Paris in December is a dream come true in case you are desperate to see the town remodel right into a festive wonderland. With Christmas markets, twinkling lights, and decorations in every single place you look, it’s a sight to behold.
However, Paris has, in fact, extra to supply than simply seasonal attraction. Brimming with thrilling sights, world-class museums, hidden gems, cozy cafés and scrumptious meals, the town affords lots to maintain you entertained year-round.
And as lots of the greatest issues to do in Paris are indoors, even the grayest climate forecast received’t overly affect your journey.
On this article, I’ll share with you all the pieces you have to know earlier than touring to Paris in December:
- Climate Data & Packing Ideas
- Seasonal Journey Data
- Occasions & Issues to do in November
Salut, I’m Lena – journey planning knowledgeable and parisienne since 2006 🩷
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Attention-grabbing reads in your journey to Paris:
All the things you have to know in the event you spend this December in Paris
Right here’s your final information to visiting Paris in December. Uncover what to anticipate and make your journey unforgettable.
How are the Crowds in December?
After a peaceful November, December is a excessive season. Each vacationers and locals flock to the town to discover the Christmas markets, admire the festive road decorations and window shows, and, in fact, dive into their vacation procuring.
In brief: Paris is buzzing. Anticipate full outlets and streets, the favored sights to be simply offered out & full eating places.
Nothing to fret about, although: Schedule your procuring journeys for the mornings. and plan a bit forward to safe your reservations in time. Plus, there are many neighborhoods in Paris and off the observe sights that may give you a break from the crowds.
Here’s a listing with sights that promote out the quickest:
(Costs can fluctuate, it’s greatest in the event you examine)
CHECKLIST in your Paris Journey
General, December is a stunning time to journey to Paris. Since you get not solely to take pleasure in this already implausible metropolis, you additionally get the once-in-a-lifetime probability to see it in full Christmas cheer.
How’s the Climate in December in Paris?
Excellent news first: December is often not a freezing chilly month in Paris. It’s chill, and also you positively must pack a heat jacket, however most years, you possibly can go away your thermals at house.
However: December is the wettest moth of the yr, with 15 wet days on common. So, your trip in Paris will probably be characterised by a mixture of rain and cloudy days, with occasional sunshine.
Fortunately, there are such a lot of indoor actions in Paris, {that a} little bit of rain will hardly affect how fantastic you journey will probably be.
Additionally learn: 27 Finest Actions for a Wet Day in Paris
In December, anticipate temperatures to vary on common from 5 °C (41 °F) and seven °C (46ºF). You may spend your day exploring the town with out totally freezing. And if it will get a bit chilly? Hop into the subsequent café and luxuriate in a vin chaud.
As a result of slightly gentle temperatures, it is extremely uncommon to see snow in Paris presently of the yr.
Nonetheless, it will get noticeable colder at night time, so higher add a couple of indoor actions to your Paris nightlife agenda.
The times are quick in December. The dawn shouldn’t be earlier than 8:30 am, and it will get darkish by earlier than 5 pm. This isn’t granting you an excessive amount of time to discover Paris by daylight.
However on the brilliant aspect, you might have greater than sufficient time to admire the gorgeous illuminations at night time, particularly as you’re visiting throughout Christmastime.
Final yr, the vitality disaster hit Europe. In an try to avoid wasting vitality, the Eiffel Tower will shut down its illumination shortly earlier than 11 pm. On the time of writing it’s not introduced but, how this will probably be dealt with in 2024.
What to put on in Paris in December 2024
In December, you’re greatest dressed heat and comfortable. I nonetheless suggest sporting at the least one layer that you would be able to simply take off. As a result of though it’s chilly exterior, the outlets are sometimes effectively heated, particularly in case you are planing to incorporate a go to to the Galeries Lafayette or every other of the large malls.
Possibly that’s simply me, however I discover the warmth suffocating in these shops. I all the time pack a little bit tote bag to stuff my scarf and jacket in. In any other case, I simply can’t spend greater than 5 minutes in there.
Aside from a heat jacket, a shawl, and potential waterproof sneakers (I love these as a result of they’re simply dressed up and down and have sufficient grip on moist streets), you actually want rain gear.
Only a heads-up concerning rain gear. Rain ponchos should not an excessive amount of of a factor in Paris, and also you hardly see them.
Moreover, they’re all the pieces however sensible: You’ll go out and in of outlets, museums, cafés and many others., in order that a little bit umbrella is simpler to retailer away. Personally, I like this little journey umbrella, that matches in my purse.
