The Biggest Mistakes Tourists Make in Paris in Winter

Paris in winter is magical, but almost nothing written about the city is made for the cold months. In this video we count down 20 mistakes we have watched visitors make over five winters here, from minor packing slips to the closures that can cost you a whole day or your dream dinner. One thing to know first: December is one of the busiest months of the year, not a quiet one.

Packing and daylight

  • Pack for damp, not for the Arctic. Paris cold is wet cold, so dress in layers instead of a bulky parka.
  • Bring waterproof shoes you have already broken in, and an umbrella. It rarely snows, but it rains often.
  • The sun sets around 4:30 PM in December, so plan outdoor sightseeing between about 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
  • Treat the early dark as a bonus: the lights and Christmas markets look their best.
  • Have a rainy-day plan: covered passages, churches, small museums, department stores like Galeries Lafayette and long brasserie lunches.

Closures, day trips and money

The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays and the Orsay on Mondays, holidays or not, which can be 20% of a five-day trip. The Eiffel Tower summit often closes in strong winter wind, and Versailles and the chateaux run reduced winter hours, while Giverny is not open in winter at all. Book trains early: a Strasbourg ticket of around 150 euros could have cost about 25 euros months earlier (prices from when we filmed). Carry some cash for Christmas markets, and expect a mix of tourist-priced and regular stalls.

Eating like a local in winter

Winter is the best season to eat in France: oysters and seafood, game, raclette, tartiflette and fondue. Sit inside like Parisians do, as the city has banned terrace heaters. Visit Christmas markets around 6:00 PM on a weekday. Our number one mistake: many restaurants close for weeks in early January, so contact them ahead, check their social media and always have a plan B.

To build a winter-friendly itinerary with travel times between stops, try our free Paris trip planner app. For places that stay worth the trip all year, see our 125 best restaurants in Paris guide and the Paris Guide Bundle.