class like us!

Paris is chock-full of all kinds of cooking and baking classes, from classes focused on croissants to some where you cook a full French meal, but for people with a sweet tooth, you can’t go wrong with learning to bake the famously tricky macarons.

We spent an afternoon learning how to make beautiful, delicate, and delicious macarons with Le Foodist, and we can’t recommend the class (or the resulting leftovers) enough.

Sign up for your macaron baking class in Paris today!

See the Palais Garnier in a whole new light by enjoying an opera.

Want to step inside Paris’ famous Palais Garnier this winter, but are looking to elevate your experience beyond just wandering around the opulent building?

The winter is the height of Paris’ opera season, so there’s no better time to book a ticket, get dressed up, and head out for a very classy night on the town.

You can browse the schedule here, but note that not all the performances are held at the historic opera house–if you hope to see a show there, look for shows appearing at the Palais Garnier specifically.

Admire Sainte-Chapelle as it glistens in the winter sunlight.

Sainte-Chapelle is one of my favorite houses of worship to admire in the world, and it is stunning year-round… but if you have the opportunity to admire the stained glass interior during a sunny day, you’re in for a real treat.

Even in January, the long line in front of Sainte-Chapelle made us glad we had planned ahead.

Book your skip-the-line tickets now and avoid waiting in the cold!

Check out Notre Dame’s Christmas decor.

As one of the most famous cathedrals in the world, it should come as no surprise that Notre Dame is well-decorated for Christmas!

Update 2024: After years of repairs following the April 2019 fire, Notre Dame is currently slated to reopen on December 8, 2024. We’ll see if there’s Christmas decor this year… but fingers crossed!

… And the Christmas tree out front.

Paris’ best-known Christmas tree towers over the crowd in front of Notre Dame, giving an unmistakably festive feel to the courtyard.

You absolutely can’t miss it while visiting Paris in winter!

Spend an afternoon learning how to make French perfume.

Parisian perfumes are world-famous… and what better way to warm up during winter in Paris than to learn all about them?

Consider taking a perfume workshop to learn all about the science behind those lovely scents (and maybe take a perfume or two home yourself, too).

Book your Parisian perfume workshop to learn all about perfume making (and even take home your own bottle)!

Descend into the catacombs to see a different side of Paris this winter.

Visiting the catacombs of Paris in winter is like stepping into another world, and strolling through them is easily one of the most memorable things to do in Paris, winter or not.

While the temperature of the catacombs is consistent year-round, they’ll feel comparatively warmer in the winter–and you’ll already be bundled up to enjoy them!

We have a complete guide to visiting the catacombs here, but the bottom line is, we strongly recommend booking in advance, whether that’s an official ticket, a guided tour, or a ticket through a third party, depending on availability and your travel preferences.

Even when we visited in January, the line for the catacombs was still more than 2 hours long–and they’ve only gotten more popular in the years since we visited them over the winter.

Find your next great book to read at Shakespeare & Company.

It feels truly insane to say this, but we’ve been visiting the iconic Shakespeare & Company bookstore for more than 10 years now (!), and over the years it has gone from “popular and crowded inside” to “often having to line up to get in”.

While the bookstore is truly lovely (don’t miss the view over the Seine and toward Notre Dame from the second-floor window, or the shop cat who lives upstairs), waiting in line to shop in any store, let alone one composed of a series of small rooms with tight turns and a narrow staircase, is not our thing.

Take advantage of the decreased crowds during winter in Paris to browse… hopefully with a bit of elbow room.

(If you want the fewest crowds possible, consider stopping by right when they open at 10:00 AM, or after dark when most travelers have moved onto dinner plans–they stay open until 8:00 PM most days, which is several hours past sunset over the winter months).

Shakespeare & Company will stamp any book you buy on the title page, which makes for a delightful Parisian souvenir for bookworms like us.

Shop Paris’ legendary winter sales.

France’s history as a world fashion capital has resulted in the government closely protecting the industry: among other things, sales (in French, les soldes) are regulated and happen only twice a year!

January sees the first sale of the year, so if you’re hoping to stock up on some designer fashions, schedule your winter trip to Paris in January… and bring an extra suitcase!

Admire the holiday decor at Paris’ top department stores.

Paris’ department stores may not be the first place that you think of when considering sightseeing, but the Christmas decor is impeccable!

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If you only go one place, be sure to stop by Galeries Lafayette–they suspend a stunning Christmas tree from their already striking stained glass dome each year!

(Plus, their rooftop boasts one of the best free views of Paris… and over the last few winters it has featured an ice skating rink).

Pay a visit to Disneyland Paris.

Disneyland Paris is always magical, but Disneyland Paris in winter inherently comes with one of two major benefits: Christmas decor for the early-winter visitors, and shorter lines for those who come later in winter!

