Paris in Winter – 21 Best Things to Do in Winter in Paris, France

Paris in the winter means sipping café crèmes in cosy bistros, visiting crowd-free museums, attending concerts in world-class venues, marveling at the lights of the festive season, and a lot more.

I’ve been visiting Paris since the 1970s, with at least ten of those trips in the past ten years. I never tire of this city in any season, but particularly in the winter months.

I love skipping long lines at my favorite museums, knowing that most of the people strolling past me in the streets are Parisians, and spending hours in warm bistros working on my latest novel while communing with the ghosts of so many famous writers who have called Paris home over the centuries.

The weather from November to March won’t be great, but that’s hardly an issue when a lot of what’s awesome about Paris, especially for travelers who love arts and culture, is indoors.

Why Visit Paris in Winter

Visiting Paris in winter is perfect for culture lovers. The opera and ballet seasons are in full swing at the Opéra Garnier and Opéra Bastille, and many museums feature special art exhibitions.

Spending Christmas in Paris is magical. Bask in the glow of magnificent light displays, prowl the many Christmas markets for the perfect Christmas ornament, and hear carols sung at candlelight concerts in historic churches.

Where to stay in Paris in winter

I almost always stay on the Left Bank in Paris near the Seine and in the 5th or 6th arrondissement. From this location, you can walk to many of the places you’ll want to visit, including the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, the Tuileries, and the Musée Cluny. 

You’ll find plenty of good restaurants in the area, and it’s an adventure getting lost in the warren of small streets while window shopping some of the coolest boutiques in Paris.

Accommodation in Paris is not budget-friendly, although you can find better rates in winter. Here are three suggestions, all of which I’ve stayed in and can heartily recommend.

21 amazing things to do in Paris in winter

Paris is always worth a visit, but the truth is that Paris during peak tourist season (May to September) is hot, crowded, and just a bit much. 

I prefer visiting between November and March, when the crowds thin out and Paris shines forth. 

When I visit Paris in winter, I feel more like a temporary local and less like a visitor.  

In restaurants, I hear more people speaking French than English. At a concert, I rub shoulders with people who have been patronizing the arts in Paris for decades. In museums, I’m more likely to see students from the École des Beaux-Arts sketching the masterpieces.

The following are 18 of the best things I recommend you do in Paris in the winter. Some are must-sees in any season; other activities are particular to winter and the festive season; and a few more are hidden gems.

1. Check out the Paris Christmas Markets

If you’re visiting Paris at Christmas, you’re in luck. At least a dozen Parisian Christmas markets (called Marchés de Noël) spring up around the city in neighborhoods such as Tuileries, La Défense, Saint-Germain, and Montmartre. 

Stroll past festive Swiss-style wooden chalets selling a range of gift items, crafts, Parisian Christmas ornaments, mulled wine and seasonal treats and try not to spend all your Euros!

La Magie de Noël

The biggest and best Christmas market in Paris takes over the Tuileries Gardens. Called La Magie de Noël, the market stretches the entire length of the garden from Rue des Pyramides to Place de la Concord. 

You’ll find Christmas-themed amusement rides including an enormous ferris wheel, along with entertainment, food and lots of gift items to buy the folks back home.

Marché de Noel Notre Dame

Another good bet in central Paris is the picturesque Marché de Noel Notre Dame across the Seine from Notre-Dame Cathedral on the Left Bank.

This scrumptious looking tour of the Parisian Christmas markets at Notre Dame includes tasting seasonal delights.

Christmas Market in Saint-Germain-des-Prés

If you’re staying on the Left Bank, check out the 40+ chalets at the Christmas Market in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, my favorite area of Paris. 

Les Deux Magots

After browsing what’s for sale at the market, enjoy a glass of mulled wine or a cup of chocolat chaud at the iconic Les Deux Magots across the rue Bonaparte from the lovely Church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the oldest church in Paris (founded in the 6th century). 

Les Deux Magots is now quite touristy and not inexpensive, but back in the day, this literary café was the place to hang out for surrealists, philosophers, and jazz enthusiasts. I love to go in the off-season and sit a glass of wine while working on my latest novel. The café plays a pivotal role in my fourth novel Love Among the Recipes.

2. Attend a concert at Notre-Dame Cathedral

And speaking of churches, no visit to Paris is complete without a visit to the newly re-opened Notre-Dame Cathedral. The interior has had a remarkable face lift and the air still smells faintly of smoke from the devastating fire.

