Christmas in Paris: What’s the Weather in Paris in December?

Christmas in Paris: What’s the Weather in Paris in December?

Originally published by Natalie in November 2019 and updated by Vanessa in May 2023.

If you’re heading to Paris for Christmas you’re in for a chilly, but whimsical, treat.

For Parisians, Christmas spirit lies in the subtlety of delicate light displays around the city and Christmas markets here and there. They center this time of year strongly around food, especially shared dining, and also make the most of the outdoors in spite of the northern hemispheric climate.

Read also; Paris weather in Winter

So what can you really expect from a December in Paris? Here’s what I know.

Paris – by Anthony DELANOIX – Unsplash

December Weather in Paris

The last month of the year in the French capital brings rainy, icy weather.

December marks the end of Autumn and the official start of Winter in the northern hemisphere. Parisian Winters are by no means as harsh as those experienced across Eastern Europe, but they’re still nothing to take lightly.

In December, expect mostly cloudy days with regular rainfall and/or sleeting. Snow in Paris is rare, and on the odd occasion that it does fall from the sky, it generally lasts just a few minutes & melts on impact.

Paris – by Norbu Gyachung – Unsplash

December isn’t all gloom, however. Paris is known for their “break days”; outbursts of sunlight and blue skies every so often, sometimes even lasting an entire day. The air will stay chilly, but feeling the Vitamin D on your skin for a few minutes is a welcome relief.

Read also; Paris in December

On average, one can expect around 8 days of sun out of the full December month. One can also expect around 14 days of rainfall.

Paris – by Roxana Voicaru – Unsplash

During the day, expect temperatures of between 6°C to 14°C. The highest recorded temperature in Paris during a December period was 17°C. Miracles do happen, guys.

Night time goes low, and one can expect temperatures of around 1°C on average. Early mornings have seen numbers below freezing, and Paris’ record low is -10°C. These numbers are unlikely, but with the current climate crisis anything is possible.

What to Pack for December in Paris

Packing for December in Paris is similar to packing for any other icy trip in Europe. Having lived through this cold a few times now, I have the following recommendations:

Paris – by Tom Morel – Unsplash

Pack at least two pairs of decent shoes

As mentioned, snow in Paris is rare, but the sleet and rainfall can result in some sludge-covered streets, and you’ll be grateful to have shoes to alternate with.

Waterproof shoes are preferable, and boots are great in these conditions as well. Avoid anything with a heel and, in the case of boots, make sure they have sufficient grip on the underside.

Read also; What to wear in Paris? A guide for all seasons

Bring an umbrella

Or buy one when you get here! With an average of 14 days of rainfall you’ll be happy to have a compact umbrella to clip to your handbag/backpack as you mission through the city.

If you’re like me and you hate carrying things around for “just in case”, then consider investing in a quality waterproof windbreaker or rain coat.

Layers!

I cannot stress this one enough.

Layers will save your life in Paris, especially on days when you’re sight seeing and moving between the indoors & outdoors a lot.

Bring heat sealed undergarments and thin base layers that can be easily removed if needed. Turtle neck vests come in handy for creating a barrier between your chest and the cold air.

Scarves are an underrated layering accessory, bring at least two!

Paris holds a lot of its chill in the concrete infrastructure that makes up most of the city center. You’ll feel a lot of the cold coming from the ground beneath your feet, and unsuitable shoes & socks will only cause you pain in the long run. Layer your toes!

Paris – by Aurélien Lemasson-Théobald – Unsplash

A good pair of gloves

Because I am president of the bad circulation club, my fingers and toes take a lot of strain in the Parisian winters.

A good pair of gloves is necessary for anyone making their way around the city streets on foot. Unfortunately, if you’re self-navigating you’ll have to be able to use your phone along the way.

Get yourself a pair of inexpensive, knit gloves from your nearest junk shop (we all know one). Cut the tips of the fingers off and create your own pair of fingerless gloves.

Wear these at all times underneath your full length gloves. They’ll save most of your hand when the top layer needs to come off to use a cellphone.

Wear a beret

Because you’re in Paris! Why not?

Also, it will keep your head warm and hair dry to a surprising degree. Très chic!

Paris – by Tom King – Unsplash

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Christmas in Paris: What to Expect

As I said, Christmas time in Paris really gets people out and about in the city streets in spite of the cooler temperatures. There is a lot to see, do and eat during the month of December.

Ice skating is an activity not to be missed! There are rinks set up in various public squares and museums around the city. A great excursion for families traveling with kids!

The Christmas markets are a big deal during December, too. Most of Paris’ major neighborhoods will set up a market in the traditional style. Visit for hot spiced wine, handmade toys and all the French Christmas foods you can eat. Click here for more information on these. 

