Paris, the City of Lights, is a captivating destination year-round, but winter presents a unique allure. While the weather may be chilly and wet, with average January highs around 43°F, bundling up in layers ensures comfort as you transition between the icy streets and the warm embrace of museums and cafés.
A Slower Pace for Exploration
The winter season invites you to slow down and relish the iconic Parisian experiences. Take your time exploring world-renowned museums and monuments, like spending quality moments with the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. Immerse yourself in Parisian culture with cooking demonstrations, art or architecture classes, or indulge in a wine-tasting session. Step into a cozy café to warm up and escape the bustling city streets.
A Festive City of Lights
Paris transforms into a dazzling wonderland during the holiday season. From late November through mid-January, holiday lights adorn the city’s streets, buildings, and monuments, creating a magical atmosphere. The Champs-Élysées, the city’s most famous boulevard, is bathed in a dazzling display of lights, with over 1,000 freshly cut fir trees lining its path, including 300 around the Rond-Point traffic circle.
Window Shopping and Hidden Treasures
Parisians revel in window shopping (“faire du lèche vitrines” – literally “window-licking”). Explore the grand department stores like Printemps and Galeries Lafayette, marveling at their elaborate displays. Discover the charming boutiques around Sèvres-Babylone and the Marais neighborhood, offering a more intimate and less glitzy shopping experience. When the weather turns unfavorable, seek refuge in the city’s covered shopping arcades, known as passages. Over 200 of these covered streets once crisscrossed Paris, providing respite from the rain. Galerie Vivienne, a few blocks from the Louvre, is one of the most elegant and accessible. Passage Choiseul and Passage Ste. Anne, located west of Galerie Vivienne, offer a glimpse into typical Parisian passages, with used books, stationery, trinkets, and snacks available for purchase.
Literary Havens and Winter Activities
Explore the literary scene by browsing through Paris’ many English-language bookstores, where you can find a vast selection of fiction and nonfiction. The friendly Red Wheelbarrow Bookstore near Luxembourg Garden and Shakespeare and Company, reborn in the 1950s after its original Latin Quarter location, are must-visits for book lovers.
Embrace the winter fun with a visit to one of Paris’ seasonal ice skating rinks. These festive rinks pop up in various locations: in front of the Hôtel de Ville, at the base of the Montparnasse skyscraper, and even on the first level of the Eiffel Tower. Enjoy a free ice skating session (with a small fee for skate rentals), but remember to pay tower admission for the Eiffel Tower rink.
Warmth and Indulgence
Escape the winter chill with a visit to Aquaboulevard, Paris’ premier indoor pool and waterslide complex. While it might be a bit pricey and steamy, it’s a fun way to experience Parisians at play.
Winter is the season for hearty indulgences. Game birds and venison grace restaurant menus, while street vendors call out “Chaud les marrons!” as they sell chestnuts roasting on coals. Chocolatiers and pastry shops thrive during the winter, tempting you with traditional treats like Epiphany cakes (galette des rois).
A Parisian Winter Night
Experience the magic of a Parisian winter night by enjoying a café crème, vin chaud (hot wine), or a hot chocolate at an outdoor table, watching the city come alive. Most cafés have braziers to keep you warm as you savor the moment.
Embrace the Parisian Winter
Winter in Paris offers a wealth of indoor experiences. Museums, restaurants, and stores remain open as usual, the concert and arts season is in full swing, and the city truly belongs to the Parisians. Go local, save money, and avoid the peak-season crowds by exploring the hidden gems and local delights. There’s no better way to spend a wintry day than immersing yourself in world-class art, architecture, and shopping, followed by a delicious dinner at a cozy bistro. As Cole Porter aptly wrote, “I love Paris in the winter, when it drizzles.”
