The Truth About Visiting Paris in Winter (Good and Bad)

Is it a good idea to visit Paris in winter? Or will it be a disaster? Don’t worry — you’ve come to the right place, because I’ve been traveling to Paris in the winter for decades!

Paris is a fabulous city year-round, and you can visit at any time of year and have a great time. That said, there are some important things to know before you plan a winter visit.

I’ve been visiting Paris regularly for 25 years, and I’ve visited in just about every month of year, including several visits during the winter. And honestly, Paris might be my favorite European city to visit during the winter.

What makes Paris a great winter destination? It’s a perfect indoor-outdoor city. Yes, you could walk around Paris all day (and many people do), but as soon as you’ve had enough of the weather, you’ll have several cafes within a stone’s throw. Cold, snowy or sleety day? Head inside to one of the dozens of superb museums.

And on top of that, it never gets that cold in Paris. (Well, I say this as a native New Englander, someone who knows her way around a polar vortex.) By that I mean it’s rare for it to hover below freezing for longer than a few hours.

Another important thing to remember is that Paris is an enormous city full of year-round residents — Paris doesn’t shut down in the winter for that reason. You will always find places to eat and stay in Paris, no matter what time of year you visit. There are always cool bars to explore, interesting performances taking place, and amazing little shops tucked into alleyways.

Visit Paris in the summer and you might be sweating like crazy while waiting in a mile-long line to get into Notre-Dame. Come January or February, you won’t have to worry about any of that.

Let’s take a look at what it’s really like to visit Paris in winter. I think you’re going to love your time here.

(And be sure to check out my guides on where to stay in Paris and my solo female travel guide to Paris!)

This post was published in October 2025.

Things to Know About Visiting Paris in Winter

Winter is the least touristy time to visit Paris.

If you want to experience Paris with the fewest tourist crowds possible, you’ll want to aim for winter. Specifically, January and February, excluding New Year’s and Valentine’s Day.

That said, you need to take that recommendation with an enormous grain of salt, because there is no such thing as an “untouristy” time of year in Paris. There is never a time of year when you can walk down empty hallways at the Louvre, but winter is a time when you can avoid waiting in lines all day just to get in. It’s all relative.

If I were planning on visiting lots of museums and attractions in Paris, I would plan a winter trip for this reason alone. Ideally, in early January, a few days past New Year’s.

Note that not all of winter is like this. Late November and all of December brings lots of tourists to Paris to enjoy the Christmas decorations and holiday cheer. It’s actually quite a busy time in the city. Tourists also swam Paris on New Year’s and on the weekends surrounding Valentine’s Day.

And by the time March arrives, you’re very much in the shoulder season in Paris, when crowds are back to normal.

Paris hotels are a lot cheaper in the winter.

Yes, winter is the cheapest time of year for Paris, and many hotels drop their rates in the winter. While Paris is an expensive city to visit year-round, lower hotel rates can make it worth it to visit at this time.

Once again, you will find the lowest hotel rates are in January and February, excluding New Year’s and Valentine’s Day, when prices leap up.

So if you’ve ever dreamed of staying at a luxurious hotel in Paris — maybe the Four Seasons George V with its insane Eiffel Tower views, or Hotel Les Bains with its chic Marais style, or The Peninsula with its dreamy spa? I would plan a winter visit if I were you.

Besides, there’s nothing like snuggling up in a fancy bed in a luxury hotel when it’s chilly and gray outside.

Find deals on hotels in Paris here.

Read More: Where to Stay in Paris (Best Hotels & Areas)

Don’t expect it to snow in Paris.

If you love the film Something’s Gotta Give (RIP Diane!) when Harry surprises Erica in Paris and they meet on a bridge and there are fat snowflakes falling all around — you’re not alone. Unfortunately, that kind of snow in Paris is very rare.

While it can snow anytime between late November and late March, you’re more likely to get a few pathetic flakes that melt the moment they touch the ground.

Climate change is one reason why it doesn’t snow very much in Paris anymore, and when it does, it’s rarely the kind of snow that sticks. Instead, it rains fairly often in Paris, and you will likely have one or two rainy days during your visit.

In fact, I had one February visit to Paris where it rained the whole time, and one August visit to Paris where it rained the whole time — so trust me, no time of year is safe!

