What to do in Paris in winter: ice rinks, exhibitions and Christmas markets await
When the temperature drops and the days grow shorter, one question naturally comes to mind: what to do in Paris to make the most of the season? Far from hibernating under the cold, the French capital rolls out a packed programme of glittering festivities, major exhibitions, sporting events and soul-warming addresses that make winter in the city a genuine pleasure.
Warming up at the table and in the city’s tea rooms
Winter is the perfect season to (re)discover Paris’s great bistro institutions. Establishments like Le Pied de Cochon, the Bouillons Chartier, with locations on the Grands Boulevards, in Montparnasse and at the Gare de l’Est, and the historic cafés of Saint-Germain-des-Prés such as Le Procope, Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots embody a very particular idea of Paris in winter. These places offer a warmth that contrasts beautifully with the chill outside.
For those with a sweet tooth, hot chocolate is the ritual of the season. Several addresses stand out: Angelina, the legendary tea room on the rue de Rivoli, alongside Jacques Genin, the Manufacture Alain Ducasse, Ladurée and Carette, each with its own take on this most comforting of drinks.
There’s no need to head to the mountains for a fondue or raclette either. Paris has plenty of addresses specialising in these cold-weather classics, all within easy reach without leaving the capital.
What to do in Paris when it’s cold: sport, ice and major events
Contrary to popular belief, the cold is no obstacle to outdoor activities in Paris. Ice skating is one of the season’s unmissable highlights, with rinks popping up across the city: at the Jardin des Tuileries, the Parc André Citroën, the Parc de la Villette, La Défense and the Accor Arena, which is open year-round. The Grand Palais, meanwhile, hosts the Grand Palais des Glaces, billed as the largest covered ice rink in the world.
Winter is also a rich season for sporting fixtures. Rugby fans can catch the Six Nations Tournament at the Stade de France, with home matches on 31 January 2025 against Wales and 15 March 2025 against Scotland. Football supporters, for their part, can head to the Parc des Princes to watch Paris Saint-Germain in the French league.
- The Grand Palais des Glaces rink, billed as the largest covered ice rink in the world
- The Six Nations Tournament at the Stade de France, with two home matches scheduled
- Paris Saint-Germain matches at the Parc des Princes
- The Salon de l’Agriculture, ten days in February at the Parc des Expos at the Porte de Versailles
- The Rétromobile show at the Porte de Versailles for classic car enthusiasts
Museums, exhibitions and offbeat walks: another way to experience Paris in winter
Between January and February, the city’s great museums refresh their programming, making it the ideal moment to keep an eye on the schedules at the Atelier des Lumières, the Musée d’Orsay, the Louvre, the Musée du Quai Branly and beyond. The Art Capital festival, held at the Grand Palais, brings together nearly 2,000 artists each year, presenting their work to thousands of visitors.
For those who want to explore the city from a different angle, the offbeat guided tours offered by organisations such as L’Échappée Belle provide a fresh perspective on Paris. The covered passages are another excellent option: as well as offering shelter from the cold and rain, they transport visitors into the architectural world of 19th-century Paris.
On rainy days, the city’s monuments are well worth a visit. The Basilique-Cathédrale de Saint-Denis, the Conciergerie, the Sainte-Chapelle and the Panthéon all make for compelling destinations. The Panthéon itself hosts the Nuit du Panthéon each winter, a nocturnal game that lets visitors explore French history in a playful, immersive way.
Lights, markets and cultural highlights: Paris’s winter calendar
As the year draws to a close, Paris undergoes a visual transformation. The illuminations along the Champs-Élysées, the animated window displays of the Grands Magasins, the Christmas markets and the funfair at the Tuileries all combine to create a festive atmosphere across the city. The parks join in too: the Jardin des Plantes, the Jardin d’Acclimatation, the Parc Floral, the Domaine de Saint-Cloud, Wow Safari Thoiry and the Parc de la Villette all host light festivals that have become firm fixtures of the season.
Key dates to note: the winter sales typically begin on the first Wednesday of January. Fashion Week follows shortly after, with the menswear shows leading into the women’s ready-to-wear calendar, drawing professionals and fashion lovers from around the world. Chinese New Year, meanwhile, brings the 13th and 19th arrondissements to life, particularly Belleville and the Parisian Chinatown. And on 14 February, Valentine’s Day sees restaurants roll out special menus and couples’ tickets at cultural venues across the city.
For those in need of a restorative escape, the Serres d’Auteuil, the city’s aquariums and the Musée Jardin Albert Kahn in Boulogne-Billancourt offer a welcome dose of nature even in the depths of winter. Paris’s spas, from the Spa dans le Noir to the palace hotel wellness suites and boutique institutes like Charme d’Orient, round out the well-being offering for a gentle end to the season. What to do in Paris in winter, when all is said and done? The answer is simple: everything.
