Paris in January

[Anonymous]

Has anyone gone during the winter months? My children's school has a strange break in the middle of the month for 5 days and we're thinking of a family trip.

[Anonymous]

Cold, foggy, damp, grey — and empty!

I recommend leather and silk. Don’t forget a scarf and gloves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cold, foggy, damp, grey — and empty!

I recommend leather and silk. Don’t forget a scarf and gloves.

And not many hours of daylight. Why Paris?

[Anonymous]

Parisian here. The worst month is November, because that's when it's cold and rainy but there's no holiday that month. The best month is May: the horse chestnuts are in bloom, it's warm enough to walk about, eat a sandwich baguette along the Seine, etc.

So January? Eh. 5 days is a bit short for so much jet lag. I wouldn't do it.

Also, the Olympics will be in Paris in July-August 2024. Avoid unless you like that sort of thing. It's going to be mobbed.

[Anonymous]

I've gone in February - cold, foggy, damp and grey just as they said above.

If you're a fan of Monet, this is how he painted Paris - in all its seasons. I loved my Feb trip but just know you'll spend a lot of time in and out of cafes to break from the chill.

[Anonymous]

We went in early February once and didn't see the sun the whole time. With the jet lag, it was murder.

[Anonymous]

Go to Mont Tremblant?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cold, foggy, damp, grey — and empty!

I recommend leather and silk. Don’t forget a scarf and gloves.

And not many hours of daylight. Why Paris?

Bc my daughter is a little obsessed with it right now. But sounds like we should just wait until Spring

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parisian here. The worst month is November, because that's when it's cold and rainy but there's no holiday that month. The best month is May: the horse chestnuts are in bloom, it's warm enough to walk about, eat a sandwich baguette along the Seine, etc.

So January? Eh. 5 days is a bit short for so much jet lag. I wouldn't do it.

Also, the Olympics will be in Paris in July-August 2024. Avoid unless you like that sort of thing. It's going to be mobbed.

Thank you. I’m glad I checked here.

I almost made an impulse ticket purchase this morning.

Lol.

[Anonymous]

I have been to Paris many times and love it, but the worst times have been in winter - really cold and wet and dark. It’s got character and makes for great eating, but I want to walk everywhere when I’m in Paris and the winter makes that hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parisian here. The worst month is November, because that's when it's cold and rainy but there's no holiday that month. The best month is May: the horse chestnuts are in bloom, it's warm enough to walk about, eat a sandwich baguette along the Seine, etc.

So January? Eh. 5 days is a bit short for so much jet lag. I wouldn't do it.

Also, the Olympics will be in Paris in July-August 2024. Avoid unless you like that sort of thing. It's going to be mobbed.

I’ve been to Paris twice in November and still had lots of fun and was outside quite a bit. I think January should be just fine. The warmest month? No. But still plenty to do.

[Anonymous]

I love Paris in January. It is beautiful in the gloomy weather, not that cold, not busy…just great.

[Anonymous]

It may be gloomy but I bet the crowds are smaller. Having just returned from Paris, the crowd were un-effing-bearable. To the point where it was unenjoyable. Every attraction was a mob scene and loooooooooong lines.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parisian here. The worst month is November, because that's when it's cold and rainy but there's no holiday that month. The best month is May: the horse chestnuts are in bloom, it's warm enough to walk about, eat a sandwich baguette along the Seine, etc.

So January? Eh. 5 days is a bit short for so much jet lag. I wouldn't do it.

Also, the Olympics will be in Paris in July-August 2024. Avoid unless you like that sort of thing. It's going to be mobbed.

I’ve been to Paris twice in November and still had lots of fun and was outside quite a bit. I think January should be just fine. The warmest month? No. But still plenty to do.

PP you replied to. Of course you can enjoy yourself. But with a teen? Maybe OP wants to bring her when it's a little brighter and she can insta some better pics, no? Some cafes still have their giant Covid teddy bears sipping espresso at tables, you MUST take a photo with them! Just don't be like my teens, who wanted to bring a giant bear back to the States

And don't go into the warmest month. In August, a lot of residents leave and it's dryer, so that's when they do a lot of roadwork: the sand get your sandals and it's hot because there's not a lot of air-conditioned places. Blaargh.

[Anonymous]

My first adult trip to Paris was in January and I still loved it. It’s cold, but about the same temperature as DC - if you bundle up you’ll be fine. And we still walked everywhere, 10+ miles some days. I loved stopping at cafes for a coffee or mulled wine to warm up.

I’ve been both in the off season and the peak season and off season is generally much more pleasant because things aren’t mobbed. I would go!