The good news is that Paris is not a city where you need good weather to have a good time. (That’s a good thing! I mean, who wants to go to Barcelona or Dubrovnik when the sky is gray and angry?) The grayness almost adds to the city’s character, and there are so many wonderful places to go that are indoors.

Not all Paris tours run in winter — but many do.

It’s important to keep in mind that not every tour runs throughout the year, and many tours in Europe scale back their tours in winter, and some small tour companies close for a month or so. So it’s a good idea to check what is actually running in advance.

Here are some tours that DO run throughout the winter:

Ultimate Paris Food Tour — This food tour takes you to 11 stops within the Marais, my favorite foodie neighborhood in Paris, with tastes of everything from French cheeses and chocolates to Moroccan crepes, fresh baguettes, and more!

Taste Your Way Through Paris’s Aligre Market — I absolutely loved this market tour! It’s offbeat enough that it feels like just you and locals, and Silvia is a fantastic guide. You really eat everything this market has to offer: pastries, coffee, meats, cheeses, fruits, desserts.

Cheese Cellar Adventure in Paris — Ever wanted to eat a ton of cheese in a French cellar? You need to do this tour. This is one of the best things I’ve done in Paris, and I still use the knowledge it gave me about French cheeses when I visit France today!

Paris in a Day Tour — If you’re short on time, this tour covers several of the most famous sites in Paris, including Montmartre, the Louvre, Île de la Cité and Notre Dame, and the best viewing spot of the Eiffel Tower.

Paris’s museums are wonderful to visit in winter.

Paris is one of the most marvelous cities in the world when it comes to museums. Of course you’ve heard of the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay, but there are so many more niche museums! (And if you plan on visiting a few museums, I highly recommend getting the Paris Museum Pass to save money.)

One sad change I’ve noticed over the years is that the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay have become progressively more crowded, which makes them difficult to enjoy. But winter is the time of year when these museums will be far calmer and airier.

If you’re interested in a guided tour, consider the three-hour Complete Louvre Tour, which includes famous works like the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo, but also lesser-known works fewer people know about that might impress you even more.

The Best of the Musée d’Orsay tour includes telling you what you never knew about various works of Monet, Van Gogh, Manet, Renoir, Degas, and more.

But there’s way more to museums in Paris besides the top two.

One offbeat museum I happen to love is the Musée des Arts Forains, a museum of old-timey carnival attractions. This is an absolutely magical place where you play carnival games and go on rides — it makes you feel like a kid again.

The Musée des Arts Forains must be visited on a tour booked in advance, and tours are in French (with occasional English tours). If you don’t speak French, they give you a printout in English to follow along, and it’s still worth it if you can’t understand the guide. Tours release a few weeks in advance.

Some other museums to visit include the Musée Rodin, famous for its sculpture garden, which does remain open in the winter months; the Musée Carnavalet, dedicated to the history of Paris; the Musée Picasso, home to more than 5000 works by the prolific painter; Fondation Louis Vuitton, located in the Bois de Boulogne with rotating exhibits; and Musée des Arts Décoratifs, a gem of a museum focused on fashion and design.

Keep in mind that the Centre Pompidou (Beaubourg), one of my favorite modern art museums, has closed for renovations until 2030.

You can still sit outdoors at Parisian cafes in the winter!

Have you ever dreamed of sitting outdoors a Parisian cafe, watching the world go by, enjoying a wine or coffee, maybe reading or scribbling away in a notebook? That really isn’t a fantasy — Paris is covered in cafes, and people sit at them at all hours of the day.

But what some people don’t know is that you can even sit at outdoor cafes in the winter! Most Parisian cafes have heat lamps on the outside that keep it warm enough to sit outside.

(In part because so many Parisians like to smoke in cafes, and you can only smoke at outdoor seating nowadays.)

So feel free to grab a seat outdoors in the winter — though I do recommend wearing warm outerwear. And if it’s too cold for you, you can always go inside.

December brings Christmas markets and holiday cheer.

Paris may not be one of the biggest Christmas market destinations in the world, but the holiday season is still a popular time to visit! Paris may not have the traditional Christmas markets of Germany or Alsace, but you absolutely get the Christmasy vibe here.

