Paris In January – What’s on, Weather & Best Things To Do
As the holidays wind down and the New Year celebrations pass, Paris settles into a quiet January. Winter chill and shorter days make January a good time to enjoy Paris’s museums without the crowds and to shop until you drop – taking advantage of deep discounts during the official winter sales.
📅 January At A Glance
❄️ January Average Temperatures: High 45°F (7°C) | Low 36°F (2°C)
🧡 Sunrise/Sunset: 8:30am | 5:30pm
🎫 Booking Urgency: January is one of the quietest periods of the year. Advance bookings at major sites (particularly on weekends) are recommended but day of ticketing is often possible.
📶 Crowd Meter: Low
🇫🇷 Notable Dates: New Year’s Day Jan 1 – be aware of possible closures at monuments and attractions
🛍️ Events: Paris Winter Sales Jan 6-Feb 2 | Paris Winter Fashion Week Jan 19-28
✈️ Airport Transfer: Looking for the ease of door to door transfers? We Recommend Welcome Pickups. Book Here →
🗼 Les Frenchies Recommendation: Take advantage of low crowds to visit the Louvre- Our Complete Guide →
Paris Weather in January & what to pack
January is the heart of winter in Paris. Cold, grey days with occasional crisp sunny periods contribute to the slow, relaxed atmosphere. If you are looking for a relaxed time to enjoy Paris’s many museums and monuments – January offers quiet museums, winter sales and usually the best hotel rates.
- Average Temperatures: High 45°F (7°C) | Low 36°F (2°C)
- Precipitation: On average January has 10 days of precipitation that can include snow or light, icy rain
What To Pack For Paris In January
January is the heart of winter and a warm jacket, scarf and hat are recommended. Warm, heavier layers are best to enjoy both the indoors and outdoors. January can bring different types of precipitation including snow, sleet and rain. As always we recommend a versatile capsule wardrobe with mix and match pieces that will keep you cozy as you explore the sites and the enjoy bistros and cafes. Bring along some accessories (jewelry or a scarf) to sharpen your more casual outfits. Opt for comfortable boots that allow you to walk all day or stylish sneakers with warm socks.
🇫🇷 Les Frenchies Tip
When packing for your trip less is more. Leave behind your “just in case” items. Paris has stores at all price points and pharmacies in every neighborhood. Anything you forgot you can buy and believe us you will never use that extra thing you brought “just in case”. Read our full packing guide here →
What’s On In Paris In January
🛍️ Winter Sales – Les soldes d’Hiver
France holds two official sales periods annually. The winter sales start January 6 and run through February 2. Deep discounts (30-70%) are available on a range of goods. This is a great excuse to visit the flagship Galleries Lafayette department store on Boulevard Haussmann. While you are there take time to enjoy the gorgeous art nouveau glass dome towering above the store and take a break at the rooftop cafe for a panoramic view of the city. Galleries Lafayette also makes VAT tax refunds easy. For all your shopping be sure to check out our VAT Tax Refund Guide.
🖼️ Quiet Museums
Have you always wanted to see Mona Lisa’s smile or the majesty of the Winged Victory in a calmer, less crowded environment? January is the time to visit Paris’s major museums and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere. It is also a time to catch the end of the fall special exhibits. If you are a fashion lover a visit to the Palais Galliera with its collection of more than 200,000 garments and accessories spanning from the 18th century to modern times is not to be missed. Plan your visits with our review of the Best Museums in Paris →
🇫🇷 Les Frenchies Tip
Paris’s museums host some of the world’s best special exhibitions. Be sure to check official websites of your favorite museums to find out what is on. In January 2027 two notable exhibitions include:
→ Musée de l’Orangerie: Berthe Weill: Art Dealer of the Parisian Avant-Garde
musee-orangerie.fr
→ Musée du Quai Branly: Dragons – 5,000 years of Asian Legends and Art
quaibranly.fr
🍴Saint-Jacques Scallop Festival January 24/25
Admission: Free | Location: Place des Abbesses in Montmartre Metro: Abbesses (Line 12)
If you are a seafood lover the annual Coquille Saint-Jacques Festival is held January 24/25 in Montmartre. This celebration of seafood from Brittany includes not just scallops but all types of seafood and treats like crepes, buttered caramel and Breton charcuterie. Enjoy tastings, cooking demonstrations and street food.
🚶 Paris Winter Fashion Week
Paris’s strong tradition of hosting fashion’s biggest events continues in January. From January 19-28 the winter shows focus on Menswear (Fall/Winter) and Haute Couture (Spring/Summer). Although the winter shows are quieter than the September ones, January shows still bring designers, celebrities and fans from all over the world to attend the shows (défilés in French). Tickets to the official, big name shows are by invitation only. Smaller shows from independent designers sometimes do sell tickets and there are some public events in the schedule. For a full list of events visit fhcm.paris/en.
🇫🇷 Les Frenchies Tip – Winter Concert Series
Concerts featuring traditional and classical music are featured at many of Paris’s beautiful cathedrals and churches through the winter. The Concert Series at Sainte-Chapelle runs Friday-Monday with a 6pm or 8pm start time (Visit sainte-chapelle.fr for more information). In addition La Madeline Cathedral hosts a wonderful classical concert series in its historic and elegant setting. For a full schedule visit lamadeleineparis.fr/concerts-musique
Best Things To Do In Paris In January
🎭 Experience Paris Cabaret
Attending a cabaret show at the Moulin Rouge or Crazy Horse venues is one of those Paris experiences that lives up to the hype. Each has its own history and character.
