Paris In December: Best Time For Celebration & Amusements!

The City of Lights or the City of Romance, call it whatever you want, but once you spend your vacation in Paris, you will realise Paris is beyond these titles given to it. While the peak seasons let you enjoy the city’s vibrance and warm colours by highlighting the monumental heritage like the iconic Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre Museum, December is for those who want to dive into the cool-toned Paris’s magical and festive transformation. As December is around the corner, here is a little guide that lets you know the secrets of Paris in December.

Paris In December

If you think Paris in December will be dull, grey and cold that you can’t experience well enough, you are wrong in this. Paris will transform by wearing its best attire decorated with Christmas spirits that breaks the silence of winter. Every street and alley will brighten up with lights, music and colours. From wandering around Champs-Elysees, visiting Grand Palais, climbing up Eiffel Tower to dining in restaurants, everything feels different. Even if you have previously visited Paris in Summer, Paris in Winter is exceptionally cheerful with so many activities unlike before.

Weather In Paris In December

Paris in December will be one of the coldest months where you can see mild snowfalls that spread white carpets and trees topped with snows, sudden rain and cold breeze. The temperature during this month will range between 10^oC to 3^oC with 15% chances for rainfall. Since the weather is a bit off, you can expect the first half of the month to feel like off-season. But sooner the city packs up with crowds as holidays begin. 

Also Read: Best Day Trips From Paris

Best Things to Do & See In Paris On Your December Visit

While Christmas and New Year Eve are not the only highlights in Paris in December, you can expect to experience the unexpected only during this month. For honeymooners, families, solo travellers and party-goers, this month is the ideal time to visit, as every monument and venue in the city becomes a bit more engaging than peak season. Get to know more about various activities, events and festivals that happen in some of the best attractions in Paris so that you create an exciting itinerary for your vacation in December 2024.

1. Marvel At The Iconic Landmarks In Paris

Paris, being home to some of the phenomenal architectures and landmarks, you can explore everything a bit closer with a lesser crowd during your visit in December. You don’t have to wait in line in most places. Naturally, you can get creative while taking photographs and selfies.

• Get a closer view of the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, or climb to the top of the monuments to get a panoramic winter view of the liveliest cityscape. Want to have a warm and romantic six-course dinner on the top floor of the Eiffel Tower? Book your table 3-months ahead of your visit on the official website.
• Explore Place Vendome that stands as a symbol of classic french urban life. And don’t miss to wander around Pantheon in the heart of the Latin Quarter and Saint-Jacques Tower at the heart of 1st district.

Other Must-Visit Monuments – Palace Of Versailles, Paris Catacombs, Les Invalides and Place de la Concorde.

2. Sign Up For A Romantic Cruise cum Dinner In the Seine River

Taking a romantic cruise at night in Seine River (UNESCO World Heritage Site) could be an irreplaceable experience. You can witness the entire city, bridges, and renowned attractions decorated with colourful decors and lights that offer enchanting views. Indulge in a romantic dinner along with this dreamy affair that will give you a memory that will last for the rest of your life.

3. Warm-Up By Tasting Vin Chaud & Hot Chocolate

A perfect way to uplift your Christmas spirit and warm yourself up to beat the winter breeze is to taste a glass of vin chaud, aka mulled wine complementing with some cheesy bites. Crash into an aesthetic cafe and spend a cosy evening with a warm cup of hot chocolate and spongy pastries. Head to Cafes in Le Marais or Montmartre with picturesque views.

Also Read: Best Romantic Restaurants In Paris

4. Sink In The Beauty Of Parisian Art Galleries & Museums

Paris is a city where art lives in every street and corner. Parisians take pride in their art collections and history. Various galleries and museums in the city will surprise you with mind-blowing pieces of art and sculptures. In December you can also expect some temporary exhibitions that ward of your boredom. 

• Roam around the Louvre Museum, the cultural hotspot of Paris. You can explore comfortably, as there will be a lesser crowd. In December 2024, you can encounter an exhibition organised by Musee du Louvre in collaboration with the State Hermitage Museum. You can admire the collections of Marquis Campana along with 12,000 paintings, sculptures and archaeological collections showcased in the museum.
• If you want the art galleries and museums to be more engaging and livelier, go to Grand Palais, Musee Gourmand du Chocolat and the Centre Pompidou, where you can explore spectacular paintings as well as partake in entertaining events.

Other Must-Visit Museums & Galleries – Petit Palais, Musee de I’Orangerie, Musee d’Orsay and Musee Cluny.

5. Stroll Around Christmas Markets

When you are touring Paris in December, make it compulsory to wander and shop in every Christmas market around every Parisian street and alley. 

