15 Things To Do In Paris In Winter

Paris, the city of love, is not only for love but also for fun. Apart from being a beautiful city, the weather in Paris is remarkable. Paris, the French capital, has some of Europe’s major landscapes, from some of the world’s most famous places like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre museum, to some of the world’s most bizarre places like the Catacombs. It is definitely the most perfect destination to visit at any time of the year. Paris in Winter has several reasons to attract tourists with its unmatched experiences and vistas.

Paris in winter becomes more lovely with its stunning epoch streets, picturesque cafes, and crisp snow. Enjoy the cosy wintry charm, taste mulled wine, and explore the covered passages to visit Christmas markets. Winter in Paris begins toward the end of December and stays till the end of March, lasting for three long months. Winter in Paris is neither too cold nor too harsh. The temperature there does not drop below zero.

Also Read: 15 Romantic Places to visit in Paris

15 Things To Do In Paris In Winter – Where To Go & What To Do

In Paris, the sun rises as late as 9 am and set as early as 5 pm. The sombre days become shorter, with high chances of rain extending between 28% to 40% throughout the winter months. The average winter temperature in Paris is around 7/8 degrees Celsius, i.e., 45/46 degree Fahrenheit during the day, but can drop as low as 0 degrees Celsius at night. Delve into the winter activities in Paris and choose your favourite activities from the list of activities given below.

1. Watch the Eiffel Tower Sparkle with Snow at Night
2. Explore the Louvre Museum
3. Take a tour on Promotrain – Petit Train de Montmartre
4. Wander Around Orsay Museum
5. Experience the Palais Garnier
6. Enjoy the Disneyland
7. Take a Walk Down the Seine River
8. Indulge in a Free Walking Tour
9. Discover the Père Lachaise Cemetery
10. Look in on the Christmas Markets
11. Have Fun Ice Skating
12. Engage in a Stroll Near the Cathedral Notre Dame de Paris
13. Gaze at the Christmas Lights
14. Window Shop Along the Champs-Élysées
15. Stroll Around the Garden of Serres d’Auteuil

1. Watch the Eiffel Tower Sparkle with Snow at Night

Paris tour without Eiffel Tower, the main attraction in Paris, is incomplete. The most attractive thing about the Eiffel Tower is its magnificent lights. You can check out the lit-up tower near the Big Wheel at the Louvre, Champ-de-Mars, Notre Dame Cathedral, under the Bir-Hakeim Bridge, and also from a residential road called Rue de Monttessuy in Paris.

Also Read: Things to do Around the Eiffel Tower

2. Explore the Louvre Museum

Louvre Museum, the world’s largest art museum, is the most-visited historic monument and is best known for being the home of the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci. The large palace has the wealthiest collection of paintings in the world. The auspicious museum has French paintings dating back to the 15th to 19th century. It showcases famous works of Flemish and Dutch painters of the Baroque period. Visit the palace of early French kings, and admire some of the world’s finest art. Originally built as a fortress in 1190, this place will leave you gasping, as it is the main centre for art enthusiasts.

Also Read: Museums to Visit in Paris

3. Take a tour on Promotrain – Petit Train de Montmartre

Montmartre, a famous Parisian district, is primarily known for its artistic history, the white-domed Basilica of Sacré-Cœur, and as a nightlife. Nested on top of a small hill in Paris’s 18th arrondissement, it appeals to the artists of the 19th and 20th centuries. Take a tour of this lovely district on this Promotrain, and observe the cobbled streets, stunning monuments, artists, and bistros. Board a Montmartre’s little train and indulge in a 40-minute guided tour to different parts of the district. Discover the picturesque village of Picasso and Van Gogh. Explore the eccentric and high-spirited lanes of Montmartre district. Montmartre, also known as The Mountain of Martyrs, is well known for its ivy-garbed houses, scribbled roads, and prosperous history. Encounter some very famous shops like Place Blanche, Moulin Rouge, Amphitheatre, and Arenas on this tour.

