12 Best Things to Do in Paris in Winter (Weather Tips!)

Visiting Paris in winter is a magical and memorable experience you won’t soon forget.

The weather during winter in Paris will be a bit cold [Paris has an average temperature of 41°F in January and 38°F in February], but that doesn’t mean you should write off visiting Paris in the winter altogether!

Personally, I love Paris in the winter because it is a magical time to visit with fewer crowds. Paris is easily one of my favorite cities to visit!

Christmas lights or a dusting of snow create the best scenes for Paris photography!

Winter in Paris is generally defined as December to February, but months such as November and March can experience winter weather in Paris as well. 

This time of year means Christmas decorations, Valentine’s Day treats, and the chance of snow and fewer crowds to fight.

With a few tips, you will soon be off to an enjoyable trip to the City Of Light during the winter months.

Let’s take a look at what to do in Paris in the winter!

Average Paris Winter Weather

The average weather in Paris in winter is a bit rainy and chilly. It does snow in Paris but you won’t find it every year, and it won’t snow until the end of January or February.

December weather in Paris is more on the rainy and warmer side, so there is less chance of snow because it is too warm and wet for the snow to form. Even if it does snow in Paris, it is usually just a dusting or 1-2 inches.

Since Paris observes Daylight Savings Time, the sun sets quite early during the winter in Paris. If you are visiting Paris in winter, understand the sun will set by 5 pm at the latest.

Sure, this gives you shorter daylight hours, but it offers more time to explore the city by night. The rain and cold allow you a unique way to enjoy what the city has to offer.

If winter is the only time you have to visit Paris, just remember that the average Paris winter weather isn’t all that bad and is quite doable with the proper packing and planning!

Average Winter Temperatures In Paris

The temperature of Paris in the winter is relatively reasonable, especially for a northern city.

The average temperature of Paris in December is 42°F, the average temperature of Paris in January is 41°F, and the average temperature of Paris in February is 38°F.

As you can see, these temperatures are not freezing and are more enjoyable than similar cities such as New York City, which averages in the mid-to-low 30s during January.

You won’t show up to your Paris winter trip and be shocked by the temperature change, especially if you already live in a place that experiences winter.

I am from Florida and have visited Paris during the winter twice and survived just fine. If I can do it, you certainly can!

Check out my complete guide on the best time to visit Paris!

Average Paris Winter Temperatures:

November: 52°F high and 43°F low

December: 46°F high and 37°F low

January: 45°F high and 37°F low

February: 46°F high and 36°F low

March: 54°F high and 41°F low

12 Best Things to Do in Paris in Winter (Weather Tips!)

Bundle Up And Explore Paris By Bike

You can rent bikes at the Velib Bike stations in Paris. They cost a small fee to rent and the first 30 minutes of each ride is free. Biking is a wonderful way to explore the city, even in winter!

Make sure to dress in warm, windproof clothing. Wear gloves to keep your hands warm and a hat. Then get ready to explore what winter in Paris is like by bike!

You can also ride your bike across town and drop it off at any Velib Bike station and simply take the Metro home if the weather gets bad!

If you would prefer, there are many guided bike tours you can take around Paris in winter! That way, you can enjoy the sites without worrying about getting lost!

Book Here: Paris: Highlights 3-Hour Bike Tour

Go Window Shopping Along The Champs-Elysées

There is nothing more magical than a walk along the Champs-Elysées!

Winter in Paris means stores decked out for the holidays, Christmas trees galore, and maybe even a little snow if you are lucky!

Parisians love to window shop, especially around the holidays! Take the Metro to either end of the Champs-Elysées and window shop your way up and down the streets!

There are plenty of good places to eat if you need to stop in to warm up during your walk!

This is one of the best things to do in Paris at night in winter with all the pretty Christmas lights.

Enjoy One Of The Many Parisian Museums

Museums are a highlight to explore in Paris during the winter! Millions of people travel to Paris from all around the world to visit museums!

If you are visiting the Louvre, make sure to buy a timed entrance ticket so you aren’t stuck waiting in line to buy a ticket! Make sure to budget at least 4-5 hours at minimum for exploring the Louvre.

It is the perfect activity to do in Paris in winter if the weather gets bad. You can spend a great deal of time indoors without ever getting bored. Try to find the best butts at the Louvre!

Make sure to check out some of the other fantastic museums in Paris. These include Musee d’Orsay, Musee de l’Orangerie, the Holocaust Museum, Musee Rodin, and many many more!

Visiting museums is one of the best things to do in Paris in January when the weather is cold and wet.

