While many tourists consider Paris a perfect spring or fall travel destination, visiting Paname (locals’ slang for Paris) in the colder months is a bit less popular.
If you ask me, Paris in winter is seriously underrated, and there’s more to it than you might expect!
Of course, you might catch one of the rare weeks of freezing cold and snow, but generally speaking, the weather is rather mild!
That is, as long as you don’t mind a few drops of rain here and there.
Just give it a chance, and you may even come to agree with Owen Wilson in Midnight in Paris: “Paris is the most beautiful in the rain!”
So pack your warmest (and chicest, this is Paris after all) winter clothes for Paris and hop on a plane for a magical winter adventure in the city of love and lights.
Whether you’re fascinated by art, history, fashion, design, or delicious food, our list of 33 cozy and fun things to do in Paris in winter has something for every type of traveler.
Bienvenue à Paris!
Paris Winter Weather: What to Expect
Paris doesn’t do anything by halves; even the winters are undeniably chic and enjoyable.
Winter in Paris is a delightful scene — gorgeous lights illuminating the buildings as the short days come to an end, and cozy bistros and cafés looking each more inviting than the last.
But let’s talk temperatures real quick: expect temperatures just above freezing, a crisp 35°-45°F (1°-7°C). But don’t let those numbers send you running!
While snow will make an occasional appearance, it’s rather rare — you’re more likely to deal with rain, anything from a slight drizzle to a downpour.
Just don’t forget your umbrella – consider it the quintessential Parisian winter accessory!
The Best Things to Do in Paris in Winter
Get in the festive mood at the Paris Christmas markets.
Christmas in Paris can be surprisingly cozy despite the hectic daily big city life.
If you are planning your trip to Paris in December, make sure to include at least a few of our favorite Marché de Noël (Christmas markets) on your itinerary.
Here are three we recommend:
La Magie de Noël, Tuileries: Located right in the heart of Paris, this Christmas market is the biggest and most fun!
Next to the many artisan shops and food chalets, you’ll find amusement rides, even including a ferris wheel!
Marché de Noël La Défense: La Défense, the Financial and Business District, is the only area in Paris which could pass as a city skyline.
The futuristic modern architecture surrounding this Christmas Market makes for a truly unique atmosphere, combining festive tradition and urban design.
Marché de Noël Montmartre: If you prefer a smaller, cozier Christmas market, you’ll love this one.
Located in beautiful and charming Montmartre, the Marché de Noël de Montmartre offers around 20 selected wooden chalets selling unique handcrafted gifts and Christmas sweets.
Make sure to walk around Montmartre while you’re here and take in the stunning view from Sacré Coeur!
Wander down the Champs Elysées.
The Champs-Elysées formerly housed the largest Christmas Market in the city.
While the market itself was moved south to Les Tuileries a few years ago, Les Champs (as Parisians call the boulevard) still steals the show when it comes to Christmas decorations!
The streets characteristic trees, bare of their usual foliage, get decked in beautiful lights that create a gorgeous straight-line down to the illuminated Arc de Triomphe.
It’s quite a spectacle!
Admire the Christmas storefronts and window displays.
There are several gorgeous holiday window displays you’ll find around Paris in winter, especially at the flagship designer stores and the high-end department stores.
The Christian Dior flagship store on the Champs-Elysées is a favorite for its beautiful holiday decor, as is the Louis Vuitton on Place Vendôme, and the shops along Avenue Montaigne.
For larger-scale window displays, there’s the classic Galleries Lafayette, as well as the newly-reopened department store, La Samaritaine, as well as Bon Marché, Au Printemps, and BHV Marais.
Warm up with a petit four and chocolat chaud at Angelina’s.
Maison Angelina was founded in 1903 and is still the most iconic place in Paris to drink hot chocolate and eat petit fours, beautifully-decorated bite-sized patisseries.
It may be the most expensive hot chocolate you’ll ever drink, but keep in mind you’re paying for the whole experience, and it really is unlike any other!
This charming salon de thé (tea room) was built during the belle epoque and features typical Parisian architecture from the early 20th century with Art Nouveau ceilings and ornaments.
