Paris in January - the holiday hubbub has lulled, the winter drowsiness has passed and the new year brings with it a fresh spirit in the air. Everyone's flocking the streets because the skies are finally clear and there's no better way to bask in the after-holiday glow but the yearly shopping ritual (Paris Winter Soldes!). If you ask us, Paris in January is the best season to visit the City of Lights. Wondering why the bold statement? Read on to know more about Paris in January.
What makes Paris in January a must-visit
- Less tourist hordes - Paris in January takes a quiet note and does not attract as many tourists as other months. This is perhaps because most people go back after their December holidays, schools reopen and the beginning of the year is quite hectic for most companies. Hence, not many people travel to Paris in January, resulting in a sober undertone throughout the city.
- Best of both worlds - Since the winters haven’t completely gone, you can still ice skate in the open. At the same time, you can take a day trip from Paris, simply because you won’t freeze by stepping out but will have the company of a nice chill breeze.
- Cafe weather - There’s no better time to enjoy the warmth and charm of Paris’s snug cafes than in January. Make sure you stock up on books to keep you company while chugging mugs of hot chocolate. If you’re into cafe hopping, spend a day at the Latin Quarter or in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
- Great flight deals - As always, off season flight tickets are quite cheap and if you book well in advance, you can get a great deal
Paris in January: Weather
Paris in January is a clean blend of cold and wet, so make sure to pack everything you need to keep yourself warm, high and dry. With highs of 7°C and lows of 3° C, expect about 3 hours of sunshine daily. 17 days of icy rain throughout the month is also typical of Paris in January.
Paris in January: Things to do
1
The Eiffel Tower
Be it January or July, no trip to Paris is complete without visiting the Eiffel Tower. It is advisable to buy skip the line tickets to summit in order to avoid queuing up in the cold. Somedays due to cloudiness, the visibility might be compromised, so check the weather forecast before buying your tickets.
January timings
9:15 AM - 11:45 PM and the monument closes at 12:45 AM
Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France,
Paris
Getting There ›
2
Louvre Museum: Naples in Paris Exhibition
If you're one to like musing and lingering over your favorite paintings in a peaceful environment, then there's not a better time to visit the Louvre than in January. You can watch the Mona Lisa for as long as you please and can also view the Naples in Paris exhibition, an exceptional event which showcases over 60 masterpieces from the renowned Museo di Capodimonte, offering a unique perspective on Italian painting from the 15th to the 17th century.
January timings
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 6 PM;
Friday from 9 AM to 9:45 PM; Closed on Tuesday
Musée du Louvre, 75001 Paris,
France
Getting There ›
3
Centre Pompidou
Centre Pompidou is a shrine dedicated to modern art in the form of exhibitions, dance performances, cinemas and artifacts. It boasts of the largest collection of modern and contemporary art coupled with high-tech architecture and incredible visual appeal in all of Europe. Enjoy panaromic vistas of the Parisian skyline from its top most floor.
January timings
Daily from 11 AM - 9 PM, except Tuesday
Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004 Paris,
France
Getting There ›
4
Montmartre Walking Tour
Visit the bohemian neighbourhood of Montmartre, nestled on top of a hill above Paris’ Right Bank. Feel the January breeze in your hair as you walk down the winding cobblestone streets and steep staircases and experience the traditions, lifestyle, and bohemian character of this artsy neighbourhood on a 3-hour walking tour led by a local historian.
Montmartre, 75018, Paris
France
Getting There ›
5
Musée d'Orsay & Musée de l'Orangerie
Musee D’Orsay has the best collection of French art, and the Musee de l’Orangerie has a vast repository of the world’s best impressionist and post-impressionist paintings. There are many temporary exhibitions that take place here through the year, and coming January 2022 visitors can enjoy the following exhibitions.