During the Christmas season, attend a service or a candlelit concert. Regardless of your spiritual persuasion, you can’t help but be moved by the sound of the organ accompanying voices raised in song. 

I fondly remember the concert of Gregorian Chants I attended at Notre-Dame Cathedral during a winter visit to Paris. The candlelight, the ancient stone, and the feeling of being transported back to medieval times made the experience enchanting.

Take a small group guided tour of the interior of Notre-Dame Cathedral and learn about the history of this magnificent place and about the incredible work done to restore it following the 2019 fire.

3. Go up the Eiffel Tower

Of course, the Eiffel Tower is on every first-time visitor’s agenda. If you’re going to Paris during the busy tourist season, I’d say skip the long lines and enjoy snapping photos of the tower from ground level.

But winter is a whole different story. The crowds have thinned and you’ll be up on the second level in no time gazing down at the City of Light when it’s at its most dazzling. 

Dress warmly and go up at night. During the festive season, you can enjoy special seasonal menus at Madame Brasserie on the first level and Jules Verne on the second level.

The menu for the Christmas Eve dinner at Madame Brasserie is eye-poppingly expensive, but the menu looks incredible!

At other times of the year, take this tour to enjoy a 3-course lunch at Madame Brasserie and enjoy gourmet cuisine with the best view in Paris.

4. Take a bus tour of Paris

A bus tour is one of the easiest ways to get your bearings in Paris, and in winter it becomes a no-brainer. When the weather is cold, wet, or just plain miserable, sitting in a warm bus while the city’s landmarks glide past is infinitely better than trudging around with frozen fingers.

With fewer tourists in town, the routes run smoother, the views are clearer, and you actually get to enjoy the scenery instead of fighting for a spot near the window or battling slow-moving crowds.

It’s also a smart way to make the most of those short winter days. A bus tour lets you cover a huge portion of the city quickly, saving your energy for the places you want to explore on foot.

At any time of year, a bus tour is a great way to orient yourself, but in winter it’s basically the warm, efficient cheat code. Here are my recommended options:

5. Take a Paris dinner cruise

Take a cruise along the Seine on one of the Bateaux Mouches. During winter, darkness comes early so you’ll be eating your dinner while cruising past spectacular Christmas light displays. 

Several companies offer Paris dinner cruises including this 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise. 

Or, if you’re in Paris at Christmas, here’s a special Seine cruise that includes a 5-course Christmas dinner available on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. What a way to spend Christmas!

6. Stroll up the Champs-Élysées

During the holiday season, the Christmas lights in Paris reach their peak along the Champs-Élysées. Join the throngs of Parisians out enjoying a cold winter evening as you stroll from the Tuileries to the Arc de Triomphe.

Or take a Christmas Lights Night Tour by Open-Top Bus (dress warmly!). The tour whisks you past illuminated Parisian landmarks including the iconic Moulin Rouge, the Eiffel Tower, and of course, the Champs-Élysées.

7. Marvel at the Mona Lisa at the Louvre

One of the best reasons to visit Paris in winter is that the Louvre is much less crowded than during the high season. On a grey day in January, you may even get in without lining up! 

Once inside, you won’t be jostling for position in front of the masterpieces. Take your time and enjoy the experience.

The Louvre is massive! Think palatial halls, ancient Egyptian relics, Greek and Roman sculptures, Renaissance icons, and of course the Mona Lisa doing her best celebrity impression.

This guided tour of the Louvre will help you cut through the overwhelm and get the stories behind the pieces instead of wandering around like you’re stuck in an art-themed labyrinth.

I frequently take guided tours in museums. Not only do I get to skip the line-up to get in, I learn so much more than I would on my own about the masterpieces on display.

8. Visit the Musée d’Orsay

Musée d’Orsay is housed in a former Beaux-Arts train station, which already makes the experience feel more airy and dramatic. No palace corridors here, just soaring ceilings and a layout that’s far easier to navigate.

This is the place for Impressionism and post-Impressionism. Think Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh, Cézanne. Basically every artist who decided to break away from tradition and change art forever.

The collection focuses on paintings, sculptures, photography, and decorative arts from roughly 1848 to 1914, offering a clear snapshot of a rapidly shifting era.

Book this guided tour of Musée d’Orsay to seriously level up your visit. You skip the line, and you get the backstories, rivalries, and techniques that make the art come alive. Much more engaging than trying to decode wall labels solo.

9. Go back to the Middle Ages at the Musée de Cluny

The Musée de Cluny aka the Musée de Cluny-Musée National du Moyen Âge is hands down my favorite small museum in Paris. Visiting it at any time of year is awesome, but it’s especially wonderful when it’s cold outside.