For a fun historical tidbit, Angelina’s was a favorite amongst French artists, including Coco Chanel.
Take advantage of the smaller crowds at the Louvre Museum.
Let’s face it – it’s downright impossible to leave out the Louvre, and especially in the winter, you shouldn’t, because this is a great time to visit Paris if you are into art!
In fact, in the warmer months, peak tourist season can make visiting a museum a real nightmare – you may have to fight your way through to get just a glimpse of the Mona Lisa between all the phones and crowds.
However, for you intrepid winter travelers, you get to enjoy one of the perks of off-season travel: namely, smaller crowds!
Any trip to Paris is improved by a stroll through these luxurious settings, admiring the unimaginable range of art here!
Unless you just want to see the La Joconde (aka the Mona Lisa) or La Vénus de Milo, you could easily spend several days wandering around the former palace and admiring some of humanity’s finest work.
If your time is limited though, you’ll want to make a plan to see your top priority pieces so you can go in prepared and make the most of your visit.
And even in winter, the Louvre is still quite busy, so save time for the art — book skip-the-line tickets so you can jump ahead of the crowds who didn’t plan ahead.
The only thing worse than a line in the cold is a line in the cold that could have been avoided!
Shop ’til you drop in les grands magasins.
After you’ve had your fill of art, it’s time to shift gears and take in Paris’ world-famous fashion scene!
The Parisians call the ultra-French, ultra-chic luxury department stores les grands magasins, including Le Printemps, Galeries Lafayette and Le Bon Marché.
Make sure to stop by around Christmas, as the festive decorations are positively mind-blowing!
The guiding principle here is ”more is more”, and every year the boutiques seem to compete to show off the most luxurious Christmas decorations.
You’ll be in shopping heaven here, able to find anything your heart desires here — whether you’re more in the mood for window shopping or updating your wardrobe.
While Printemps and Galeries Lafayette have taken on a bit of a more touristy vibe over the last decade, Le Bon Marché has kept a more authentic Parisian feel to it.
This department store has smaller boutiques within it and features some very special pieces, all while prioritizing quality over quantity.
Wander up to a wintry Sacré-Cœur.
The historic bohemian neighborhood of Montmartre is the perfect place for a winter walk — and no better destination than the Sacré-Cœur Basilica at the top of the hill working as an easy visual endpoint.
Take the winding cobblestone streets up the hill to the magnificent Sacré-Cœur, a marvel in white marble dominating the Montmartre skyline.
The views of Paris from here are like no other!
Best of all, it’s free to visit and is open daily from 6 AM to 10:30 PM, making it easy to pop in at any time day or night.
Keep an eye out here, though — this is a place where scammers and pickpockets sometimes like to operate, as visitors are too enraptured by their surroundings to look around properly!
You can also visit Montmartre on a guided walking tour for more context about this artsy neighborhood.
This 1.5-hour tour will show you both Montmartre’s highlights (the Moulin Rouge, the Sacre-Coeur) as well as its hidden gems (its windmills, its art history, the last remaining vineyard in Paris!).
Take a break in an adorable Montmartre café.
There are a ton of adorable cafes in Montmartre worth popping into to warm up from the cold.
One favorite is Café des Deux Moulins of Amélie fame: a must-visit for movie buffs and coffee enthusiasts alike.
Another fan favorite is the always-Instagrammable Le Consulat, a historic café that once served renowned artists like Picasso.
It’s a bit touristy, yes, but it’s still a satisfying place to enjoy a coffee or a hearty French onion soup to warm up.
Take a macaron baking class.
What better way to escape the Paris winter cold than by staying cozy in a warm kitchen, with the almond-scented aroma of fresh macarons baking away?
There are several macaron making classes in Paris that you can take, including one at the iconic Galeries Lafayette, another Paris in winter must.
Try your hand at being a pâtissier for a day, with an expert baker guiding you through making tricky components like meringue and ganache and teaching you how to pipe the perfect macaron.
The best part? Bringing home a box of your handmade treats as bragging rights — if you have the self-control, that is.
Go for a winter walk in a peaceful Parisian park.
In the 17th arrondissement, you’ll find the beautiful Parc Monceau, a favorite amongst local Sorbonne students and Parisians enjoying un café on a Sunday.
