If you’ve often wondered what makes the City of Love all the more lovable when it’s draped in snow, here’s your chance to find out! Resonating with festive cheer and offering breathtaking vistas to visitors, the most famous city in the world turns into an irresistible paradise in the winter. Whether you play in the snow or gaze at white landscapes stretching into infinity from the Eiffel Tower, you’d always be surprised at how beautiful this city is, even in the cold season. All you have to do is fly off to Paris in December to check out those vintage streets, picture-perfect cafes lit Christmas markets, and ancient monuments sprinkled with crisp snow, and we bet you wouldn’t want to return home!
10 Fun Things To Do In Paris In December
You can’t miss these exciting experiences in Paris if you visit it during the winter season.
1. The Louvre Museum – See Snow-Covered Glass Pyramids
The gallery harbors the world’s largest and most diverse collection of pre-20th-century artwork, including paintings, sculptures, decorative installations, and more. Every year, this site welcomes many tourists to bask in the glory of the world-renowned Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. When you’re here in December, check out all of its famous artwork like Vermeer, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and countless others. Besides the art inside, you must also check out the creativity outside! The three glass pyramids outside are strategically positioned and equally intriguing, holding a lot of mystery and historical significance.
Location: Musée du Louvre, Porte des Lions, Galerie du Carrousel
Entry fee: Find details regarding admission fee, opening hours, and rules here.
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2. Eiffel Tower – Get To The Top For Breathtaking Views
This tower is one of the most recognised icons in the world and also its favourite symbol of elegance and love! Travellers love to visit the Eiffel Tower in winter as the weather in Paris in December gives the most stunning displays of this snow-sprinkled city, especially at night when festive lights illuminate it. Since its renovation, the tower now has solar panels and glass-floored observation platform,s, which will make your experience more magical!
Location: On the Champ de Mars in midwest Paris, near Bir Hakeim metro line
Timings: 9:30 AM – 11 PM for the tower | 9:30 AM – 11:45 PM for elevator | 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM (12:30 PM in summer) for stairs
3. Luxembourg Gardens – Take A Stroll Through Narnia
Inspired by the Boboli Gardens in Florence, the Luxembourg Gardens are spread over an area of more than 25 hectares of land. The garden complex is split into the French gardens and English gardens and offers charming attractions like a geometric forest, a large pond, a rose garden, an apple orchard, over 106 statues, the gigantic Medici fountain, plenty of orchid-filled greenhouses, and an apiary to show people the art of bee-keeping. When covered in snow in December, the park will let you enjoy numerous experiences like watching puppet shows, riding the slides, playing games like chess, and taking a walk through this enchanting white forest!
Timings: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM or 9:30 PM according to season
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4. Grand Palais De Glaces – Go Ice-Skating
It is always recommended to keep yourself active in the chilly weather, and Paris has something exciting to help you do that! So, get out of your blanket, out on your ice skates, and get to this amazing place with the best ice rink to let you skate around. Sometimes there’s also a DJ who plays here to let couples and families with kids have a fun time on the ice with some music. If not here, you can also head to the ice rink at Hotel de Ville, which offers ice-skating for quite a cheaper price if you’re going to Paris in December.
Location: 3 Avenue du Général Eisenhower, 75008 Paris, France
5. Notre Dame Christmas Market – Buy Baubles & Candy Canes
Set up right next to the famed Notre Dame every December, Marché de Noël Christmas market is your one-stop destination for everything festive and Christmassy! From mini Christmas trees, mulled wine, regional artisan gifts, roasted chestnuts, plum cakes, to a variety of Christmas tree decorations, you’ll find everything here. If you’re lucky, you may even be rewarded with a glass of vin chaud by Santa himself while you’re wandering around this picturesque market (not kidding!) in Paris in late December. Other than festive stuff, you will also find a great selection of clothing and accessories here.
Location: Notre Dame
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6. Seine River Cruise – Sail Away
There’s nothing like cruising on the most scenic waterways of Europe – the Seine in Paris! An absolute delight for couples, this cruise offers guests an unforgettable experience of witnessing Paris’s lit skyline from the open air decks of a luxurious cruise vessel. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy a lavish dinner with your loved ones onboard while the cruise drifts past the iconic landmarks of Paris in December, glittering in the dark. You can book your cruise tour via the Bateaux-Mouches or the Bateaux Parisiens, the most famous boat tour operators in the city.
