We love Paris any time of year, but there is something special about the famous city in the winter season, particularly in December. Not only does the holiday atmosphere start building early with festive decorations starting to appear, visitor numbers are lower making it easier to see Paris’ top sights. While the weather is colder and wetter than at other times of year, this does not take away from all the amazing experiences you can have here. In this post we’ll be talking about what to do in Paris in December based on our many trips this time of year, to help you plan a wonderful winter adventure.
Visit the New Notre Dame Cathedral
While not completely new of course, the devastating fire in April 2019 meant that the Notre Dame cathedral needed extensive renovations. Luckily much of the cathedral was saved but there was a lot of damage to be repaired, including the roof (with the oak beams holding it up destroyed in the fire) and spire. While some work is still ongoing in specific areas of Notre Dame, the cathedral re-opened to visitors and worshippers in December 2024.
Going Inside Notre Dame
If you visited before the fire, you may be surprised at the change when you walk inside. The roof was completely rebuilt, with new oak beams carefully fitted, but the main visual change is that the soot and debris has all been cleaned from the stonework everywhere. As part of this, the general build-up from centuries of use that had discolored the stone even before the fire was also removed, leaving the cathedral looking and feeling much brighter than before.
The important parts of the cathedral were preserved, so you can admire the gorgeous Gothic vaulted stone arches and beautiful stained glass windows. Our favorite has to be the intricate rose stained glass windows from the 13th century, but wherever you look there are stunning examples of this Medieval craft. You can also see the cathedral’s collection of relics, the huge organ, and numerous important pieces of art that have been added over the long history of Notre Dame.
Most people visiting Paris have Notre Dame cathedral on their list, especially now. In high season it is usual to see queues of people waiting to get inside because of this, but in December the cathedral is much quieter. There will still be plenty of visitors, but long lines are uncommon and the experience is more enjoyable overall this time of year.
Take a River Cruise Along the Seine
The Seine river winds its way through the heart of Paris, so taking a river cruise is an excellent way to see more of the city from a different perspective.
This is especially fun in the winter. The early sunset and darker skies means that the illuminated bridges and sights are more visible, with Christmas lights starting to appear in Paris in December too. You’ll get magnificent views of the Eiffel Tower, the Musée d’Orsay, the Grand Palais and more while gliding along the river, which is so special.
The cold weather does make it chilly on the boat, but most have an indoor, heated area to stay warm. For us it is worth coping with the cold for better pictures, and if you wrap up warm you’ll be fine. Many boats also offer drinks like hot chocolate or hot mulled wine in winter which will definitely warm you up too.
If you’re asking yourself what to do in Paris in December, a river tour should definitely be on your list. This is an activity we always feature early in our Paris tour itineraries as it is such a great way to orient yourself and get a feel for the city.
Visit the Christmas Markets
One of the best things to do in Paris in December is undoubtedly explore the Christmas markets.
Paris goes all out for the holiday season, with Christmas lights everywhere, ice skating rinks set up, Christmas trees decorated early and a large Christmas concert program in place. Celebrations start in late November and go through New Year’s Eve and early January so you have plenty of opportunity to visit them.
The biggest of the Christmas markets is set up in the Tuileries Garden between the Louvre museum and Place de la Concorde, with ice skating rinks (the biggest at the Grand Palais), a Ferris wheel and so many wooden chalets selling all sorts of holiday decor, food, gifts and more. Spend a few hours here and you’ll definitely be feeling the holiday spirit.
There are many other Christmas markets to discover when visiting Paris in December too, with stalls set up in Montmartre, in the Viviani square on the Left Bank, and the largest market of La Marché de Noel which is held in the business district.
Our winter Paris adventures allow plenty of time to explore these Christmas markets, combining plenty of shopping time with sightseeing in the French capital – here is the full itinerary for the upcoming tour for more details.