Book Here: Paris: Louvre Museum Timed-Entrance Ticket

Book Here:  Paris: Musée d’Orsay Guided Tour with Options

Go Underground to the Paris Catacombs

The Catacombs are the perfect activity when visiting Paris in winter because they are underground which means they are sheltered from the elements!

The Parisian Catacombs are home to over 6 million bones, so get ready for the experience of a lifetime. You can book your Catacombs ticket online to skip the line.

If you are visiting Paris in winter and want to head to the Catacombs, make sure to wear warm clothing, as you will be underground and it may be cold.

Discovering the dark side of the City Of Light has never been more fun! This is a great idea for what to do in Paris in February.

Book Here: Paris Catacombs Skip-the-Line Guided Tour and Special Access

Enjoy a Cooking Class

Paris is home to some of the best food in the entire world! From delicious crepes to fluffy macarons, the food is truly out of this world.

Taking a cooking class when visiting Paris in winter is the perfect way to head indoors and learn about your favorite French food while staying warm and dry.

There are so many options for cooking classes. There is truly a Parisian cooking class for everyone!

Don’t forget to add a cooking class to your Paris winter itinerary!

Book Here: Paris: French Macarons Baking Class with a Parisian Chef

Book Here: 2-Hour Bread Making Class in Paris

Go Ice Skating Around The City

Ice skating is one of the quintessential winter activities in Paris! As a plus, some of the ice skating rinks in Paris are free! All you have to do is rent ice skates for a small fee.

I can’t think of anything more magical than strapping on a pair of skates and ice skating in a beautiful city setting. This is one of the top things to do in Paris with kids in winter too.

There are a bunch of places for ice skating in Paris. Rinks can be found at Hôtel de Ville, the Jardin des Tuileries, and the Eiffel Tower.

If you want views of Paris, the rink on top of the Montparnasse Tower is incredible! It is on the 59th floor.

Make sure to dress warmly so you don’t spend your whole time skating wishing you had worn a hat! Gloves are required at all rinks.

Go To A French Christmas Market

If your trip to Paris in winter falls around the holidays, you are in for a real treat! Head to one of the authentic Christmas markets in Paris to shop at the stalls, eat delicious food, and enjoy the holiday cheer.

We love Christmas markets in Europe and there are some fantastic ones in Paris during the winter!

Try the mulled wine as a way to warm up while browsing the handcrafted goods and homemade cookies. There are multiple Christmas markets around Paris in winter so make sure to visit a few, if you have time.

The biggest market is La Magie de Noël at the Tuileries Garden. There are carnival rides, a ton of stalls selling French foods and artisan gifts, an ice skating rink, and beautiful lights.

Other markets are found at Square Viviani next to Notre Dame, Place des Abbesses in Montmartre, Village de Noël at the Eiffel Tower, and Place Saint-Germain des Prés.

Admire Holiday Decor at Galeries Lafayette

One of the best things to do in Paris during Christmas is a visit to the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann location. This shopping mall goes all out with incredible holiday decorations.

Each year, a giant tree is hung from the glass dome and decorated with a different theme. This is one of the most Instagrammable spots in Paris at Christmas.

Grab a photo from the Glasswalk suspended from the third floor.

Enjoy the amazing Christmas window displays as you walk around and do some shopping. You will agree this mall is one of the most beautiful places in Paris!

If you are looking for more places to visit in Paris in December, other department stores are great options with their pretty winter displays. These include Printemps and Le Bon Marché.

Book Here: Paris Christmas Lights Walking Tour with Local Guide

Warm Up With Hot Chocolate at Angelina

Established in 1903, Angelina is one of the top tea houses in Paris. If you are looking for a tasty treat, this is one of the best places to visit in Paris in winter.

Angelina is famous for its delicious hot chocolate, or chocolat chaud, made with African cocoas. It is thick and rich and topped with fresh whipped cream.

It is not a cheap drink, but it is definitely worth it! It will warm up your entire body.

Another popular thing to order here is the indulgent Mont Blanc. This pastry is made of meringue, Chantilly cream, and chestnut cream.

Other goodies to order include eclairs, tarts, macarons, and more. The pastries are absolutely picture-perfect and beautiful.

Angelina is also one of the best restaurants in Paris for brunch and lunch.

There are many Angelina locations throughout Paris. They are found on Rue de Rivoli next to Jardin des Tuileries, inside the Louvre, on Rue du Bac, and in the Musée du Luxembourg.

Attend a Christmas Concert at Sainte-Chapelle

Sainte-Chapelle is one of the most beautiful churches in Paris! To make your trip to this Gothic cathedral extra special, plan to attend one of the concerts.