Plus, since the bulk of Disneyland Paris’ rides and attractions are located indoors, the cold weather won’t be nearly as much of a factor as in most amusement parks!

Book your Disneyland Paris tickets today!

Warm up with a crepe as you wander the streets of Paris.

Every time we visit Paris, on our first evening we each get a crepe (a Nutella crepe in our case!) and wander the city–and with that ritual, our trip to Paris has truly begun.

While this is a delightful tradition year-round, there’s just something extra special about wandering the streets of Paris in winter: the streets are a little emptier, the city a little quieter, and the air a little thinner.

There are crepes stands available all over Paris (and unsurprisingly, they’re most expensive near famous monuments), but a couple of our favorite places to enjoy one while we stroll are in Montmartre and along the Seine near Île de la Cité.

It’s peaceful, it’s magical, it’s romantic, and it’s the quintessential Paris experience–don’t leave without giving it a try!

Take advantage of excellent travel deals during the late winter in Paris.

After Christmas, you’ll be able to find some of the best Paris travel deals of the year during winter–especially on lodging and airfare.

Escape the cold inside some of Paris’ many covered passages.

If it’s too cold (or rainy) to stroll outside, consider taking to the covered passages!

The passages in their current versions date primarily to the 19th century, and they are beautiful, delightful to explore, and vary significantly from each other.

Some of the most famous passages include Galerie Vivienne, Passage des Panoramas, and Passage Jouffroy, though 21 (of an original nearly 200!) can be found in the city.

Each passage has a different style, so you definitely won’t get bored exploring them all–for example, Passage Verdeau is home to several antique dealers and Passage Brady is home to lots of South Asian shops!

Cozy up indoors for a long and traditional multi-course Parisian dinner.

Half a dozen courses, several glasses of wine, relaxed conversation, and a meal that ends up taking hours because you aren’t in the least bit of a hurry to move on: every trip to Paris deserves at least one epic meal like that, and a winter Paris trip is no exception.

(And might even taste a little bit better, since you’re avoiding battling the chill outside).

Duck into a wine cellar for an indoor wine tasting.

Sure, maybe winter isn’t the best season to set off on a day trip from Paris in search of vineyards… but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some delicious French wines!

Try an indoor wine tasting at a wine cellar to experience some wonderful wines while staying warm.

Wine, cheese, and lunch: this wine class will quickly make you forget the cold weather outside!

Consider relaxing for an afternoon by seeing a movie in Paris.

Paris is dotted with classic movie theatres dating back to the first third of the 20th century, complete with stunning interiors and opulent decor, and several of them are still open for business!

As a bonus, many of the theatres show classic movies in their original language.

Therefore, even if you don’t speak French, there’s a chance to enjoy a little bit of old Hollywood-style glamour during your visit to Paris in the winter.

Enjoy Paris’ most famous cabaret show.

Paris’ cabaret shows are legendary–just look at the enduring fame of the Moulin Rouge for proof–and while they are often considered a bit touristy these days, isn’t that part of the fun of visiting Paris?

If you’ve always dreamed of seeing a Parisian cabaret show (or just spent a lot of afternoons binging Moulin Rouge as a teenager), consider adding a cabaret show to your list of what to do in Paris!

Book your evening at the Moulin Rouge today!

Prefer a bigger night out?

This popular evening tour not only includes the Moulin Rouge, but also a 3-course dinner, a Seine river cruise and (with some options) views from the Eiffel Tower!

Celebrate a winter holiday in Paris.

With Christmas, New Year’s, Valentine’s Day, the Chinese New Year, and Carnival de Paris–just to name a few–happening during the coldest months of the year, it’s safe to say that winter in Paris is bursting with holiday celebrations.

Join in the fun and add an extra layer of excitement to your winter Paris trip by planning it around a special holiday!

Our first trip to Paris was over New Year’s, and while we were too exhausted and jetlagged to do much, we were still overjoyed with the opportunity to kick off a whole new year of our lives in the City of Lights.

Visit Paris’ Choco-Story Museum (and potentially add on a chocolate workshop).

Yes, Paris, the land of delicious chocolate, has an entire museum dedicated to sugary goodness–what better way to treat yourself to something sweet after a cold day of sightseeing in Paris during the winter?

Paris’ Choco-Story Museum is especially popular with families, but their chocolate workshops are also a big draw for adults with a sweet tooth!

Tips for Visiting Paris in the Winter

Embrace the gray skies.

Sure, maybe gray skies aren’t exactly what you’d like to see in the background of your pictures–but when you’re visiting Paris in winter (and a surprising amount of days in other seasons, too), it’s probably going to be what you get.

