Is Paris Worth Visiting In Winter? 15 Pros & Cons

Are you thinking of heading over the Paris this winter? It’s the least popular time to visit but that doesn’t mean it’s not worthwhile.

We visited in March, so does that mean we went in winter or spring? Either way, it was really cold, just like winter! All the trees were bare and the city looked windswept; we had rain and overcast days but we also had sunny and bright days too.

Jack took me for my 30th birthday, it was a superb surprise and overall we had a great experience, even with the rain. We were there for a long weekend and did so much exploring that my feet were in pieces by the end of the trip, but it was all worth it.

There are, of course, reasons why visiting Paris in winter might not be for you. With that in mind, I thought I’d share some of our insights to help you plan an epic trip!

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In this post, I’m sharing all the reasons why I think Paris is worth visiting in winter, but I also want to talk about reasons you might not want to visit Paris in winter so you know what’s right for you.

To help you plan your trip I’m covering topics including:

• The best places to stay in Paris in winter
• The easiest way to get around Paris to you can make the most of your time
• And, some budgeting tips for your trip

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Is Paris Worth Visiting In Winter?

Paris has a bit of a reputation, it’s kind of like Marmite, I think. People either love it or hate and you can’t change their minds. For us, we loved Paris.

We had a wonderful time discovering the city and I recommend everyone to visit, however most of you will head there in summer or late spring. Surprisingly, we visited during winter which meant it wasn’t as picture-perfect as I had envisioned my first trip to Paris but it didn’t stop us from having a fantastic time.

I’m here to tell you if you’re considering visiting Paris in winter, do it! It’s not as bad as you might think and to be honest, I think it could be a better time than peak season. As soon as we arrived we noticed fewer crowds than we expected and soon realised there were loads of indoor attractions to keep us busy, so much so that we hardly noticed the cold!

Paris is a year-round destination so there are activities to do throughout all the seasons; I’d actually love to visit Paris at Christmas too – especially if it was snowing.

For any other time during winter, you’ve got so much to choose from. All the cafes have heaters, sometimes fairy lights and queues are shorter. There are fewer people and I think the attractions are more affordable too, the hotels certainly were!

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What We Loved The Most: 10 Pros

Firstly, I want to go over all the reasons we loved our trip to Paris. We spent 3 days exploring the city of love and as a couple, it was just superb!

1. The Cafe Culture

Something you need to get involved in no matter if it’s sunny or rainy is Paris’s cafe culture. You’ll literally find a cafe on every corner. We went to Paris with the intention (among other things) to drink wine and eat cheese, and we did it well!

Find yourself a good little spot where you can see outside or even better, sit outside as there will be outdoor heaters to keep you warm and order some sharing plates.

Enjoy your selection of cheese and meats; add wine and sit back to enjoy Paris unfold.

👉 Tickets for Montmartre Walking Food Tour: Gain insight into French gastronomy on a guided food tour through Montmartre – Book here.

2. The Louvre Museum

This has to be my favourite museum on the planet, it is just spectacular. The Louvre is the worlds largest art museum and is home to the Mona Lisa, and of course it’s all inside so being there in winter isn’t going to affect you.

We spent half a day in here and it was not enough time. The whole three days would not have been enough, as this place is huge.

Instead of trying to see it all we decided to choose our favourite areas and head to these. It was a good little trick as we managed to get around the museum and really got a feel for what the Louvre is all about.

We also enjoyed a stop in the gift shop to look at the intricate miniatures which were on display and other items for sale.

❤️ Louvre Museum: E-Ticket: Save time with fast-track Louvre tickets and explore a world culture icon – Book here.

👉 Louvre Museum: Priority Entrance Ticket + Guided Tour: Discover the artistic treasures of the iconic Louvre Museum with a guided tour – Book here.

3. Strolling Along The River Seine

The day we decided to take a walk and explore the area around the river and the Latin quarter was pretty cloudy and cold. But, we wrapped up and within 10 minutes of walking we had warmed up.

This was actually one of my favourite winter days in Paris!

Since the weather wasn’t great there were hardly any people walking around and we enjoyed the most sites to ourselves. The river wasn’t heaving with tourist boats either and although the trees looked a little pitiful, we still enjoyed walking around the gardens.

Take a map from reception, put on some comfy shoes and head out to explore around the area. You will quickly find somewhere to relax and have some wine, maybe a little boutique shopping, a florist, a bakery, or maybe somewhere you can go later for dinner.

👉 Tickets for The Latin Quarter Walking Tour Of Bohemian Paris: Enjoy a guided walk around one of Paris’ most atmospheric quarters – Book here.

4. The Cuisine: Le Bizetro For Dinner

The food in Paris is incredible. In summer, spring, winter or autumn the food is just incredible, we like to eat sesonal if there is an opportunity and even in winter the Paris flavours were unbelievable.

