7 Best Things to Do in Paris in the Winter 

Paris is a beautiful city to visit in the winter. It’s not as cold as some northern countries, meaning the temperature is just fine for walking around and seeing everything there is to take in at this beautiful city. Truth be told, there’s almost too much to do in Paris when you count museums, historical attractions, eateries, and much more.

Not sure where to start your Paris winter vacation? Check out these seven top things to do in Paris in the winter and beyond!

Ice Skating at the Eiffel Tower

Of course, you have to stop at the Eiffel Tower. But to give this activity a little winter flair, why not try ice skating?

That’s right: you can ice skate at a rink located right near the Eiffel Tower. We certainly can’t imagine a more picturesque backdrop to skate around on the ice with a friend or loved one. However, note that there are plenty of other ice-skating rinks that pop up around the city in the wintertime.

Walk the Champs-Elysees

The Champs-Elysees is one of the most iconic Parisian landmarks, and for good reason. It’s a wide-open street perfect for strolling and it ends at the Arc de Triomphe. What better way is there for you to begin or end your Paris visit in winter than by walking down the Champs-Elysees?

Even better, the regions decorate the Champs-Elysees with colorful lights, winter decorations, and Christmas adornments. All of it combines for a truly magical experience that’s much more memorable than simply walking down a road.

Visit the Louvre (or Other Museums)

The Louvre is arguably the world’s most iconic museum, and it’s not the only museum that Paris has to offer. In fact, this romantic city is home to dozens of quality museums you can and should check out, whether you do so on your first visit or on successive visits.

In fact, there are so many museums to see and so much artwork to take in that odds are you’ll only be able to visit a few museums during this Paris winter visit. Pick out your favorite museums based on the artwork or artifacts they have displayed, then browse to your heart’s content!

Just be aware that these museums take quite a long time to get through! So it might be a good idea to look into luggage storage in Paris, as these services can hold your luggage for you while you tour some stellar museums if you’re still waiting for your hotel room to free up.

Cruise on the Seine River

Maybe you instead want to check out the Seine River, which goes to the heart of Paris. This romantic waterway can be a bit chilly in the winter, but if you take a cruise on it, you can sip hot chocolate, mulled wine, or another warm beverage while taking a tour of the city like no other.

A cruise on the Seine River is particularly fun in the wintertime because you’ll benefit from crisp, clear air as you wind down Paris. There’s so much stunning architecture on display that you won’t be able to keep from turning your head.

Have Hot Chocolate at a French Café

Speaking of hot chocolate and warm beverages, be sure to stop at a French café while visiting Paris in the winter. A good French café will probably have some outdoor seating; whether or not you choose to partake, order a hot chocolate to experience this European delicacy. It’s much better than the American equivalent, we assure you!

Visit the French Christmas Markets

Paris is also home to some excellent Christmas markets. These are the perfect places to pick out some trinkets or souvenirs for your family members back home. Many of these retail gatherings crop up around December 20 and become more common as Christmas draws near. Stop by when the weather is nice for an outdoor shopping experience will never forget.

See the Jardin de Plantes Botanical Gardens

Want an indoor activity instead? The Jardin de Plantes Botanical Gardens feature a sweltering greenhouse to warm up your skin and bones from the winter cold outside.

The tropical rain forest greenhouse is located in the primary botanical Gardens in Paris. The Jardin de Plantes has been in operation for almost 400 years, and it’s a perfect place to learn more about the natural world or enjoy some unique greenery in the coldest, darkest season of the year.

On top of that, it’s very close to the Paris National Museum of Natural History for even more museum delights.

There you have it: seven great ideas to help you jumpstart your Paris winter visit. Just remember that there’s no shame if you don’t cross everything off your list! You can always come back to Paris for another visit in the spring or summer.