Take a Day Trip Outside of Paris
Why are we suggesting you leave the city when visiting Paris? Well, while there are endless things to do in Paris in December, there are also some fun places to discover close by. And, if you’re anything like us and want to maximize your time when traveling, taking a day trip or two is always a good idea.
For winter trips to Paris, here are our favorite day trip options:
Strasbourg
While the Paris Christmas markets are excellent, the markets set up in the city of Strasbourg are spectacular. Located in the Alsace region, close to the border with Germany, this is the area where the traditional festive markets originated so they know how to create a fantastic experience.
You can take the direct train from Paris to Strasbourg in under two hours, and then spend the whole day wandering the streets. Hundreds of stalls are set up each year, turning the entire historic center into one large Christmas market. There are festive lights everywhere and it’s the perfect way to enhance a trip to Paris around the holidays.
Versailles
The Palace of Versailles is one of those places that defies expectations. Home to the extreme extravagance of the last few kings of France in the 17th and 18th centuries, the palace is vast and the surrounding gardens are on a scale rarely seen.
Not only is the complex beautiful architecturally and artistically, it is also filled with history. The Treaty of Paris was signed here , where the British agreed to acknowledge the independence of the Thirteen Colonies and ended the American Revolutionary War. The Treaty of Versailles was signed in the Hall of Mirrors in 1919 which formally ended World War I. Versailles was also the focus of the original French Revolution, with King Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette living in the palace at the time.
The palace and gardens of Versailles are therefore some of the most visited places in Europe, with large crowds and long waits to get through security throughout most of the year. Visit in December though and you’ll find fewer people around and shorter lines. The only compromise is that the gardens do not look at their best, but the improved experience inside the palace more than makes up for this.
Château de Vaux Le Vicomte
If you’re all about the holidays and want to celebrate Christmas in style, you need to make time for this chateau when visiting Paris in December.
The Château de Vaux Le Vicomte is around an hour south of Paris, built in the 17th century for a minister of finance under the king. He had the castle lavishly decorated, complete with a huge ornamental garden and even a moat around the castle.
The chateau fell into ruin in later years, but after being bought in the early 1900’s, the family who own it have completed a long series of renovations and restorations of both the house and gardens. This has been done lovingly and with a lot of care, and now that the family offers tours of the chateau, you can visit to admire the historic property.
In November the castle is turned into a winter wonderland, with decorations in all the rooms, Christmas trees are everywhere, and there are all sorts of holiday lights and festive installations put up. It’s just such a fun place to visit and combined with some of the Christmas markets, the Château de Vaux Le Vicomte is a must-do for the holiday season.
Explore Paris’ Incredible Museums and Galleries
This might seem like an obvious addition to a list of what to do in Paris in December, but making time for the museums and galleries in the city is essential this time of year.
There is something for everyone, no matter what you are interested in. Modern and contemporary art, coins and medals, artist-focused collections, photography, 20th century history, fashion and costumes, archeology and ancient history, you name it, Paris probably has a museum or gallery dedicated to a topic.
In December it is a magical time when the lesser-known museums go from small groups of visitors to you being the only person in a room. The big names like the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay and the Sainte-Chapelle go from packed galleries to calmer rooms with space to really see the exhibits. This point of the year is when you want to take advantage of the smaller visitor numbers and have an entirely different experience.
World-famous destinations such as the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower are consistently busy through the year, but the level of people in December is so much more manageable. Our top tip for making the most of the museums is loosely group a few geographically, and plan to visit these together without needing to do a lot of travel between them.
Join Us in Paris For the Holiday Season
If you’re excited to get to know Paris in December, we’d love for you to join us on our upcoming Paris adventure. Featuring lots of delicious food, festive fun at the markets and with a day trip to Strasbourg, as well as plenty of sightseeing and time to experience the city of Paris, we can’t wait to share this amazing place with more of our fellow adventurers. Check out the details of the itinerary and how to secure your spot by clicking here.
