how cold is Paris?? Floridian with no clue about cold. Going in a week.
 

help, I am am from florida an am uncertain what to bring for cold weather clothing in France. I have no concept of cold (or cold and rainy). Any advice??? <BR> <BR>Thank you.

Hmm. From Florida and going to Paris in December? Well, my suggestion is to be prepared for cold rain. Weather changes quickly in Paris, but days are short, the sun is low on the horizon when it shines, and high temperatures can be less than 50 degrees F. Lows will run close to freezing, if the sky is clear. <BR>If cloudy, the spread between high and low temperatures will be minimal. <BR> <BR>Yesterday, Nov 25, Paris had a high of 47 and a low of 43 with cloudy skies. <BR> <BR>I would not plan many outside activities. But the great museums and restaurants and department stores are all indoors. You may or may not have a good view from the Eiffel Tower; it all depends on the clouds. There is another series of posts of this same subject. And the answers are consistent with this response. <BR>

PS. I forgot to mention that the website listed below gives 4-day weather forecasts. For Paris, temperatures for the next 4 days will be 50 or less with clouds and rain in the forecast. <BR> <BR>http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/Paris_FR_f.html <BR> <BR>If I was going today, I would pack my heaviest Polarfleece pullover, a GoreTex windbreaker, hat or cap, warm trousers, a couple of turtle neck sweaters, a heavy shirt or two, and plan on buying a umbrella over there which I donate to the hotel when I leave. (You can also take one, but carrying one on the airplane can be a nuisance unless it fits in your luggage.) Buying one also fits in with my efforts to travel with no more than I need. I also suggest more than one pair of shoes suitable for walking. Even in damp weather, Paris is a city that virtually demands that you walk some. <BR>But, the Metro can be hot any time of the year. <BR>And, protect your valuables. A favorite ploy to rob tourists is for the thief to pretend to read the subway map posted over the doorway of the subway car. As you board, the map "reader" bumps into you, thus causing a distraction while he fingers your possessions. There other threads on this subject,so you might want to do a search. <BR> <BR>If you don't have any warm clothes, you might need to make a purchase or two so that the trip will not be totally miserable. Clothing is a very personal issue, so it is hard to give exact advice. But cold rain is a distinct possibility.

The secret is LAYERS. <BR>I am going to Paris in 3 weeks. When I was in Paris last year in early December it was in the high 40s-50s with drizzle and fog. [I got great pictures] of the bottom of the Eiffel Tower :)]Last year my winter coat was over-kill, but certainly a warm outer jacket, turtlenecks, sweaters [even cotton ones work if you are layered]. My new secret weapon is a black silk "underwear" turtleneck from Lands End. I figure if I have that, a sweater and my winter coat I will be okay :) Don't forget warm gloves and scarves too :) Cold hands make a person mmmmmmiserable.

S Fowler is right on it. I forgot the gloves. I even stick a pair in during the summer when I head for the Alps. <BR>Glad they were listed. I was in Paris once in early March and the fog was so thick I almost banged into the Eiffel Tower before I saw it!!! But gloves are essential.

Having dragged Florida and Arizona girls to Paris and London in February, I'm well aware of the climate shock. <BR> <BR>Hat, gloves, scarf, socks, and enclosed/sturdy shoes (rubber soled walking shoes vs ballerina flats) are musts. As suggested in previous responses, LAYER LAYER LAYER. Whether silk liners (I'm trying them for the first time this winter trip) or cotton thermal underwear, you'll be glad you have either. I'd suggest pants vs skirts (or kilts, depending) so that you could wear tights underneath if you're cold. <BR>European indoors is not as warm as US indoors - by 20 degrees sometimes. Be sure you have an 'indoor' sweater, like a cardigan of medium wool or sweatshirt material, that you can wear in your room or in a cafe or restaurant. <BR>Have an umbrella; hoods on weather-proof jackets are great, except if the rain is coming in at an angle, right into your face. Believe this former New Englander, there's nothing worse than cold rain going down your neck. <BR>Make sure you stay (or get) as dry as possible. Two pairs of shoes means one can dry if necessary; extra socks means you can always have warm, dry feet. <BR>Cold is bad; cold and WET is unbearable. <BR>With all that said, it'll probably be 60 degrees and sunny (we have a 50% hit ratio on that weather). <BR>The lines are smaller at the sites, the food is heartier, and the coffee tastes even better. Even in cold and rain, Paris still looks wonderful - photographs seem to have sharper detail when it's raining - so do stroll if you can. There are covered passages (the original shopping malls) that let you be outdoors, indoors. And, if you've never experienced wind off a river (Chicagoans, Bostonians and New Yorkers, to name a few, know what I mean), you'll be in for a big surprise, crossing the Seine.

....great advise as usual ...just one thing hold to your umbrella, carry it always, everyday.....Bon voyage.

Just back last night from spending Thanksgiving week in Paris. We walked everywhere, but it was indeed cold many days. I'm from Minnesota, so we know cold. I agree that layers are the answer. A winter coat is more than you want to handle. (We were surprised that many "cloakrooms" would not accept a coat to check - only packages) Inside the Metro trains, the museums and department stores you will be very warm. Walking on the banks of the river (where most tourist attractions are located) is very windy making it even colder. For the most part we wore a tee shirt (sometimes of polar fleece) next to the skin (I like the silk idea), a lightweight wool sweater over that, a polar fleece short jacket with a high zip up neck and layered a windproof long raincoat over the top. I wore heavy cotton knit trousers or long skirt and my husband wore wool trousers. Heavy socks and VERY comfortable, warm shoes for walking. I would suggest black suede Aerosoles or the like (I think there's a big post here somewhere about shoes for travel). Bring knee length socks or wear shorter heavier one over tights. I saw tons of people in dressy ankle boots. They seemed to work great with either skirts or pants. Be sure to bring warm gloves (3M Thinsolate is wonderfully thin and warm), a neck scarf (this seemed to make a big difference for both of us) and a warm hat. Again, I used a floopy polar fleece one that was easy to slip into a daypack, but warm enough to keep my ears from freezing in the wind. Everyone wore black from head to toe. We saw very few people in jeans or sneakers. The restaurants are small, quaint but not so dressy. I never wore any of the evening clothes I packed. Never wore a pair of heels. <BR> <BR>We had a marvelous week even in the cold. No crowds anywhere and the whole city is really starting to gear up for Christmas. <BR> <BR>Absolutely buy a copy of two books before you go - Cheap Eats Paris and Access Paris. We had super fabulous, romantic, gourmet meals every night with the recommendations from Cheap Eats - roughly $25 per person with a bottle of wine, appetizer, entre and dessert. Not one loser in the book. Access Paris is a street by street guide that will save you a million steps. Its very easy to be within a block or two of your destination and still miss it completely. The streets are wonderful mazes, but confusing - a few extra blocks walking can make you pretty miserable in the cold. <BR> <BR>Be sure to check on days and hours for museums etc. before you go. We were dissappointed that the Napolean rooms were closed on the day we went to the Louvre. They are always closed two days a week even though the museum is open. <BR> <BR>If you have other questions, drop me an email before you go. Have a great trip its a spectacular city.

All good advise, I'm from the southwest and my idea of cold is 65 degrees but I've been to Paris in the winter and survived! As all said layer your clothes and be sure to have more than one pair of sturdy walking shoes, something that if they get wet won't leak into your socks! I've always taken slacks (vs skirts) in winter, you can wear tights and/or socks underneath (be sure you try the socks/shoes combo at home and make sure your foot is comfortable. It may look odd but wear them around the house (or to the mall) for a day or two and test them out. Always take an umbrellla with your, get a small fold-up kind. Scarf & gloves a must. I've used a London Fog raincoat (long one) with lining and a couple of layers under that, i.e. blouse or t-top, vest or sweater and maybe a blazer. If you feel really cold you can always buy something over there and then you will have a rememberance of the trip too! A long sleeve blouse or sweater can be had in any dept. store. <BR>Have fun

buy one of the gorgeous chenille knit scarves on the Rue de Rivoli and wrap it around your neck. we were in Paris in late March last year . . . needed the scarf badly . . . so bought it the second day there. heed the words of the Northerners . . . go with basic black or you will possibly feel way out of place . . .

Zee: I just returned yesterday from 2 1/2 days in Paris. It was cold, but no rain. The temperature did not vary much from day to night. It was windy most of the time. Take a scarf. I am from the south, also, so I had to go and buy one! <BR>K-mart had some great chenille ones that were 8 or 9 dollars. I hated to spend much, because I am not likely to need it more than once or twice all winter here. We wore thermal tee-shirts, sweaters, light jackets, with tights and socks and did not suffer at all. I took my long, light weight wool coat, and it was nice to put on at night without one of the layers. I wore boiled-wool clogs with thick soles and my feet were never cold. Don't believe anything you read about Paris buildings being cold. Everything, including our hotel, was very over-heated. <BR>

Being from the deep south, I understand your concern. I have been to Paris six times in December/January and have seen sunshine in the 50s and snow in the 20s. My experience highlights the following: thermal underwear, nice hat, black clothes, two pairs of socks and comfortable shoes that have been waterproofed (these don't have to be fancy. My last pair were brown, all terrains from K-Mart with a healthy dose of scotchguard.) Have a great time.

Zee, <BR>I'm from California. It was in the eighties two weeks ago and I hit Paris and it was cold (but I liked it). Follow all advise listed above. Watch out for that French Flu. It's evil !!! <BR>Am still suffering right now. If you are into herbs and things good idea to start taking Echinecia a week before and during. I did the week before but misplaced my herbs during the week and I'm now taking Amoxicillin for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

I just got back from Paris and I found it to be colder than I expected. Actually, it was freezing. And I'm from New York. It's that bone chilling kind of cold and it's very windy. Be sure to bring warm sweaters, hat, gloves and scarf. Have a great time!