Paris in winter: what to do, eat, and see during your free time on tour
The history, the romance, the food—the City of Light is a top destination to visit no matter the time of year. Check out why we love Paris in winter as much as in the warmer months.
With its rich history, prolific fashion scene, intriguing architecture, and influential cuisine, it’s no wonder that Paris is one of the world’s most sought-after travel destinations, no matter the time of year. An off-season visit is the best way to avoid the crowds of tourists that flock to the French capital in the summer and spring, and it also calls for warming up in cozy cafes and chic stores once the temperatures drop. Want to make the most of a visit to Paris in winter? Here are some free-time suggestions for a chilly winter day in the City of Light.
1. What to eat, drink, and do in Paris in winter
France is known for a lot of things, including a well-earned reputation for creating both delicious cuisine and iconic cooking styles. From the way foods are prepared to how they’re consumed, eating like the French is a way of life. So when you’re in Paris in the winter, make sure you tuck into one of the country’s eateries to sample as much of its food (and drinks!) as possible.
Wondering what to eat when you’re in Paris? We asked a French local what to eat in France—here are the 20 French foods she picked.
Tuck into a brasserie
Brasseries are French restaurants with a casual atmosphere and classic French food on the menu. When you’re on our new Off-Peak France: Paris & the Riviera tour, you’ll find plenty of brasseries in Paris, made all the more cozy when you need a break from the winter chill. It’s the perfect thing to do during your free time on any of our winter Paris tours. From the hearty meals (think: rabbit cassoulet and onion soup) to the old-world decor and warm hospitality, these historic eateries will fill your belly and your heart. A brasserie is more than a restaurant—it’s a social institution that serves as the epitome of tradition in Paris.
Ready to eat your way through France? From how to order to what to order, check out our tips for French dining.
Sign up for a cooking class
We build free time into all of our tours to give travelers a chance to experience the destination on their terms. When you’re on one of our France tours in the winter, we recommend you try your hand at making some of the cuisine the country is known for. Sign up for a cooking class on our London & Paris tour to bring home intangible souvenirs: French cooking techniques. You can learn anything from the basics, like the concept of mise en place, to more advanced skills, like how to flambe properly. Bon appetit!
Cheers to your trip with a chic cocktail
You may think of food when you think of French restaurants, but the cocktail and wine scene in Paris is nothing to be overlooked. Paris boasts some of the most forward-thinking, boundary-pushing cocktail bars in the world (including one that functions without any ice), and its cocktail offerings are nothing short of magnificent. Plus, the Champagne region is just a 45-minute train ride from Paris. Might we recommend pairing those chic bubbles with ringing in the new year on our New Year’s Eve in Paris: The City Experience tour? You won’t regret it!
2. What museums to visit in Paris in winter
From the Eiffel Tower to the Sacre-Coeur Basilica, Paris is home to many world-renowned historical landmarks—but you don’t have to be outside to see its astounding collection of relics and art. Warm up during your free time on our Paris: The City Experience tour and dive into the French capital’s many museums. Whether you’re an art and history lover or just curious to see what they’re all about, these are a must-visit for travelers looking to shake off the winter chill and admire some of the world’s most famous works.
Marvel at the Musee Marmottan Monet
Initially built as a hunting lodge for the Duke of Valmy, this museum is now home to the largest concentrated collection of Claude Monet’s paintings. Monet’s son donated these prestigious works in 1966, and they grace the walls next to masterpieces by other Impressionist greats, including Morisot, Manet, and Degas. Head to Paris’ western edge to pay a visit to Musee Marmottan Monet and view some of Monet’s lesser-known yet iconic paintings, such as “Impression: Sunrise,” which ultimately gave the Impressionist movement its name. And if you can’t get enough Monet in your life, we recommend adding our optional Monet & the Landscapes of Giverny excursion to our Paris: The City Experience tour.
Admire the Musee d’Orsay
Looking to step out of the brisk weather and view even more Impressionist masterworks? Make your way to the Left Bank of the Seine and look for a refinished, late-19th-century railway station. It’s here that you’ll find the Musee d’Orsay, boasting the world’s greatest treasury of Impressionist and post-Impressionist pieces. This massive collection of art includes works by Cézanne, Delacroix, Gauguin, Pissarro, Renoir, van Gogh, and other notable artists, all tucked into corners of a converted train station.
Discover even more insider tips in our France Travel Guide: the best things to do, see, and eat.
Visit the Musee du Louvre
Few museums around the globe are more well-known than the Louvre. Its astounding 35,000 pieces draw visitors from around the globe year-round; in fact, it’s the most visited museum in the world. Once a fortress in the 12th century, its collection has fluctuated in size with the rise and fall of Napoleon and the French Republics. Some of the art world’s most recognizable works reside here, including the “Winged Victory of Samothrace,” “Venus de Milo,” and Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa.” In fact, the exterior glass pyramid design itself is a work of art by renowned architect I. M. Pei, who also designed the John F. Kennedy Memorial Library in Boston, among many other famous buildings. In short, visiting the Louvre is one of our favorite things to do in Paris in the winter because its extensive collection will keep you out of the chilly air for hours while you admire some of the world’s most formative artwork.
Ready to explore Paris in winter? Check out our favorite Paris tours.