Le Jardin du Palais Royal is a small, very elegant park located near the Louvre.
This area is adored by locals for a walk on their lunch break, a quick coffee break at Café Kitsuné, or a lazy afternoon spent reading.
Another great park, Les Tuileries, is located between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde.
Start your walk from the pyramid at the Louvre and walk down to Concorde with a magnificent view of the Champs Elysées.
Don’t worry too much about the cold, either!
You’ll find many small vendors offering a hot beverage or a crêpe to enjoy around the beautiful fountain, perfect to warm you up.
Stroll through the beautifully converted Musée d’Orsay.
A former train station, this building was transformed into a museum in the 80s and now hosts over 400 Impressionist masterpieces.
The Musée d’Orsay is the best Impressionist art museum in Paris (and indeed, the world).
The unique architectural history alone makes this art museum well worth a visit.
When planning your visit, be sure to bundle up!
The Musée d’Orsay’s location in the 7th arrondissement means you can combine this with a winter walk through the very chic area of St. Germain or along the Seine river.
While this museum is less popular than the Louvre, it’s still quite busy, even in winter.
Save time (and avoid waiting in the cold) by booking your tickets ahead of time.
Spend a rainy afternoon in a vintage cinéma.
For all you cinephiles out there, make sure to catch a screening at La Filmothèque in the Latin Quarter.
This cozy, very old school movie theater (cinéma) offers screenings of Hollywood classics.
This theatre shows everything from Kubrick’s horror and sci-fi masterpieces to dreamy Hepburn romances.
If you’re in Paris in the winter on a rainy day, why not settle in for a cozy screening in this refuge from the cold?
Of course, Paris has a long cinematic history, and you’ll be happy to know that most cinémas screen international movies in the original language (most Parisians do speak English after all, even when they pretend they don’t…).
If you want to flex your French skills, make sure to catch a movie at Le Grand Rex, one of Paris’s most iconic movie theaters, as all movies screened here are in French.
Enjoy a winter walk through a piece of Parisian history.
Take advantage of the peace of Paris winter mornings to start your day with some fresh air and a walk in a piece of Paris history.
Père Lachaise is technically a cemetery, but it’s also a serene harbor of quiet in the 20th arrondissement.
Great artists like Edith Piaf, Jim Morrison, and Oscar Wilde have been laid to rest in this cemetery — come here if you need a moment of solitude to think or just wish to pay respects to these cultural icons.
You can visit independently or go on a 2-hour walking tour of the cemetery to learn a bit of its history (and its supposed hauntings!)
You could also tour the Montparnasse cemetery and follow it up by visiting the Tour Montparnasse after.
Take in a show at the Opéra de Paris.
For a memorable winter night out, treat yourself to a night at the opera!
The Opéra de Paris, located in the breathtaking Palais Garnier, was founded in the 17th century as part of the Royal Academy.
This opera house offers a variety of classic performances and is also home to the world-famous prestigious French ballet company.
The palatial building itself is simply gorgeous with ornate chandeliers, painted vaulted ceilings, and detailed pillars: seeing a show here is just the cherry on top of the cake!
If you don’t have the funds to watch a show at the opera house, no worries: for just around 15 euro, you can visit the opera house building and admire the architecture.
While the Opéra de Paris is quite traditional in its choice of operas, you’ll find more modern interpretations and performances at Opéra Bastille.
Celebrate Paris’s role in fashion.
Did you think we would leave our guide to Parisian fashion at just the shopping? Of course not!
January isn’t just the first month of the year, it’s also the time for Fashion Week.
If you’re hoping to attend a show, we’re sorry to tell you, that is a closed circle (and if you’re part of that circle, you don’t need us to tell you!).
Lucky for you, though, the fashion can’t be contained to just the shows!
Take a walk around the 1st, 2nd, 6th and 7th arrondissement for some people watching.
You can also mingle at Rue Saint-Honoré, Avenue George V and Montaigne, and keep your eyes on Les Tuileries and Grand Palais areas to get a glimpse of the fashion madness.