Paris’s Christmas markets each have different dates, but most of them run from mid- or late November through late December or even the first days of January.

Rather than one big central market, you can find several different Christmas markets around the city. The most famous one is La Magie de Noel in the Tuileries Garden, right between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde. This one has a few rides, including a ferris wheel and an ice skating rink, plus lots of stalls dishing up delicious food and wonderful gifts (oh, and there’s a champagne bar).

In Montmartre, Place des Abbesses Christmas Market makes a nice place to visit after spending time at the Sacré Coeur and wandering down Rue Lepic, one of my favorite streets in Paris. This market is on the smaller side but you have plenty of food and drink stalls, plus lots of artisans setting up shop.

And then you have the biggest Christmas market in the Paris region at La Défense, the skyscraper-filled area west of the city center. La Défense’s Marché de Noël is home to more than 200 wooden chalets, and the surrounding buildings add a sparkling effect, which really makes the atmosphere different than other neighborhoods in Paris.

Those are just three of the bigger ones — you’ll also see Christmas markets pop up at places like the Eiffel Tower, Hotel de Ville, Gare de l’Est, the left bank just off Notre Dame, and more.

So what should you eat at Paris Christmas markets? I’m all about the raclette — cheese melted from a giant wheel and served over a pile of potatoes. Marrons chauds (warm roasted chestnuts), tartiflette (cheesy potatoes, sometimes with ham or other meats, from the Savoyard region), and choucroute garni (Alsatian-style sausage and sauerkraut) adorn many a Parisian Christmas market, along with German specialties.

And you can finish it up with a glass of vin chaud — hot mulled wine. There are also plenty of warm nonalcoholic beverages to warm up with. And don’t forget the many champagne bars!

In addition to Christmas markets, stores in Paris put up incredible holiday window displays. Truth be told, Christmas is the only time of year that I will willingly walk down the Champs-Élysées, because the Christmas decorations are out of this world!

The big department stores — Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, and Le Bon Marché — also bring out wonderful decorations.

New Year’s is a popular time to visit Paris.

Is New Year’s Eve in Paris worth it? Honestly, I’m not the person to ask for this question, as I think New Year’s Eve is the worst night of the year to go out, and instead my husband and I throw a dinner party, have friends over, and comfort our cats through the scary fireworks.

But if you’re the kind of person who loves the energy and excitement of going out on New Year’s Eve, along with a bit of fireworks, Paris can be a great place to visit!

The main event in Paris takes place on the Champs-Élysées, leading up to the Arc de Triomphe. The street is closed to traffic and filled with pedestrians, and from the evening onward there is a street party with musical performances. Around 11:40 PM, there is a video mapping show on the Arc (pictured above), and at midnight there are fireworks.

Keep in mind that this is very much a Times Square kind of situation — big crowds, limited restrooms, and lots of time standing around waiting.

Alternatively, there are so many New Year’s parties and events all over Paris. Many restaurants have special menus; lots of bars and clubs offer ticketed events.

Here are some New Year’s Eve events in Paris you can book:

New Year’s Eve Dinner Cruise — This five-hour cruise takes you up and down the Seine, serving a four-course dinner along the way. Wine is included with dinner, and there’s a champagne toast at midnight. Another New Year’s Eve dinner cruise features a 4.5-hour cruise with a live DJ for a similar price.

New Year’s Eve Gala at Paradis Ladin — If you want something spectacular, Paradis Ladin features its Parisian can-can show along with a three-course meal from a Michelin-starred chef.

One important thing to keep in mind is that lots of places in Paris will be closed on New Year’s Day, including grocery stores. You’ll probably want to make a game plan ahead of time for how you’ll feed yourself, whether that’s asking your hotel which restaurants will be open, or buying groceries in advance.

January is one of the best months to shop in Paris.

I think Paris is one of the best places in the world for shopping. Every time I visit, I have to physically restrain myself from buying up all the clothes and accessories from cute mid-range French brands!

And if you visit Paris in January, you get to enjoy the soldes — four-week sale periods that take place each year in January and July. The winter period usually (though not always) begins on the second Wednesday in January and lasts until early February.

The purpose of the soldes is to clear out their unsold merchandise and make room for the upcoming spring and fall collections. And if you’re looking to shop around this time, you can find some great deals.