From the moment you enter, you’re immersed in the wonders of the Middle Ages. Perhaps because so many Christmas traditions have medieval roots, the Cluny feels particularly relevant during the dark winter months. 

You can easily imagine the roaring fires and tapestry-clad walls of the castles and palaces from which most of the treasures were taken. 

A highlight of the Cluny is the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries. Sit in the special room designed to display them and let your imagination run wild. During the quiet winter months, you may even have the place to yourself. 

10. Commune with Impressionism at the Musée Marmottan

Take the Métro over to the 8th arrondissement on the Right Bank to visit the charming Musée Marmottan. It’s a little off the beaten path and is rarely crowded, even in summer. You’ll find a stunning collection of Impressionist art here, including several works by Monet. 

Before you go, check to see what special exhibitions are on. I saw an amazing retrospective of the work of Berthe Morisot during one visit.

11. Stroll through Parc Monceau

After visiting the Marmottan, take a stroll through the lovely Parc Monceau. It’s considered one of the best parks in Paris and for good reason. 

Parc Monceau is not huge and sprawling like the Luxembourg Gardens, but it is romantic with its Neoclassical colonnade and strange follies such as the small stone pyramid. 

In winter, the flower beds are empty, but the architectural features look beautiful dusted in snow or glistening in the rain. 

12. Get sculptural at the Musée Rodin

The Musée Rodin in the 7th arrondissement is a delight. Housed in the Hôtel Biron, a magnificent mansion, the museum is surrounded by three hectares of gardens bristling with Rodin sculptures, including the iconic Thinker.

He looks pretty amazing under a dusting of snow!

13. Go global at the Musée Quai Branly

Also known as the Musée du Quai Branly Jacques Chirac, this museum houses an incredible collection of art and objects from around the globe. After the Cluny and the Musée d’Orsay, the Musee Quai Branly is in my top three favorite Parisian museums.

The museum’s attention to detail is remarkable. On a cold winter’s day, hole up in one of the many dimly lit alcoves to watch videos about specific exhibits. You can easily spend hours here.

14. Immerse yourself in waterlilies at the Musée Orangerie

During tourist season, the Musée Orangerie, home of Les Nymphéas, Monet’s famous waterlily paintings, is mobbed. In the winter, you still won’t have the place to yourself, but you will be able to enjoy it more peacefully.

The Orangerie’s location overlooking the Tuileries Gardens makes it a great stop after enjoying the Christmas market or to warm up after a brisk stroll. 

If you’re planning to visit several museums over the course of your stay in Paris, this Paris Museum pass is available for 2, 4, or 6 days.

15. Go antique and art shopping

Visit Paris in winter to enjoy some serious antique and art shopping. My favorite area for antiques is the streets on the Left Bank down near the Seine. 

Just window shopping is great fun, and you have to wonder who buys some of the stuff on display! I mean, does anyone really need a full-size replica of a Roman centurion?

The same area also has plenty of art galleries. Also check out the galleries in the Place des Vosges on the Right Bank. Some of the work is pretty commercial, but it’s fun to look at.

Here’s a vintage shopping tour in Paris led by an expert stylist. Who knows the treasures you’ll find!

16. Explore Les Grand Magasins – Paris’s great department stores

What’s Christmas without some serious department store shopping? Les Grand Magasins–the big stores–are legendary in Paris. These large, elegant department stores combine luxury shopping with gorgeous architecture and seasonal displays, especially during the Christmas season. 

Check out Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann and Printemps Haussmann on the Right Bank and Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche on the Left Bank. 

I still use the beautiful colored cutlery I purchased from Bon Marché on a trip to Paris several years ago.

17. Attend a concert during the culture season

Wintertime is concert time in Paris. During the summer months, you may be hard-pressed to find any concerts apart from the tourist ones at Sainte Chapelle and Saint Julian-de-Pauvre.

In winter, you will be spoiled for choice. 

The Palais Garnier hosts traditional opera and ballet performances, and is worth a visit for its stunning 19th century architecture and association with The Phantom of the Opera. 

The Opéra Bastille stages larger, more technically complex productions. I saw a stunning production of a Wagner opera with ultra modern staging at the Opéra Bastiille, an experience I highly recommend.

Another awesome venue for classical music is the Paris Philharmonie. From fall to spring, the Philharmonie hosts a series of concerts, many with world-renowned performers. 

