Paris is always a good idea! There’s so much to see and explore while in Paris, and whether you’re there in the cold or heat, you’ll be swept up by the magic of the city.
I’ve officially been to Paris three times, and it doesn’t get old! Europe in winter generally is great. I love visiting when there are fewer crowds Paris in winter can be so much fun, I’m excited to share more with you below.
Table of Contents
My Experience in Paris in Winter
Paris in winter with my mom was honestly the best trip. When I saw a deal for 4 nights in Paris+ flight for $500, I jumped on it! That’s right – 4 nights in a Marriot hotel plus a flight on British Airways round trip for $500. I was so excited about it, and luckily, my mom was ready for the spontaneous trip. I planned this as it was her first trip to Paris, and we saw so much of what the city has to offer.
Note: Many museums (as in all the major ones) in Paris are closed on Tuesdays. Check before you go and plan for this!
Wondering where I found this amazing deal? Check out my subscriber resources for all the details.
How did I find this deal for 3 days in Paris? Well…
France is famous for so many incredible things so we had to go! I get weekly emails from TravelZoo, and I saw one for Paris from NYC and checked the dates—it worked! We booked the deal and packed our bags. I highly recommend checking out all the websites that I recommend in my subscriber resources if you want all the details on how I find amazing deals.
I honestly would have taken the deal even if it was two days in Paris! This is less than some people spend on a weekend in their home country.
Where to Stay in Paris in Winter
You’ll have plenty of options when choosing where to stay in Paris during winter! One of the great things about visiting during the season is the lower price and availability! Below are a few great options for your trip.
Le Pavillon de la Reine
If you have the budget for a little luxury and are looking for a boutique stay, you’ll love Le Pavillon de la Reine. It’s located right opposite the Place des Vosges in the heart of Le Marais. It is more expensive and falls within the 5-star category, so it’s perfect for a special occasion!
Art Hotel Eiffel
If you’re looking for an affordable hotel within a short walk of the Eiffel Tower (and with a stunning view of the iconic Eiffel Tower), this is the perfect pick!
Art Hotel Eiffel is located in the 15th district and offers cozy, modern rooms. The Motte-Picquet Grenelle subway station is right across the street from the hotel and makes getting all around Paris super convenient.
Courtyard by Marriott Paris Arcueil
If you’re looking for something affordable and in a quieter area, this Marriott is a great option! It is 7-minute walk from La Place RER B Train Station, which provides direct access to central Paris as well as Charles de Gaulle and Orly Airports. I stayed here on my most recent Paris trip.
Tips for Visiting Paris in Winter
Paris is a very expensive city. You should plan ahead so that you don’t overspend! Here’s how we saved money while in Paris:
- Getting around: The Paris Métro is one of the densest urban transportation systems in the world, with 16 lines and over 300 stations covering the city and some suburbs.
- Consider a Paris Pass — the 2-day pass was $129 a person and included entry to everything we visited as well as unlimited use of trains and buses. This saved us money and time. Each place had an entry cost of $10 – $20, and a train ticket was $14.50 for 10 rides or a weekly pass for $22.50 plus $5 for an activation fee. We calculated it and found we saved over $40 with the Paris Pass.
- Avoid corner cafes if you want to save — while iconic and cute, they are more expensive. Stop in for a coffee or chocolate Chaud (hot chocolate) instead and save money by going to little spots off the prominent corners so that you can save! One evening, we stopped at a corner spot full of tourists. Their menu included items for around $20 – $25 dollars. We went around the corner and the same type of things for $10 – $15 less than 1 block away!
- Self-guided vs tours inside museums or monuments — there are many self-guided tours (like at Versailles, included with admission), and they can end up being very pricey. I didn’t see any on Viator for less than $70, and we didn’t find them needed.
- Take a group walking tour the day we got there — this was a good use of our money. When you first get to a city, you can end up wasting a lot of time trying to figure it out, no matter how much research you’ve done.