We found an amazing bistro and were lucky to get a table as we hadn’t pre-booked but the staff were incredibly friendly and made room for us even though they were full.

It was classic French food: I had the the beef tartare main while Jack had bone marrow to start and a pork dish main, we added a bottle of wine and enjoyed a delicious meal.

• Address: Le Bizetro at 6 Rue Georges Bizet, 75116, Paris. (They have no website but that is the address).

❤️ Day Trip to Champagne with 8 Tastings & Lunch: discover the Champagne region and enjoy an authentic French lunch – Book here.

5. Riding The City Bus Tour

Thankfully, we did get a sunny day which we made the most of by riding around on the top deck to the top sites in Paris. I will say that Big Bus Tours are a favourite of mine.

I love to orientate myself with a new city and it’s a great way to see the most popular attractions. It’s difficult to visit everywhere, especially if it’s a short trip like ours, so I think this a great way to see the city.

There are a couple of companies offering a similar experience. We used Big Bus Tours and did the classic red route which encompassed most of the major sites; there was another route – blue – but I would recommend the classic route.

❤️ Paris Big Bus Tours: Discover the City of Light’s iconic landmarks on our Hop-on, Hop-off Paris Big Bus Tour – Book here.

👉 Tootbus Hop-on Hop-off Discovery Bus Tour: See Paris at your own pace with a 1, 2, or 3-day open-top bus tour ticket – Book here.

6. A Riverboat Cruise And Dinner

This treat was a wonderful surprise from Jack and it was a highlight of the trip. The best part was that the boat was very comfortable and we had a clear evening, but even if it was raining it would have been just as romantic.

The views along the river Seine were incredible with all of Paris glowing. The excursion included a three-course meal and live music from a pianist and singer.  The boat had a glass casing to allow panoramic views.

If you’re visiting Paris in winter this is the perfect way to spend an evening, all warm and cosy inside but where you can see everything outside!

❤️ Tickets for Seine River: 4-Course Dinner Cruise with Live Music – Book here.

👉Tickets for Seine River Cruise by Bateaux Mouches: Listen, learn, and fall in love with Paris on a scenic boat ride on the Seine – Book here.

7. Admiring Notre Dame Cathedral

Number seven of my favourite things to do in Paris in winter is to visit Notre Dame Cathedral. We were lucky that we visited just before it had a terrible fire and were able to go inside.

Notre Dame is stunning and I hope it is open for when you plan to visit. The feeling of serenity within this cathedral was heartwarming, I hope it remains. We really loved this part of our trip!

8. The City’s Architecture

Paris is old, it’s surrounded by history and culture. Its architecture is so intensely beautiful, from grand palaces to stunning cathedrals, you’ve got the Eiffel Tower, stone bridges, and the Arch de Triomphe, it’s a haven for heritage enthusiasts.

The great thing is that Paris’s buildings aren’t going anywhere, so if you’re visiting in winter you can admire them just as you would in summer, but with fewer people to get in your way!

❤️ Eiffel Tower Guided Tour by Elevator: Take a thrilling trip to the summit or second level of the Eiffel Tower with an English-speaking guide – Book here

9. Enjoying the View From Sacre-Coeur Basilica

We visited this basilica on our first night and found it glowing on top of a hill overlooking Paris on our way to watch a cabaret show.

We didn’t go inside, as even in winter there was a queue, but it was beautiful enough from the outside. Visiting this place at night was a magical experience and somewhere you should definitely add to your Paris itinerary.

❤️ Tickets for Paris: Montmartre Guided Walking Tour: Discover the charming artist’s quarter in Montmartre with an expert local guide – Book here.

10. French Onion Soup

The last thing we loved about Paris in winter was the warm onion soup. It’s the best way to warm up after a long day out in the cold, pair it with a glass of red and you’ll be set for the evening, it’s perfect.

We ended up having a French onion soup in most places on a mission to decide which was our favourite. The cooking style, taste and presentation differ in each cafe we visited and although they were all delicious, the soup at Le Galliera was the best.

❤️ Montmartre Cheese, Wine & Pastry Guided Walking Tour: indulge in fresh cheeses, charcuterie, wine, pastries, and chocolate paired with wine on this guided food tour in Paris – Book here.

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5 Reasons Not To Visit Paris In Winter

Depending on what time of the year you visit Paris in winter can also impact the experience you have. I mentioned above that winter generally brings fewer crowds but visit during the holidays or on long weekends and it could just be as busy as peak season.

With that in mind I wanted to share some reasons why visiting Paris during wintertime might not be for you:

11. Chilly Vibe

Paris can get seriously cold. Generally, during the height of winter, it’s between 3°C and 4°C. So If you’re not a fan of frosty weather, you might find the chill a bit much. Pack lots of layers and a cosy scarf to nuzzle into.