Luckily, people and architecture can both come out lovely in photos with gray skies, so just roll with it and have fun!

After all, at the end of the day, it is still undeniably classic Parisian weather!

Dress the part.

And by “dress the part”, I mean layers… lots of layers.

Between warm cafes and chilly streets, you’re going to want fashionable layers from the inside out: think classic cuts and dark or neutral colors, and did I mention the layers?

You’ll definitely want to bring (or buy, if you’re looking to do some shopping in Paris) a warm hat, scarf and gloves.

Jeremy and I grew up in a very warm climate, so we worried when we were packing for our first trip to Paris years ago that all of that might be overkill.

But, as anyone who grew up in a place with actual winter will tell you, it’s really not–especially when you’re planning on spending lots of time outside.

Bring a pretty coat.

When visiting Paris in the winter, your coat is likely to show up in the vast majority of photos of you in Paris… so make it a pretty one!

I personally like to wear a coat in a style similar to this in Paris, and an option similar to this is perfect for men.

While I do sometimes opt for brightly colored coats, you’ll definitely blend in better in Paris if you bring a black one!

… And a pretty umbrella.

… All the better to embrace the inevitable Parisian rainstorms with.

This travel umbrella is a great option, and will last much longer than buying one of the uber-cheap ones on the street in Paris will (we’ve had ours for several years now).

Most things will run normally during winter in Paris, but double check.

While winter in Paris is definitely the offseason for tourism, saying that tourism ever really shuts down in Paris is a wild overstatement.

There are always people visiting, and typically speaking, businesses are always going to be around to serve them.

If you have your heart set on a specific experience, though, be sure to check with the company in advance.

This is especially true if you’re planning your winter Paris trip near Christmas, when some small business owners might be more focused on family than tourists.

The Christmas decor doesn’t come down right after Christmas.

Our first trip to Paris spanned from a few days before New Year’s through the first week of January, and most of the Christmas decor, including the Notre Dame Christmas tree, was still up by the time we left town.

We were delighted to to discover this, as we had expected to miss most of the Christmas season–but Christmas in Paris typically runs (more or less) through early January.

While not all of the Christmas decor or markets will stick around some well–especially for the weekend right around the New Year.

Any trip to Paris involves lots of walking, but Paris in winter means lots of walking in the cold.

Personally, I absolutely despise being cold… and I also don’t mind walking around Paris in winter.

Sure, the beautiful surroundings help (why hide myself down in the metro when I can enjoy the view up above?), but it’s also true that winter temperatures tend to be mild enough in Paris that if you dress well and keep moving, it’s not much of a chore to walk outside.

Keep your feet toasty warm with broken-in shoes that have room to be worn with cozy socks.

Cold, sore feet with kill the vibes of your winter Paris trip faster than just about anything else, so take care of your feet!

Bring comfortable, broken-in shoes (we recommend classic brown or black boots) that are versatile, neutral, can be worn with warm socks (or even a pair of tights with socks layered over them), and that match most or all of your Paris wardrobe.

I’m currently obsessed with this pair of warm boots and have worn them on winter trips to Paris, and paired them with cozy fleece leggings.

Don’t expect a typical Paris trip.  

Paris is insanely beautiful at any time of the year, but don’t give yourself the wrong expectations for a trip to Paris in winter by scrolling through Instagram photos of Paris in the spring or summer.

A winter trip to Paris won’t show you the side of the city that runs heavily to flowers and picnics, but the side of the city that is made up of cozy cafes, stunning museums, and ever-lovely architecture.

Expectations are most of the battle here: there’s no such thing as a bad time to visit Paris, but unrealistic expectations will dampen your trip far faster than the risk of rainy weather.

Winter Weather in Paris

Weather during winter in Paris can generally be characterized as gray, cold, and wet.

Here are a few things to know about the weather in Paris in the winter.

Temperatures aren’t extreme.

Temperatures tend to be chilly, but rather mild with the right clothes–think highs in the low 40s Fahrenheit (or around 5-6 degrees Celsius).

The days will be short.

During winter in Paris, daylight doesn’t stick around very long, with an average of 8-9 hours of daylight each day (as opposed to around double that in the summer).

Don’t expect snow.

It doesn’t snow often in Paris, and when it does, it’s typically later in the season–think late January or February.

If it happens to snow during your visit to Paris in the winter, count yourself very lucky and immediately start taking All The Pictures!

Where To Stay in Paris This Winter

In a city as large and dense as Paris, deciding where to stay can be quite daunting!

Paris is famously divided into 20 arrondissements, or neighborhoods, that are named via a number system that starts with 1 in the center of the city (where you’ll find the Louvre) and circles outward like the shell of a snail.

