Why You Should Brave Paris Weather in December and Visit at Christmas

By Alice Ross | EUROPE

Dec 19
paris weather in december

When you think of Paris in December, the first things that come to your mind may well be images of cold, wet, icy weather and near-perpetual darkness.

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Why you should brave Paris weather in December and visit at Christmas

While it's true that the Paris weather in December can be a little unfriendly, don't let it put you off a winter trip to the city of love. Paris always has a rich array of sights and activities, and December is no exception.

Don't worry if you're a little tight on money, check out my article about Paris on a budget.

Shopping

Something that has been drawing visitors to Paris for generations is the shopping. At Christmas time the retail industry goes into overdrive and it seems every store is competing for attention with over-the-top displays. If you’re visiting with kids, the toy shops are a particular highlight. Try searching out the Passage des Princes in the Galeries Lafayette for an overwhelming range of toy displays and demonstrations in a beautiful setting.

louvre

The chocolate shops of Paris could almost warrant their own visit, and are certainly at their peak in the run up to Christmas. The area of Saint Germain is full of excellent Chocolatiers and is definitely worth a visit. Many of the best are located close together here, so can be easily incorporated into a walking shopping tour, and provide another great gift buying opportunity.

Pierre Marcolini is a very highly rated example of an expert Chocolatier. His store features a winter collection that should not be missed. À la Mère de Famille is one of the oldest Chocolatiers in the city (it opened in 1761) and is the perfect spot to get a truly authentic historic shopping experience.

Snow

While the Paris weather in December may not always play ball, if the conditions are just right, you might be lucky enough to see some snow. The city can somehow become more beautiful when covered in a white blanket. What could be better than a stroll through crisp white snow along the banks of the Seine. Keen photographers have the potential to catch some mind blowing shots at this time of year. Just remember to keep warm and dry. Packing a hat, coat and gloves is essential to avoid misery!

paris snow

Food and Drink

Of all the things that the French take seriously, food probably tops the list. French food is also very popular outside the country, and is seen as some of the most refined, extravagant and downright delicious in the entire world. It’s no surprise then that winter and Christmas see a whole new array of dishes appear in restaurants all over Paris to cater for locals and tourists alike and to match the colder winter weather outside.

A personal favourite is Tartiflette, a mix of bacon, onion and potato covered in melted cheese. Or how about a traditional Cassoulet, a stew of beans and duck that warms the soul.

croissant

In terms of drinking, you could try sampling some rich Syrah, or a full-bodied oaky Chardonnay to combat the freezing temperatures. If you’re in need of a more powerful winter pick-me-up, try a French Brandy or even the famously potent Absinthe to melt away the icicles.

Fashion

Parisians definitely care about how they look, and fashion is an hugely important to the city as a whole. The arrival of winter weather is another opportunity for them to show off new styles of warm clothing. You could easily spend an entire holiday exploring the boutiques stores scattered around the city in search of the latest fashions, or simply being inspired by the stylish locals parading around the streets.

Beauty

sainte chapelle

One of the most striking things about the city in the time around Christmas is the sheer beauty of the decorations. The entire city is filled with stunning light displays, hangings and christmas trees. When you experience the scale of the illuminations first hand, it is easy to see why the French call their capital ‘La Ville-Lumière’, or The City of Lights.

These mesmerising lights are yet another perfect opportunity for some impressive and memorable photographs to show off to everyone back home. A few of the
best spots to experience the illuminated beauty of the city are the Champs-Elysées and the Eiffel Tower, as well as the magnificent display at the Galeries Lafayette.

If you’re willing to venture outside the city a little, the Palace of Versailles is another fabulous experience. Aside from attraction that is the palace and grounds, there are markets, light displays and Christmas trees over the Christmas period which are well worth a visit.

Markets

paris

Winter markets are an absolute delight in Paris, and December is without a doubt the best time to experience the best festive food, drink and other produce that the city can provide. Not only do the markets provide a great shopping and gift buying opportunity, but they also have light displays and activities. Dozens of these markets happen every December so there will be no shortage of places to find crafts, trinkets and gastronomic delights. Some of the best can be found here.

Festive Activities

Paris hosts countless exciting, cultural and unique activities for all ages and tastes throughout the month of December. There are plenty of options both outdoors and under cover so whatever the weather, you'll never be bored. The city is alive with ice skating (there’s even a rink set up in the Eiffel Tower, above the city skyline), grottos, and other exciting sights and activities. If you’re looking to keep the kids happy, you could fully embrace the festive cheesiness by visiting a ​Christmas-themed Disneyland.

If you're
planning a trip with the kids, take a look at our guide on where to stay with children in Paris.

paris eiffel

Conclusion

So, I hope you've been convinced to overlook the Paris weather in December and try a Winter excursion to the city. It doesn’t matter if you're looking for delicious food and drink, high fashion, present shopping or just want to experience the stunning beauty of the city in a different way, it will certainly not disappoint.

Thanks for reading, and if you have any more questions please feel free to ask in the comments section below.

Happy travels!

Rating: 4.67 (3 votes)

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Alice Ross, a long-term traveler who left the corporate world to travel the world. I chose to live life on my own phase and live day by day while immersing myself in new experiences, new knowledge, and new people in a different walk of life I met along the way.

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