The special Christmas concerts take place during the evening from December 22nd through December 26th (skipping Christmas Day).

Listen to classical music and choirs singing staple Christmas songs like Jingle Bells, O Holy Night, and Angels We Have Heard on High.

There are also New Year’s concerts leading up to the New Year.

Premium tickets include a glass of champagne or wine and tapas.

The Sainte-Chapelle concert series takes place throughout the year so even if you miss one of the holiday concerts, you can still attend one of the regular shows.

This is one of the best things to do in Paris in winter for couples.

Eat Bûche de Noël

Paris is known for its delectable pastries. If you visit Paris during Christmas, you have to try the traditional bûche de Noël.

Also known as a Christmas log or Yule log, these rolled sponge cakes are filled with cream and covered with chocolate ganache.

The unique thing about this dessert is how they are designed to look like logs often topped with sugared berries and mushrooms made of meringue or marzipan.

During the Christmas season, you can find Yule logs at most pâtisseries and cafes in Paris. The look of the cakes varies by place.

Some of the best bûches de Noël can be found at Pierre Hermé, Angelina, Laduree, the Ritz Paris, and the Peninsula Paris.

Take in Paris From Above on the Eiffel Tower

Just because it is winter in Paris does not mean you should forgo a trip up the Eiffel Tower.

Going up the Eiffel Tower in winter is actually more enjoyable than in the summer because you won’t be fighting with long lines of people. You will have more open space to take in the view without the crowds.

That being said, going up the Eiffel Tower in winter can be quite cold so be sure to dress in your warmest clothing so you have an enjoyable trip! I highly recommend gloves, a hat, and layers!

Book Here:  Paris: Eiffel Tower Summit or Second Floor Access

A Word About Spending Christmas In Paris

If you are visiting Paris during Christmas and the New Year, you are truly in for a treat! People who love the holiday season will find Christmas in Paris an unforgettable experience.

There is just something about this time of the year that lightens up your mood and puts an extra pep in your step!

In typical Parisian fashion, celebrating Christmas in Paris is chic, magical, extraordinary, and unforgettable.

Between all the lights, decorations, events, and Paris winter activities, there is no shortage of things to fill your days with fun!

I could go on for hours here but I put together an entire list of festive ways to celebrate Christmas in Paris. This will provide everything you need to know about planning your Christmas experience!

One of the best things to do in Paris in December is celebrate Christmas Mass at one of the city’s many Catholic churches!

How To Get Around Paris In The Winter

The Metro is the best way to get around Paris at any time of the year, including winter. The Metro is fast, affordable, and easy.

The Paris Metro will run rain, shine, snow, and sleet, so it is pretty reliable! There are many ticket options depending on how long you are in the city. Buy single tickets, a booklet, or 24-hour or multi-day tickets.

Don’t forget to check out our post on mistakes to avoid on the Paris Metro! 

If you are not able to walk up and down a lot of steps, I recommend taking an Uber as it may be easier and safer.

Walking around Paris in winter is quite enjoyable. The city will be decked out for the holidays and might be blanketed in snow during the early months of the year.

Paris is actually quite a large city, so if you plan to walk, remember to wear good walking shoes and to dress appropriately.

Finally, depending on the weather, you can also choose to rent a bike and bike around Paris. Biking is very popular among Parisians. There are many local bike stands you can rent from.

Book Here: Paris: City Treasures Bike Tour

What To Pack For Paris In Winter

If you are heading to Paris in the winter, there are a few packing tips I suggest! Winter is a magical time to visit, but you need to stay warm and dry.

Dressing in layers is key! If you get too warm or too cold, simply add or take away a layer until you feel better.

Each time we have visited Paris in winter, we packed our entire wardrobe in carry-on luggage! If you want to pack in a carry-on, it is totally doable!

If you want to bring a checked bag, that is even better as you will have more space! Read my full Paris packing list.

• Fleece-lined Leggings. These are perfect for your winter packing list for Paris because they don’t take up much space and keep you warm under slacks, jeans, or dresses!
• Warm Winter Dresses. Thick dresses will keep you comfy and stylish on the streets of Paris!
• Thin Long Sleeve Thermal Tops. These are perfect for layers and pack up super small.
• Comfy Knit Hat. These keep you warm and protect your ears from the wind.
• Waterproof Boots/Shoes. Waterproof footwear is essential for rainy days during a Paris winter.
• A Winter Jacket. Do not think that you can visit Paris in the winter and NOT bring a winter jacket. Bonus points if that winter jacket is waterproof!
• Warm Gloves. These are essential to keep your hands warm. Try touch-screen gloves for snapping photos with your phone.
• A Balaclava. An alternative to a scarf that won’t blow in the wind while keeping your neck warm.
• Dark Denim Jeans. These are easy to style and can be worn over fleece-lined leggings
• Pull-Over Sweaters. Again, easy to style and layer.