After roughly 10 trips to Paris, we’ve stayed in many neighborhoods spread across the city, from Montmartre (we loved this aparthotel) to the Bastille area (an underappreciated place to stay, and this hotel was wonderful).

And, while everyone has their own opinions about where to stay in Paris (there’s no one right answer) we love and highly recommend Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th arrondissement) or the Latin Quarter (5th arrondissement) to travelers visiting Paris for the first time and frequently choose to stay there ourselves.

In these areas, you’ll be within walking distance of attractions like Île de la Cité (home of Notre Dame and Sainte-Chapelle), the Seine, the Luxembourg Garden, the Louvre, and many more.

And, by choosing a hotel near a metro stop, you’ll also have the rest of Paris at your fingertips!

Here are a few hotels we’ve personally stayed in and loved in the 5th and 6th, arranged more or less from most budget-friendly to most luxurious (though if it’s Parisian charm you’re after, this one is the clear winner).

Hotel Abbatial Saint Germain (Centrally Located & Cozy)

We love this cute boutique hotel in Paris, mostly because of its truly unbeatable location less than a 10-minute walk from Notre Dame and therefore an easy walk away from much of the attractions of Île de la Cité (and a metro stop, of course).

Despite the super central location, the streets outside were still quiet at night, a huge benefit, and the views during the day were lovely.

The customer service was excellent, the bed cozy, and the room, while still very small by global standards, was a bit roomy compared to what we’ve gotten used to in Paris.

We’d be happy to stay again!

Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Abbatial Saint Germain!

Relais Hôtel du Vieux Paris (Classic Parisian Charm)

Located on a quiet street less than a block from the Seine and Île de la Cité, Relais Hôtel du Vieux Paris offers all the advantages of a central location while maintaining its peace and quiet.

… and it does all that while still managing to have one of the most charming interiors we’ve experienced in a Paris hotel!

The ceilings, wallpaper, and overall decor never let you forget that you’re in the City of Light, and we loved every second.

The breakfast is also delicious, served at the table, and includes a generous selection of pastries as well as fruit, cheese, orange juice, coffee, and tea.

Check rates & book your stay at Relais Hôtel du Vieux Paris!

Citadines Saint-Germain-des-Prés Paris (Modern Amenities + Kitchens on the Seine)

Located right on the Seine in one of the most convenient locations in Paris, the crisp and modern Citadines Saint-Germain-des-Prés Paris offers ease at every turn.

And, that includes the fact that studios and apartments here include kitchens or kitchenettes!

If you’re looking for a peaceful retreat from sightseeing in Paris, a chance to enjoy an occasional dinner of cheese and baguette you picked up at the market, and a bit more elbow room than is traditional in the City of Light, this is the place for you.

We loved our stay here–and, thanks to the hotel being pet-friendly, so did Ranger.

Check rates & book your stay at Citadines Saint-Germain-des-Prés Paris!

What to Pack for a Winter Trip to Paris

Travel Insurance — We don’t ever suggest traveling without travel insurance–anything can happen, and a trip to Paris in winter is definitely a case of better safe than sorry.

Travel Adapters for France — If you’re coming from outside of Europe, you’ll definitely want to make sure you can plug in your electronics once you arrive in Paris!

Reusable Water Bottle — Don’t waste money or plastic on plastic water bottle after plastic water bottle at the Christmas markets in Paris–come prepared with a reusable one instead! You’ll be so glad to have it after devouring your first salty snack of the trip.

Umbrella — Traveling to Paris always means dealing with the risk of rain, but that’s especially true in winter!

Portable USB Charger — Avoid having your phone die when you’re out exploring, and throw a portable USD charger in your day bag! They also come in particularly handy on long flights.

Money Belt — This is up to you: we no longer use a money belt, but if you’re more comfortable having your passport with you at all times in France, you can consider bringing one. We used to use this one and had no complaints.

Travel Journal — We can testify that travel memories that aren’t written down quickly can often fade–especially the small details that may not seem special now, but will mean a lot more five or ten years down the road.

If you don’t want to commit a lot of time to writing each night, I’m a big fan of this One Line a Day Journal that allows you to easily track your experiences over five years. I’m well into my second volume now and continue to adore it!

Read More About Visiting Paris (and France)

Decided that a trip to Paris in winter is worth it and ready to continue planning?

You can browse all of our France blog posts here (we have a couple of dozen and counting about Paris alone), or check out these guides:

• How to Visit Versailles From Paris (Complete Guide + Tips!)
• Strasbourg in December (Festive Christmas Travel Guide!)
• 55 Most Instagrammable Places in Paris: Epic Paris Photo Spots
• Paris in November: Detailed Travel Guide (+ Is it Worth the Trip?)
• 17 Best Things to Do in Colmar, France