12. Shorter Days

Winter means shorter daylight hours which means less time to explore the stunning cityscape. For us, it didn’t affect us but it’s a good idea to plan your adventures (at least roughly), so you don’t miss out on attractions and breathtaking views.

13. Cafe Crowds

I talked about how wonderful the cafe culture is in Paris but Parisians love their warm cafes, especially in winter. It’s great for them, but it means crowded spots, especially in popular areas. That said, cafes will be busy all year round, so at least in winter you won’t have to put up with crowds of tourists.

From our experience, we didn’t notice the cafe being overly crowded.

14. Museum Madness

Winter can drive everyone indoors, flooding museums and attractions, however, we didn’t think the museums were more crowded than they would be during peak season. In fact, the Lourve was fine.

Even so, be ready for long queues and crowded galleries. Booking tickets in advance is a superb idea!

15. Gloomy Gardens

Parisian gardens are lovely but not at their best in winter. If you’re dreaming of vibrant blooms and walking through colourful gardens, you might want to plan your visit when nature is showing off – generally late spring, summer and early autumn.

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Planning Your Trip To Paris In Winter

I want you to have the best time in Paris so I’ve included some useful travel resources to help you plan.

Where To Stay In Paris?

Paris has lots of areas to stay in, although I would suggest staying central around the Eiffel Tower is best. It’s a little more expensive but during winter prices fall and it makes walking around the sites more convenient.

📍Top-End: Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel

The Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel is set at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and the Trocadero. It’s decorated in a contemporary style, the bright guest rooms offer panoramic views of Paris.

📍Mid-Range: Hôtel Le Walt by Inwood Hotels

Hotel Le Walt is located on the Rive Gauche in Paris’ 7th arrondissement. This designed hotel offers free Wi-Fi and an option to have breakfast served in your room or on a private garden terrace, where you can relax with a drink or enjoy breakfast.

📍Budget: Au Pacific Hotel

Located 350 metres from Avenue Emile Zola Metro Station, Au Pacific Hotel is a 15-minute walk from the Eiffel Towers and the Champs de Mars.

How To Get Around Paris?

Navigating Paris is a breeze, even in winter. Like any city, there is a good transport network, but our favourite way is walking.

👉 Walking:
Make sure you’ve got comfy boots for a superb stroll along the Seine. The city’s charm unfolds with every step and it’s not just the river that makes for a good walk, the whole city is perfect for strolling around, even in winter!

Be sure to explore the side streets and if you start getting a little chilly hop into a cafe, grab a hot drink and warm up before venturing out again.

👉 Bus:
If you’re feeling lazy it’s easy to hop onto a bus in Paris. It’s the most affordable way to get around and you’ll get to soak in stunning views. The city also runs night buses to help you get around.

• For more information: Paris bus timetable.

👉 Taxi:
Taxis are super handy, especially in bad weather. We used Uber a lot in Paris but they have a great taxi service you can just jump in. Your hotel will be able to help you arrange a taxi too.

👉 Train:
For the savvy budget explorer, the metro is a magical gateway to all the epic spots. The city is well connected and to be honest, the service runs smoothly and will keep you out of the cold!

• For more information: Paris train timetable.

How To Budget For Paris

Paris can be budget-friendly with some smart planning. Here are a handful of tips we found when exploring Paris to keep our costs down.

• Opt for charming local cafes for your daily croissant fix – they’re not just delicious but easy on the pocket.
• Planning to visit museums? Check for discounted entry days or bundle tickets for extra savings. Paris & Versailles Bundle – book here!
• Embrace the city’s beauty with free strolls along the Seine or through historic neighbourhoods.
• Be sure to visit the local markets as they are a fantastic spot for budget-friendly, mouthwatering treats!

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Resources For France

• Heading to Paris? We’ve written a Paris 3-day Itineary to help you plan!
• One city we love and recommend visiting is Strasbourg, it’s a fantastic place.
• Our favourite region has to be Alsace; it’s wine country and perfect for a 14-day road trip!
• If you’re heading to Alsace, don’t forget to visit the most beautiful villages in France!
• Alsace is also home to one of our favourite hiking routes: the three castles of Ribeauville.

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In Summary: Is Paris Worth Visiting In Winter?

As always, I like to finish with some final thoughts on why I think Paris in winter is worth visiting. The biggest thing to remember is that you need to prepare. Make sure you have packed appropriately and expect bad weather.

We loved popping in and out of the cafes. When we felt a little cold we just made a stop and since we were walking around a lot we found some really charming little spots tucked away off the tourist path.

The attractions which we enjoyed most were not affected by the cold weather either since they were indoors and those that were outside we were lucky to get sunshine. Go with a positive outlook, expect the unexpected and in the end, I guess it’s because we had each other that it was so fantastic.

I’m sure you will have a great time too!