Tips for visiting Paris in winter

The snow and the cold can play tricks on us, but it is enough to go well prepared to enjoy Paris in winter, one of its best times of the year. Christmas lighting in the city is splendid and invites never to leave.

Planning trips in Europe in winter is an odyssey, because one wonders if the most popular destinations will look just as beautiful and can be used as well as other times of the year.

The answer is simple: each season has its incentive , and while cold and snow can make theirs, traveling in the low season also has its advantages. Better prices, less people, and more autonomous citizens doing their routine . That which ultimately defines a city.

These reasons, among others, led me to visit Paris in winter . It is very easy to find accommodation at a good price at this time of year. And in return we enjoy the city of light in all its day and night splendor.

What is the best way to visit Paris in winter?

Here are some tips:

Go prepared for the cold

The Parisian winter is colder than that of most Spanish enclaves. Therefore, from November and until March it is advisable to fill your suitcase with warm clothes . And not of Mediterranean coat, but of shelter of truth. Wool sweaters, pants and thick socks, scarf, gloves, hat and even earmuffs.

Do not forget clothes that can be put on top of each other , in the purest “onion” style.

Do not forget to wear good shoes , especially if there is a risk of snowfall. The day after a snowfall may look splendid, but temperatures will not be springtime. The snow will turn to ice and footwear will be necessary that allows to walk comfortably, not to slide and not to be soaked with puddles and muddy snow .

Snow equals chaos

Paris is not a city of perpetual snow in winter, but some snow falls. And when it does the city becomes a chaos, just as it happens in ours.

It is advisable to avoid road trips in those days, and think alternatives to possible cancellations of flights at airports.

Nights of light

Many fear not having enough sun to enjoy Paris in winter, but the truth is that doing it at night is a delight.

The lighting of the Parisian monuments is fascinating, to the point that a walk is obligatory at sunset.

The contrast of the white facades with the black of the night, the winter mist and the icy breath of the passers-by is unshakable.

A nice coffee

Parisian cafes have a reputation for being warm and welcoming, and what better time than winter to enjoy them. We will find them all over the city, and they are the best way to integrate into your lifestyle.

Christmas in Paris

The Christmas lighting in Paris is lit at the end of November and arrives punctually each night until after the holidays. It looks splendid in the most touristic places, like the Eiffel Tower, the Champs Elysees or the immense tree that is installed in front of the Notre Dame Cathedral.

However, the best place to enjoy it is the Galeries Lafayette . The immense mosaic of lights on its façade is a true Parisian reference, and it does not come alone. Its shop windows are filled with animations for children, and inside the shop, located on the central boulevard Haussmann, there is an immense Christmas tree every year.

For the rest, the city offers us the same as during the rest of the year: monuments, history, art and beauty at every step.

How to dress in Paris in winter

The time you spend in the place you choose for your vacation becomes essential to plan your trip. In the case of the French capital, in winter the climate is the European continental. This climate is characterized by an average temperature during the day that is around 6 or 8 ºC. However, if we talk about the minimum temperatures, it is rarely lowered from zero, the most common being a temperature that oscillates between 3 and 6 ºC. Snow is not very common in Paris, although some flakes may fall during some winter without much consistency. What is very common in the Parisian winter is rain , for which you have to be prepared, since one of every two days it rains.

If you plan to travel in winter to Paris, all the information we have given you will mark what you should put in your luggage. In fact, you should make sure that you have enough warm clothing to withstand the cold, but above all, you have to check that both shoes and accessories are suitable for rainy days. Then we will explain what are the elements that can not be missing in your suitcase if you intend to visit Paris this winter. And although rain is not the most desired phenomenon for a trip, it can be very romantic if you decide to take a ride on the Seine by boat .

The basics to visit Paris in winter

Shelter : it is the essential garment to visit Paris. Betting on a comfortable one, which gives you freedom of movement will help you walk the city even when the cold is sharp. In case the problem is the space in your luggage, you can always choose to take it on boarding.

Coarse knit jackets : many people may not give it that much importance, but to visit Paris you should not forget it.

Accessories needed for Paris in winter

Hat : besides that they are in the latest fashion and they are perfect for the chic style of Paris, they are a basic item to put in the suitcase. When it is not raining, the thermal sensation of Paris can be a few degrees below the real one and you will notice how your hair freezes. With a hat you will solve this problem.

Gloves: although sometimes the winter of Paris is more benevolent and is not as essential a garment as in other countries of northern Europe, you never know what the weather can bring you. Also, if you expect to walk the city, and take a few walks, the cold air of some winter days might surprise you. The best thing is to be cautious and not to forget them at home.

Scarf: another of those items that you can not miss in your suitcase to visit Paris in winter. If you want to be smarter than average, take two: a thicker if the cold tightens a lot, and a little thinner in case you arrive in one of those weeks when it does not stop raining and the temperature is something else nice.

Umbrellas: in case you have not been able to take yours, because without checked luggage it will be complicated to let you go with it to the plane, it is the first thing you should think about when you arrive in Paris. A winter in the capital city without an umbrella can make you catch a bad cold, since the rain does not always warn when and how it will fall.

Footwear suitable for the Paris in winter

Thick socks : feet suffer when going on vacation. In winter, in addition to comfortable footwear, make sure you keep them warm. So do not forget to put a few pairs of thick socks to help you get it.

Boots: the best thing is to opt for some waterproof boots, or in any case for some high boots of cane with which to be able to be comfortable and to make sure the walks in Paris even in the days that more rain and endless puddles are formed in the capital.

Waterproof shoes: in addition to the boots for the days of more intense rain, it is not enough that you throw in the suitcase a pair more of footwear that is waterproof and guarantees you to keep the feet dry even if it rains a lot.

Waterproof bag: there is nothing that more rabies that wet everything we carry in the bag for having seen us immersed in a storm of those winter that arrive without warning. In Paris it rains almost half of winter, so this accessory is essential for your trip at this time of year.

As you can see, the essential items to visit Paris in winter are those that allow you to stay safe from the rain, as well as combat the continental cold that a few days can get worse than others. Can you think of any other essentials to put in the suitcase?

Weather Paris in Winter

From December to March, temperatures can drop as low as 0 degrees Celsius , it tends to rain a lot and the city becomes sad and dull until the Christmas festivities, which bring the capital back to life with its lights and decorations; It can be the ideal time to take a romantic trip or with the family. The Christmas in Disneyland Paris  attract families with children during this season  . The occasions in which snow falls in the city of Paris , the landscape can be beautiful, despite the inconveniences that may cause, always take the forecasts if you travel by this date.

Finally, while it is true that Paris in winter is not too mild, bring enough shelter because the average temperature does not exceed 7 ° C, it is also true that this time of year offers some advantages for visitors and, in addition, the cold It is quite bearable. First, the city regains its normal rhythm during these months. Cafes, streets and restaurants are usually free of tourists and Parisians regain control of the capital. In addition, the long lines in the museums of Paris are greatly reduced and the prices of the hotels are much more affordable.