So what are some good places to shop in Paris? Let me share a few of my favorite French brands with you.

You may have heard of the French brands Sézane, Maje, and Sandro, all of which have a decent international presence. Sézane is my favorite and the most affordable of those three.

Some other brands I happen to love that aren’t quite as famous are Petite Mendigote, Soeur, Doên, and Ba&sh.

For handbags, I recommend you check out A.P.C., Fleuron (my favorite — so many fun colors!) and Polène (overrated but still has some good stuff).

There are so many great French shoe brands that are tough to find elsewhere, and I’m a big fan of Carel (their Kina Ballerinas are my favorite — I have them in multiple colors!), Jonak, and Repetto.

You can shop at these individual boutiques, but you can also shop at one of the huge department stores — Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, and Le Bon Marché. All three are dazzling design pieces as well as stores, and Printemps in the 9th has an excellent view of the Eiffel Tower.

French cuisine is cozy and welcoming in the winter.

French food is a lot of things, but it’s not known for being particularly light. Winter is the perfect time of year to dig into these hearty dishes!

Start with cassoulet. Cassoulet is a dish from the southwest of France with white beans, duck confit, sausage, and pork cooked together in broth and served hot.

Boeuf bourguignon is a classic. The ultimate French beef stew, boeuf bourguignon is made with red wine, beef, bacon lardons, and lots of root vegetables.

Moules frites are fab in the winter. Sure, they’re a year-round thing, but there’s something about a steaming pot that is so much better in the colder months.

Raclette is the GOAT. I love getting raclette at French Christmas markets and watching them scrape the melted cheese off the wheel and onto a pile of potatoes.

And while I eat soupe à l’oignon (French onion soup) on just about every trip to Paris, there’s nothing like digging into a hot, steamy, cheese-covered soup on a cold winter day.

And that’s not all. See a lamb shank on a menu? Go for it. Duck breast? Also delicious. Pot au feu? Get ready for all the meat and vegetables. Dessert? There’s nothing like a chocolate mousse on a cold day!

Père Lachaise is a vibe in the winter months.

Paris’s Père Lachaise Cemetery is arguably the most famous cemetery in the world — and it’s definitely home to the most visited grave in the world (Jim Morrison’s). This cemetery is home to some of the most creative and interesting people who ever lived in Paris — or died in Paris. (That’s the only way you get in.)

I’ve visited this cemetery several times over the years, but I think the best time to visit is during the winter. Not only is it quieter, with fewer crowds, but the bare trees and pale light really add to the atmosphere. It’s one of my favorite places for a long solo walk and some contemplation.

Some of the people buried here include Oscar Wilde (people put on lipstick and kiss the glass surrounding his grave!), Gertrude Stein, Frederic Chopin, Molière, Edith Piaf, and so many more.

You can visit Père Lachaise independently, or book a guided tour to learn more than you ever knew about these ghosts of Paris.

Try one of Paris’s best hot chocolates.

If you love hot chocolate, Paris is the place for you. Some of the hot chocolates I’ve had here have been some of my favorite hot chocolates ever! The ultimate treat on a cold day.

One place I love is Angelina, a tea room where you can get a full meal, desserts, or just grab a takeaway cup of hot chocolate. The chocolate is sumptuous. If you do the latter at the Rue de Rivoli location, I recommend walking up to Place de la Vendôme and window-shopping at the fancy jewelry stores.

Le Voltigeur is a little cafe in the Marais that is well worth a stop. Come here for a nice lunch or brunch, or tuck into one of their enormous pastries alongside a delicious hot chocolate.

And if you’d like hot chocolate with a side of the macarons you’ve ever had, be sure to check out one of the many Ladurée locations!

Warm up on a winter day in a hammam in Paris.

There’s nothing like warming up in a spa on a chilly day — and Paris is full of great spas! But for something special, I recommend you seek out a hammam.

Thanks to Paris’s many North African and Middle Eastern residents, the city is full of excellent hammams — traditional spas where you can soak, steam, and get scrubbed cleaner than you ever have been in your life. Most hammams are single-sex, but you can find a few coed ones.

One hammam that I love is O’Kari, located in the 2nd arrondissement. This women-only establishment has a variety of packages to choose from.