If you ever wanted to go crazy with your outfit choice, this is the time! Hang around long enough and you may even be photographed — or perhaps see some celebs in eye-catching couture!
For a deeper dive into the rich history of fashion design, make sure to visit the Musée Yves Saint Laurent, Palais Galliera and Le Musée des Arts Décoratifs to get inspired.
Want to pretend like you’ve got a Fashion Week invite?
On Fridays at the Galeries Lafayette Haussman, you can attend a 30-minute fashion show, catwalk and all.
Catch a play at La Comédie Française.
The world’s oldest theater company, La Comédie Française, is a French cultural institution so prestigious that any actor associated with it is credited in movies as a member.
The company has produced some of the most celebrated French artists and continues to be home to top tier rising talent.
No matter which play you choose to see, you’re in for a great night at the theater and there’s no way you’ll be disappointed.
For the traveler on a budget, La Comédie Française is also a lot cheaper than a night at the opera.
If you don’t mind not having the best seats, you can get tickets for under 20€… not bad for world-class art!
Other famous theaters in Paris include Le Théâtre du Châtelet, Théâtre Chaillot and Théatre de l’Odéon.
Celebrate a night out at a cabaret.
If you’ve seen Baz Luhrmann’s famous movie about the scandalous Moulin Rouge, you’ve probably got at least a vague idea of the Parisian love for cabaret.
Since you’ll be visiting during the winter months, you’ll probably want a fun way to spend your evenings outside of the cold.
Many of the most notoriously mind-blowing cabarets in Paris offer special deals that include dinner, champagne, and a show – check out the Moulin Rouge for the most classic experience, but there’s also Paradis Latin and Crazy Horse.
And don’t worry, while the Parisian cabarets are far from their scandalous reputation nowadays, you’re still in for a ton of fun!
Take in the views, art, and architecture at Fondation Louis Vuitton.
Located in Neuilly-sur-Seine, just outside of Paris, the Fondation Louis Vuitton always has interesting exhibitions planned.
But what truly sets it apart is the incredible futuristic architecture designed by American architect Frank Gehry — and the views you get of the city as you peek through its glass panels.
Make sure to check out the rooftop for another great view of the city!
Don’t worry about its location being outside of Paris — you can easily get there with the shuttle service offered when you book online ahead of time.
Warm up with a deliciously cheesy winter meal.
Rich and hearty French cuisine offers some of the best winter comfort food in the world — loads and loads of melted cheese!
Although most these dishes are not technically Parisian, you can find delicious fondue served in a caquelon earthenware pot and raclette (sliced melty cheese) in quite a few restaurants throughout the city.
Les Marmottes is a great option located in the 1st arrondissement. Designed just like a traditional chalet in the French Alps, this restaurant offers you a raclette buffet as well as fondue and delicious tartiflette in a warm, convivial atmosphere.
Le Chalet Savoyard can be found in Rue de Charonne in the 11th arrondissement. This restaurant is considered the top of the top when it comes to cheese – fondue is served in 14 different varieties!
Monbleu has just recently opened its doors to welcome cheese lovers to a mindboggling 300 square meters of cheese heaven! This restaurant doubles as a Fromagerie, a French cheese shop, and offers traditional raclette.
Le Petit Chalet can be found in the most surprising of locales… a spa! This authentic gem is located at Le Roch Hötel & Spa, perfect if you want to hide from the rain at the spa before you indulge in a few thousand calories of pure deliciousness.
Stroll through the passages couverts.
Les passages couverts, the covered passages of Paris, are essentially shopping arcades from the 19th century which survived the Haussmann renovations.
These passages make for a lovely escape from the cold!
Beautiful individual boutiques, art galleries, cafés, small brasseries, bookstores… with these little stores and bistros to duck in and out of, you could spend your entire winter in Paris trip strolling through les passages!
Feel free to wander on your own and see what you can discover, but if you’re looking for a guide to the top spots, read on for our favorite picks:
La Galerie Vivienne in the prestigious 1st arrondissement, not far from Parc Royal, is simply majestic.
Even if you’re not in the mood to shop, you have to come here for the passage’s beautiful architecture and its colorful mosaics.