Also Read: Religious Basilicas of Paris

4. Wander Around Orsay Museum

Orsay Museum represents an old Railway Station filled with big clocks and prodigious bay windows. This humongous museum houses collections of Van Gogh, Cezanne, and Renoir. This holds mainly French art dating from 1848 to 1914, including paintings, sculptures, furniture, and photography. It is rated as one of the best places to go and admire works of art. The phrase “A picture is worth a thousand words” holds for the pictures inside the museum. This gallery is not all about pictures, but also offers a restaurant on the top floor, where you can relish delicious meals, after exploring all the pictures. From the top floor restaurant, you can even gaze at the amazing views of Paris and the Seine river below.

Also Read: Best Nightclubs in Paris

5. Experience the Palais Garnier

Palais Garner, or Opéra Garnier, is a 1,979-seat opera house at the Place de l’Opéra in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, France. The most celebrated opera house was built by the architect François Debret. One of the most famed and grand opera houses in the world, it is a captivating inspiration for many. Being the home to the Paris ballet, you will definitely treasure the quintessential decoration of sculpture, painting, and architecture. Additionally, this site houses splendid balconies in onyx, golden statues of Apollo, smooth marble pillars, delicate frescoes, and rich gilding. 

Also Read: Witness the Famous Monuments in Paris

6. Enjoy the Disneyland

Disneyland, the all-time favourite attraction of kids, offers the happiest place on earth in the romantic city of Paris. See your favourite characters come to life as you play, enjoy, and take snaps with them. Jump into the thrilling theme park rides, and endeavour all kinds of attractions. You won’t take notice of how your time is elapsing, as you get lost in the different activities and things throughout the day, and be a part of the exciting fireworks and lights show illuminating the Sleeping Beauty Castle in the evening.

Explore both Disneyland® Park and Walt Disney Studios® Park, and discover the hidden secrets of moviemaking. Be an audience of the makings of blockbuster Hollywood and Disney films. Observe Disney stories magically come to life across the five enchanting lands at Disneyland® Park. Shake hands with your best-loved characters Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Stitch, Belle, Disney Princess, and others. Uncover the mystical world of movies and television at Walt Disney Studios Park. 

Also Read: Top 10 Places to Visit in Paris With Your Kids

7. Take a Walk Down the Seine River

Take a walk along the famous Seine River with your loved ones. This activity is one of the romantic things to do among the other list of activities in Paris in Winter. See the boats float by, the city lights reflected on the surface as you walk along the left bank of the river. Taste some authentic Parisian street food and explore the café culture along the walkaways as you walk over the cobbled stoned streets of Paris. Catch a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower from some corners along the bank of the Seine river. Have fun boating in Paris in Winter!

Also Read: Things to do on your Paris Honeymoon

8. Indulge in a Free Walking Tour

Explore all free walking zones in Paris with a guide who will show you innumerable eye-catching places which you’ve never dreamt about. Such a walking tour covers some of the most famous places like the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe, Montmartre, and the iconic Eiffel Tower from a protruding viewpoint. Listen to the ancient facts and historic stories about these places from the mouth of a passionate guide. Experience the old world culture and vision of Paris like a local. Make your walks more favourable and lively in Paris in Winter.

Also Read: 10 Insane Free Walking Tours in Paris

9. Discover the Père Lachaise Cemetery

Historians and archaeologists are bound to take a tranquil walk in Père Lachaise, a cemetery located in the East of Paris. Famous personalities including Jim Morrison, Chopin, Edith Piaf, and Balzac are buried in this cemetery. Walk along rows upon rows of historical sepulchres, well-preserved for centuries. Buy some flowers at the gate before you enter to offer your respects to the deceased. The area is huge, covering over 300 acres. Do carry a map if you don’t ever want to get lost or if you are going there for the first time.

Also Read: 7 Offbeat Things to do in Paris

10. Look in on the Christmas Markets

If you’re there in Paris in Winter, don’t forget to visit the Christmas markets. The Christmas markets are distinguished throughout the world for their enormous decoration, adjoined street food, and Christmastide festivals. If you are seeking free things to do in winter, visiting the various Christmas markets is a must. Choose from 15-20 remarkable markets emerging in different parts of the city. Indulge in tasty delights like hot chocolate, pretzels, roasted chestnuts, fresh croissants, and other special Parisian delicacies. Walkthrough these lit Christmas markets at night and witness the eye-catching street shops during Christmas in Paris in Winter.