I chose the Basic package, a two-hour package that feels anything but basic and includes a eucalyptus steam bath, time soaking in the whirlpool, exfoliation and body scrub, hair wash, and 30-minute body massage. Bring your bathing suit.

This is the perfect activity after a few hours of walking around in the cold!

See a performance in Paris in the winter.

Winter is an excellent time to see a show in Paris — and again, due to it being a less touristy time of year, it’s often easier to get good tickets close to the date.

Here are some suggestions:

Moulin Rouge with Three-Course Dinner — I went to see a show at the Moulin Rouge with no expectations, and I was shocked how much it blew me away. This is not a cheesy dance show — this is an incredible performance of brilliant, talented people, with all kinds of performers in between the dancers. Definitely a once in your lifetime thing to witness!

Other popular cabaret shows in Paris include Crazy Horse Cabaret, Le Paradis Latin, and La Nouvelle Eve.

Palais Garnier de Paris — Paris’s opera house is home to some of the best performances in the city, including opera, ballet, and all kinds of classical music performances. You can also see performances at the Opéra Bastille. All are linked on the Palais Garnier’s page.

Philharmonie de Paris — The Paris Philharmonic and associated music groups put on classical concerts on a near-constant basis, and there’s sure to be something you love.

And don’t forget all the small music clubs around the city, where you can enjoy live music in just about any genre.

One tip — dress up a bit. I find that Americans tend not to dress up for performances like these, while Parisians (and many other Europeans) tend to dress up by default. Dress nicely and you’ll fit right in.

There are lots of great day trips from Paris in the winter.

Many of the most popular day trips from Paris tend to be better in the warmer months, like Monet’s gardens at Giverny, which are closed from November 1 through April 1. That said, there are plenty of day trips that work well at any time of year.

Here are some day trips from Paris you can do during the winter months:

Versailles — The magnificent palace of Versailles is located just outside Paris, and it’s a very easy day trip either by booking train tickets or taking a guided tour from Paris. Even the gardens are open year-round.

Chartres — Home to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Chartres Cathedral, Chartres is a lovely little town filled with character. It’s easy to get to Chartres by train, and due to its location, it pairs well with Versailles for a full day trip.

Reims — Reims is in the heart of the champagne region! On a day trip here, you can do tastings at historic champagne houses and explore the town, too. I strongly recommend doing this as a guided tour because you don’t want to navigate unfamiliar public transit after drinking.

Loire Valley — The Loire Valley is full of glorious castles and gorgeous countryside, and many day trips take you to Chenonceau (a favorite of mine!) and Chambord. Since the castles are often located far from public transportation, I recommend taking a guided tour from Paris.

Mont St. Michel — While many day trips to the D-Day beaches are paused during the winter months, you can absolutely visit the Normandy Coast at Mont St. Michel. You can take a guided tour from Paris; if you choose to do it independently, I recommend taking the direct train from Paris-Montparnasse to Pontorson Mont St. Michel, which only runs on weekends during the winter months.

Don’t just go to Paris — visit somewhere else in France, too!

If you’re planning a longer trip to France in the winter, I highly recommend you add a few more destinations in France!

Here are some spots that are great to visit in the winter:

Alsace — This German-flavored region is home to villages that inspired Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. While Alsace is almost unbearably crowded during December (to the point where I almost think it’s not worth visiting), it’s lovely and magical to visit in January, February and March. Strasbourg and Colmar are two good cities to visit.

Rhône-Alpes — Lyon is Paris’s second city and culinary capital is a lot of fun to visit during the winter — in fact, the one time I visited, it was during the winter! Additionally, Grenoble and Annecy are two lovely cities set amongst the Alps that offer a perfect blend of city time and outdoor adventure.

Loire Valley — While many people visit the Loire Valley on a day trip from Paris, I think it’s even nicer to visit for a few days. Amboise is a lovely and interesting city to base in as you drive around and explore the castles in the region. Added bonus? Lots of “chateautels” have discounts during the winter months.

Honestly, you could go just about anywhere in France, except for small seaside towns that shut down in the winter. You could even head to the Côte d’Azur in winter — just keep in mind that it’s not lie-out-in-a-bikini weather on the French Riviera in January.