- Our guide gave us tips on when to visit different things (like ways to save money!), told us a ton of history, and was able to answer all our questions. We booked a walking tour which does guided walking tours on the hour every hour (as long as you book ahead of time on their website).
- You’ll experience fewer lines — Paris in the winter was a bit cold, but the lines were short, tours/experiences were on sale, and hotels/flights are on sale. Don’t be afraid to visit Paris/Europe in winter! It’s their off-season, and deals are just waiting to be taken!
- Many hotels include breakfast — this curbed your hunger throughout the day. We ate lighter lunches and larger dinners. Saving us money on our meals!
- Check museum hours: Many museums (as in all the major ones) in Paris are closed on Tuesdays. Check before you go and plan for this.
- Going around Christmas can be magical – winter is sometimes the best time because there are amazing Christmas markets in France and who doesn’t want to get into the holiday spirit in Paris!
- Be Prepared for Shorter Days – It gets dark early, around 5 PM, so plan outdoor activities for earlier in the day and save indoor attractions for the afternoon or evening.
- Dress Warmly
- Layer Up: Temperatures can range from 2°C to 7°C (36°F to 45°F), so layers are essential. Consider thermal underwear, sweaters, a good coat, scarf, gloves, and a hat.
- Waterproof Footwear: Paris can be rainy, so bring waterproof shoes or boots to keep your feet dry.
- Grab my winter packing list for Europe by subscribing
Note: The Paris Pass does include special lines at many museums (skipped the regular line—this was especially helpful at Versailles), except for the walking tour and Eiffel Tower lunch.
Day 1 of 3 Days in Paris
Morning Walking Tour
When I visit a new city, I like to do something on the first day to get to know the city better. This tour ended up being the perfect one. We had a great time, even though it was VERY cold. It was supposed to be a group tour, but because of the cold (?), we ended up being the only ones—it was essentially a private tour!
We made stops outside major landmarks in Paris and learned about the history of the city. Our guide was informative and even pointed us to what ended up being our favorite spot for sweets—Laduree at the end of our tour.
During our tour, our guide showed us a shop where we could get a sandwich. One of the best things about taking this tour is that it includes skip the line tickets for top sights like Saint Chappelle. Maximize your time and enjoy Paris!
Pro-tip: When packing for winter in Paris, pack extra socks, gloves, hats, and scarves. Layer up with sweaters and long-sleeved tops so that you are still able to take advantage of the city during your winter trip to Paris.
Top Sights to See on a Walking Tour
- Notre Dame Cathedral (exterior)
- Île de la Cité
- Sainte Chapelle
- Conciergerie
- River Seine
- Place Dauphine
- Latin Quarter
- Île Saint-Louis
Laduree
This was an absolutely adorable shop that I couldn’t get enough of. The macaroons were delicious, and the atmosphere was so fun. They had tons of delicious teas, which was the perfect thing to do after a long, cold walk through the city. We relaxed and enjoyed this cafe.
Musee D’Orsay
After this, we went straight to Musee D’Orsay, which was located right across the Seine. This museum is definitely worth a visit. The building was built as a train station for the World’s Fair in the 1800s and instead of demolishing it, it was turned into a museum!
What I loved most about this museum was its impressionist art. There were beautiful pieces by Monet, Rodin, Van Gogh, Renoir, and many more. It was such a unique space, and we loved exploring the different galleries.
One note about this museum is that there are two clocks you can see from the outside of the museum and inside. They are very cool spots to look through. We had a hard time finding them at first. We walked all the way up 5 flights not realizing how far up it was – take an elevator on the outside entrance side and save time/energy!
Pro-tip: Musee D’Orsay is open late on Thursdays. If you come in on Thursday, you can plan this later in the day and still have time to see the whole museum.
We grabbed french fries and kabob sandwiches next to our hotel for $7.00 before crashing. This place was cute because locals stopped in and got their baguettes for 85 cents. It was such a steal, and we felt like locals were joining them. There are lots of options for where to eat in Paris. You must enjoy the food while there!
