The beautiful French capital is a wonderful place to visit at any time of year, but there’s something especially magical about it as we head into the colder months. Here, we look at some of the things to do in Paris in winter that make it such a great destination for a short break.
1. Visit museums in Paris
Cold, rainy days in Paris offer the perfect chance to explore its most famous museum, the Louvre. Set on the banks of the River Seine, the Louvre is the world’s largest art museum, and one of the best examples of this type of museum in existence. Set inside a palace, the Louvre houses around 38,000 objects from pre-history to the 21st century, and you can spend hours looking at everything from painting and drawings to sculptures and antiquities.
Two of the most famous pieces in the Louvre are the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, so you should definitely take the opportunity to see these during your trip. To make the most out of your visit to the Louvre, you might like to take advantage of the museum’s audio guide, or opt for a guided tour so that you can ask questions too!
Another great attraction to explore in the winter is the Palace of Versailles. Despite being located outside of the capital’s centre, it’s very easy to get to, and you’re sure to be in awe of what you find there. The palace was the official royal residence between 1682 and 1789, and boasts an impressive 2300 rooms! These rooms include the seven fascinating State Apartments, most of which are named after planets, and the famous Hall of Mirrors – where the Treaty of Versailles was signed.
Once you’ve explored the Palace of Versailles’ interior, wrap up and head into its stunning gardens. The gardens were created over 40 years by thousands of men, and they are well-worth wandering around so that you can take in just how much work went into them. See the Orangery, the water features, and hundreds of fountains as you explore the vast area of paths and greenery, and see exactly what French-style gardens should look like.
2. Take a river cruise
If you don’t fancy walking around Paris in the cold, you might prefer to book onto a river cruise which will take you along the Seine. There are a number of awesome landmarks and monuments that you can see from Paris’ waterways, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Louvre. Between October and March, a boat departs every hour from 10:30am until 10pm, and you can listen to commentary about the city as you sail along.
Taking the cruise after the sun goes down makes for a romantic evening in Paris, and you can see the city in a new way as all of its top sights are illuminated in the dark. For an even better experience, you might like to book onto an evening cruise with dinner. The 8:30pm cruise offers a 3-course meal, live on board music, and a 2.5 hour journey around Paris, whereas the 6:30pm option is 1.25 hours long and doesn’t include music.
Another great way to explore Paris in winter without getting too cold is to buy a ticket for the hop-on-hop-off bus. You can choose a ticket that covers your travel for 1 to 3 days depending on how long you’re staying for, and it will give you the option to embark and disembark at a whole number of stops that give you access to Paris’ best sights. These buses also include commentary, so you can learn about the city as you travel through it.
3. Explore Christmas markets in Paris
Visiting Paris between mid-November and early-January? You’ll be able to explore some of the city’s lovely Christmas markets. There are between 15 and 20 Christmas markets in Paris every year, and each one offers its visitors something a little different. For an unrivalled setting, head to the Notre Dame Christmas market which is set just across the Seine from the famous cathedral in Square Viviani – which it home to the city’s oldest tree! Here, you can shop for high quality arts and crafts as you admire the market’s iconic backdrop.
Quite a new addition to the Paris Christmas market scene, Les Halles Christmas market offers a blend of tradition and fun that is sure to appeal to all ages. Browse the 50 wooden chalets for handmade gifts, treat yourself to some mulled wine and a bag of chestnuts (or a crepe!), and admire the collection of fairy lights and illuminated reindeer. You might also like to try your luck in the Christmas tree maze, or go and visit Santa in his cabin.
The biggest Christmas market in Paris can be found at La Défense Esplanade. With over 300 stalls to see, you’re sure to be able to find a gift for everyone that you need to buy a Christmas present for. Alongside traditional handmade items, you’ll find luxurious leather goods, children’s toys, fresh seasonal fruit, and even Santa outfits, so this really is the best place to prepare for Christmas in Paris. La Défense Esplanade also offers some of the tastiest food options that you’ll find at a Christmas market, so make sure that you stop off at one of the restaurants for something to eat and a glass of French wine.
With so many great things to do in Paris in winter, book your Dover to Calais ferry crossing today and get ready to discover it all for yourself.
