10 things to see and do in Paris in winter

Although there is the thought that the Parisian weather in winter can make the vacations not as pleasant as in other seasons, the truth is that the attractions of Paris at this time of the year are many and in winter there are activities that are impossible to find in other seasons and that will make you not want to leave the city to continue enjoying it.

As Christmas approaches, actually since a few weeks before, Paris is filled with ice skating rinks for everyone to enjoy. Some of them, moreover, are located in really fantastic places:

• Among the most recommended are those of Le Grand Palais, open also for the New Year's Eve party. This rink, from a certain time of the night, practically turns into a disco where you can dance with your skates.
• The rink located in the Jardin des Tuileries is not far behind in terms of spectacular surroundings.
• The rink located on the terrace of the Galeries Lafayette will allow you to enjoy a great view of the Eiffel Tower and the Opera.
• A rink is also usually installed at the Trocadero, although depending on the circumstances it can be moved to the Champs de Mars.

Most of these rinks are free, although you will have to pay for equipment rental if you don't bring your own.

Skate at the Eiffel Tower

If there is a skating rink located in an unforgettable place, it's the Eiffel Tower. If you travel to Paris you will know that it is a climb that you can not miss and whose entrance I recommend you book in advance. If your stay is in winter you can also skate on the first level of the monument, about 57 meters above the ground.

Paris in winter has as one of its main attractions to stroll, shop and have a drink in their Parisian Christmas markets. Keep in mind that, despite being related to those dates, some open as early as mid-November.

These markets are composed of several huts and stalls selling all kinds of local specialties. There you can try gingerbread, roasted chestnuts and, of course, a nice glass of mulled wine to chase away the cold.

Although there are a large number of markets, I recommend that you do not miss the one in Saint Germain des Prés square, the one in Abbesses square in Montmartre and the one in the Champs Elysées. A great plan is to book a tour of the Montmartre district and enjoy the charms of Christmas.

Those who want to get away from the more typical tours of Paris and are looking for something really original should not miss a visit to the Musée des Arts Forains, which opens its doors to all visitors during the celebration of the Festival du Merveilleux.

During these days you can also see various performances by magicians, dancers, musicians, storytellers or acrobats. The site is divided into four thematic areas: the Théâtre du Merveilleux, the Carnival of Venice, its magnificent gardens (decorated for the occasion) and a replica of a Belle Époque fairground.

Practical information

• Venue: the activities take place at the Musée des Arts Forains, in the Pavillons de Bercy.
• Hours: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
• Price: adults pay around 20 €, while children only pay around 12 €. Children under 3 years old can enter for free.

Although less known than that of other cities, the Paris Carnival fills the streets of the city with color, music and festivities. It is led by a cow representing the Promenade du Boeuf-Gras ("the parade of the fat cow"), the former name of the Paris Carnival, and the rest of the parade is made up of acrobats and all kinds of artists, not forgetting the recently added Brazilian samba groups.

This festival, held in February in Paris, heralds the end of winter. In its early days it took place at the beginning of that month, but today it starts just the Sunday before Mardi Gras, 40 days before Lent. Apart from the parade, Paris also offers during these days a lot of dance, live music and circus shows.

Practical information

• Place of the parade: the parade usually starts around 13:00 at the Place Gambetta and goes through some of the most central streets until it reaches the Place de la République.

With the arrival of Christmas, Paris does more honor than ever to its nickname of City of Lights. Among the more than 150 streets that are decorated and illuminated every year for the enjoyment of adults and children, there are some places that no one who is in Paris in December and early January should miss. Among them, the Champs Elysees, the Avenue Montaigne or the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré.

As could not be less, also the main monuments of Paris look spectacular lighting:

• If the Eiffel Tower is already worth contemplating at night, at this time of the year its vision is even more impressive.
• The same goes for other buildings such as the Arc de Triomphe.
• And of course the Opera Garnier.

A perfect plan to enjoy the Christmas lights, take shelter from the winter cold and rest your legs after a day of intense sightseeing is to book a seat on the Big Bus, the tourist bus in Paris. Sounds appealing, doesn't it?

