Paris is a mystical destination that is known around the world for its romantic charm and beautiful architecture. A visit to Paris will leave you lusting over this city for many years to come. A hotspot for museums, culture, and some of the finest cuisine in Europe, there’s something magical about France’s famous capital city
In winter the city is even more enchanting. The occasional dusting of snow lining the cobbled streets just makes the city feel more magical. Plus, the biting cold invites you into quaint cafes where you can sit and sip on a hot chocolate whilst you people watch and catch glimpses of some of the trendiest outfits.
Glamour, fashion, food, museums, architecture, elegance, and culture are all attractive characteristics of this majestic city and a great reason to come on a winter escape in Paris.
Fun & Magical Things To Do in Paris in Winter
Take Icy Pictures by the Eiffel Tower
You can’t go to Paris and not visit the Eiffel Tower. The city’s best known landmark, this magnificent iron structure was built in 1889 for the Exposition Universelle that marked the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution.
The tower stands 300 metres tall, and the spire at the tip adds on another 30 metres. It was an ambitious project to take on at the time, and it remains one of the architectural marvels of the world. It took some 300 on-site workers and two years to get the tower erected. Did you know 7,300 tonnes of iron were used to make the Eiffel Tower?
Pictures by the Eiffel Tower are always beautiful, but with the icy chill of the season (and if you’re lucky, some snow!) and a long winter jacket on, they’ll look even more spectacular and classy than usual.
Go Ice Skating
Whether or not you’re a natural on the ice, ice skating is always a giggle. There’s something very picturesque and exciting about going ice skating in the world’s most famous cities, and it’s a joy of visiting Paris in winter that you can’t miss.
The most notorious ice rink in Paris is the Eiffel Tower Ice Rink. It’s built 57 metres off the floor on the first level of the Eiffel Tower. The views are breathtaking, and the unique location of the rink makes this ice skating experience one of a kind.
Another great rink you can try out is the Patinoire Pailleron, which is huge! There’s also the Pationoire Sonja Henie which was named after the Norwegian ice-skating champion Sonja Heinie. It has night-time ice skating and is visited by many fine figure skaters who whirl around the rink, effortlessly gliding and showing off their latest tricks.
Browse the Christmas markets
Christmas markets are delightful anywhere, even in the quietest most secluded towns, but not many can match the Christmas markets in Paris. The twinkling fairy lights, smells of Christmas spices like cinnamon and clove, and cute souvenirs on sale will charm your socks off.
The locals call them Marchés de Noël, and there are dozens to choose from. La Magie de Noel in the Tuileries Garden by the Louvre is the most popular. There are carnival rides (great if you’re travelling with kids!), craft stands, and irresistible food and drink stalls. Another top choice is the La Defense Christmas Market, which has around 350 stalls each year and is a great spot for finding Christmas gifts.
If you’re looking for a small market with some of the finest fashion pieces, head to the artsy Saint-Germain-des-Pres Christmas market next. These are just a few of the many enchanting Christmas markets that come to life in Paris over the winter season.
There’s also the Notre Dame Christmas Market, the Village de Noël du Champ-de-Mars market by the Eiffel Tower, and lesser-known markets like the Hôtel de Ville Christmas Market, the Canopée des Halles Christmas Market, and the quiet and quaint Place des Abbesses Christmas Market in Montmartre that is near the I Love You wall.
Drink Mulled Wine
Wondering how you’re going to keep warm in Paris on your winter visit? Vin chaud! France has some of the best wine in Europe, so there’s no doubt that the French make outstanding mulled wine. The blend of spices, sweet fruit and undertones of a deep red wine are great for lifting your spirits and warming your belly on a cold winter’s day.
Get a little tipsy whilst wandering, and make your way down some of the city’s most beautiful streets, like the Rue Cremieux, Avenue de New York, Avenue de Camoens, Rue de L’Abreuvoir and Rue Norvins, with a vin chaud in your hand.
You can get mulled wine at the Christmas markets and in cute cafes where you can stop and have a break from sightseeing too!
Watch a Show at the Opera National De Paris
When the wind gets too chilly or the rain looks like it’s going to fall for days on end, book a show at the Opera National De Paris and hide away from the cold. Within the walls of the Palais Garnier, you’ll feel like you’ve been swept back in time to the most lucrative periods of this city’s past.
