Paris, the City of Lights, shines brightly year-round, but there’s something special about visiting during the winter months. While the weather might be chilly and damp (the average high in January is a brisk 43°F), dressing in layers will keep you cozy and ready to transition seamlessly from the cold streets to the warm embrace of museums and cafés.
Slow Down and Savor the City
Take your time and truly appreciate the city’s iconic landmarks and museums. A one-on-one encounter with Mona Lisa or Venus de Milo is worth the extra layers you’ll be wearing! This is also a great time to delve deeper into Parisian culture with a cooking demonstration, an art or architecture workshop, or a delightful wine-tasting class. Don’t forget to duck into a charming café for a warm respite from the city’s bustling energy. You might even find yourself on a first-name basis with your favorite waiter!
Holiday Lights and Parisian Window Shopping
Winter in Paris is a dazzling spectacle of twinkling lights. From late November to mid-January, holiday decorations adorn the city’s streets, buildings, and monuments, creating a magical ambiance. The Champs-Elysées, in particular, is transformed into a breathtaking wonderland with thousands of sparkling lights illuminating the trees that line this famous boulevard. The city goes all out, setting up over 1,000 fresh-cut fir trees throughout the city, including 300 that create a stunning ring around the Rond-Point traffic circle at the lower end of the Champs-Elysées.
Parisians love to window shop, known in French as “faire du lèche vitrines” (literally “window-licking”). You can indulge in your own window-licking along the city’s grand boulevards. The elaborate displays at the department stores, like Printemps and Galeries Lafayette, are simply awe-inspiring. For a more intimate experience, explore the charming boutiques in neighborhoods like Sèvres-Babylone and the Marais.
Shopping Arcades and Literary Delights
If the weather turns unpleasant, seek refuge in the covered shopping arcades called passages, which once provided much-needed shelter from the rain. Over 200 of these charming streets crisscrossed Paris in the past. The Galerie Vivienne, just a few blocks from the Louvre, is a beautifully preserved example, offering a delightful mix of boutiques and cafes. Another must-see is the Passage Choiseul and Passage Ste. Anne, located four blocks west of Galerie Vivienne, where you can find everything from used books and stationery to trinkets and snacks.
Paris is also home to numerous English-language bookstores, offering a literary escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. My personal favorite is the Red Wheelbarrow Bookstore, located near the Luxembourg Garden at 9 & 11 Rue de Médicis, known for its friendly atmosphere and diverse selection. Shakespeare and Company, another literary gem, has a rich history dating back to the 1920s when it was a popular hangout for Ernest Hemingway and Gertrude Stein. Now located at 37 Rue de la Bucherie, across the river from Notre-Dame, it continues to be a haven for book lovers.
Ice Skating and Aquatic Adventures
Winter in Paris brings with it the joy of ice skating in picturesque settings. You’ll find rinks set up in front of the Hôtel de Ville (where you can also enjoy a small sledding hill), at the base of the Montparnasse skyscraper, and even on the first level of the Eiffel Tower, offering a breathtaking view of the city 200 feet above ground. Skating is free, with skate rentals costing around $7. And if you’re looking for a different kind of aquatic adventure, head to Aquaboulevard, Paris’s premier indoor pool and waterslide complex. It’s a great place to escape the winter chill and enjoy a fun-filled day with a splash of Parisian energy.
Indulge in Winter Delights
After a day of exploration, treat yourself to the culinary delights of winter in Paris. Restaurants offer tempting seasonal menus featuring game birds and venison. And you can’t miss the roast chestnut vendors, their cries of “Chaud les marrons!” echoing through the streets. Chocolatiers and pastry shops like La Maison du Chocolat are in full swing, tempting you with traditional treats like Epiphany cakes (flaky marzipan cakes called galette des rois).
Cozy Winter Evenings
As the evening settles in, there’s no better way to savor the Parisian ambiance than by settling into a cozy outdoor café with a café crème, vin chaud (hot wine), or a hot chocolate (simply called chocolat and a local favorite). Most cafés set up cozy braziers to keep you warm as you soak in the Parisian night.
Embrace the Parisian Spirit
Paris in winter offers an abundance of indoor activities, from museums and restaurants to shops and theaters. The city truly comes alive with cultural events and artistic expressions. This is a time when Parisians truly own their city, so consider embracing the local spirit and taking advantage of the calmer atmosphere. Skip the crowds and enjoy the treasures Paris has to offer at your own pace. After all, there are worse ways to spend a winter day than exploring world-class art, architecture, and shopping by day and savoring a delicious meal at a cozy bistro in the evening. As Cole Porter once said, “I love Paris in the winter, when it drizzles.”