One of the most special winter activities are the Pantheon Nights. If you participate, you will not only have fun, but you will also learn part of the history of this prestigious Parisian monument. The activity, held at night, consists of a game based on questions and with the help of a simple flashlight. They are usually held during the 8 Wednesdays between mid-November and the first days of February.

As a curiosity (and in case you have to answer the question), this monument (built between 1764 and 1790) was for a long time the tallest in Paris. It is located in the Latin Quarter, very close to the Luxembourg Gardens.

It's not all about activities, excursions to Versailles from Paris or visiting the best museums in the French capital when you travel to Paris. So, trying the typical winter dishes should also be part of your Parisian experience.

As it happens in other countries, French gastronomy changes as the weather gets colder. Whether you hire a gastronomic tour of Paris or choose the restaurants on your own, there are some dishes that you should not miss:

• One of the most traditional and best in winter is the fantastic onion soup.
• Of course, crepes are another must-try food. While it is true that you will find them all year round, in winter it is well worth looking for one of the best creperies in Paris and sit down to taste them.
• Nothing better to accompany a snack or breakfast than ordering a hot chocolate, a drink very appreciated by Parisians during the coldest time of the year.

If you love shopping, there is no doubt that Paris can be your paradise. One of the advantages of traveling in winter is that you will find yourself in the middle of the sales season. The sales start at the beginning of January in Paris and last for about 5 weeks.

Discounts are not limited to stores with average quality products, but also department stores in the so-called Golden Triangle (in the area of the Opera / Haussman) lower their prices considerably. So, it is the best time to enter the Galeries Lafayette or Le Printemps to look for a bargain.

For those looking for the best opportunities there is nothing better than the outlet centers. In these outlet stores you will find high quality products with discounts that can reach up to 80% of their normal price.

Paris is no exception and its Chinese community takes care of decorating the neighborhoods where they live with colorful and colorful decorations. The Chinese New Year does not have a fixed date, but it is always celebrated between January 21 and February 19 each year.

The celebrations include parades, songs and various types of street performances, among which the lion and dragon dances stand out for their aesthetics.

On the other hand, this date can also be perfect to visit some museums other than the traditional ones. In Paris, along with the Louvre and the Orsay, there are also others such as the Paris Beijing gallery, dedicated to traditional and contemporary Asian art.

Viewing Paris from the Eiffel Tower, the Montparnasse Tower (included if you purchase the Paris Pass) or any of the other viewpoints in Paris is always a rewarding experience. However, the atmosphere created by winter gives the capital a totally different look.

Those who are enjoying the French capital during those months have, in addition to the above mentioned viewpoints, another impressive place to observe Paris from above: the Ferris wheel on the Place de la Concorde.

The Ferris wheel has 42 cabins and is installed on the Champs Elysees. Every year it is used by more than 300,000 people eager to reach the top, which is 65 meters high. From it you can see perfectly the Louvre, the Tuileries garden and many other attractions of the city. Although it is a matter of luck, the best time to climb the Ferris wheel is after a good snowfall. The sight of Paris dyed in white is absolutely unforgettable.

Winter in Paris is usually quite cold, although what can really bother travelers the most is the possibility of rain. To be on the safe side, it is best to check the weather forecast a few days before traveling.

The maximum temperatures stay at about 5º on average, but some days can drop to around 0º. The minimums, meanwhile, average about 3º, reaching -3º at the coldest times.

Although it does not happen every year, it is not uncommon for it to snow during the Parisian winter. If it happens while you are there, my advice is to enjoy the white sights of the city.

The winter cold in Paris is something to keep in mind when packing. If you are traveling between November in Paris and March in Paris you can not forget to fill your suitcase with warm clothes: thick sweaters, warm socks, hat, gloves, scarves and even some thermal garments. Of course, a good jacket is also a must.

As for shoes, they should combine comfort with warmth. I also recommend that they have a good grip in case it snows during your stay.

One of the aspects that is often forgotten when planning a trip is the amount of daylight hours you will have. This can make all the difference in the planning of your stay.

In Paris in winter the sun rises around 8:30 am and sets around 4:50 pm. This means that, from that time, everything you do will be during the night.

Fortunately, the monuments and squares of Paris have a very good lighting, something that is accentuated if you travel at Christmas in Paris.