Paris in January: Unveiling the City’s Hidden Winter Secrets

With the holiday season behind, the city of Paris regains its quiet romantic allure in January. The crisp winter air and occasional snowfall add a magical touch to the already picturesque streets.

It’s a time to enjoy the city’s cozy cafes and winter markets at a leisurely pace, immersing in local life. But there are also many lesser-known winter activities to discover in Paris that we want to share with you, for an authentic Parisian experience. 

Money saving tip: Besides the benefit of lower accommodation costs this month, you can also take advantage of Paris’s seasonal shopping deals. 

How Cold Is Paris in January?

Paris weather in January may not be at its prime, as it is the coldest and wettest month, with a daily average temperature of just 5°C (40°F) according to Holiday-Weather.com. Some years may be warmer, but it’s better to be prepared that it often can be much colder.

Dressing warmly is essential, and since rain is common, prepare for showers. On brighter days, there may be several hours of sunshine to enjoy.

Toward the end of the month, there’s a chance of snow, which, although usually light (about 2cm or less than one inch), can turn the city into a winter wonderland.

• Min temperature: 3°C (37°F)
• Max temperature: 8°C (45°F)
• Average temperature: 5°C (40°F)
• Average precipitation: 51mm (2 inches), with rain on about 14 days
• Average daylight hours: Just under nine hours, with one to two hours of sunshine on many days
• Sunrise is around 08:36, and sunset at 17:25

Is January a Good Time to Visit Paris?

January can be a fantastic time to visit Paris, as the city is less crowded, feeling almost like a personal escape. By wearing layers, a waterproof coat, and warm boots, you can comfortably explore the city’s architecture, shops, and enjoy a pause for coffee or hot chocolate (chocolat chaud) and a freshly baked croissant. Plus, the January Sales (‘Soldes’) are an excellent opportunity to snag chic French clothes at great prices.

Pros

1. Lower costs for flights, accommodation, and dining.
2. Christmas lights are still up until mid-January, offering a festive evening ambiance.
3. Shorter queues for major attractions like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Musée d’Orsay.
4. The city’s markets, popular year-round, are bustling and enjoyable on crisp mornings. Some Christmas markets continue into the first week of January.

Cons

1. Some tourist attractions are closed or have reduced hours in winter, and guided tours are less frequent.
2. Public gardens, such as the Tuileries and Luxembourg Gardens, lack their usual floral beauty, displaying mostly brown leaves.
3. The shorter daylight hours in January may affect outdoor activities. However, this won’t impact indoor activities like museum visits, enjoying the nighttime lights, or dining out.

What to Wear in Paris in January

When packing for Paris in January, prioritize a warm, insulated, and waterproof coat, ideally with a hood for rain protection. Layering is key to staying warm; include thermal vests, T-shirts, and cozy jumpers. Natural wool materials like cashmere and lambswool are more effective than synthetic fibers.

Essential items also include warm trousers, socks, comfortable boots or walking shoes, a warm hat, scarf, gloves, and an umbrella. It’s wise to pack some cozy nightwear in case your accommodation isn’t very warm.

Events in January

1 January

Paris rings in 2024 with various events, including concerts at the Eiffel Tower, ‘The Nutcracker’ at Opera Bastille, Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’ at La Madeleine Church (also on 20 January), and a New Year’s gospel concert at Saint Julien le Pauvre Church.

6 January – Epiphany

This day marks the end of the Christmas festivities, celebrating the arrival of the three wise men in Bethlehem. Boulangeries sell ‘La Galette des Rois’ (the king’s cake), flavored with almonds and traditionally enjoyed with cider. Each galette contains a small charm (la fève), and the person who finds it in their slice becomes king or queen for the day.

11 January

The NBA returns with a game at the Accor Arena between the Brooklyn Nets and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Until 15 January

“Picasso. Dessiner à l’infini” at the Centre Pompidou, running since October 2023, commemorates the 50th anniversary of Picasso’s death. This landmark exhibition showcases nearly 1,000 works, including drawings, prints, and paintings.

16 January

Paris Fashion Week commences, presenting men’s collections for autumn/winter 2024/2025 from 16-21 January. The women’s collections for autumn/winter 2024/2025 will be shown from 26 February to 5 March.

January Concerts in Paris

• 6, 19 January: Bach by Candlelight at Saint Ephrem Church.
• 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31 January: Adriana Lecouvreur at Opera Bastille.
• 20, 23, 25, 27 January: Julius Caesar (Giulio Cesare) by the Opera National de Paris at Palais Garnier.
• 21, 23, 27, 30 January: La Traviata by the Opera National de Paris at Bastille Opera.
• 24 January: Opera Arias & Ensembles by the Opera National de Paris at Palais Garnier.

Best Indoor Places to Visit

Hit the January Sales

The January Sales (Soldes), regulated by the French government, run from Wednesday 10 January to Tuesday 6 February. Key destinations include Galleries Lafayette and Printemps, but smaller boutiques and large supermarkets with clothing departments also participate. Look for ‘Soldes’ posters advertising reductions up to 70%. Bargains extend beyond clothing to footwear, accessories, and fabulous ladies’ handbags.

Enjoy Delicious French Winter Dishes

Rainy days are perfect for indulging in classic French winter dishes. Savor cassoulet, a hearty casserole of chicken, sausages, and beans, or petit sale aux lentilles, featuring salted pork with lentils. Tartiflette tantalizes with layers of potatoes, onions, bacon, and cheese. Another enjoyable option is a traditional Raclette, a large cheese piece heated for scraping off melted portions to enjoy with potatoes.

Take in a Movie or Two

With France’s renowned cinema culture, a rainy day is ideal for watching movies. Paris boasts 64 cinemas, most with multiple screens, totaling nearly 400 screens. Approximately 27 million people visit Parisian cinemas annually. The best cinema districts include the Champs-Elysées and the 5th and 6th arrondissements on the left bank. Many films are shown in English.

Best Winter Activities in Paris

1. Admire the Masterpieces in the Louvre

The Louvre is one of the most visited museums in the world and it is inevitably crowded virtually all the time. If you’d like to visit the Louvre with minimal crowds, you’ll have to be strategic. Here are some tips to help you enjoy the museum with fewer people around:

• Choose the Right Time: Visit during off-peak times. The Louvre is typically less crowded on weekday mornings or in the evening. Wednesday and Friday nights, when the museum is open until 9:45 pm, usually see fewer visitors.
• Purchase Tickets in Advance: Buy your tickets online beforehand. This not only saves time but also allows you to skip the long ticket lines.
• Use Lesser-Known Entrances: Instead of the main glass pyramid entrance, use less crowded entrances like the Porte des Lions or the Carrousel du Louvre entrance.
• Plan Your Visit: Have a plan of what you want to see. The Louvre is enormous, and having a plan can help you navigate more efficiently and avoid the most crowded areas.
• Start from the Less Popular Sections: Most visitors head straight for famous works like the Mona Lisa. By starting your visit in less popular sections, you can enjoy quieter galleries.
• Visit During Less Busy Months: January being in the off-season, it’s one of the best months to see the Lourvre. Also avoid school holidays and major public holidays.
• Be Early or Late: Arrive early in the morning as soon as the museum opens, or later in the afternoon, a couple of hours before closing time.
• Consider Guided Tours: Early morning or late evening guided tours can offer a more peaceful experience, sometimes even before the museum opens or after it closes to the general public.

Join a three-hour tour led by an English-speaking art historian guide, exploring the Louvre’s 35,000 art pieces across eight themed galleries. Limited to 25 participants, the tour includes audio headsets and features masterpieces like the ‘Venus de Milo’ and ‘Mona Lisa’.