Be sure to pack the gadgets under to be ready for the November climate.
- Snug sneakers or sneakers: It’s only a rumor that Parisians don’t put on them. Their favorites are a pair of VEJA and as of 2024, a pair of Adidas Classics
- A Scarf to be ready for windy days and colder temperatures
- A small journey umbrella: This one suits in each purse
- my savior for unsteady temperatures: a lightwight downjacket to simply add a layer
- Heat Merino Socks: These ones had been an actual sport changer for: They really feel like regular socks however preserve you heat, with out over heating, they usually forestall blisters.
7 Finest Issues do in Paris in December 2024
December is peak season, and it’s not simply worldwide vacationers who flock to the town. French guests additionally seize the possibility for a getaway to the capital, indulging in procuring, artwork, sightseeing, and implausible meals. After all, additionally they relish the various Christmas chalets that pop up throughout Paris throughout this festive time.
Therefore, simply to be on the protected aspect and spare your self from disappointment, I like to recommend reserving sights upfront.
Right here’s a listing with sights that promote out the quickest:
Costs might fluctuate, greatest examine.
When buying tickets instantly from official attraction web sites, remember the fact that they usually don’t supply cancellation or refund choices, they usually can promote out rapidly.
If flexibility is a precedence for you, I like to recommend reserving your Paris attraction tickets by means of Get Your Information.
They usually supply a versatile 24-hour cancellation coverage with a full refund. Their web site is user-friendly, obtainable in English, and the tickets are conveniently cell.
I take advantage of them for my very own bookings when touring and have by no means had any points.
Finest 8 Issues to do in Paris in December 2024
The French capital is a metropolis that by no means sleeps, and all through November you’ll have loads of alternatives to discover at your leisure. Right here’s our listing of the most effective issues to do in Paris throughout this trip time!
#1 Go to Notre Dame (!!!)
If you happen to’re visiting Paris in December 2024, you’ll be probably among the many first fortunate guests to expertise the restored Notre Dame Cathedral. As a result of after the devastating hearth in April 2019, the long-lasting landmark is lastly reopening once more.
The reopening is deliberate for the eighth of December 2024, with a primary mess within the cathedral. On the time of writing, it’s not introduced how the visits will probably be organized.
Nonetheless, I discovered the knowledge right here that there will probably be an octave from the eighth to the fifteenth, with a every day celebration and altering matters. It’s not introduced but, if and the way these are open to the general public.
#2 Stroll Via the Coated Passages
I created an entire itinerary for you: The 14 most charming Arcades in Paris (+ Map)
If you happen to’re looking for a comfy exercise on a chilly, wet December day that also feels festive, the coated arcades are excellent. These historic passages are fantastically adorned for the season and supply a glimpse into Parisian historical past whereas offering a singular (memento) procuring expertise.
Additionally learn: 47 Beautiful Souvenirs From France To Carry Again Residence
So, what are these arcades? Within the nineteenth century, when Parisian streets had been usually muddy, coated passages had been created to let the rich store comfortably, whatever the climate.
As we speak, about 20 of those passages stay, making them very best for winter exploration. You may take pleasure in lunch in one of many charming cafés, do some procuring, or just admire the structure of those historic areas.
#3 Take pleasure in Paris on a Seine Cruise Ship
I took this cruise final autumn with my son, and we liked it.
Rain or shine, a cruise on the Seine is all the time a good suggestion. As a result of whether or not you might be sitting exterior on deck or the heated inside, magnificent views on Paris are granted.
In December, with the usually grey winter skies, I like to recommend taking a night cruise, although.
Firstly, you’ll keep away from the dreary climate, and secondly, you’ll get to take pleasure in Paris’s gorgeous illuminations, which are even a bit brighter throughout the Christmas season.
Choose certainly one of these choices, appropriate for each price range:
Or check out my article about 5 Finest Seine River Cruise in Paris: Your Final Information for a extra detailed breakdown.
#4 Attend a Candle Mild Live performance
The December live shows are rapidly offered out – test the schedules right here
Candlelight live shows are rising in recognition, and in the event you’re intrigued, you’re in luck. Paris affords a full schedule of those distinctive performances in an distinctive setting.
Expertise the breathtaking ambiance of reside music surrounded by the nice and cozy glow of a whole bunch of candles.
These intimate live shows happen in gorgeous venues throughout the town, creating a really magical expertise.
