Is December too cold to enjoy Paris?

Question

I'm thinking of spending my Christmas vacation in France.

Would it be too cold to go sightseeing and enjoy my time?

Should I postpone it till spring?

Answer 1

Winter in Paris is absolutely wonderful, believe me. First, there aren't as many tourists as there are in the summer. And also, I've always thought that Paris was so much more beautiful and romantic during the winter. It's really hot here in the Summer. When you come to Paris around December, it's quite cold but if you're lucky, you'll get to see Paris under the snow, which is absolutely breathtaking. Everything is much more beautiful during the winter, also because of the Christmas lights and the atmosphere. You have to be there to see.

If you're planning to go with a loved one, then go during the Winter. It's really romantic to walk around Paris under a coat, wearing gloves, walking around bohemian Montmartre under the snow.

Answer 2

It's never that cold in Paris. Winter is beautifull plus you get to visit museums and galleries while they are having their best exhibit.

Answer 3

i think spring will be better.I was there in winter and the weather was not nice.Its difficult then to enjoy the places of interests.When you climb the eiffel tower, with the fog you can't see anything and for Arc de triomphe and Montparnasse tower too.

With a little sun you will enjoy more your visit

Answer 4

I think it is best to postpone to spring.I have been there in april and it was charming!!Wishing you nice visit

Answer 5

December is one of the worth month in Paris ; it's cold and it is often raining. The city of Paris needs sun or a minimum light to be enjoy ("the light city"). June, July or August are perfect to visit Paris (June because you have the longuest day with a lot of sun, July and August because you have a lot of sun without any people of Paris).

I am living in Paris

Answer 6

December is very cold in Paris. I do not think it is the best season to go there. May or June are better and days are longer.

Answer 7

While I agree that the weather is obviously much nicer in the Spring (or at least the late spring) there is much to be said for going to Paris in the winter (which I have done many times).

To begin with its cheaper since airline fares are usually at their lowest and hotels will be ready to cut you all sorts of deals on rates.

Mainly, there are less tourists in a city which is often crammed full of them and a lot less of the tourists who are there will be squalling infants, loutish, sullen teenagers and drunken college revelers.

Moreover, the weather is not usually terribly cold by the standards of anyone who has lived in, for example, Chicago or Montreal.

Answer 8

Christmas in Paris? It's a good idea.

I know because I'm french, I live in Calais.

You'll see lights' christmas, champs élysées, arc de triophe, Eiffel Tower.... moreover, there is a skating rink at Eiffel Tower. If you want, go to Dynesland Paris.

For the weather, the temperature is between 5 and 10°Celsius (between 41 and 50°Fahrenheit).

Answer 9

Arguably the best times to see Paris: May and December.  I have been there in May, the weather is perfect though it rains sometimes.

I plan to go this December as well, you can search www.about.com for some tips in weather, packing, etc...

Answer 10

Absolutely not.  I was there last year from December 27 till January 6.  It was chilly (even to me, and I'm from Detroit), but I wore layers and was perfectly comfortable.  You won't typically see much sunshine, though.  

If you're there for new years, make sure to plan for many businesses to close at noon-ish on new years eve and not re-open till January 2nd.  

There's much to see during the holidays, too.  The decorations are really pretty.  Make sure to go by Hotel de Ville; in addition to the decorations, there's also an ice skating rink in the forecourt.  There may be some special concerts or events going on so make sure to check.  

The day I went up to Sacre Coeur, it was a little foggy.  I got an amazing shot of the city with not much visible in the distance except the towers of Notre Dame.  

The last night of my trip, I went up to the top of the Eiffel Tower.  It was cold and windy, and there were a few wispy clouds floating by, but I had great views of the illuminated city of lights.  

Have fun.  I sure wish I was going!