10 things to see and do in Paris in winter

Although it is thought that the Parisian weather in winter can make the holidays not as pleasant as in other seasons, the truth is that the attractions of Paris at this time of the year are many and that in winter there are many activities that are impossible to find in other seasons and that will make you not want to leave the city to continue enjoying it.

As Christmas approaches, in fact from a few weeks before, Paris fills up with ice rinks for everyone to enjoy. Some of them, moreover, are in truly fantastic locations:

• Among the most recommendable are those at Le Grand Palais, also open for the New Year's Eve party. From a certain time in the evening, this rink practically turns into a discotheque where you can dance with your skates.
• The rink in the Jardin des Tuileries is no less spectacular in its setting.
• The rink located on the terrace of the Galeries Lafayette will allow you to enjoy a wonderful view of the Eiffel Tower and the Opera.
• There is also a rink at the Trocadero, but depending on the circumstances, it can be moved to the Champs de Mars.

Most of these rinks are free, although you'll have to pay for equipment hire if you don't bring your own.

Skate at the Eiffel Tower

If ever there was a skating rink in an unforgettable location, it's the Eiffel Tower. If you travel to Paris, you'll know it's a must-see attraction and I recommend you book your tickets in advance. If you're staying in winter, you can also skate on the first level of the monument, 57 metres above the ground.

One of the main attractions ofParis in winter is strolling, shopping and having a drink at the Parisian Christmas markets. It's worth bearing in mind that, despite being related to these dates, some open as early as mid-November.

These markets are made up of various huts and stalls selling all kinds of local specialities. Here you can try gingerbread, roasted chestnuts and, of course, a nice glass of mulled wine to ward off the cold.

Although there are a large number of markets, I recommend you don't miss the one in Saint Germain des Prés square, the one in Abbesses square in Montmartre and the one on the Champs Elysées. A great plan is to book a tour of the Montmartre district and enjoy the charms of Christmas.

If you want to get off the beaten track in Paris and are looking for something truly original, don't miss a visit to the Musée des Arts Forains, which opens its doors to all visitors at Christmas during the Festival du Merveilleux.

During these days you can also see various performances by magicians, dancers, musicians, storytellers and acrobats. The site is divided into four themed areas: the Théâtre du Merveilleux, the Carnival of Venice, its magnificent gardens (decorated for the occasion) and a replica of a Belle Époque fairground.

Practical information

• Venue: the activities take place at the Musée des Arts Forains, in the Pavillons de Bercy.
• Opening hours: from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
• Price: Adults pay around €20, while children only pay around €12. Children under the age of 3 are free.

Although less well known than in other cities, the Paris Carnival fills the streets of Paris with colour, music and festivities. It is led by a cow representing the Promenade du Boeuf-Gras ("the parade of the fat cow"), the former name of the Paris Carnival, and the rest of the parade is made up of acrobats and all kinds of performers, not forgetting the recently added Brazilian samba groups.

This festival, which takes place in February in Paris, heralds the end of winter. Originally held at the beginning of the month, it now starts on the Sunday before Mardi Gras, 40 days before Lent. Apart from the parade, Paris also offers a host of dance, live music and circus shows during these days.

Practical information

• Parade venue: the parade usually starts at around 1pm in the Place Gambetta and goes through some of the most central streets until it reaches the Place de la République.

With the arrival of Christmas, Paris lives up more than ever to its nickname of City of Lights. Among the more than 150 streets that are decorated and illuminated every year for the enjoyment of adults and children, there are a few places that no one in Paris in December and early January should miss. These include the Champs Elysées, Avenue Montaigne and Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré.

Of course, the main monuments in Paris are also spectacularly illuminated:

• If the Eiffel Tower is already worth seeing at night, it is even more impressive at this time of year.
• The same goes for other buildings such as the Arc de Triomphe.
• And of course the Opéra Garnier.

A perfect way to enjoy the Christmas lights, take shelter from the winter cold and rest your legs after a day of intense sightseeing is to book a seat on the Big Bus, the Paris sightseeing bus. Sounds appetising, doesn't it?