The venue itself is incredible. I’ve enjoyed many stellar concerts at the Paris Philharmonie.

18. Attend a concert at exquisite Sainte Chapelle

Few Parisian experiences are more soul-stirring than being surrounded by the soaring stained glass windows in Sainte Chapelle and listening to a small orchestra perform works by Vivaldi, Bach, and other classic composers. 

I’ve gone to many concerts at Sainte Chapelle and never been disappointed.

Another option are classical music concerts in churches such as the Church of Saint Germain des Prés or La Madeleine. Get tickets here.

19. Take a Cooking Class

You’ll find many cooking schools in Paris that host half-day and full-day cooking classes for visitors. I’ve taken several classes at La Cuisine on the Right Bank across from the Ile de Cite. They run year-round and all include expert instruction followed by the opportunity to eat what you’ve made. 

My favorite was the market class where we met at a local market (in March in the snow!), chose the food we would cook, and then walked across the bridge to La Cuisine for the chef-led class that culminated in a three-course meal with wine.

This cooking class includes a market visit, cooking instruction from a chef, lunch, and wine.

20. Take a day trip to Versailles

In winter, you may not be able to spend as much time out in the gardens at Versailles as you would during the warmer months. However, you will tour the palace with relatively few crowds. 

You’ll see the famous Hall of Mirrors and actually see the mirrors! I remember one visit several years ago at the height of the summer when I actually had a panic attack because the crowds were so thick. You won’t have that problem in the winter.

Tour the Royal Apartments and the King’s and Queen’s chambers, and then venture out to the grounds. Weather permitting, there’s lots to explore, including the Hameau de la Reine, Marie Antoinette’s rustic village, and the Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon palaces slumbering under the watery winter sunlight.

The best way to enjoy Versailles comfortably is to take a tour from Paris.

21. Experience Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris is a treat, no matter your age. I’ve been a few times, and each time had a blast. The park is smaller than its American counterparts, and feels more European (hardly surprising).

Disneyland Paris in winter will be less crowded than it is in summer, except over the Christmas holidays when you will likely find the park thronged with Parisian families.

Christmas at Disneyland Paris is celebrated as Disney’s Enchanted Christmas and runs from early November until early January. In addition to the usual Disney rides and attractions, you’ll enjoy stunning decorations, special parades, and holiday-themed events. 

Disneyland Paris is open every day of the year, including Christmas Day. The easiest way to get there is to purchase tickets in advance that include shuttle transport from Paris.

Winter holidays and events in Paris

Paris hosts many events and celebrations throughout the winter, and particularly during the holiday season. 

Early-mid November

• Christmas lights in Paris (Illuminations de Noël) on the Champs-Élysées, Avenue Montaigne, Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Bercy Village, and other areas around Paris illuminate the city from mid November to early January. The best time to enjoy the lights is after sunset (around 5:00 pm in winter). Metro lines 1 and 9 take you to the Champs-Élysées where you’ll see one of the most famous Christmas light displays in the world.
• Paris Christmas markets start opening by mid-November.
• Night-time light trail at Jardin des Plantes: huge illuminated sculptures 

Late November

• Department stores unveil animated Christmas windows. The giant Paris Christmas tree under the glass dome at Galeries Lafayette is up from late November to early January.

December

• Classical and Christmas concerts are performed in churches all over the city, including Notre-Dame Cathedral and Saint-Germain-des-Prés. 

December 24 – Christmas Eve

• Midnight Mass at Notre-Dame Cathedral
• Christmas Eve services at Sacré-Cœur, Montmartre

December 25 – Christmas Day

• Christmas Day Mass at Notre-Dame Cathedral: 11 am High Mass with choir and organ in the main nave.
• Christmas Day High Mass & carols at Sacré-Cœur: 11 am High Mass, afternoon vespers and carol-singing at the nativity scene

Christmas Day is a public holiday in France; expect closures and reduced service. Some restaurants and cruises provide special Christmas menus. Make sure you reserve well in advance.

December 31 – New Year’s Eve

• Official New Year’s Eve show on the Champs-Élysées: a sound-and-light show and fireworks on/around the Arc de Triomphe. The atmosphere is lively and crowded with thousands of Parisians and visitors gathered. Make sure you arrive well before midnight to secure a good viewing spot.
• New Year’s Eve Seine cruises: Several operators run special New Year’s Eve dinner cruises with champagne, live music, and views of the Eiffel Tower and the fireworks. Reservations well in advance are essential.

January 1 – New Year’s Day

• New Year’s Day concert at La Madeleine: waltzes and classical favorites 
• Other New Year’s concerts in historic churches including candlelight piano or chamber-music concerts at Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre (available year-round; tickets here), and Saint-Ephrem
• Eiffel Tower New Year’s Day concert series: classical concerts in the Gustave Eiffel Salon on the tower

New Year’s Day is a public holiday in France, so many shops and museums stay closed or open later.

January 6 – The Epiphany

• Many celebrate Epiphany by sharing a Galette des Rois (king cake) available in bakeries across Paris from late December to mid-January

February 14 – Valentine’s Day

• Valentine’s Day Seine dinner cruises with champagne, multi-course menus, live music, and roses
• Romantic restaurant menus & hotel offers; reservations essential

School holidays

• In 2025/26: December 20 to January 5
• In 2026: February 21 to March 9

During school holiday periods, you’ll see more French and European families traveling. Reserve accommodations and train travel well in advance.

Paris’s winter temperature and weather

The weather in Paris in winter is chilly, and often downright dreary (gris in French). Dress warmly and have an umbrella handy. 

The good news is that every so often, the clouds part and the sun slants across the rooftops of Paris in a dazzling display. It’s worth waiting for.

Month	Max&Min Temperature	Average Rainy Days	Average Sunshine hours
December	7°C/ 45°F – 2°C/ 36°F	9.0	3.0 h/day
January	6°C/43 °F –1 °C/34°F	6.5	3.0 h/day
February	9°C/48 °F – 2°C/ 36°F	7.5	3-4 h/day
March	12°C/54 °F – 4°C/39 °F	7.5	4-5 h/day

Does it snow in Paris?

Snow falls occasionally, but not often and rarely very heavily. 

On one memorable visit in March, I experienced Paris in the snow. The parks were gorgeous for a few hours, until the snow rapidly melted. 

Generally, Paris gets 1 to 3 days of light snow each winter.

What to wear in Paris in winter?

Wear warm clothes, including a hat, gloves and scarf. 

Although temperatures rarely dip below zero centigrade (32°F), the air is damp and chilly. Even in shoulder seasons, October/November and March/April, you’ll need to dress warmly. 

How many days to spend in Paris in winter?

Paris deserves at least a week at any time of year. 

• Settle into a neighborhood and become a temporary Parisian. Find a local café to sip coffee and people watch. 
• Pace yourself in museums. 
• Bundle up and take plenty of walks. 
• Take a day trip to Versailles or Disneyland Paris (or both). 
• Slow down and enjoy one of the world’s most fabulous cities.

If you only have one day to spend in Paris, here are my suggestions for a perfect artsy day in Paris.

Getting to Paris

By air: International flights land at Charles de Gaulle Airport, a huge place that can be very slow. Arrive several hours before your flight, and allow several hours between flights if changing planes. CDG is 30 km northwest of Paris and is connected by train, buses, taxis, and ride shares. 

If you’re exhausted after a long flight, book a private transfer. I frequently book private transfers from European airports into the city and am always glad I did!

European and domestic flights often land at Orly, which is smaller and connected to Paris via OrlyVal + RERB, tram T7, buses, and taxis. 

By bus: International and regional bus companies serve Paris. The main bus terminals are Bercy-Seine, Porte Maillol, and Gallieni.

By car: Do not drive into Paris! You will likely get ticketed for driving in a low-emission zone, parking is limited and expensive, and traffic can be horrendous. I speak from experience (and it isn’t pretty). 

Park at a lot outside the périphérique and take public transit or a taxi to your accommodations.

By train: Major stations include Gare du Nord: Eurostar (London), Thalys (Belgium & Netherlands); Gare de Lyon: Alps, Côte d’Azur, Switzerland, Italy; 

Gare Montparnasse: Loire Valley, Bordeaux region; and Gare de l’Est: Germany, Eastern France

Getting around Paris

Paris is one of the easiest European cities to navigate. Most of the main attractions are in the center of Paris. Here are your options:

• Metro: Fastest and most practical way to move around; over 300 stations. Runs roughly 5:30 am–12:45 am (later on weekends).
• RER trains: Useful for longer distances (airport, Versailles, Disneyland Paris).
• Buses: Good for scenic routes and areas the Metro doesn’t cover.
• Walking: Many central attractions are close together. Winter strolls are beautiful, especially along the Seine.
• Taxis & rideshare: Widely available, reliable, and reasonably priced for short trips.
• Velib’ bikes: Possible in winter, but only recommended on milder days.