{"id":239571,"date":"2026-08-18T11:42:10","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T09:42:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.parisselectbook.com\/?p=239571"},"modified":"2026-08-18T11:42:18","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T09:42:18","slug":"what-to-do-in-paris-in-winter-ice-rinks-exhibitions-and-christmas-markets-await","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.parisselectbook.com\/en\/2026\/08\/18\/what-to-do-in-paris-in-winter-ice-rinks-exhibitions-and-christmas-markets-await\/","title":{"rendered":"What to do in Paris in winter: ice rinks, exhibitions and Christmas markets await"},"content":{"rendered":"

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<\/a>, major exhibitions, sporting events and soul-warming addresses that make winter in the city a genuine pleasure.<\/p>\n

Warming up at the table and in the city’s tea rooms<\/h2>\n

Winter is the perfect season to (re)discover Paris’s great bistro institutions<\/a>. 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 caf\u00e9s of Saint-Germain-des-Pr\u00e9s such as Le Procope, Caf\u00e9 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.<\/p>\n

For those with a sweet tooth, hot chocolate is the ritual of the season. Several addresses stand out: Angelina, the legendary tea room<\/a> on the rue de Rivoli, alongside Jacques Genin, the Manufacture Alain Ducasse, Ladur\u00e9e and Carette, each with its own take on this most comforting of drinks.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What to do in Paris when it’s cold: sport, ice and major events<\/h2>\n

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 Andr\u00e9 Citro\u00ebn, the Parc de la Villette, La D\u00e9fense 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<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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<\/strong> and 15 March 2025 against Scotland<\/strong>. Football supporters, for their part, can head to the Parc des Princes to watch Paris Saint-Germain in the French league.<\/p>\n