January timings
9.30 AM to 6 PM
1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, 75007 Paris
France
Getting There ›
6
Palais Garnier
Palais Garnier, also known as the Opera Garnier Paris holds a prime status in Paris’s ballet and classical music milieu. An ode to Parisian architecture, the Palais Garnier is undeniably one of the most distinguished and grand opera houses in the world. Check the schedule for January and catch a world class opera performance.
January timings
10 AM - 5 PM (last entry at 4:15 PM)
8 Rue Scribe, 75009 Paris
France
Getting There ›
7
The Grévin Wax Museum
The historic Grévin Wax Museum would be an entertaining visit, away from the chilly winds. Filled with wax figures ranging from plain fun and quirky, to historic characters, time at this museum will be well-spent and result in loads of fun pictures to commemorate your trip to Paris!
January timings
January 1 from 10 AM - 7 PM, January 2-5 from 8:30 AM to 8 PM,
Monday to Friday, 10 AM - 6 PM, and from 9:30 AM to 7 PM on weekends
10 Bd Montmartre, 75009, Paris
France
Getting There ›
8
Palace of Versailles
Palais de Versailles is a building of great historical significance. Only an hour away from Paris, this magnificient palace is the location where the historic Treaty of Versailles was signed, consequently putting an end to the First World War in 1919. January is also one of the months that sees Versailles receive it's heaviest snowfall of the year, so the beautiful palace could well be covered in pristine snow!
January timings
9 AM - 5:30 PM, everyday except Mondays
Versailles, 78000,
France
Getting There ›
9
Day Trip to Mont St. Michel
Paris to Mont Saint-Michel is a four hour trip. The destination is a tidal island and mainland commune in the Normandy region of France, where the iconic abbey with dramatic spires rising against the horizon on a bare beach is. In 1979, this place and the surrounding areas were declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Apart from the abbey itself, there are a lot of cultural spots and places of architectural importance to be explored here. Among many of them, is the famous omelette restaurant, La Mére Poulard, established in 1879, and also known for it's wall of autographs ( Ernest Hemingway among them!). It is expected to rain quite often in this area in January, so make sure you're prepared for it should you take the trip.
January timings
Tour starts at 7 AM
Le Mont-Saint-Michel, 50170,
France
Getting There ›
10
The Sainte-Chapelle
Home to some of the best glass-stained window work of the world, the Sainte-Chapelle is a magnificent 13th century Gothic chapel, built with the purpose of celebrating Christendom and housing holy relics like the Crown of Thorns (these relics have since been moved to the cathedral treasurey of Notre-Dame). It marked a significant shift from the gloom of medieval architecture with its celebration of colour to commemorate the glory of Jesus Christ. There isn't a single inch of space inside and outside the building that is not a detailed work of art. It's warm and cozy on the inside, and perfect way to conclude an evening out in Paris. However, if you can, try to get in as early as you can to soak in the entire splendour of this visual wonder.
January timings
9 AM - 5 PM
10 Bd du Palais, 75001 Paris,
France
Getting There ›
Paris in January: Events to look out for
Paris Winter Sales
January 10 - February 6, 2024
From the beginning of January, you'll see Soldes signs in store windows all over the city, often followed by a 30-40% discount in the beginning which goes upto 70-80% towards January end. “Soldes” – the fabulous winter sales in Paris is when shopaholics from all around the world descend to grab the fabulous deals. Pick up your French chic staples on a budget while you escape the winter cold.
The Prix d'Amérique Legend Race
January 27-28, 2024
The Prix d'Amérique Legend Race is the best known trotting race in the world, held annually at the Hippodrome Paris-Vincennes. A cultural phenomenon steeped in tradition and prestige, this race remains one of the most important equestrian meetings in the world with media coverage in 36 countries. Buy your tickets to the race here.
Paris Fashion Week
January 16-21, 2024
It's that time of the yeat when thousands of models, photographers, and journalists make their way to the fashion capital to attend glamourous runway shows and star-studded parties.
Famous brands like Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Givenchy host their shows in historical venues like the Carrousel du Louvre and the Grand Palais.