Where to Stay in Paris in Winter

Paris is one of my favorite cities in the world and visiting Paris in winter is a wonderful time for deep discounts on accommodations!

I created this ultimate guide on where to stay in Paris that breaks down my top neighborhood suggestions. This will show you the hotels I recommend in each neighborhood and what there is to see and do around there.

My recommended areas to stay in Paris in winter would be near the Eiffel Tower, near the Arc De Triomphe/Champs Elysees, and near the Louvre.

Here are a few top choices for places to stay in Paris.

Affordable: Hôtel de la Tour Eiffel

Hôtel de la Tour Eiffel is one of the best places to stay in Paris in winter if you are looking for airy rooms and proximity to the Eiffel Tower for an affordable rate.

It is a casual hotel with many rooms offering street views and a courtyard patio with a garden.

This is one of our favorite neighborhoods and the area we stay in each November when we visit Paris.

Check Rates: Booking.com

Mid-Range: Hotel Rivoli

It is hard to go wrong with choosing Hotel Rivoli in the 4th district. Hotel Rivoli is a boutique hotel located in the heart of this fabulous area. It is truly one of the best places to stay during winter in Paris.

It is right in the thick of the nightlife center of Paris! Some of the rooms at Hotel Rivoli even come with a private balcony so you can overlook the city of Paris at your leisure.

It is also located near transportation which makes getting to other parts of Paris easy.

Check Rates: Booking.com

Luxury: The Peninsula Paris

The Peninsula Paris is one of the top luxury hotels with a view of the Eiffel Tower. If you are looking for the best of the best this is the place for you.

Just steps from the Arc De Triumph, Peninsula Paris is one of the most sought-after properties in Paris. There is an indoor swimming pool, a rooftop restaurant with 360-degree views, and spacious, elegant rooms.

Book as soon as possible because it sells out quickly!

Check Rates: Booking.com

Scam & Safety Tips For Winter In Paris

While winter in Paris is the off-season, scammers are still out, and you still need to keep an eye on your things for safety! Many times, it isn’t easy to spot scams in Paris which is why I am here to tell you what to do!

Luckily, Paris is a very safe city overall so there isn’t too much to worry about! Just keep in mind best practices for safety as you would for any major city and you will be fine!

Quick Safety Tips For Paris:

• Always watch for pickpocketers. Pickpocketing is huge in Paris and even bigger during winter! During winter, everyone spends more time in enclosed spaces, creating the perfect place for thieves! I always recommend an anti-theft handbag. If you are using pockets, always keep your valuables in your front pocket.
• Consider purchasing travel insurance. Purchase travel insurance that will cover your valuables if anything is lost or stolen. Pickpocketing and stealing is the most common crime in Paris so it is always good to stay prepared.
• Verify your route when taking a taxi. Always ask Paris taxi drivers the minimum price for the ride and then keep a watch on the meter. Taxi drivers in Paris often overcharge unsuspecting tourists by taking longer routes. Plug your route into Google Maps on your phone and if you deviate, say something! We always recommend Uber as the company will help out if something goes wrong!
• Keep emergency numbers handy. All emergency numbers in Paris are toll-free when called from any phone in France. Dial “15” for medical emergencies and dial “17” for the Paris police.
• Find your local embassy and make copies of your passport. When traveling, it is always a good idea to carry a copy of your passport. It is also a good idea to find your local country embassy in Paris. Make a note of the location and details in the event of an emergency.
• Keep an eye out for Paris scammers. Scammers are all over the main tourist areas in Paris. Scams in Paris involve random people inviting you to play simple games or people trying to hand you a “free” flower and then demanding payment. Firmly say no and walk away from anyone who tries to approach you.
• Dress in layers and pay attention to your body. Winter in Paris can get quite cold, especially if there is a wind chill! If you don’t dress properly and the Paris winter weather is particularly bad, you run the risk of hypothermia or wind chill. A trip to the local hospital isn’t the way you want to spend your vacation!

There is so much to see and things to do in Paris in the winter! You are well on your way to planning your dream trip to Paris in winter!

If you have any questions about planning your winter Paris vacation, make sure to let us know in the comments, and we will try and answer the best we can!

Next, check out my weekend in Paris itinerary!

Pin this post: