soniela

How cold is it in Paris during Christmas? Is it a nice place to be during the holiday season, or does the weather put a damper on your trip? Thanks for your advice!

Surfergirl

It is generally quite cold and the days very short. It's beautiful at this time of the year, but you do have to button up well.

It also depends on where you're traveling from. If you are coming from Minnesota, it will feel warm for you. If you are coming from Southern California or from Spain, it might feel harsh to you.

TravelingMom

We were in Paris for new year's eve 3 years ago - weather was chilly but definitely tolerable. It drizzled one day but was clear and sunny the other 4. I was always comfortable in pants, sweater, winter coat, hat, and gloves (and umbrella!).

One bonus of this time of year (at least when we were there) is that there seemed to be significantly fewer American tourists than other times of the year...

shellio

Average high in December is 45, average low is 36, according to weather.com. Rain and wind obviously influence comfort level, but the times I've been in Paris in December were wonderful, crisp and fresh. I'll never forget walking all over the city on a sunny cold New Year's Day.

soniela

Thank you! I'm coming from Southern CA, so any drop in temperature seems like a blizzard is ready to hit. If we decide on this trip, I'll make sure to pack lots of heavy items. Thanks!

nonnafelice

We were in Paris for Christmas week last year, and it was a wonderful trip. We had some gray days, a little drizzle, but also some very nice sunny days. There was only one day when it rained steadily for any period of time. And the great thing about Paris is how the Metro goes everywhere and runs every 5 minutes or so -- you don't really have to be outdoors very long to go from one place to another.

The city was beautiful, with all the Christmas lights, trees, carousels everywhere for the children. (I do have pictures on a web site. If anyone is interested, I'll post the URL.)

One good thing about going to Paris for Christmas is that it's a very secular society, so not everything closes on Christmas Day. We actually spent a good part of Christmas Day at the Pompidou Museum. I think the Paris tourist office web site posts a list of places that are open and closed on Christmas as the season approaches.

If you do go, we were told that Christmas Eve is a very busy night for dining out, and that you need reservations in advance, so we found a place we could book on the Web before we left.

We're from Boston, and for us it was just chilly, not cold, but it would be an adjustment coming from California.

Surfergirl

okay, coming from Southern California, you may have this weird thing that happens to some of us -- getting this strange cough. It won't happen when you're outdoors, but may happen when you are inside in a heated room. I became convinced a long time ago that it has something to do with the heaters, and I could be wrong, but radiators seem to have the worst effect. You think you're catching something, but you aren't.

On the other hand, the body adjusting to all the temperature changes (going there and coming back), you might find yourself picking up flu-like symptoms once you return from your trip.

Dress in layers, bring gloves, scarves and a hat, not to mention the heavy coat. The beauty of Paris at Christmas is worth the discomfort!

TarheelsInNj

It's interesting to hear everyone's opinion about this- I was in Paris for Christmas week as well (my first time there), and thought it was freezing! I like to do a lot of walking around on my trips, and so the rain and cold made that part unpleasant. The churches are freezing as well- unfortunately, my most vivid memory of the Sunday mass we attended was shivering through it =(

We DID have a nice trip, and once we were inside, it was fine! I personally just am miserable in the cold- and I'm from New Jersey

If you button up and layer REALLY well and know what to expect, you should be fine. It is definitely beautiful with Christmas decorations- the Champs Elysees is not to be missed!

sol_veracruzano

nonna's chirstmas URL

Could you post it?

OO

We spent Christmas week 2003 in Paris and loved, loved, loved it. We live in FL, so the cold air was novel to us and added to the experience, rather than detracted from it. We had very little heavy rain, but lots of drizzle and grey skies. Fog sometimes...that's just romantic in Paris. We had only one day of sun, but overall, felt the weather wasn't a hindrance what-so-ever, but contributed to the ambiance of the city.

Neither of us brought wool coats, but we did have zip in liners for our raincoats, scarves, gloves, and waterproof boots. I, whom am always cold, was comfortable with a good weight sweater under all, except for the evening (Christmas) atop the Eiffel Tower, where it was frigid in the wind. Umbrellas were our constant companion, but usually remained folded in my backpack...ready if we needed them.

We were going to do Rome this year, but I was dragging my feet...Paris had been so fabulous I really wanted to go back again, and that's the plan now.

poochie

We are going at Christmas too. Spent the past two Christmas' in Munich.
Layering is the key!!! We are from
South East Florida and survived the cold. What do you all think the chances of snow are?

Leely

My family spent Christmas in Paris last year and had an amazing time. It was cold, but not unbearable (I'm from San Francisco). We brought long silk underwear, wool coats, glove, hats and scarves. And we were fine. Walked everwhere, and only had one really cold, rainy day (at Versailles). Nights were cold but beautiful. If we got to cold we stopped in someplace for a drink.

Like the earlier poster, we went to the Pompidou on Christmas Day. They were having a Jean Cocteau retrospective. Fantastic.

aggiegirl

Hi,
When do the Christmas decorations go up in Paris?

nonnafelice

Here's the link to our Christmas in Paris 2003 photos:

http://www.rozault.com/Paris2003/index.html

We went on one of those go-today package deals, which was amazingly cheap, and worked out very well.

mvor

nonnafelice, I enjoyed your photos very much and it was a fun surprise to see Francesco from Mezza Luna (our favourite pizza place when we're in Paris). Maureen

jay

We were there last Christmas also. We are from Seattle so it was just like being home. Long sleeve shirts and fleece were the norm. Also, a single layer windbreaker/ rain top is needed. Paris is fantastic at Christmas. The markets all end on Christmas eve but are fun nontheless. We took a side trip to Fontainbleu and had fun in the town. We also did a 5 day driving trip to Strasbourg which was fun. The weather was also about 10 deg. warmer. Go to mass at N.D. It is very moving.

amelia

Because of e-savers, we've spent more time in Paris in the winter than in summer, and we have always enjoyed it. The temperature has actually been above where we're from, but this is TRULY important...it's far windier in Paris. Those Parisiens know what they're doing with those scarves.

We make sure the coat we take is windproof and we always have silk underwear on hand.

Of course, the nice thing about being cold in Paris is that it's an excuse to stop at a café.

nonnafelice

Aggiegirl, I think the Christmas decorations generally go up the last week in November. A good web site to check for Christmas things is www.metropoleparis.com . Ric (the keeper of the site) posts an excellent compilation of what's going on around the city with very complete Christmas info.

Mvor (Maureen), what fun that you recognized Francesco! Isn't he great? We had some really nice conversations with him, and as I wrote on the web site, we LOVED their pizza.

mvor

nonnafelice, Francesco is a little slice of Italy transported to Paris (pardon the pun). We always hope that we get him or the "mom" since the "dad" (who is also featured in your photos) can be a little cranky at times. He makes for good entertainment though. I can't wait to see what he's up to in November. And those olives...

aggiegirl, we've seen some decorations/window displays during our Thanksgiving visits.

soniela, I hope you have a terrific trip!