3. Which religious sites to see in Paris in winter
The City of Light attracts people from all over the globe, and its multicultural population is reflected in the city’s diverse religious institutions. Anybody along the spiritual spectrum can find places to worship throughout Paris, and the stunning beauty of many of these sacred sites is not to be missed, which is why visiting religious sites in Paris in the winter is one of our favorite things to do.
Stand in awe of Sainte-Chapelle
Located just steps from Notre-Dame Cathedral on Ile de la Cite lies this Gothic masterpiece. Decorated with intricate stained glass windows, Sainte-Chapelle was constructed by King Louis IX in the mid-13th century to house relics from medieval Christendom, including Christ’s Crown of Thorns. If you visit during the winter in Paris, be sure to ascend to the site’s upper chapel for a pink-hued sunset that glows through the lens of some of the oldest—and most spectacular—stained glass in Paris.
Visit the Grand Mosque of Paris
Paris’ Grand Mosque was built between 1922 and 1926 and is the third-largest mosque in all of Europe—but it’s more than a holy place. The mosque has become a monument to bravery and kindness in the face of adversity during World War II. During the war, the Parisian Muslim community forged Muslim birth certificates for Jews and other persecuted populations to help them escape the Nazis. They also started hiding those being persecuted in underground tunnels beneath this soaring mosque. When you’re on our London, Paris & Rome tour, use your free time to stop and admire the mosque, with its colorful mosaics and white marble walls creating a relaxing haven to warm up in. No matter your religion, it’s a beautiful place to sit and contemplate the rich history. Pro tip: The mosque has an adjoining cafe for you to sip tea in after your visit.
Headed to Paris in the winter? Check out more sites to visit in France in the winter.
See the Jewish synagogues of Le Marais
Since the 13th century, Le Marais has been the most famous Jewish arrondissement in Paris. Some of its most well-known synagogues are: Synagogue Notre-Dame de Nazareth, Synagogue Agoudas Hakehilos, and Grande Synagogue des Tournelles. Each actively offers services, and they’re all welcoming places for travelers to step indoors from a winter’s day to warm up in and admire. Since this neighborhood has been a haven for Jews for centuries, the food and culture surrounding the synagogues reflect that history. Stop off for falafel or Jewish baked goods, like a pletzel (a flatbread topped with onions and poppy seeds), when strolling around this district. Psst... It’s also known for its fabulous shops, including some of the best thrift stores in Paris.
Learn more about what to do in the famous arrondissement before your trip to Paris in the winter.
4. Where to shop in Paris in winter
Parisian shopping is as iconic and time-honored as a visit to the Eiffel Tower. When you’re in Paris in the winter, take a break from the chilly temps to sift through thrift stores or stroll through holiday markets with a hot mug of mulled wine in hand. Whether you’re spending Christmas in Paris or just picking up souvenirs, you’ll love shopping in Paris in the winter.
Peruse the holiday markets
We enjoy Europe’s holiday markets so much that we have entire tours dedicated to exploring them. So when it comes to visiting Paris’ Christmas markets, we know our way around. They start to pop up in late November and remain open until early January, so planning a winter tour to shop for Christmas in Paris is imperative to get the full holiday market experience. If you’re looking for one of the largest in Paris, you’ll want to find La Defense Christmas Market, which hosts 350 booths for shopping for local goods. If you want to go for a smaller, more intimate shopping experience, Marche de Noel’s selection features 25 curated booths. Whichever you choose, don’t miss out on the vin chaud (mulled wine) to keep you warm as you stroll through the aisles.
Explore the covered passages of Paris
Built in the 18th and 19th centuries, these glass-roofed passageways are decorated in the intricate styles of Art Nouveau, Neoclassical, and Art Deco. And they’re more than just pretty to walk through—they offer protection from inclement weather (Paris’ winter weather is usually between 37-45 F with occasional rain and snow), which makes wandering through them one of our favorite things to do in Paris in winter. The covered passageways run between buildings and are lined with cozy cafes, stores, and restaurants, so whether you’re looking to shop, snack, or both, these unique passageways will keep you happy (and warm).
Check out Paris department stores
If you’re looking for luxury and glamour during winter in Paris, look no further than the city’s chic department stores. One of our favorites is Printemps, located near Notre Dame in the 9th arrondissement. It hosts designer brands like Christian Louboutin and offers fine-dining options (ever craved caviar while shopping?), a cafe whose green circus-tent-like interior will charm and delight you, and more. Meanwhile, Galeries Lafayette will make you feel like you’re shopping in an elaborate opera house, with layers of shops cascading the walls like balcony seats. Pro tip: Shop for gifts for Hanukkah and Christmas in Paris’ Galeries Lafayette, and you’ll also enjoy the shimmering, shining, seasonal decor.
Headed to Paris? Check out everything to know before you go in our Paris Travel Guide: Our favorite things to do and more.
Thea fell in love with travel as soon as she arrived in Venice, Italy on a family trip as a child. Since then, she has made having adventures around the world a priority, with trips like retracing her grandfather’s steps through WWII, climbing glaciers in Alaska, and horseback riding in Iceland. Thea is a nomad at heart, always planning the next trip. In her off-time she is working on a novel inspired by the woman she was named after, mixing cocktails, and watching any procedural crime show she can find.