2. Discover the Beauty of Versailles

The magnificent Palace of Versailles is a testament to the grandeur and opulence of French royalty. The palace itself is an architectural masterpiece, featuring the famous Hall of Mirrors, lavishly decorated rooms, and intricately designed furniture that reflect the height of French artistry in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The gardens of Versailles are equally impressive, spanning hundreds of acres with beautifully landscaped lawns, ornate fountains, and stunning sculptures. The gardens are not at their best in January, as the fountains are not operational in the winter, but the interior of the palace is certainly worth the trip. 

Apart from the palace and gardens, the town of Versailles has its own charm with quaint streets, lovely boutiques, and a range of dining options that offer a taste of French cuisine. The entire estate of Versailles provides a glimpse into the lavish lifestyle of the French monarchy and is a symbol of France’s history.

This six-hour small group excursion includes transport from Paris to Versailles with priority entrance. Explore the palace’s 700 luxuriously furnished rooms built by King Louis XIV (‘the Sun King’). Weather permitting, you can stroll through the gardens, though, as mentioned, they may not be at their peak in winter.

3. Enjoy a Food and Wine Tasting Tour

A wide variety of restaurants are popular in Paris, and one of our favorite things to do in Paris in the winter is to discover as many of them as possible. You have different types of dining establishments in Paris to try out, such as: 

1. Traditional French Bistros: These are quintessentially Parisian and offer a cozy atmosphere. They serve classic French dishes like coq au vin, boeuf bourguignon, and escargots.
2. Haute Cuisine Restaurants: These high-end establishments are known for their exquisite French cuisine, often prepared by renowned chefs. They provide a fine dining experience, often with Michelin stars.
3. Brasseries: Larger than bistros, brasseries serve a wide range of traditional French dishes and are known for their lively atmosphere. They often have extensive wine lists.
4. Cafés and Wine Bars: While not restaurants in the traditional sense, these are immensely popular for their light fare, pastries, coffees, and wines. They are perfect for casual dining or a relaxing drink.
5. International Cuisine: Reflecting the cosmopolitan nature of Paris, there are many restaurants offering cuisines from around the world, such as Italian, Japanese, Middle Eastern, and North African.
6. Boulangeries and Patisseries: These bakeries and pastry shops are central to Parisian food culture, offering fresh bread, croissants, and a variety of exquisite French pastries.
7. Street Food and Markets: Increasing in popularity, street food stalls and market vendors offer quick, delicious options like crêpes, falafel, and gourmet sandwiches.

Ideal for a bright January day, this 3.5-hour walking tour around Le Marais visits Marché des Enfants Rouge, the city’s oldest covered market. The tour, limited to ten participants, introduces you to food vendors and offers samples of cheeses, meats, bread, confiture, chocolate, and macarons.

4. Visit a Classic Wine Cellar

Wine cellars in Paris, known as “caves à vin,” are a key part of the city’s rich wine culture, some dating back centuries. These cellars, often set in the city’s underground limestone quarries, provide the perfect conditions for aging wine. They offer a diverse selection of wines, including famous French varieties from Bordeaux and Burgundy, as well as lesser-known local and international wines, catering to a wide range of tastes and budgets.

Many Parisian wine cellars enhance the experience by offering tastings and educational sessions led by knowledgeable staff or sommeliers. These tastings are often set in atmospheric spaces, ranging from rustic to sophisticated, adding to the charm. Additionally, some cellars provide guided tours, food pairings with cheeses and charcuterie, and host wine events and clubs, making them a comprehensive destination for both wine enthusiasts and curious visitors seeking to immerse themselves in the Parisian wine experience.

Experience French wine culture with a guided tasting in an 18th-century royal wine cellar. Learn about wine production and explore France’s famous wines, from Champagne to Bordeaux and Burgundy reds, while sampling three distinct varieties.

Exploring Paris in January

January in Paris is more relaxed due to fewer visitors, allowing for more personable interactions with local traders. Despite cooler temperatures, grey skies, and some rain, the city offers a unique and enjoyable experience, enhanced by the opportunity for longer conversations and shared moments with locals.