Paris is undeniably a summer hotspot, but if you’re looking for a more intimate experience in the City of Lights, then I’d argue that winter might be an even better time to visit.
For one, it’s more affordable. You can score a few nights at a boutique hotel for a reasonable price, and the city is far less crowded. That means a more local experience, without the long lines or the need to book reservations weeks in advance. And while the weather is cooler, most of Paris’s best experiences are indoors anyway.
Winter in Paris means museum hopping, getting coffee at cozy cafés, dining at old world restaurants, and spending evenings at the ballet or a corner brasserie. As a Paris local, I’m sharing a well-rounded guide to help you make the most of your winter trip to the city.
Paris Travel Essentials
Where to Stay in Paris
- Hôtel Plaza Athénée: The iconic right bank luxury hotel.
- Hotel Balzac: A gorgeous modern boutique hotel.
- Hotel Des Grandes Ecoles: A charming hotel in the Latin Quarter.
- Le Grand Mazarin: A beautiful design hotel in Paris’s Marais neighborhood.
Where to Eat in Paris in Winter
- Bistrot Paul Bert: For pepper steak.
- Bistrot des Tournelles: For chicken cordon bleu.
- Fric Frac: For an excellent croque monsieur.
- Au Bourguignon du Marais: For boeuf bourguignon and French onion soup.
Paris Winter Guide
Go Café Hopping
The café scene in Paris is thriving. You’ll find everything from Arabica, a Kyoto-based coffee brand to Café de Flore, an iconic spot where popular artists and writers hung out in the early 1900s.
As a local to the Marais neighborhood, a couple of my go-to spots are Tanat and Recto Verso, they both make an excellent cup of coffee. You can find my full Marais coffee list in this post.
Café Verlet is a lovely spot for tea and pastries near Palais Royal, and Café Lapérouse, a high-end option at Place de la Concorde. I highly recommend visiting Hôtel de la Marine, a beautiful house museum that shares the same courtyard as the café.
For the classic Parisian café experience, there’s Café de Flore, Les Deux Magots, and Café de la Paix. These are all fancier, so expect to pay more here.
Get Hot Chocolate
There are two spots in Paris that are famous for hot chocolate: Carette and Angelina. If you’re choosing just one, I’d go to Angelina.
Angelina has been around for over a century, the pastries are excellent, and the hot chocolate is as rich and indulgent as it gets. Make sure to order the Mont Blanc, their signature pastry made with chestnut cream.
Carette’s hot chocolate is also delicious. Head to their Place des Vosges location underneath the porticoes that surround the park and order it with a generous scoop of Chantilly cream.
Visit A Few Museums
Rainy weather makes for perfect museum days. Head to the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa, with fewer crowds than usual. Stroll through the Musée d’Orsay for a more intimate look at the Impressionist greats.
Step into an early spring at L’Orangerie, where Monet’s water lilies line the walls. And don’t miss the emotive sculptures at the Musée Rodin.
For me, what makes the Paris art scene really special are the smaller museums. Some of my favorites include Victor Hugo’s home on Place des Vosges, the artist ateliers at Musée Zadkine and Musée Bourdelle, and a glimpse into medieval Paris at the Musée de Cluny.
For more ideas, check out my guide to Paris’s small museums.
Book High Tea
Treat yourself to high tea in one of Paris’s luxury hotels. Taste pastries crafted by some of the world’s most renowned pastry chefs, like Cédric Grolet’s fruit creations at Restaurant Le Dalí inside Le Meurice, or enjoy an elegant afternoon in the Salon Proust at the Ritz.
Mariage Frères, a historic tea house and tea purveyor since 1854, also offers a high tea menu at their locations around the city.
Explore the Covered Passages
Escape the cold by wandering through one of Paris’s charming covered passages. There are 21 across the city, many dating back to the 1800s.
These glass-roofed arcades are lined with boutique shops, cafés, bookstores, and antique stores. A few of my favorites:
Check out a Jazz Bar
Jazz first made its way to Paris around the 1920s and has since been a part of the city’s musical identity. From a 1940s swing bar to intimate modern venues, here are a few storied jazz bars to check out for a cool winter night out on the town:
Experience Christmas in Paris
December is a magical time in Paris. The city lights up for the holidays, with Christmas markets, festive decorations, and seasonal celebrations happening all over town.
Go ice skating beneath the stunning glass dome of the Grand Palais. Wander through Christmas markets near Notre-Dame, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the Tuileries, and the Eiffel Tower to shop for artisan gifts and taste mulled wine.
Don’t miss the dazzling light displays along the Champs-Élysées and at the Place Vendôme, along with the elaborate decorations inside Galeries Lafayette.
Take a Cooking or Baking Class
Visiting Paris in the winter is the perfect excuse to book a French cooking or baking class. Spend a morning learning to fold and bake your own croissants, or an evening with a chef mastering a classic French dish. Classes are held all around the city, including at the legendary school, Le Cordon Bleu.
Check out these cooking class options for your trip:
Go Shopping
Paris has some of the best shopping in the world. Head to the Champs-Élysées and Avenue Montaigne to shop at designer flagships like Louis Vuitton and Dior. Browse the city’s department stores – Galeries Lafayette, La Samaritaine, and Le Bon Marché (my personal favorite for its selection of independent and curated brands).
The Marais has a great mix of vintage and secondhand shops, plus smaller independent designers.
All around the city you’ll stumble upon artisan shops, from the beautiful stationery at Mélodies Graphiques, to art supplies at Magasin Sennelier, ceramics at Astier de Villatte, and stunning coffee-table books at Taschen.
Spend the Evening at the opera or ballet
For a memorable winter evening out, the Palais Garnier has a wonderful selection of opera and ballet performances. The historic setting, paired with world-class productions, makes for a truly magical Paris experience.
Find the performance schedule here, and book well in advance!
Paris Winter Weather
Paris is chilly in the winter, with cloudy days and a good chance of rain. Here’s a quick overview of what to expect:
- December: Average highs around 48°F and lows near 37°F. It’s the second rainiest month of the year (after May), so pack an umbrella.
- January: Highs around 45°F, lows near 35°F.
- February: Highs around 47°F, lows near 35°F.
- March: Highs around 54°F, lows near 39°F.
Historical data via timeanddate.com
What to wear in Paris during Winter
We all want to arrive in Paris dressed in our chicest clothes, and winter is the best season to show off your layers. Bring a long, warm coat and layer with a sweater or turtleneck, a scarf, leather gloves, and a hat — you’ll want it all.
Don’t forget an umbrella!