Starting price INR 1,200/-
7. Arc De Triomphe – Marvel At The Symbol Of Power
Built by Napoleon 1 in 1806, Paris’s Arc de Triomphe is recognized worldwide as an essential symbol of Parisian pomp and elegance. This majestic arc is more than 160 feet tall and sits right in the middle of the Champs-Elysées, the most iconic avenue in the street. A site of major historical significance, this handsome attraction is known for its beautiful architecture, which is amplified when it is covered in snow in winter. In addition to the snow, it offers stunning views of the sunset in December in Paris. Christmas week is the best time to see this epitome of power and victory when it’s all decked up in beautiful lights and the streets surrounding it.
Location: Place Charles de Gaulle
Timings: 10 AM – 11 PM (summer) | 10 AM – 10 PM (winter)
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8. Latin Quarter – Have A Coffee Date!
Located near the prestigious Sorbonne University in Paris, the Latin Quarter is a happening locality in the city which is more of a beautifully decorated traditional space lined with cafes, markets, gardens, and trees. The old-worldly European houses and colourful sidewalk cafes with flowers and macarons in their windows make the whole space look like a pretty Parisian postcard! And this beauty just doubles up during Christmas time when the streets are decorated with colourful lights, Christmas trees, bells, and the delicious aroma of freshly baked cakes and cinnamon buns hangs in the air. With a simple coffee and cake at these cafes, the biting temperature in Paris in December won’t seem to bother you anymore!
Location: Place de la Sorbonne, Latin Quarter, near to St-Michel and Cluny La Sorbonne metro line
9. Opera National De Paris – Watch An Opera Performance
Your trip isn’t complete if you haven’t watched a captivating show (or two) of Opera or ballet which is synonymous with Paris! Grab a seat in the striking interiors of the grand Opera National De Paris, where the award-winning performances of Opera and ballet are as bewitching as the grand interiors of this palace! The true symbol of luxury, elegance, and class, this opulent palace will offer you the best kind of entertainment ever amidst a sea of luxurious amenities. All you gotta do is don your tuxedo or put on a sparkling gown for an unforgettable night far away from the chilly winds and snowy streets of Paris in December.
Location: 8 rue Scribe, Place de l’Opera, Paris 75009
Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM
Entry fee: Starting at INR 540/- to INR 850/- per person for unguided tour | INR 1,200/- per person for guided tour
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10. Disneyland Paris – Forget Adulting For A Day!
How can we talk about Paris and not mention Disneyland? Grab your tickets and enter your favourite fairy tale as you visit Disneyland Paris in December. Enjoy as many attractions and shows as possible to relive your childhood at this world-renowned theme park that is loved by people from all walks of life around the world. From Madagascar’s Alex and Frozen’s Elsa to MARVEL’s Iron Man, you can meet all your favorite characters here. Watch exciting shows, enjoy fun rides, eat burgers and tacos, and buy attractive merchandise on your tour to Disneyland this winter!
Location: Marne-la-Vallée, Paris
Timings: 10 AM to 8:30 PM for the Disneyland Park | 10 AM to 6 PM for Walt Disney Studios
Where To Stay In Paris In December
Looking for comfortable accommodation options in the city that fit your pocket? Here are a few of the best ones where you can snuggle up and enjoy the cold winter season in Paris.
1. Holiday Inn Paris-Gare De l’Est
Tucked near the Notre Dame and Louvre Museum, this ultra-modern hotel bears spacious rooms with colorful decor and all modern amenities. It is also straightforward to reach since it is close to the Gare de l’Est. Station. The access stairs to this high-speed train station are merely a few steps away from the hotel entrance, and a train from here will get you to all the premier attractions in Paris like the Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees, Louvre Museum, Disneyland Paris, or the Stade de France stadium.