Cirque d'Hiver Bouglione
January 6 - March 2, 2024
The Cirque d’Hiver Bouglione has been home to the shows of the famous Bouglione company for over half a century and is one of the oldest circuses in the world. Every winter, the Bouglione family present a new show with an international cast of clowns, animals, acrobats, trapeze artists, tightrope walkers, jugglers and put on a magical show.
Paris in January: 5-day itinerary
Check out our carefully curated itineraries and plan your visit to Paris better. Whether you're visiting Paris for 1 day, 3 days or 5 days; our itineraries packed with top experiences and traveler tips are bound to come handy.
5 days in Paris itinerary
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Paris in January: Essentials
LanguageFrench
Time zoneGMT+2
Country Code+33
Socket Type C & E
CurrencyEuros €
Where to stay in Paris
Paris has accomodation to suit everyone's budget, so choose your pick and experience a Parisian stay.
- 5 & 4 star hotels – Relais Christine,The Peninsula Paris, Le Narcisse Blanc, Maison Souquet, and Goralska Résidences Hôtel Paris Bastille
- Budget hotels – Hotel Paris Louis Blanc, Libertel Gare du Nord Suede, Nouvel Hotel, Hotel Darcet and Art Hotel Congres
- Hostels – Notre hostel à Paris Nation, Le Regent Montmartre, Le Montclair, St. Christopher’s Inn and Generator Paris
What to Pack for visiting Paris in January
Here’s a handy list of packing essentials for a trip to Paris in January: A good waterproof coat, comfortable walking shoes, a warm jacket for the evening, a windcheater, pack warm, fuzzy socks, good gloves, scarves, a few thick sweaters or cardigans in case it gets really cold, and a sturdy umbrella that can resist the wind.
Getting around Paris in January
The Paris public transport system is managed by RATP and comprises of the Métro (underground), tram, RER suburban express train (which interconnects with the Métro inside Paris), bus, and noctilien (night bus). Paris and its suburbs are divided into 6 zones.
For tourists, Zones 1 and 2 are the most important as they cover the city center and all Métro lines. RATP tickets and passes are valid on the Métro, tram, buses and RER. The Métro alone is very efficient and will take you anywhere you need to go within Paris city limits, and sometimes slightly beyond. Buses are less reliable but still offer a good service.
Paris in January: Must-try delicacies
Galette des Rois is a frangipani tart made of butter, pastry and ground almonds. Parisians mark the end of mark the feast of the Epiphany on Saturday by scoffing down this pastry fit for kings. Here's the story of the Galette des Rois - the only tart that can make you feel like a king.
While walking through the chilly streets of Paris in January, you'll occasionally hear shouts of “Chaud les marrons!” from vendors selling chestnuts roasting on coals. These are just the perfect accompaniment to the cold weather, so grab a bunch!
In Paris, mulled wine isn't just for Christmas – it's served until early spring. The hot mulled wine, or Vin chaud à la française is made with dry red wine, sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, orange zest and, for a bit more zing, cognac.
Angelina is famous for their hot chocolate (le chocolat chaud en francais), and is often cited as the best hot chocolate in Paris. French hot chocolate is nothing like the conventional hot chocolate we know. It's oozingly warm, thick, rich and marshmallow free. Must try!
Paris in January: Visitors tips
- While there are many advantages to visiting Paris in the off-season a relaxing cruise on the Seine River is something that is probably best left to the shoulder season or for those early risers in the peak months.
- It gets dark at 3:30 PM during the first half of January so, start your day early to make the most of it.
- There’s no city better suited to cinephilic fever than Paris. There are over 300 films screened per week and has more “salles” (theatres) per capita than a film lover could possibly dream of. Stay indoors, stay warm and watch a classic.
- Wander through the elaborate, elegant network of covered passageways in Paris to steer clear of the rain/cold in January.
FAQs
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What are the best day trips to take from Paris in January?
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Is January a good time to visit Paris?
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