They have different opera and ballet shows that have been winning awards for decades. The interior of the theatre itself is enough to make it worth a visit.
Dine Near the old Sorbonne University
The Sorbonne University was founded in 1257, making it Europe’s oldest college. Most of the professors taught in Latin, so the area slowly became known as the Latin Quarters. The winding cobblestone streets around the university are lined with some of the best cafes and finest restaurants.
After visiting the university and taking a stroll around the Latin Quarter, make time to stop and have a traditional bite to eat at the Le Perraudin, enjoy an on-the-go crepe from La Creperie, have a boutique lunch at the Le Bistro du Perigord, or a fancy dinner at La Table de Colette.
Peer Over the Pont Alexandre III Bridge
The Pont Alexandre III bridge is considered by many to be the most beautiful bridge in the world. It was built between 1896 and 1900 and named after Tsar Alexandre III, a Russian ruler.
The Beaux-Arts architectural style of the bridge is grand and ornate, and there are Art Nouveau lamps that line the bridge and light up the river below. The bridge is watched over by huge gilded statues that run along the bridge until its end near the Grand Palais and Petit Palais.
Get a Fright at the Paris Catacombs
The Paris Catacombs are riddled with history and have an eerie feel to them. It’d be hard not to feel a little on edge as you wander through tunnels lined with human bones that were moved here between 1777 and 1860 from various cemeteries across Paris, like the Saints-Innocents cemetery.
They’ve been visited by famous figures like Napoleon III who came with his son in 1860, and even the Austrian emperor Francis I who visited in 1814. The catacombs have been open since 1809, but it was hard to get authorization to visit at the time. Now, they’re open to everyone.
On a rainy winter’s day, descend into the depths of the catacombs and let yourself be blown away by the neatly stacked bones, a sight that is sure to leave an impression on you. Spooky and unique, it’s the perfect way to make the most of the winter season in Paris.
Drift Down the Seine River
A cruise down the Seine River is an absolute must on your winter escape to Paris. If you’re a couple looking for a touch of romance, this is an especially magical experience. The cruise boats drift lazily along the Seine River, passing by some of the most spectacular buildings in Paris like the Notre Dame, sights of the Eiffel Tower, and the Musee d’Orsay.
Let the cool breeze invigorate you as the sights send you into a hazy daydream. You can have dinner on board some of the tours too! The best time to go is around sunset, when the river lights up in hues of pink and orange.
See A Show at Moulin Rouge
If you haven’t seen the movie yet, watch it. The Moulin Rouge is an iconic theatre that hosts cabaret shows. It’s quintessentially bohemian and one of the most famous sites in Paris. Once an epicentre for artists, rich businessmen, and scandalous women, the Moulin Rouge is still going strong.
It’s also the birthplace of the Can Can dance, which arose during the Belle Epoque, a flourishing and vibrant time in France’s history. Come to one of their shows and let the actors and dancers seduce you from the stage, covered in lustrous gems and bright feathers.
Get your glad-rags on, there’s a (semi)smart dress code at the Moulin Rouge, the perfect excuse to dress up and show off your finest outfits in one of the trendiest cities of the world. They have shows twice a day, one at 9PM and another at 11PM. If you want to have dinner there you can attend the 7PM dinner before the show too – book in advance!
Wander Across the Pont de Arts Bridge
Pont des Arts is a bridge covered in locks that have the names of couples etched into them. The idea is that you go there with your partner, attach the lock to the bridge, and then throw the key into the river – an act that secures your eternal love!
Whether you want to come and tie the knot by attaching a love lock to The Pont des Arts, or you just want to come and browse the names on the locks, the Pont de Arts bridge is a renowned piece of Parisian architecture.
It could also be fun to attach a lock with yours and a friend’s name. Or you could etch a promise to yourself into it – there’s no reason for the couples to be the only ones having fun at the Pont de Arts bridge!
There you have it, 11 amazing things to do in Paris in Winter. Now you can see why Paris is a popular winter destination!
France Inspiration
Looking for more inspiration for your upcoming trip to France? These might help:
- Best Places To Visit in Northern France
- Provins: A Great Day Trip from Paris
- 35 Books Set in France
- Amazing Castles in South France
- Beautiful Towns in Dordogne
- Wine Tasting in Corsica
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