Le Passage des Panoramas was built in 1799, just 10 years after the French Revolution in tumultuous times.
It’s a small passage with old boutiques, some of which have been operating for generations.
In between the art shops you’ll find authentic cafés for a quick break on a busy day.
Le Passage Jouffroy is particularly beautiful at nightfall when the last rays of winter sun hit the glass ceiling of this beautiful arcade.
The covered passage offers a large variety of shops, and locals (or visitors!) can even do their grocery shopping here!
Discover the city’s dark past at Les Catacombes de Paris.
One of the most iconic (and macabre) Parisian landmarks, the Paris Catacombs are an underground labyrinth.
These winding tunnels house the remains of millions of Parisians in an ossuary, built when the city was facing health issues and needed to move the cemeteries underground.
The Catacombs were opened to the public in 1809 with the intention to encourage visitors to reflect on time and death.
Be warned! The maze is rather narrow and can be quite busy — plus it’s located 20 meters underground, so it’s not for the faint hearted or claustrophobic.
Visiting Les Catacombes in winter can be a very special experience.
Despite the intimidating look of its bones and skulls, it’s not intended to be a scary place: it’s more about the lives of the millions of people that have walked the streets of Paris and the stories they’ve left behind.
You don’t want to get lost in the catacombs (not unless you’re trying to reenact As Above, So Below, that is), so all visits to the catacombs are guided.
Celebrate Chinese New Year.
If you are planning a visit to Paris in late January or early February, you may arrive just in time for Le Nouvel An Chinois!
While Paris doesn’t have New York’s Chinatown, Chinese culture is an important part of life in Paris, especially in the 3rd and 13th arrondissement, where the traditional parades take place.
But even if you don’t make it in time for the parade, make sure to check out the exhibitions and ateliers in the area, as many of the local art galleries focus on Chinese and Asian artists in the winter months.
Get tropical at Jardin Des Plantes.
No matter how cozy the winter months can be, sometimes it’s just all too much, too cold, too harsh, too rainy, too depressing – that’s when you need a break from it all.
Great news, though, you don’t even have to leave Paris to make your escape!
Paris’s botanical gardens, Le Jardin des Plantes, is home to several tropical greenhouses, open to visitors for a small fee.
Step into the warmth, breathe in the tropical air and take in the calming energy, surrounded by nature, right in the middle of the metropolis
Just a few steps away from the greenhouses you’ll find the National Museum of Natural History, another cozy place to visit on a Parisian winter day.
Founded over 200 years ago as an extension to the royal botanical gardens, the Natural History Museum houses an impressive collection that makes for a great visit!
Read a book in a beautiful library.
There are many beautiful places to read in Paris, including several branches of the public library.
The public reading room at the Richelieu location, the Salle Ovale, finally opened at the end of 2022 after a decade-long, 260 million euro renovation.
Besides the Salle Ovale, you can visit the nearby Mazarin Gallery, showcasing a selection of the library’s selection of maps, manuscripts, and stamps.
Among the artifacts are a few handwritten pages from Proust’s seminal work In Search of Lost Time, as well as Hugo’s manuscript for Les Misérables and handwritten pages of Mozart’s score for Don Giovanni.
Another public library option is Library Sainte-Geneviève: a true French Hogwarts!
Located in the Quartier Latin, a few steps away from Le Panthéon, Sorbonne University and Lycée Henri IV, the library houses a staggering 2 million books and documents.
The reading room is magnificent, featuring a high ceiling with an ironwork structure, surrounded by historical documents dating back to the 12th century.
Some of the finest French writers and intellectuals have called this space a home away from home, including Victor Hugo.
Explore a piece of literary history at Shakespeare & Company.
Another great place for book lovers is the famous English-language bookstore, Shakespeare & Company.
Founded in 1951 (with the original store dating back to 1919) as a meeting point for anglophone writers, intellectuals, and artists, this bookstore is still an important landmark in Paris to this day.
James Baldwin, Allen Ginsberg and Henry Miller were all frequent visitors to this wonderful space.
Come prepared to stay a while, since you can come here not only to shop, but also to read!
Head upstairs to snuggle up in the reading room and stay as long as you want.
