Paris, the City of Lights, holds a special allure in winter. Although the weather can be chilly and rainy, with average high temperatures around 43° Fahrenheit in January, bundling up in layers makes it easy to transition between the cold streets and the warm havens of museums and cafés.
Embrace the Parisian Winter
Slow down and savor the city’s treasures. Take your time exploring renowned museums and monuments, like spending quality moments with Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. Consider indulging in a cooking demonstration, a short course in art or architecture, or a wine-tasting session. Escape the chill with a cozy break at a café, where you can warm up and enjoy a respite from sightseeing or shopping. Embrace the Parisian spirit and get to know the friendly staff at your favorite café, turning casual encounters into genuine connections.
A City Aglow
One of Europe’s most enchanting winter experiences is strolling down the dazzling Champs-Élysées. From late November to mid-January, the city bursts with holiday cheer, transforming into a wonderland of lights. Buildings, monuments, and the towering trees lining the Champs-Élysées are adorned with sparkling decorations. Paris goes all out, installing over 1,000 fresh-cut fir trees throughout the city, with 300 adorning the Rond-Point traffic circle at the foot of the Champs-Élysées.
Window Shopping with Parisian Flair
Parisians adore window shopping, a pastime known as “faire du lèche vitrines,” literally “window-licking.” Embrace this Parisian tradition and take your own “lick” at the captivating displays of the grand department stores like Printemps and Galeries Lafayette. Discover the charm of seasonal displays in the intimate boutiques scattered around Sèvres-Babylone and the Marais neighborhood. These charming displays offer a delightful contrast to the grand spectacle of the department stores.
Sheltering from the Elements
If the weather takes a turn for the worse, seek refuge in the enchanting shopping arcades known as passages. Over 200 of these covered shopping streets once crisscrossed Paris, offering a haven from the rain. Galerie Vivienne, located just a few blocks from the Louvre, stands out as the most refined and accessible passage. Passage Choiseul and Passage Ste. Anne, four blocks west of Galerie Vivienne, are excellent examples of the typical Parisian passage, offering an eclectic mix of used books, stationery, trinkets, and tasty treats.
Literary Retreats and Winter Wonderland Activities
Delve into the world of words by browsing through Paris’ numerous English-language bookstores. The Red Wheelbarrow Bookstore, near Luxembourg Garden, offers a welcoming atmosphere and a diverse collection of fiction and nonfiction. Shakespeare and Company, reborn in the 1950s, is a literary haven that once hosted the likes of Ernest Hemingway and Gertrude Stein. This iconic bookstore can now be found at 37 Rue de la Bucherie, across the Seine from Notre-Dame.
Embrace the spirit of winter with a visit to one of Paris’ many ice-skating rinks. Glide across the ice in festive settings, including in front of the Hôtel de Ville, at the base of the Montparnasse skyscraper, and even 200 feet in the air on the first level of the Eiffel Tower. Most rinks offer free skating, with a small fee for skate rentals, while the Eiffel Tower rink requires tower admission.
Parisian Winter Delights
Escape the chill with a visit to Aquaboulevard, Paris’ premier indoor pool and waterslide complex. Although a bit pricey and steamy, it’s a fun opportunity to observe Parisians enjoying a unique escape from the winter weather.
Indulge your senses with the flavors of winter in Paris. Restaurants feature game birds and venison on their menus, while street vendors entice with the aroma of chestnuts roasting on coals. Chocolatiers and pastry shops flourish during the winter, offering a tempting array of traditional treats like Epiphany cakes (galette des rois).
The Magic of Parisian Evenings
One of Paris’ most enchanting winter pleasures is savoring the city’s ambiance from a cozy outdoor table. Enjoy a café crème, vin chaud (hot wine), or a comforting hot chocolate while watching the Parisian scene unfold. Most cafés fire up braziers, ensuring a warm and inviting setting for al fresco dining.
Embrace the Parisian Spirit
Paris in winter offers an abundance of indoor attractions, with museums, restaurants, and stores operating as usual. The concert and arts season is in full swing, bringing the city alive with cultural events. This season offers a chance to experience Paris like a local, avoiding the crowds that often characterize peak season. Embrace the local spirit, save money, and skip the museum lines.
Enjoy world-class art, architecture, and shopping during the day, followed by a delightful evening at a cozy bistro. As Cole Porter so aptly put it, “I love Paris in the winter, when it drizzles.” Paris in winter offers a unique blend of charm, culture, and cozy delights, making it a truly unforgettable experience.
