Bringing in ‘over 30 million tourists a year‘, there’s no denying how popular Paris is as a destination.
Paris is a beautiful place no matter the season, but winter in the City of Light brings a whole new meaning to the word magical.
If you’re heading to Paris this winter, you might be wondering what there is to do once the temperatures drop and the nights draw in.
In this guide, we’ll cover what to do in Paris in the winter so you have plenty of ideas on how to fill your time during your upcoming trip.
Let’s get into it.
- Shop at Galeries Lafayette
- Experience a private tour of Paris
- Visit a Christmas market
- Ice skating at Hotel de Ville
- Experience the views from the Eiffel Tower
1. Shop At Galeries Lafayette
If you’re a fan of shopping, Galeries Lafayette is one of the most iconic French department stores.
Known for its high-end fashion and beauty, gourmet food, and beautiful art, Galeries Lafayette is a festive wonderland during the winter season and is the ideal place to explore, browse, and shop to your heart’s content.
Each winter, a giant Christmas tree with themed decorations is placed in the heart of Galeries Lafayette under its famous glass roof, creating an especially warm ambience and memorable visit for tourists and Parisians alike.
So, whether you simply want to experience it or window shop the beautiful, festive displays, Galeries Lafayette is not one to miss this winter.

2. Experience A Private Tour Of Paris
One of the best things to do in Paris in winter is to experience a private tour.
A private tour allows you to experience the city on your own terms in an exciting, informative way. A bespoke tour also allows you to have input into the exact itinerary and enables you to pack the things you’ve always wanted to do in Paris into one day.
At Yellow Moon Tours, our friendly tour guides bring a wealth of experience and knowledge of Paris to give you the best experience.
We can also design a bespoke guided tour of Paris for you that is tailored around what you’d like to see and do to make the most of your time there.
Whether you want to visit famous sightseeing spots like Sacre Coeur, Notre Dame, or the Louvre, or experience restaurants and sights like a Parisian, we have you covered.
Get in touch with a member of our team today to discuss your private tour.
3. Visit A Christmas Market
With Christmas just around the corner, it wouldn’t be right to not mention the numerous Christmas markets Paris has to offer.
From November through to January, vendors in Swiss-style chalets pop up all across the city, meaning you’re spoiled for choice.
The most renowned of these Christmas markets is by the Tuileries Garden, and there are plenty of other popular spots such as in Montmartre.
Whether you wish to sample some delicious food, drink mulled wine, or simply browse the various stalls for some Christmas presents, there’s nothing like a Christmas market to get you in the festive spirit.
4. Ice Skating At Hotel De Ville
Ice skating is one of the most popular winter activities around the holiday season and there’s nothing quite like ice skating at Hotel de Ville in the heart of Paris.
Hotel de Ville (City Hall) is located in the Marais neighbourhood, and every year its courtyard is transformed into a public ice skating rink.
While entry to the rink is free if you have your own skates, there is a small fee to rent skates, and you will want to get there early to avoid the crowds.
A hit with people of all ages, ice skating is a winter activity perfect for the whole family!

5. Experience The Views From The Eiffel Tower
Last, but by no means least, you should experience the views from the Eiffel Tower.
If you’re travelling to Paris for the first time, you might not know that Winter is one of the most wonderful times of the year to visit the Eiffel Tower for a number of reasons.
One is because winter is a significantly less touristy season, which means the Eiffel Tower will be less crowded, allowing you to take all the time that you want to enjoy the views.
Secondly, when the temperatures drop in Paris, there’s truly nothing more magical than seeing the city covered in a blanket of snow.
That said, even in the off-season, it’s important to buy tickets for the Eiffel Tower in advance, as tickets tend to be released around 2 to 3 months in advance.

I hope this article has given you some ideas on what to do in Paris in winter.
For inquiries or questions, contact us today at info@yellowmoontours.com or on +02032903665 to book your private tour today or check out our Instagram page.
Written by Jemima Thomas for Yellow Moon Tours, the private tours specialist covering London, Paris, New York and Ireland.