Moulin Rouge
The Moulin Rouge in French literally means “Red Mill.” The venue and its cabaret show is a living piece of French culture and history that has sat at the heart of Montmartre’s bohemian nightlife for over 130 years. Today, the Moulin Rouge presents its revue show “Féerie” — a spectacular production featuring 100 performers, over 1,000 costumes, elaborate sets, acrobats, magicians, ventriloquists, and yes, the famous finale and its Cancan dance.
Crazy Horse
The Crazy Horse Paris (officially Le Crazy Horse de Paris) is one of the most iconic cabaret venues in the world. Founded in 1951 by Alain Bernardin on the prestigious Avenue George V, just steps from the Champs-Élysées, it has been dazzling audiences for over 70 years with a unique blend of dance, light artistry, and avant-garde choreography. While the Moulin Rouge offers a large-scale dinner show format, the Crazy Horse is a far more intimate and artistic experience. The venue seats only about 350 people, which means every seat delivers an up-close view of the stage.
⭐ Don’t Miss January Experiences
Paris offers the chance to participate in aspects of French culture that are world-famous. You can take a perfume workshop or take a deep dive into French wine. Some of our favorite classes and activities include:
- Perfume Workshop: Looking for a unique gift to bring home? Perfume workshops are one of the most memorable and genuinely unique things to do in Paris. Paris has been the global capital of perfumery for over three centuries – so there’s no better place in the world to learn this art and bring home a bottle of your own signature scent. More On Our Favorite Perfume Workshops →
- Cooking Classes: Taking a cooking class in Paris will be a highlight of your trip. It is not just a fun afternoon, but one of those experiences that genuinely changes how you cook when you get home. There’s something about standing in a French kitchen, learning why butter temperature matters and how a proper roux should look, that no cookbook or YouTube video can replicate. More On Our Favorite Cooking Classes→
- Wine Tasting: Tasting wine in Paris is one of those experiences that sounds intimidating until you actually do it — and then you wonder why you hesitated. Whether you want to sip Grand Cru Bordeaux in a historic cellar or learn to pair Burgundy with perfectly aged cheese,Paris has a wine experience designed exactly for you. More On Our Favorite Wine Tasting Experiences →
🇫🇷 Les Frenchies Winter Sales Shopping Tips
Planning on doing some shopping during Paris’s Winter Sales (Jan 6-Feb 2). For your full department store experience don’t miss Galleries Lafayettes for a wide variety of offerings as well as the luxury shops around Place Vendôme where you will find the best of French fashion and speciality goods. If you are shopping don’t forget your VAT Refund paperwork! See our complete guide to VAT refund →
Where To Stay In January
If you are planning to visit Paris in January you have a range of options to consider for your accommodation at some of the most affordable rates of the year. Below are our guides and picks to help you choose the type of accommodation and area that fits your needs:
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is January a good time to visit Paris?
January in Paris is quiet and affordable. After the holiday celebrations and crowds fade, Paris settles into a relaxed winter atmosphere. Although January brings cold temperatures and grey skies, it is the perfect time to have a calmer visit to some of the big monuments and museums. Have you been wishing for a visit to the Louvre with fewer people and more time with the Mona Lisa? January is the time to plan a visit.
What is the weather Like in Paris in January?
January is the heart of winter in Paris. Cold, grey days with occasional crisp sunny periods contribute to the slow, relaxed atmosphere. Average Temperatures: High 45°F (7°C) | Low 36°F (2°C).
Is January Less Crowded in Paris?
Yes January is a less crowded time in Paris. As the holidays wind down and the New Year celebrations pass, Paris settles into a quiet January. Winter chill and shorter days make January a good time to enjoy Paris’s museums without the crowds and to shop until you drop – taking advantage of deep discounts during the official winter sales.
What should I wear in paris in January?
January is the heart of winter and a warm jacket, scarf and hat are recommended. Warm, heavier layers are best to enjoy both the indoors and outdoors. January can bring different types of precipitation including snow and sleet. As always we recommend a versatile capsule wardrobe with mix and match pieces that will keep you cozy as you explore the sites and the enjoy bistros and cafes. Bring along some accessories (jewelry or a scarf) to sharpen your more casual outfits. Opt for comfortable boots that allow you to walk all day or stylish sneakers with warm socks.
What are the Paris Winter Sales?
France holds two official sales periods annually. The winter sales start January 6 and run through February 2. Deep discounts (30-70%) are available on a range of goods. This is a great excuse to visit the flagship Galleries Lafayette department store on Boulevard Haussmann. While you are there take time to enjoy the gorgeous art nouveau glass dome towering above the store and take a break at the rooftop cafe for a panoramic view of the city. Galleries Lafayette also makes VAT tax refunds easy. For all your shopping be sure to check out our VAT Tax Refund Guide.
Is January a Cheaper Time To Visit Paris?
January is the heart of winter in Paris. Cold, grey days with occasional crisp sunny periods contribute to the relaxed atmosphere. If you are looking for a slower time to enjoy Paris’s many museums and monuments – January offers quiet museums, winter sales and usually the best hotel rates. Be aware that busier periods – around the New Year and Paris’s Winter Fashion Week (Jan 19-28) – can feature higher accommodation costs.