Read also; Top 10 free things to do in Paris in winter

Paris – by loly galina – Unsplash

The holiday lights are usually set up around Paris from mid November, and are open for viewing through until January. The lights on the Champs-Elysées are world famous, and attract thousands of travelers annually.

As you make your way around town uncovering all the Christmas delights that the city holds, you’ll probably stumble across some carol singers and impromptu concerts as well. Christmas in Paris holds endless possibilities.

Paris – by Mat Reding – Unsplash

Best things to do in Paris at Christmas

1. Visit the Christmas markets

Photo by Humphrey Muleba from Pexels

Since their inception in Germany, Christmas markets have spread throughout Europe and beyond, becoming an annual festive tradition in most towns, including Paris. Christmas markets may be found all throughout Paris, from Les Halles to Notre Dame, as well as the spectacular Christmas Village at La Défense. T

ake in the Christmas spirit on the streets of Paris! These wooden chalet markets offer a warm and magical Christmassy atmosphere and are the ideal place to pick up Christmas decorations, festive things, regional delicacies, and arts & crafts. You will almost indeed find decorations for your Christmas tree, unique gift ideas, and ingredients to make your Christmas meals even more delectable.

Tuileries Garden Christmas Market, Wecandoo Christmas Market, Abbesses Christmas Market, Notre-Dame de Paris Christmas Market, and Saint-Germain-des-Prés Christmas Market are among the most popular.

Read also; 5 Great Ways to Celebrate Christmas in Paris

2. Attend a Christmas Concert

Photo by Harimadhav S from Pexels

Christmas concerts in Paris are another specialty of this city. During the Christmas season, you will hear a wide range of music, including classical, opera, ballet, and jazz. Paris becomes incredibly festive in December, with shimmering lights. It brings with it lovely Christmas markets, unique Christmas concerts in Paris, and a slew of other festive events.

La Sainte-Chapelle Concerts, Candlelights Concert At St. Ephrem Church, Eglise Saint-Eustache, Eglise De La Madeleine, Église Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis Christmas Concerts, and Cathédrale Américaine De Paris are some of the beautiful churches for Christmas concerts in Paris where you can enjoy music as well as art and history.

3. Admire the Illuminations

Photo by David Guerrero from Pexels

The City of Lights transforms into the City of Fairy Lights around Christmas, with Paris going into lighting overdrive. Aside from shopping, the Parisian Christmas lights are a big tourist draw, with almost every street and building magnificently decked out to create a brilliant metropolis to be explored and experienced.

The Christmas lights on the Avenue des Champs-Elysées and Avenue Montaigne, as well as in Place Vendôme, the Montmartre neighborhood, and Bercy Village, attract particularly large crowds beginning in November.

In addition to the lights that decorate the streets, the high-end boutiques on Rue du Faubourg-St-Honoré, Avenue Montaigne, and the Champs Elysées go all out for Christmas, with buildings bathed in lights or having colorful patterns projected onto them. If you want to view the best Christmas light displays in Paris, you can take a guided tour* of the highlights on an open-top bus.

4. Go ice skating

Photo by Harrison Haines from Pexels

Ice skating is a must over the holidays. During the holiday season, various family-friendly events and activities are available around the city, most notably ice skating and magnificent old-style carousels. Ice skating rinks appear in some genuinely spectacular city settings, like the Magie de Noel Christmas Market in the Jardin des Tuileries.

Skating is normally free, but if you don’t have your own, you’ll have to pay for a skate rental. Take a trip on one of the numerous beautifully old merry-go-rounds strewn about the city after skating.

Most parks in Paris include carousels, which come into their own in the run-up to Christmas, along with the carnivals and fairground rides that arrive just for the occasion. Enjoy the views from the carousel at the Champs-Élysées Christmas market or ride the merry-go-round at Jardin des Plantes.

5. Enjoy Festive Feasts

Photo by Nicole Michalou from Pexels

What would a Christmas in Paris be without delectable food? After a long day of shopping and sightseeing, you’ll be searching for some well-deserved holiday meal when you leave your magnificent Plum home.

There will be plenty of wonderful food to choose from, with many restaurants and pubs extending their festive welcome well into the New Year. Make sure not to miss Paris chocolate and the beautifully smooth and creamy chocolat chaud which is a popular winter drink.

Some of the best can be found at Jean-Paul Hévin’s Salon de thé and chocolate bar, Maison de Chocolat, or Saint-Germain. Pick up a bûche de Noel, or yule log, from a local patisserie to bring the flavor of a Parisian Christmas home with you.

Read also; 10 Things to Do in Paris on Christmas Day (2022)

One final thing to note: The free guided walking tours of Paris don’t come to a halt during the month of December. You’ll still be able to explore your favorite arrondissements from the street level with the help of a professional guide. Book today!