Describing late winter in Paris, American writer Ernest Hemingway wrote:
When we came back to Paris it was clear and cold and lovely. The city had accommodated itself to winter (...) there were braziers outside of many of the good cafes so that you could keep warm on the terraces (...) on the streets the winter light was beautiful. Now you were accustomed to see the bare trees against the sky and you walked on the fresh-washed gravel paths through the Luxembourg gardens in the clear sharp wind.
Hemingway's portrait fits Paris in January perfectly. The early-winter drowsiness has passed, the holiday hoopla has died down, and the New Year announces itself nicely with gradually longer days and the crisp, clean winter ambiance that comes with a drop in temperatures and clearer skies.
Recovering from their holiday excess, Parisians flood the streets and well-heated terraces to reunite with friends-- and, of course, to hit the winter soldes(sales), a Parisian ritual that borders on religious. For shopping aficionados, January is definitely a great time to be in the city of light.
Since this is low season in Paris, you should be able to get a good deal on flights in January, especially if you reserve one to two months ahead of your trip.
And because tourism is in low-tide mode compared to the spring or summer, visiting January in Paris also provides great opportunities for really lingering in some of the city's best spots for art and culture, such as the Musee d'Orsay or the Centre Pompidou. You'll finally be able to take as much time as you want contemplating your favorite paintings or monuments.
Finally, January is a great time to spend time in the warmth and charm of Paris' many cafes, so be sure to pack plenty of books and magazines for your trip. For those interested in Paris intellectual history, cafe-hopping in the city's historical Latin Quarter or in Saint-Germain-des-Prés would be a great way to spend part of a day.
The January Thermometer
- Minimum temperature: 2 degrees C (35.6 degrees F)
- Maximum temperature: 6 degrees C (42.8 degrees F)
- Average temperature: 3 degrees C (37.4 degrees F)
- Average rainfall: 46 millimeters (1.8 inches)
How to Pack for a January Trip to Paris