One of the most special winter activities is the Pantheon Nights. If you take part, you will not only have fun, but you will also learn about the history of this prestigious Parisian monument. The activity, held at night, consists of a game based on questions and with the help of a simple torch. They are usually held on the 8 Wednesdays between mid-November and the first days of February.

As a curiosity (and in case you have to answer the question), this monument (built between 1764 and 1790) was for a long time the tallest monument in Paris. It is located in the Latin Quarter, very close to the Luxembourg Gardens.

It's not all about activities, trips to Versailles from Paris or visiting the best museums in the French capital when you travel to Paris. So trying the typical winter dishes should also be part of your Parisian experience.

As in other countries, French cuisine changes as the weather gets colder. Whether you hire a gastronomic tour of Paris or choose your own restaurants, there are some dishes you should not miss:

• One of the most traditional and winter-friendly dishes is the fantastic onion soup.
• Of course, crepes are another must-try. Although it is true that you will find them all year round, in winter it is well worth looking for one of the best creperies in Paris and sitting down to enjoy them.
• There's nothing better to accompany an afternoon snack or breakfast than ordering a hot chocolate, a drink much appreciated by Parisians during the coldest time of the year.

If you're a shopaholic, Paris could be your paradise. One of the advantages of travelling in winter is that you'll find yourself in the middle of the sales season. The sales start at the beginning of January in Paris and last for about 5 weeks.

The discounts are not limited to shops with average quality products, but the department stores in the so-called Golden Triangle (in the Opéra/Haussman area) also lower their prices considerably. This is the best time to go to Galeries Lafayette or Le Printemps to look for bargains.

For those looking for the best bargains, there is nothing better than the outlet centres. In these clearance shops you will find high quality products with discounts of up to 80% off their normal price.

Paris is no exception and its Chinese community decorates the neighbourhoods where they live with colourful and colourful decorations. Chinese New Year has no fixed date, but is always celebrated between 21 January and 19 February each year.

The celebrations include parades, singing and various types of street performances, including the lion and dragon dances.

On the other hand, this date can also be the perfect time to visit some museums other than the traditional ones. In Paris, along with the Louvre and Orsay museums, there are also others such as the Paris Beijing gallery, dedicated to traditional and contemporary Asian art.

Seeing Paris from the Eiffel Tower, the Montparnasse Tower (included if you buy the Paris Pass) or any of the other viewpoints in Paris is always a rewarding experience. However, the atmosphere created by winter gives the capital a totally different look.

For those who are enjoying the French capital during these months, in addition to the above mentioned viewpoints, there is another impressive place to observe Paris from above: the Ferris wheel on the Place de la Concorde.

The Ferris wheel has 42 cabins and is installed on the Champs Elysées. Every year it is used by more than 300,000 people who want to reach the top, which is 65 metres high. From there you can see the Louvre, the Tuileries garden and many other attractions of the city. Although it's a matter of luck, the best time to climb the Ferris wheel is after a good snowfall. The sight of Paris in white is absolutely unforgettable.

Winter in Paris is usually quite cold, although it is the possibility of rain that can really annoy travellers. To be on the safe side, it's best to check the weather forecast a few days before you travel.

Highs average around 5 degrees Celsius on average, but on some days it can drop to around 0 degrees Celsius. Lows, meanwhile, average around 3 degrees Celsius, reaching -3 degrees Celsius at the coldest times.

Although it doesn't happen every year, it's not uncommon for it to snow during the Parisian winter. If it does happen while you're there, my advice is to enjoy the white sights of the city.

The winter cold in Paris is something to bear in mind when packing your luggage. If you're travelling between November in Paris and March in Paris, don't forget to pack warm clothes: thick jumpers, warm socks, hats, gloves, scarves and even some thermal clothing. Of course, a good jacket is also a must.

As for shoes, they should combine comfort with warmth. I also recommend that they have a good grip in case it snows during your stay.

One of the aspects that is often forgotten when planning a trip is the amount of daylight hours you will have. This can make all the difference to the planning of your stay.

In Paris in winter, the sun rises at around 8.30am and sets at around 4.50pm. This means that, from that time onwards, everything you do will be done at night.

Fortunately, the monuments and squares of Paris are very well lit, something that is accentuated if you travel to Paris at Christmas.