Coming to Paris in December? Live in Paris and wondering what to do in Paris in Winter? December is the month to enjoy all things Christmas in our beautiful city, so turn on some Christmas music, sit down with a cup of French hot cocoa and plan out all the fun and festive things you will do for the month ahead!
Paris in December Weather
The weather in Paris tends to be on the cold and windy, ranging from 3° – 7° C (37.4° F to 44.6° F). Sometimes it rains and sometimes it even snows. (If you get a chance to see Paris in the snow, it is really magical and you will never forget it! More on this later.) December is a beautiful time to visit Paris and see it in all of its Christmas glory.
Paris in December temperatures
- Minimum temperature: 37.4° F/ 3° C
- Maximum temperature: 44.6° F/ 7° C
- Average temperature: 39.2° F/ 4° C
- Average rainfall: 1.9 inches/ 49 millimeters
Book your skip-the-line ticket to the Louvre here!
What to pack for Paris in December
- Soft, light weight sweaters – I love traveling with one to three lightweight cashmere sweaters. I wear these all the time here in Paris too. They are light and easy to travel with and add immediate warmth and class to any outfit.
- Cozy accessories – bring a hat, scarf and gloves to keep you warm.
- Warm boots – the weather will be chilly and you will be happiest if your feet are toasty warm as you go for long walks throughout Paris.
- Rainboots
- A sturdy umbrella – You may also want to bring a sturdy umbrella. When it rains here in Paris in Dcember, the wind tends to blow quite strongly. Or you could pick up a cute one once you’re here (sur place!), at Monoprix.
- A high quality camera – you’ll want to make sure your camera is good quality and can capture photos in low light situations. Paris is a bit dark and overcast in December during the day and you’ll want to take photos of the seasonal decorations at night too.
Pro tip : I always recommend that people pack light when they come to Paris and leave space in their suitcase, or even pack an extra (empty) bag, if possible to have room to bring home goodies from your travels. We tend to travel with a carry-on only when we travel and try to leave some room in the suitcase for whatever we decide to buy to bring home during our trip.
10 Reasons to Visit Paris in December
- Christmas decorations and lights
- Christmas markets
- Seasonal foods and pastries
- There are photo opps everywhere
- The scent of Winter in Paris
- Christmas windows in all the boutiques
- The beautiful Christmas packaging of all of our favorite products (looking at you, macaron boxing at Laduree)
- Hot Winter drinks in all the Parisian cafes
- You might see snow
- It’s romantic
Paris in December : Things to Do
Go to the Christmas markets (one of my favorite activities in Paris in December!)
Visiting a Parisian Christmas market in December definitely needs to be on your Paris bucketlist! There are few things I love more in life than Christmas markets. Just writing this makes me giddy and so excited to spend time in the Parisian Christmas markets this December.
Related : Christmas in Paris
There are several Christmas markets throughout Paris. Make sure you go to the Tuileries , Le Champs de Mars and La Defense.
We have a few Christmas market traditions that we go back to year after year. We also visit the Parisian Christmas markets several times during the month of December and make sure we enjoy each of our traditions.
- Stop by the Champagne bar – Make sure you visit the Champagne bar for a glass of bubbly.
- Have a glass of mulled wine – as you walk around the market.
- Eat a Norvegian salmon sandwich – the salmon is roasted in front of your eyes over a fire and then put into a salmon sandwich.
- Try a saucisse aligot – a traditional French dish from the — region, featuring a sausage and mashed potatoes filled with — cheese from the Auvergne.
Related : Don’t Miss These 8 Foods in Paris!
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Enjoy a Seine Dinner Cruise on the Seine (another fantastic Paris in December activity!)
Cruising up and down the Seine is definitely a bucket list experience, rain or shine, any time of the year. Imagine eating a luxurious, gastronomic meal on Christmas Eve in Paris while cruising down the Seine on a luxury yacht. Pure magic.
Book your Seine Dinner Cruise here!
Go to a Museum
During the colder months of the year, we love going to museums. Paris has so many fantastic museums – big and small.
If you have already visited the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay go back (there is so much more to see!), or choose one of the gorgeous smaller museums in Paris.