Day 2 of 3 Days in Paris
Morning at the Louvre
The Louvre is the largest museum in the world and is totally confusing. We spent two hours here, and I feel like I was confused the whole time about where we were at. To help with this, make sure you grab a map as you enter. Use the arrows on the signs that take you the direction of the most famous pieces in the museum. You can use these to orient yourself as you may get lost. We definitely didn’t see everything, but we were happy with what we saw.
Our favorite part was the medieval castle found under the Louvre when it was excavated in the 1980s. You walk through the moat to get through and then to the inside. It was a fun experience!
Consider booking a tour of the Louvre to see the highlights of this museum!
Pro-tip: The Louvre is open late on Fridays. Switch the morning and afternoon of this day if you’re visiting on Friday and go in the evening.
Lunch on the Eiffel Tower
Talk about lunch with a view! This was such a fun experience. First, when you get there you have to go through security, then you have to get your tickets to get upstairs. Then, you go through another round of security (and skip the line!) to get off to the second floor. It’s a great view! Once there, we went straight to the table, and service was quick.
The food was good, and we had an awesome view from the second floor of the Eiffel Tower. The lunch included wine, an appetizer, an entrée, and dessert. The best part was really the view and getting to go straight up to enjoy lunch.
Pro-tip: We booked a month in advance in winter, and it was already sold out for 1:00 pm and sold out for the next day. So make sure you book in advance to enjoy this experience. Consider a skip the line tour to see the Eiffel Tower as well.
Catacombs Tour
The catacombs were created in the late 18th century as a solution to the overcrowded cemeteries in Paris. The remains were transferred from various city cemeteries to abandoned limestone quarries beneath the city.
The entrance to the catacombs is located in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, near Denfert-Rochereau Square. The official name is “Catacombes de Paris,” and visitors descend a narrow staircase to reach the underground tunnels.
The catacombs cover a network of tunnels and chambers that extend for several kilometers beneath the city. Visitors follow a designated path through a small section of this network.
Walk to Luxembourg Gardens through the Latin Quarter
Luxembourg gardens were not all that exciting in winter, but still beautiful. We chose to walk instead of taking the train so we could pass through the gardens and see how they looked in wintertime. The fountain was still working, and there were people sitting outside. We enjoyed walking through because kids had just gotten out of school and were playing soccer in the park.
Pantheon
We kept walking until we got to the Pantheon, located in the Latin Quarter. The Pantheon was an interesting visit because we got to learn about Napoleon and see a gorgeous building while doing it. The catacombs have the tombs of important French leaders, writers, and advocates of social justice. The tombs were a very interesting addition, but none of the signs were in English which led to us having a quick visit.
Pro-tip: Yes, Paris is cold in winter. This doesn’t mean you can’t walk around in the winter and enjoy the beautiful buildings and gardens! Wear warm clothing and comfy boots. Enjoy strolling down the streets.
Musee de Quai Branly
This museum had a huge collection of indigenous art from all over the world. The building itself is very modern and fun to walk through. The museum is one very large floor and includes ancient artifacts as well as modern ones. We spent about 45 minutes in the museum.
Evening Boat Cruise on the Seine
I feel like a river cruise in Paris is something everyone does and for good reason! This was part of our Paris Pass, and we had heard that it was a great way to see more of Paris, which sounded perfect after a long day of walking. We wish we had known a few things…
- You have to wait outside until the boat leaves.
- You must be there 15 minutes early to secure a spot.
- They don’t give you headsets. Instead, they have little phone-like devices that you put up to your ear and headphone jacks (bring your own headphones!).
- There are bathrooms on the boat.
- There is no food for purchase, but there are vending machines as you wait in line.
That said, we were disappointed with the overall experience and lack of information we found online. Hopefully, you will use this info and not make the same mistakes we did!
Day 3 of 3 Days in Paris
For day three in Paris, you’re going to Versailles. Located just outside of Paris, it is one of the most famous palaces in the world. It is renowned for its grand architecture, expansive gardens, and significant role in French history, making it a must-visit on any Paris itinerary (even in winter)!