Also Read: 5 Things to do on Christmas in Paris

11. Have Fun Ice Skating

Several enduring and interim rinks are housed in Paris during winter. You can freely skate through these free ice skating rinks. Put on a pair of skates and swirl across a sheet of ice. Go to the best rink at Trocadero Gardens, which is quite close to the Eiffel Tower and hosts a Christmas Market of its own. Skate on an area of 300 sqm with no entry fee and experience a mesmerising time on your trip to Paris in Winter with a lovely outdoor environment.

Also Read: Montparnasse Tower in Paris

12. Engage in a Stroll Near the Cathedral Notre Dame de Paris

Cathedral of Notre Dame, one of the most iconic structures of Paris along with the Eiffel Tower, stands in the middle of a community square, where you can walk around the Cathedral and check it out from every angle. The 900-year old church is not only a reverent piece of architecture for all Christians but also a charm for historians, nature lovers, archaeologists, and those interested in Gothic culture. Notre Dame Cathedral is diligently surrounded, which also makes it attractive for walks and casual saunters during your visit to Paris in Winter.

Also Read: Panthéon Visit in Paris

13. Gaze at the Christmas Lights

Goggle at the Christmas lights, as Paris turns into a Utopia during November and December. Don’t miss out on checking the diaphanous Christmas lights in every direction, as you walk through the crowded yet lit-up streets of Paris in Winter. Staring at the lights and decoration in Paris in Christmas make it a must-do activity out of all the other activities in Paris. While the illumination and ornamentation are unmatched in the whole world, there are some places which are worth visiting, such as the Champs-Élysées, Avenue Montaigne, Place Vendôme, Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, and many more. Catch a glimpse of the innovative, Brobdingnagian decoration and allow your intuition to guide you through the colourful cultures prevailing in divergent parts of the city. Delve yourself into the idiosyncratic street food and baked goods and pack up fascinating gifts from here.

Also Read: Best Souvenirs from Paris

14. Window Shop Along the Champs-Élysées

Champs-Élysées, considered the luxury shopping hub in Paris, offers a genuine taste of Parisian fashion. Considered as one of the posh areas of Paris, this place is visited by most of the people belonging to high society. Walkthrough Champs-Élysées, one of the best free activities to do in Paris, and get an insight into the luxurious fashion life here. Get lost in the worlds of Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Cartier, and so much more. This place looks extra mesmerising during Christmas in Paris in Winter.

Also Read: Best Shopping Places in Paris at Reasonable Prices

15. Stroll Around the Garden of Serres d’Auteuil

Have an escapade in the family-friendly environment of Jardins et Serres d’Auteuil. This site provides an incredible natural beauty that you will find at the heart of an ancient city. Explore the serene greenhouse as you walk in the gardens of Serres d’Auteuil. Overloaded with every-sized green plant, this is among one of the best things to do in Paris in winter. It is a botanical garden whose construction started in 1895 and was completed in 1898. Inside the massive green glasshouse, you will be able to see more than 1,00,000 plants in the complex and at the centre. Take a walk in the gardens of Serres d’Auteuil, if you’re looking for some peace outside of the city life, and engage in one of the mind and body soothing activities in Paris in Winter.

Also Read: Royal Gardens in Paris

Tips for Your Paris Tour in Winter

1. Seniors, pregnant women, and people with certain medical conditions can join Montmartre Paris Train tour with proper medical prescriptions.
2. Maintain a friendly environment and do not litter inside the Orsay Museum.
3. The marketeers set up markets for Christmas during mid-November and continue till the end of December and sometimes even till January.
4. The ice skating rinks are available all days during the week, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
5. The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is open 24 hours.
6. The shops in the streets of Champs-Élysées are usually open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
7. The Garden of Serres d’Auteuil is open from Monday to Friday (8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.), Saturday to Sunday (9:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.)

Frequently Asked Questions for Your Paris Winter Trip

Excited to visit Paris during the Winter vacays? Don’t hold your excitement to have a mesmerising time and go and check out our packaged Paris tour packages and Paris couple packages offered at Pickyourtrail and choose the one that suits you best or customise your own Paris itinerary according to your likes and preferences.