Paris in January is quiet and generous with perks. After the 5th, tourists disperse, but the festive mood still lingers in the first few days. Fairy lights, rare snowflakes in the lamplight, the misty Eiffel Tower — and the city seems to belong only to you.
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January in Paris is cool and damp: the average daytime temperature is +6°C, and at night it’s around +3°C, but the wind and humidity make the air feel colder. It rains almost every other day, so an umbrella and waterproof shoes are a must. Snow is rare, but fog and low clouds give the city a cinematic look. Dress in layers and bring a warm jacket — there are only about ten sunny days per month.
There are few tourists – Paris is yours
In January, Paris seems to breathe a sigh of relief after the New Year’s hustle and bustle: museums have few visitors, and queues disappear so quickly that you can linger at each painting. Getting into a trendy restaurant or tiny bistro is now easier than in summer. Montmartre, the Latin Quarter and the banks of the Seine become places for leisurely strolls, where you don’t have to weave between groups of tourists – just you and the city in its winter guise.
The Christmas «tail»
In the first days of January, Paris is still alive with Christmas lights:
- shop windows shine, garland lights reflect off the wet cobblestones, and Christmas trees stand in the squares
- Ice rinks at the Hôtel de Ville and the Tuileries attract those who didn’t get enough skating in December
- Some winter markets are still open, offering mulled wine and sweets
- If you’re lucky, you can catch the Christmas magic at Disneyland
- Or just treat yourself to a lazy holiday
And when the garlands go out, the city will not lose its sparkle – it will simply light up with other lights: exhibition posters, theatre facades and bookshop windows.
Cultural winter in Paris
January in Paris is generous with art events: museums launch large-scale retrospectives, galleries open new projects, and fashion houses share their archives and photographs. After the Christmas break, the cultural calendar comes to life, and the city feels like everything interesting is just getting started.
Exhibitions and art events
- The Louvre and the Pompidou Centre traditionally unveil new exhibitions – from digital to classical art
- Art3f Paris 2026 is an international contemporary art fair featuring works by artists from around the world
And at the beginning of the year, the Louvre welcomes visitors not only with new exhibitions, but also with a new ticket price.
Theatre and musicals
- At the Théâtre Mogador – The Lion King musical, still playing to full houses
- At Le Lucernaire theatre – Oliver Twist (musical adaptation) – running until 11 January
- At the Théâtre Châtelet – The Cage for Followers, the French version of a popular Broadway production
Musical events
- Classical music is served up in ancient churches – Saint-Germain-des-Prés and La Madeleine: concerts by Vivaldi, Mozart and Bach
- At the Opéra Bastille and Palais Garnier – ballet and opera: Swan Lake, Eugene Onegin
Festivals and holidays
- The Festival of Saint James (Coquille Saint-Jacques) usually takes place on the 25th and 26th in Montmartre – scallop and seafood tastings
- Epiphany – 6 January: bakers prepare galette des rois (king cakes) to celebrate
After a busy cultural day, it’s nice to switch from posters to shop windows: in January, they attract not only with their decorations, but also with signs offering big discounts – the winter sales season in Paris is in full swing.
In early January, Parisian bakeries and pastry shops are filled with the aroma of galette des rois – a crispy puff pastry cake with almond cream. A tiny figurine is hidden inside, and whoever finds it becomes the «king» or «queen» of the day. The French buy the cake to enjoy with coffee, at the office, or when visiting friends, and eat it until the end of the month as a delicious continuation of the holidays.
Winter sales (Soldes d’hiver)
In January, Paris turns into a big discount store – soldes d’hiver start in the middle of the month and last for about four weeks. This is your chance to pick up a designer dress or a pair of French boots at mass-market prices.
- For big-name brands and showcases, go to Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, and for unique items, visit the boutiques in the Marais or Rue Saint-Honoré
- Bargain hunters also visit flea markets, where you can find vintage bags, Hermès scarves and earrings that look like they came from your grandmother’s jewellery box
The main thing is to set aside a day and wear comfortable shoes: in Paris, sales are also a sport.
At the end of the month, you can once again let loose at a party dedicated to the Chinese New Year. The main action is concentrated in Place d’Italie in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, where the city’s Asian diaspora lives.
And finally, be sure to find time for a hot coffee. Sit in a café and enjoy the leisurely January life of the French.
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Even on weekends, when live tour guides are off duty, you can take a personalised tour of the city with our audio guide. You can download it from this link. Many routes are already available.
January in Paris is when you can easily catch an exhibition, go ice skating, and hit the sales. The festive lights are gradually being replaced by shop windows displaying new collections, and the cultural calendar offers plenty of reasons to stay indoors. But in February, Paris will come alive in a new way – with carnivals, Valentine’s Day and the first signs of spring.
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