• Visit the attractive Galeries Lafayette store on the Boulevard Haussmann and amaze by its epic decoration and Christmas tree at the centre space that steals the limelight.
• Wander in the most beautiful avenue of Paris, the Champs-Elysees. Make sure to enjoy its mesmerising view by the decorated stores and illuminated chestnut trees on the pavement. Champs Elysees is a must-visit during Christmas to shop till you drop.
• Head to Chrismas Village in Trocadero. Just like Parisians partake in this holiday tradition, on your December trip, try to pick some of the cutest souvenirs.

6. Venture Ice Skating Fantasy

Paris in December is the right time to seek some adventures indoors with your partner or family. In Paris, the impeccable amusement and adventure come with so much laughter and fun through Ice Skating. Every significant venue distinctively offers Ice rinks. Naturally, your experiences will differ in each place.

• For a magical ice skating experience, visit La Grande Arche de la Defense. There you can skate on the largest rooftop ice rink 110 above ground level. Undoubtedly, you can get a 360-degree view of Paris city. Make sure to wear gloves as it is mandatory.
• Galeries Lafayette offers a rooftop open ice skating rink for free in December! You can play around while staring at the marvellous view of the Paris Opera. The ice rink will be available from December 21-31, starting from 9:30 AM.
• Head on to Grand Palais for a distinctive ice skating experience. It houses the world’s biggest indoor ice-skating rink. You can access this rink from mid-December to early January. Skate and dance to your hearts content along with the rhythm of the DJ. 

Also Read: 10 Reasons To Fall In Love With Paris

7. Experience Magical Christmas In Disneyland

Christmas spirit gets hold of Disneyland right from November. During your visit in December, make sure to spend your eve in Disneyland Paris. Get hold of exclusive Christmas rides, Christmas parades and shows. Fill your photo gallery with images of the mystical Christmas decorations of the architecture. Don’t forget to book your tickets in advance.

8. Let Paris Entertain You With Festivals, Music & Dance

In December, Paris offers numerous festivals, musicals and dance shows than any other month to give colour and warmth against the city’s cold weather. 

• When the weather is a bit off at night with rain or snowfall, give glamour to your vacation night by visiting cabarets. Cabarets like Paradis Latin Cabaret Show and Moulin Rouge Show are a significant part of Parisian nightlife.  
• When the weather is just fine for a walk, reach Jardin des Plantes to partake in “The Festival Of Lights”. Every year the theme changes by extreme amusement. Don’t go short with quality, and that’s why even the locals adore this festival. 
• Spend your noon or even in Theatre des Champs-Elysees to go gaga over the stunning performance of ballet dancers or Ooeras with spectacular backdrops.

Also Read: The Spectacle Of Moulin Rouge In Paris

9. Visit The Parisian Churches

Parisian Churches and Cathedrals are the hotspots in December. In peak seasons and summers, tourists seek Sainte-Chapelle, Eglise de Saint-Germain-des-Pres, and Sacre Coeur to marvel at their interior, history and intriguing architecture. But, in December, all these churches offer a delightful experience through concerts, choirs and plays. 

Also Read: Paris In February

10. Welcome The New Year In French Capital

Finally, make sure to end December by welcoming the new year by spending your precious New Year Eve in Paris either in crowded public squares, Champs-Elysees or Sacre Coeur. If you want to spend it in a place with fewer crowds and more privacy, you can either celebrate your New Year eve by selecting a rooftop bar with a stunning view of the celebration ground or by camping on the banks of the Seine River.

Tips For Your Trip To Paris In December

• Carry plenty of warm clothes like sweaters, jackets, gloves, socks, shoes along with waterproof coats and hats. Also, carry few lighter clothes if the weather rarely gets warm.
• Follow social distancing and make sure to wear masks to almost every public place.
• Make sure you are vaccinated by WHO authorised vaccines. Carry the proof of the same.
• Check the forecast every day in Paris before leaving your hotel.
• Note that on December 24, all the shops will close earlier than the usual timings. 
• On December 25, most of the shops and attractions will be closed for tourists, so make sure to check before visiting the sites.
• Use public transports like buses and metros to save more money.

Frequently Asked Questions For Paris In December

On the whole, a visit to Paris in December is no less than visiting Paris in peak season. So as December 2024 is nearing faster, if you want to spend your Christmas or New Year Eve differently, Pairs will be the perfect place. Instead of pondering over your thoughts to make a decision, start looking for a suitable Paris package or Paris honeymoon package and France travel package on Pickyourtrail. Instead of selecting pre-designed packages, you can customise a France itinerary by yourself too.