I lately attended a piano live performance that includes Coldplay songs on this format, and it was merely implausible. The mixture of acquainted melodies and the enchanting candlelit setting made it a night to recollect.
Don’t miss your probability to take pleasure in this unforgettable expertise in Paris—guide your tickets now!
#6 Flick through the English Bookstores in Paris
Additionally learn: 8 pretty English Bookstores in Paris you shouldn’t miss
On the lookout for a very good guide to twist up with on a wet day in Paris? Head to certainly one of Paris’s many English bookstores! These shops are often small and comfortable, and you’ll usually discover some nice offers on used books.
Shakespeare & Firm might be probably the most well-known of those shops, and it’s positively price a go to. In case you are fortunate, you may even be on the town for certainly one of their iconic writer readings. Have a look at their agenda.
Tip: If you buy a guide right here, don’t neglect to ask that they stamp it. Like this, it makes even a greater memento, or possibly even a singular Christmas current for a liked one.
#7 Go to the Eiffel Tower
Fast Entry: E book your ticket to the summit proper right here
Regardless of the season, a go to to the Eiffel Tower can’t be lacking if you find yourself in Paris. Particularly if it’s your first time on the town.
The Eiffel Tower is Paris’s most iconic image. Constructed in 1889 for the Common Exhibition by Gustave Eiffel—who additionally designed the Statue of Liberty—it stays a must-visit landmark. As we speak, the tower affords one of many greatest panoramic views of Paris.
You may discover the second stage by both climbing the steps or taking the elevator. Nonetheless, the final word expertise for a lot of is reaching the summit of the Eiffel Tower.
If the official on-line ticket sales space has no tickets anymore, you may get them right here:
- Head straight to the summit with this ticket
- Benefit from the view over Paris after which sip Champagne on the Seine with this bundle
- Take the elevator to the 2nd Ground (actually, the view is nice from there, too)
If a go to to the Eiffel Tower is in your bucket listing, I like to recommend you higher play protected and guide your ticket for the carry upfront. Evaluate costs right here: Get Your Information and Viator.
Price range Tip: In case you are on a price range and goal at visiting the Eiffel Tower, merely take the steps to the 2nd flooring. It’s the most affordable strategy to see the Iron Woman.
Don’t fear, although—in the event you solely go as much as the second platform, you’ll nonetheless be rewarded with gorgeous views of Paris.
My Tip: In case you are taking the steps, costume in an additional layer. The staircase is unprotected, and it may be freezing chilly and moist.
Simply know that tickets for the staircase are solely offered on the Eiffel Tower’s official web site a few weeks upfront. Expectantly (and plenty of time queuing) you additionally may get them on the day of your go to to the tower.
Attention-grabbing articles in case you are touring on a price range to Paris:
What’s happening in Paris in December 2024
Uncover all the most effective occasions that may happen within the metropolis of Paris in December 2024.
from 20 November – Christmas Illuminations on the Champs-Élysées
All through December, the Christmas lights on the Champs-Élysées are put in, illuminating probably the most stunning avenue on this planet.
All of December – Christmas at Disneyland
In case you are a Christmas fan, Disneyland Paris is the place to be. The festivities begin on the eleventh of November and embody lights and reveals, Christmas carols, and snowflakes. An actual winter wonderland.
For extra data on Disney, don’t miss our guides
all through December – See the Christmas Shows
All through November, Paris will get prepared for the Christmas season. Some of the liked Christmas options in Paris are the adorned Christmas Vitrines of the Large Department shops. They are going to be revealed on the next dates:
BHV Marais: TBA
La Samaritaine: TBA
Galeries Lafayatte: TBA
Printemps Haussmann: TBA
All all through December – Competition of Lights on the Jardin des Plantes (2024 dates not but publicizes)
After its success in earlier years, the Competition of Lights returns for its sixth version this season. The Jardin des Plantes will as soon as once more remodel into an illuminated wonderland, crammed with magical sculptures and glowing creatures.
The 2024 exhibition affords a spectacular journey by means of a miniature world. Marvel at over 100 luminous bugs and different tiny creatures, magnified to a thousand occasions their precise measurement.
The exhibition ends on the thirtieth of January and requires an on-line reservation.
08 December – Reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral
After greater than 5 years of restoration, Notre Dame is lastly set to reopen this yr. Following the 2019 hearth, the cathedral is being reconstructed to match its unique design.
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