Paris in December/January?

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Eclipsepearl

Brrrrr! Be ready for the cold...

It's actually not an illogical time to go to Paris. You avoid the crowds and can max out all the museums. Jump on one of those double decker tourist buses if you haven't been to Paris before. This keeps you warm and gives you an idea of what's around. The MÃ©tro will also get you around without freezing you to death. CafÃ©s everywhere will mean that you always have a refuge!

There are also school vacations the month of February. No, the whole month is not off but the time off is rotated around the country so it's wise to go before it starts.

I took my kids to Paris in February when they were off and we went up the Eiffel Tower. If it's clear, even if it's cold, it's still fun and the view is still great. There was an overpriced cafÃ© and my children had hot chocolate and warmed up. There were also some ice scluptures on the first level and we got some great pictures.

We even visited some parks. It was brisk but still enjoyable. Need I mention shopping?? Going to Gallerie Lafayette is worth a visit, even if you don't buy anything. Beautiful dome with the levels as balconies...

http://www2.galerieslafayette.com/international/goFolder.do?f=home_en&lang=en&fontLang=null

I used to live in Paris and visit it a lot (French husband & still live in France). I have never seen snow there. Make sure you have some serious rain gear in your bag. Don't depend on an umbrella because there can be a nasty wind and you don't want to poke people in crowded streets. Adjust your schedule to take advantage of cold, clear days and put off museums and shopping for rougher weather.

Rillifane needs to introduce his girlfriends and wives to Ecco shoes. They're Danish so they have that European look and kind of hit the right balance between chic and practical. This is the summer collection so it doesn't show their cool boots. I have a ton and it's not obvious that I'm American and I don't look like I have on teen footwear.

http://www.ecco.com/fr/fr/collection/femmes/2/casual/21/index.jsp

Have a good time!

David

"Cold" is a relative term. I used to live in Paris, and the winters there aren't really that cold as far as I'm concerned. (Not that cold weather is unheard of, mind you.) Temperatures in the 30's and 40's Fahrenheit don't seem that cold when you've experienced spending a few days in, say, QuÃ©bec City during the winter. Temperatures in the teens, on a sustained basis- now *THAT'S* cold. :-) But I can only confirm the suggestions you've gotten- layers are a good idea. And Rillifane is right in pointing out that snow is unlikely. When I lived in Paris for 4 years (1997-2001), I remember only one occasion in which we had any actual snow accumulation- about an inch or so if even that, and it had completely melted by noon. It's not quite as rare in the suburbs, particularly if you venture a half hour or more from the city proper.

ChocoBN

A lot of good answers above. Just wanted to add that in winter there are attractions that are not available the rest of the year:
- ice-skating outside the City Hall
- seeing the Christmas decoration on the Champs ElysÃ©es with the Christmas lights at night.
- if you go before Christmas, shop windows will have the best decorations. Walk inside the Galeries lafayette to admire the beautiful dome.
- if you are there for the New year, don't miss the Fireworks at the Eiffel Tower (try to see them from a distance though, less crowded and safer).

Also, even if it snowed (get your camera out, Paris in the snow looks lovely and doesn't last), it wouldn't accumulate on the ground so you don't need special snowboots, just good, comfortable, warm shoes or boots. The weather is unpredictable and sometimes it's warm in December so be ready for anything and check the weather forecast before you go. Parisian winters can be damp and feel colder than it really is with that fine drizzle so wear waterproof too.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/photosnocturnes/316007855/

tempting_butnothanks

definitely wear some comfortable shoes. make sure they're broken in before you go. a nice wool coat, scarf & gloves are pretty necessary. there are a million things to do in Paris, get yourself a train/tram pass and see/do all you possibly can. the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Arch de Triumph, a short drive out into the country is a must too.

demaissoneuve

Paris in December is a must experience for everyone who has a chance of being there. You are going to fall in love with the city.

Yes it is cold, but it would rain (more of slush) rather than snow.

A pair of good, comfy, waterproof boots, a nice and fancy coat, and a couple of under layers will take good care of you.

Go for it and have a lot of fun.

Rillifane

You are correct in thinking it will be cold. The average high daily temperature will be around 44Â° Fahrenheit and the average low temperature will be 36Â°. The chance that it will snow on any given day in this time period is about 10%.

You're right about the layering. When you're sightseeing you're forever going in and out of buildings or metro stations into the cold and back again. The ability to easily peel off or add on a layer is essential to comfort. Its a good idea to wear multiple light layers and carry a small daypack where you can stow one or more such layers when you need to.

I've had a succession of wives/girlfriends who've tried to find walking shoes that are both cute and comfy. None has ever been successful. Really good walking shoes, especially for walking around on wet, cold streets, have to be fairly clunky. There's no good compromise.

EDIT@Eclipsepearl

Ecco is what most of them do wind up choosing but, maybe because I never go to Paris in the summer, they still look clunky to me.

Sarah

You are going to love it! My husband and I went Jan 2008, it was the best time ever. Romantic because it is cold, but not unbearably cold.

This was my 3rd time going and I think it was the best trip.
I don't care what anyone says about France, I love the people, the food the sites, the culture. It helps that my sister is married to a Frenchman and lives in a Paris suburb.

Just enjoy yourself! Have a great time! The food is soooooooooooooooooooo good. Not at the fancy restaurants though, the local bakery and cafes have the best food.

The expensive restaurants are most bland.

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