Versailles
If you have a full day and it’s summer or the gardens are in full bloom, I would probably recommend a tour. However, because it was winter and we had limited time during our 3 days in Paris, we decided against a tour. There is an audio tour you can do included with admission.
You can book an excellent tour here and see a lot of things with a skip the line ticket! Here’s one I’d highly recommend.
This ended up being a really informative audio tour, and we felt like it sufficed at the end. We then explored the gardens and walked down the street. We found a half-day in winter to be more than enough time to see the main palace and the gardens. However, if there was more time, it would have been great to explore more.
Versailles remains the largest palace in all of Europe, and many palaces were modeled after it, such as the palaces of Caserta in Italy, Würzburg in Germany, Schonbrunn in Austria, and the Royal Palace in Stockholm, Sweden.
Pro-Tip: Walk down Rue Royal, and you will get to a market with tons of great little spots where you can easily buy lunch or a snack. We got delicious cheese, baguettes, chocolate, and souvenirs at the flea market outside. We then found a little crêpe shop around the corner and had a delicious lunch for just $10.50 that included a savory crêpe, a sweet crêpe, and a drink.
Take in a View
When you come back to Paris, there are a few different things to choose from. Depending on when you arrive back from Versailles, you may have time for both, or you may be too tired to do both! Decide what works best for you. Either way, you’ll love the views and your last day in Paris.
Option 1: Arc de Triomphe
We got an incredible view of Paris from the top of the Arc de Triomphe. We had the Paris Pass and were able to go around the line. I’m not going to lie though, the stairs were scary and it felt a little bit like they would never end since it was our third day of walking all over Paris! The view is worth your time.
Montmartre
Montmartre is known for its food, okay, who am I kidding, all of Paris has incredible food! You can take a food tour here as well! It can be hard to decide where to eat in Paris. We made reservations at a restaurant that had highly-rated reviews in Montmartre called Loco.
Loco ended up being our choice because it was not French (I know a little crazy…), but the French are known for their food and we wanted to see how French cooks elevated other cuisines as well. We ate Argentinian steak for just $22—way cheaper than the states! Little did we know that our restaurant was located right next to some famous passages in Paris.
Back in the 1800s and early 1900s, people covered these back roads up and made them into luxury streets that are actually all private roads to this day. We happened upon Passage Jouffroy it was full of book stores, toy shops, and artists’ studios. I ended up buying an old print from the early 1900s while there for only $4. It was a great place to stroll through before dinner!
Sacre Coeur
After dinner, we made our way to Sacre Coeur to see the newest basilica in France. It’s located at the very top of a hill and overlooks the whole city. We loved the view and the church. We entered during service and were able to listen to the nuns all singing beautiful songs. Then we passed lively bars and little music shows going on that evening. It was a nice end to our trip to Paris!
Pro-tip: Be careful when visiting at night. We had a few different people hit on us and ask us where we were going as we were walking there. Safety in Paris is important, especially as you walk at night!
Other Options for Paris in Winter
Go ice skating: Rent a pair of skates and glide around against the backdrop of one of Paris’s most beautiful buildings: the Hôtel de Ville (City Hall), in the heart of the Marais neighborhood.
Christmas Markets: From late November until early January, a panoply of chestnut-scented Christmas markets spring up around the city.
- Go shopping: Les soldes (the sales) take place twice a year in Paris and are a shopper’s dream. Prices are slashed on everything from designer clothes to home goods. The winter sales run from January to February, and markdowns increase dramatically as the weeks go by.
- Visit Palaces in Paris: Palais Royal and Palais Garnier are two beautiful palaces in Paris well worth a visit! These are great options if you choose not to visit Versailles.
And there you have it! Paris is one of those places everyone should visit. 3 days in Paris felt like just enough time (although we packed in a lot and could have used another day). Have you been to Paris? What was the best part for you? I would love to know your favorites and your money-saving tips for Paris, too!
Ready to start booking your trip?
Here is a snapshot of some of my favorite tools!
Some of these are affiliate links - thanks for supporting my website!
Leave a reply