Paris Weather in Winter

As I said earlier, do not expect a lusciously snowy visit to Paris in the winter — snow is pretty rare these days. The only thing you can expect in Paris is for rain to arrive at the least convenient moment possible!

Whatever month in winter you visit, you should be ready for cold, windy, often wet days. And be ready for the occasional cold snap, too, just in case. Let’s take a look at the weather, month by month.

Paris in December

December in Paris is chilly, but the Christmas markets and sparkling lights all around the city make it feel a bit cozier and warmer. Average highs are around 45° F (7° C) and lows about 37° F (3° C).

Rain is common, averaging 2 inches (50 mm) over the course of the month, but snow remains rare.

Paris in January

January is the coldest month of the year in Paris. Average high temperatures hover around 43° F (6° C), while lows dip to about 35° F (2° C).

Snowfall is rare but not impossible — you might see a light dusting once or twice a year, melting fairly quickly. Rain is more common, with about 1.8 inches (45 mm) of precipitation over roughly 15 days.

Paris in February

February is another chilly month in Paris, though it’s a bit warmer than the doldrums of January. Expect average highs around 47° F (8° C) and lows near 36° F (2° C).

Rainfall is similar to January, averaging 1.6 inches (40 mm), and you might get a snow flurry or two. Sunshine starts to increase slightly, with longer days toward the end of the month.

Paris in March

March in Paris can feel unpredictable — you might get brisk winds, drizzle, or the first truly pleasant days of the year. And the forecast probably won’t tell you before you arrive! Average temperatures reach 54° F (12° C), while lows hover around 41° F (5° C).

Rainfall totals about 1.8 inches (45 mm), and it’s unusual for it to snow by this time of year.

Packing for Paris in Winter

So what do you actually have to pack for a winter visit in Paris? If you live in a cold climate, you know what you’re doing — just bring your usual cold weather gear.

If you’re from a warm climate, here are some items I recommend:

Base layers (thermal underwear). I am a huge fan of the Uniqlo heat-teach scoop-neck top and leggings, which are very warm, affordable, and I wear all the time. I find that base layers are essential for Christmas market trips in winter or any winter trip where you’re outside much of the day because they give you an extra layer of warmth.

Warm sweater. Sweaters (or jumpers, Brits!) make the perfect mid-layer between your base layer and your outerwear. Did you know that Uniqlo makes affordable cashmere sweaters in a ton of colors?

Warm winter coat. I love wearing a long wool coat in Paris in the winter. If it’s not waterproof, that’s okay, but make sure to bring a travel umbrella (and actually bring it out with you each day).

Boots. Waterproof winter boots are ideal, as anyone who’s stepped into a deep slushy puddle can tell you. You might not need them, but they’re a good item to have in your wardrobe for winter travel.

Warm socks. I am a big fan of merino wool socks, which I wear during the winter and for hiking year-round.

Hat. I’m not a hat person; nevertheless, I rock a beanie on my winter trips to Paris.

Speakeasy travel supply scarf. I love these scarves, which come in a variety of patterns and materials, and they come with a hidden zip-up pocket that is perfect for your valuables!

More on Paris:

• Best Area to Stay in Paris: Neighborhoods, Hotels, and More
• Solo Female Travel in Paris — Is it Safe?
• How to Plan a Day Trip to Paris from London
• How to Spend a Layover in Paris
• 33 Most Famous Streets in Paris
• 100 Travel Tips for Paris
• The Art of the Chilled Out Trip to Paris
• Christmas 2013 in Paris
• Île Saint-Louis: The Other Island in the Seine
• Père Lachaise Cemetery: Eternal Rest for Brilliant Minds

More on France:

• A Taste of Alsace in Strasbourg and Colmar
• Meet Lyon: France’s Second City
• Fête des Lumières: Lyon’s Festival of Lights
• Grenoble on a Perfect Winter Day

More on winter in Europe:

• Visiting Prague in Winter: Good or Bad Idea?
• Visiting Sicily in Winter: The Truth (Good and Bad!)
• Warmest Places in Europe in the Winter

Have you been to Paris in winter? Share your tips!

The post The Truth About Visiting Paris in Winter (Good and Bad) appeared first on Adventurous Kate.

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