If you are planning to go to several museums during your time in Paris, consider getting the Paris Museums Pass which provides access to 60 museums and monuments.
Book your ticket to go up the Eiffel Tower here!
Step into the wonderful world of antique fairgrounds in Paris at the Musée des Arts Forain
Don’t miss the Musée des Arts Forains! This treasure of a museum only opens for a handful of days each year. You can visit as part of a group or on your own. In 2023/2024, you can visit from December 27th, 2023 – January 7th 2024. Look at their website for more information.
Get your Paris Museums Pass and Get Access to 60 Museums and Monuments!
Sit in a Parisian café
Sitting in a Parisian cafe is the perfect activity any month of the year in my opinion. Paris has a fabulous coffee culture and you will love sitting in a cafe and people watching, chatting with your love or friends or reading a good book.
Related : Cafe Kitsune Paris
Go ice skating
Raise your hand if you love ice skating!
There are several places where you can ice skate in Paris during the month of December.
- La Defense Christmas Market
- Le Grand Palais
- Le Champ-de-Mars Christmas Market
- Jardin des Tuileries Christmas Market
- AccorHotels Arena
- Galeries Lafayette
Enjoy the Christmas decorations (don’t miss these if you visit Paris in December!)
I’m talking about street, cafe, restaurant and hotel decorations here. (More on window decorations later in this post.)
All of Paris is beautiful throughout December and the entire holiday season but there are a few places that have the best decorations, so you will want to make sure you visit those. It’s best to visit at night when everything is lit up.
Favorite places to see and enjoy Christmas decorations in Paris are the rue Faubourg Saint Honoré, the Champs Elysées and the Place de la Madeleine.
Visit a Christmas Crèche (A Christmas Nativity Scene)
Whether you are religious or not, it is beautiful to visit churches this time of year. In Paris, the majority of churches are Catholic and they host a Christmas crèche. Each church has their own crèche style.
Some of the best to visit are
- Eglise de la Madeleine
- Notre Dame de Paris (still closed for renovation after the terrible fire of 2019)
- Saint Germain l’Auxerrois
- Saint Sulpice
- Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre (my favorite church in Paris)
Have hot chocolate and a Mont Blanc pastry at Angelina
We love Angelina at any time of the year, but it is especially magical in December. They are famous for their African hot chocolate so make sure you order a pitcher. It is absolutely one of the best hot chocolates in Paris.
Want to really go all out? Pair your Angelina hot chocolate with a Mont Blanc pastry.
What is a Mont Blanc pastry you ask? The perfect dessert in my opinion! A French meringue center, covered with French chantilly whipped cream and wrapped in copious amounts of chestnut cream. Divine!
If the line is just too long to wait which does happen, especially on the weekend, you can skip the line to the right and head inside to order hot chocolate and a Mont Blanc to take away. (Eat it in the Tuileries across the street.) If you are just getting hot chocolate, they sometimes even put a take away “à emporter” stand outside.
Related : Non Touristy Things to Do in Paris
Go to see the giant Christmas tree at Galeries Lafayette
The Christmas tree at the Galeries Lafayette is giant and beautiful and definitely worth a visit if you are in Paris in December.
Admire the Christmas windows at Printemps and Galeries Lafayette
When I lived in the 8th arrondissement, down the street from Printemps and Galeries Lafayette, my nightly walk with our pups consisted of visiting the Christmas windows at Printemps and Galeries Lafayette all December long.
The windows are beautiful. The themes are different each year and I have a generally have a slight preference for the Printemps windows (they tend to be chicer whereas the Galeries Lafayette windows are a little kitschier), but this could change any year.
Visit early in the morning or late at night for fewer crowds.
Head to the Jardin des Plantes for a beautiful, animal-filled light show
Last year, we had the joy of attending the Espèces en Voie d’Illumination event in the Jardin des Plantes. This year the theme is the ocean with the beautiful Océan en Voie d’Illumination. We highly recommend going, it is stunning!
Take a Montmartre Cheese, Wine & Pastry Tour
Explore one of the most beautiful parts of Paris on a Montmartre Cheese, Wine & Pastry tour!
What better way to explore Paris in December than through it’s food, wine and pastries?