Update your wardrobe à la Parisienne during the January sales.
One more note for the fashion aficionados – if you visit the city in January or February, you may want to leave some extra space in your suitcase as it’s shopping month!
France takes the winter sales very seriously, and you’ll very likely find discounts everywhere, even in smaller boutiques and exclusive designer stores.
The sales last for 4 weeks, with each week offering new discounts on Wednesdays.
If you don’t mind taking your chances, it can be worth it to wait for the second week to get better deals, but keep in mind some items sell out super fast!
Fair warning – be prepared for crowds. The stores get unbelievably busy during the sale weeks in Paris.
If you can, try to avoid the shops on the weekends, especially around Rue de Rivoli.
An alternative to the busy Rive Droite shopping streets is Rue de Rennes and the area around St. Germain, which tends to be a little less touristy and crowded.
Marvel at the stained glass of Sainte-Chapelle.
Since its neighbor on the Île de la Cité, the Notre Dame, is still out of commission, La Sainte-Chapelle has finally been getting its due.
But it really needs no comparison!
The crown jewel of Gothic architecture in Paris, La Sainte-Chapelle is a great spot to visit, and it’s certainly no consolation prize.
Step into the chapel and be surrounded by over a thousand stained-glass scenes in brilliant jewel tones — you’ll instantly forget about any cold outside.
For about €12, you can step into this living kaleidoscope and be surrounded in color.
Admire the reconstruction efforts at Notre Dame.
While you’re in the Île de la Cité area, stop by the Notre Dame to see how the reconstruction work is going.
In case you were living under a rock, in 2019, the world watched as the iconic Notre Dame was overtaken by fire.
At first, estimates for its repair stretched into a decade or more. Luckily, it’s looking like this stunning French landmark will reopen by the end of 2024.
Its facade is basically entirely reconstructed, and while there is still ongoing work going on, take a walk past the Notre Dame to see how the renovation work is going.
Celebrate the magic of Christmas at Disneyland Paris.
Looking for a truly magical experience at the happiest place on Earth?
If you have some time to spare during your time in Paris, you can check out Disneyland, located just outside of Paris in Chessy.
In the month leading up to Christmas and until early January, Disneyland Paris transforms into a magical festive wonderland with countless themed attractions and events.
Be sure to book your ticket well in advance as they can sell out quite fast, especially during the festive season!
Visit the intriguing Palais de Tokyo.
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If you’re looking for something beyond the historic, look no further than Palais de Tokyo’s collection, since this museum is entirely dedicated to modern and abstract art.
You may not understand all the pieces or love all the installations, but this museum is always a thought-provoking encounter with some impressive work.
It’s also home to the Monsieur Bleu restaurant with a striking view of the iconic Eiffel Tower!
Treat yourself to an exquisite hotel stay.
Winter is a great time to splurge on a hotel and treat yourself to a luxurious experience in one of Paris’s finest establishments – after all, you’ll need a cozy home base to return to after any excursions in the cold.
There are the classics, of course, the Ritz, Le Lutetia, the Four Seasons George V or Le Meurice… But these days, Paris has a lot more exciting hotels to offer.
One new addition is Le Cheval Blanc, located in La Samaritaine, a legendary department store which just reopened after decades of abandonment.
Located in the trendy 9th arrondissement is Soho House, which has been built in Jean Cocteau’s childhood home. A modern, urban and yet very Parisian chic experience awaits you here.
The ReMIX Hotel is located in the up-and-coming 19th arrondissement and features a beautifully nostalgic 80s theme.
Another option for art lovers is L’Hôtel Rochechouart in Montmartre: upon entering, you’ll have to do a double-take to make sure you didn’t accidentally travel back in time!
The unique Art Déco design feels like a relic from the roaring twenties – make sure to check out the speakeasy underground.
Anna is 20-something writer from France, currently living on the beautiful island of Bali. After earning a degree from Sorbonne Université in Paris, she spent a few years working in fashion before embarking on what was supposed to be a 1-year trip through Europe, North Africa and Asia — which ultimately turned into moving to Bali. Aside from traveling and writing, her passions include surfing, film photography, drinking unhealthy amounts of coffee, and reading through the night.