Discover in this article:
Paris in winter: there are many advantages to being in the capital during the winter season when it is less-crowded and more tranquil offering wonderful views. It is also the occasion to enjoy cosy spots, welcome retreats from the cold outdoors.
The City of Light has endless places to visit including many that are especially welcoming when temperatures are low.
The houses of Balzac and Victor Hugo, for example, offer all the interest of a museum and the warm atmosphere of a home rolled into one, as well as lots of interesting information about the life of these two illustrious French writers. In the same vein, the museum-studios of Paris offer the opportunity to discover the work of great names in art history in an intimate setting, such as the Bourdelle Museum, the Zadkine Museum, the Gustave Moreau Museum and the Delacroix Museum.
Finally, to keep all the family warm, there is nothing like exploring exotic flora and fauna! Kids and adults love the Grande Serres (hothouses) with their various tropical forests, reconstructed in the heart of the city, at the Jardin des Plantes. Whilst at the Aquarium at Porte Dorée, crocodiles, clown fish and other warm water creatures take visitors to tropical climes.
Even when temperatures drop, Paris invites you to stroll along routes that prioritise charm and comfort. To stay well sheltered, start by exploring the covered passages, these galleries nestled under magnificent 19th-century glass roofs. Heritage enthusiasts will prefer to immerse themselves in the historic heart of Paris or a trip to eastern Paris, renowned for its secret courtyards and picturesque alleyways. Finally, don't miss the must-see attractions: the bohemian atmosphere of the Montmartre district or the timeless elegance of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where you can warm up with a coffee break between stops.
For stage entertainment, catch an afternoon theatre performance or musical at one of Paris’s theatres. The Opéra Garnier offers afternoon performances, as do the theatres Édouard VII, Ranelagh and Odéon. For concerts, musical events and workshops in the morning, evening and at weekends, take a look at the programmes of the Philharmonie de Paris and the Maison de la Radio.
During the day or in the evening, Paris's many circuses offer shows for young and old alike: clowns, trapeze artists and acrobats await you!
Spas are perfect places to relax physically and mentally. In Rue Montorgueil, the stone-vaulted Spa Nuxe features treatment rooms and a sensory pool carved into stone that quickly make you forget the hustle and bustle of neighbouring shops.
Nearby, the Spa dans le Noir offers unforgettable pampering, out of the cold ... in the dark! Near to the Louvre, the Arbre à Sens provides treatments and massages from Africa and Asia, for a unique experience. And finally, on the Left Bank, the Energymer Spa offers a genuine mini thalasso.
And for a moment of relaxation in the oriental style, head to the hammam at the Grande Mosquée de Paris. An authentic place to pamper yourself in a timeless setting. On your way out, don't forget to enjoy a cup of mint tea with a pastry!
Fancy an experience without having to brave the winter winds? VR is an interesting option for escaping the cold: Éternelle Notre-Dame, The Edge, Cité Immersive des Fables, Napoléon, l'Epopée Immersive, La Cité de l'Histoire, The Dark Dreams Paris...
Game enthusiasts can also keep warm by trying one of the many escape games popping up all over the capital: Time Tripper,
Escape Game - Le Grand Rex Paris, Wolf Gang Immersive Game, and more. Major museums and monuments in Paris also organise escape games within their walls, such as the Basilique de Saint-Denis, the Army Museum, the Opéra Garnier and the Château de Vincennes.
Take to the heights and discover a spectacular side of the city.
From the iconic skyline of La Défense to the cultural shores of Sèvres, this route reveals unique panoramas, bold architecture and exceptional museums, perfect for a winter outing combining walks in the fresh air and memorable cultural stops.
Many eateries are particularly suited to winter time especially when you are cold and hungry too.
The Loir dans la Théière tea room in Rue des Rosiers is reputed for its hot drinks and famous cakes and pastries. Opened in 1862, Ladurée Royale is the oldest Parisian tea room whose old-fashioned elegance is a credit to the brand’s pastry tradition.
For evening, the Île restaurant, on the lovely island of Saint-Germain, has a dining room heated by a huge fireplace, as well as a glass conservatory offering customers lovely views of the winter landscape. Chimney places are also part of the decor at the restaurant Coupe-Chou in a 17th century building in Saint Germain des Près; an intimate setting for a stylish dinner. In the heart of the Marais district, the restaurant Robert and Louise is a little piece of countryside regaling guests with traditional cuisine prepared in cooking pots or in the chimney place, visible from the dining room.
Finally, to be sure of finding French winter dishes such as raclette, fondue or tartiflette, we can only recommend the chalet atmosphere of the aptly named Chalet Savoyard in the 11th arrondissement, the ever-present Savoyard passion of the restaurant Les Fondus de la Raclette, with three locations in Paris, the fabulous pierrades at Marmiton de Lutèce on Rue Saint-Séverin, or one of the three locations -in the 3rd, 9th, and 11th arrondissements- of Monbleu.
What if winter was the best time to go shopping? On Boulevard Haussmann, department stores such as Galeries Lafayette and Printemps Haussmann offer an excellent way to shelter from the cold while treating yourself. In Le Marais, BHV Marais is home to a thousand and one treasures to indulge in.
Numerous shopping centres, such as the Passage du Havre, the Forum des Halles and Beaugrenelle Paris, allow you to discover the biggest brands without having to step outside!
For those who want to express their creativity while treating themselves this winter, many establishments combine crafts and catering.
Café tricot, Les Petits Points Parisiens, located in the 18th arrondissement, offers a similar service. Peonies, a florist café in the 10th arrondissement, has dared to combine flowers and catering. After enjoying homemade cakes, pastries or salads, customers leave with a bouquet arranged that same day, even in winter! Some dishes are even garnished with petals.
Finally, for families, Mombini is a furniture shop with a café area for adults, a play area for children and a variety of workshops for everyone: sculpture, yoga, storytelling for children, English lessons and more... everything you need to have a good time in the warmth while leaving winter outside!