Book your Montmartre Cheese, Wine & Pastry Tour!
Walk through the snow in Montmartre (such a romantic activity if you happen to be here in Paris in December and it snows!)
Ok, for this one, I admit you are dependant on the weather, but I hope it snows while you’re here. Paris covered in snow is breathtaking. It doesn’t snow often, but when it does, it is absolutely gorgeous.
Two years ago, we had one magical day when Paris was covered in a blanket of snow. Hugo and I headed out early in the morning and spent the day walking through Montmartre, taking photos of the snow. Last year it snowed again and we were able to capture Palais Royal under the snow. So beautiful!
Go out for a festive meal
Paris has so many fabulous restaurants to choose from. If you will be in Paris in December and would like a lovely festive option, choose from our list below.
- Le Grand Colbert – this restaurant has been a Parisian institution since it opened its doors in 1900. It was featured in the movie “Something’s Gotta Give” as well.
- Le Train Bleu – this stunning Belle Epoque restaurant in the Gare de Lyon train station dates all the way back to 1901. They offer several different menus and a la carte dining at lunch and dinner as well.
- Brasserie La Lorraine – if your dreams of Paris involve a seafood platter, don’t miss this gorgeous brasserie. They go all out for Christmas which adds to the charm of going here for a special lunch or dinner in December.
- Verjus – this gem of a restaurant offers seasonal produce and French classics with a modern twist. They offer a special New Year’s Eve menu too.
- Bouillon Julien – this fabulous restaurant is one of the finest examples of Art Nouveau style in the World. Constructed by Edouard Fournier in 1906. In addition to being absolutely stunning, this restaurant is extremely affordable. As a “bouillon”, the concept is to serve traditional French dishes like foie gras, boeuf bourguignon, tarte tatin and more, at a very affordable price, think a saucisse puree for 10€, escargots for 8€ and salted caramel rice pudding for 3€. A fantastic deal and a memorable experience!
- Bouillon Chartier – as a traditional “bouillon”, the Bouillon Chartier also follows the delicious, traditional French food at affordable prices.
Take a Paris “New York Times Journeys” Food and Wine Tour
Take a tour inspired by the much-loved “36 Hours” travel column in “The New York Times.” Learn about the mix of architectural styles in the city. Taste delicious local food and wine and explore a lesser-known neighborhood and a covered market.
Book the Paris “New York Times Journeys” Food and Wine Tour
Go to the spa
It can be pretty cold in Paris in December. Why not head to the spa for a day of relaxation? There are several gorgeous spas in Paris to choose from. You will be spoiled for choice!
We love the Charme d’Orient Spa. The offer a variety of fantastic spa treatments for individuals and couples. You can read about our Couples Turkish Bath Experience in Paris here!
More festive experiences to have, just outside of Paris, in December
The Christmas Experience at Vaux-le-Vicomte
Vaux-le-Vicomte is magical any time of year, but it especially incredible all decked out for the Christmas season. Read more and book your tickets directly on the Vaux-le-Vicomte website or join a small group tour and visit 3 Loire Valley châteaux in one magical day!
Where to stay in Paris
- Le Pavillon de la Reine Hotel & Spa – a gorgeous luxury hotel right in the Place des Vosges in the heart of the Marais.
- Maison Souquet – a gorgeously romantic boutique hotel in the 9th arrondissement.
- Hotel Parister – a trendy boutique hotel (complete with pool) for couples or families in the 9th arrondissement.
- Hotel du Louvre – a stunning luxury hotel across from the Palais Royal that has recently undergone a beautiful renovation.
**See more Paris accommodation to suit your style and budget here.**
More Things to Do in Paris
- Afternoon Tea at Le Meurice Paris
- Bouillon Chartier Paris
- Couples Turkish Bath Experience in Paris
- Don’t Miss These Small Museums in Paris!
Planning to visit Paris at another time?
Do You Travel for Food? Plan Your Meals in Paris with Our Paris Food Guide by Clicking Below
Paris in December
Your guide to everything to see, do and eat in Paris in December.
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First published December 7, 2019. Last updated October 10, 2023 with more information, additional tips, and better readability.
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