Location: 5 Rue du 8 Mai 1945, 75010 Paris, France
Starting price: INR 7,200/-
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2. Novotel Tour Eiffel Hotel
The Novotel Hotel in Paris is tucked in the very heart of the city and gives guests stunning views of both the Seine and the Eiffel Tower. Equipped with a business centre on one hand and kid-friendly activities on the other, it is ideal for business travellers and families with kids. Famous attractions like the Champs-Elysees, the Louvre, and Notre Dame are within walking distance from this comfortable and lavish abode. Complete with restaurants, a bar, an indoor pool, a fitness room, free WIFI, and a secure car park, this luxurious property is the perfect place for your holiday in Paris in December.
Location: 61 Quai de Grenelle, 75015 Paris France
Starting price: INR 11,000/-
Reasons For Visiting Paris In December
Here’s why you must check out this beautiful city when it’s all draped in crisp white snow in the winter season:
- It’s Christmas time! There will be Christmas trees, carols, plum cakes, and presents!
- Ice skating begins in this season.
- You’ll get hotel rooms at dirt-cheap rates.
- That annoying crowd of tourists will be gone!
- Cuddle up in a lovely French cafe, sip on hot chocolate, and watch the snowfall from the window! Sounds comforting, doesn’t it?
- The snow-draped monuments will look all the more magical in the golden sunlight!
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What To Pack For Paris In December
We agree that Paris is the most fashion-friendly city in the world, but since it’ll also be really cold, you need to bundle up well. Here are some essential things you need to pack for the weather in Paris in December.
- Layers of thin wool or cotton sweaters
- Scarves, shawls, or stoles
- Coats and jackets
- Woollen socks
- Waterproof gloves
- Umbrella or raincoat
- Comfortable and sturdy shoes or boots
- Caps and hats
Weather In Paris In December
If you’re going to Paris in December, you should expect rather chilly weather, which should seem okay if you wear the right clothes. Winter in Paris begins in November and lasts until February. Snowfall starts in Paris in early December and turns the whole city magical and of course, cold.
Sometimes, the weather here in winter turns rainy and icy, making the pedestrian walkways and cobblestone streets squishy and slippery. But no matter the weather, the temperature never reaches freezing. The temperature in Paris in December usually ranges between 3°C and 16°C.
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Now that you know what all you can do in Paris in December 2024, when will you start planning your vacation? Plan your trip to Paris and have a fabulous experience of exploring this white wonderland with your loved ones.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Paris In December
Which is the best time to visit Paris?
If you want to see Paris at its best, you can plan the trip from April to June and in early November. You can also visit Paris in December if you want to get a cheap deal on flights & hotels and also stay away from the crowd.
Is Paris too cold in December?
December is the winter season in Paris, so you can expect chilly weather at this time. Generally, the temperature is within 2°C to 7°C, but it never goes below the freezing point.
Can you expect snow in Paris in December?
December is the winter season in Paris, but it is full of rain. Due to rain, the weather sometimes gets warm and humid which is a hindrance to the creation of snow. Even if it is snowing, it is only 1 to 2 inches.
What is there to do in Paris in December?
You can beat the winter by having lots of fun in Paris in December. The holiday lights and window displays will make you remember that Christmas is coming. Also, you can go for ice-skating, taste the best French cuisine and drink, go sightseeing, and so on.
What to do in Paris on Christmas?
If you plan to stay in Paris to enjoy the festive spirit of the city, you can visit the Eiffel Tower on that day. Also, you can have fun at Christmas Cruise where you get the opportunity to eat and drink whatever you want.
What to wear in Paris in December?
December is the winter season, so you have to be prepared to beat the coldness. Warm coats must be there in your luggage. You should always cover yourself with two layers of apparel that include wool ponchos, polo neck sweaters, turtlenecks jackets, woolen hats, and scarves.
What are the best items to eat in Paris?
French cuisine is unique, so you can eat as per your taste. But, there are certain things that you shouldn’t miss, like falafel, chocolates, salted butter caramels, Steak Frites, French Cheese, etc.
How to plan your trip to Paris in December?
You should plan early. Though it is the off-season, still some people want to visit Paris without a crowd. So, book your hotels and flight tickets early.
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Kanika has 4 years of experience in writing blogs and marketing content for travel. And when she’s not writing, she’s either exploring new terrains in a different corner of the world, or out in the city freezing urban scenarios in her camera.
