France, Europe

Paris in December

Christmas markets, department-store windows, skating rinks. The week between Christmas and New Year spikes back to peak crowds.

GoodCold, highs near 46F (8C), festive lights everywhere

Eiffel Tower, Paris — ParisPhoto: Maksim Sokolov (maxergon.com), CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

December is a good month to visit Paris. Christmas markets, department-store windows, skating rinks. The week between Christmas and New Year spikes back to peak crowds.

Weather: Cold, highs near 46F (8C), festive lights everywhere
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What December is like in Paris

December is cold, with highs near 46F (8C) and short days, but the city is dressed for the holidays. The Champs-Elysees lights, Christmas markets, department store windows, and ice rinks make the dark evenings festive. Crowds and prices are moderate through mid month, then spike to peak in the week between Christmas and New Year. December 25 closes most sights.

It suits couples and families who love the festive season. It is not the month for gardens or long daylight. For the best mix of atmosphere and value, come in the first two weeks, before the holiday rush.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about Paris this month.

Christmas lights and windows

The Champs-Elysees and the big department stores are lit up all month, and the windows are made for kids.

Christmas markets

Wooden stalls sell mulled wine, crepes, and gifts in several spots around the city.

Ice skating

Temporary skating rinks pop up around the city in the holiday season.

New Year's Eve

Crowds gather on the Champs-Elysees at midnight. Book dinner well ahead.

What to pack for December

A warm winter coat
Gloves, hat, and scarf
Waterproof shoes
A thermos or reusable cup for hot drinks

Our timing tip

Visit in the first half of December for holiday lights at lower prices, and avoid planning sightseeing on December 25.

Book Paris for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Paris
Opens a hotel search for Paris in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for December
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Paris
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Paris
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Paris for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in December

Christmas season

Late November through early January

Department-store windows, markets, and the Champs-Elysees lights.

Things to do in Paris

Full guide

The Louvre

Book the first timed slot and go straight to what you came for; Wednesday and Friday evenings run late and calmer.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Musee d'Orsay

The Impressionist floor is the best single museum floor in Europe. Thursday evenings stay open late.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Eiffel Tower

Summit tickets sell out weeks ahead in season. The classic photo is from Trocadero at sunrise.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Notre-Dame and the islands

Reopened after the fire restoration; entry is free but the timed-entry app queue moves fast in the morning.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Montmartre at first light

Sacre-Coeur steps before 9am belong to locals and bakers. By noon in season it is a scrum.

Tickets and tours →

Luxembourg Gardens

The city's living room: toy sailboats, chess games, and the chairs you are actually allowed to move.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Book the Louvre's first entry slot of the day, enter at the Carrousel or Porte des Lions entrances, and see your must-list in reverse order from the crowds.
Do headline sights before 9:30am or in the last two hours before closing; spend the middle of the day in gardens, food streets, and lesser museums that never queue.
Museums with timed reservations reward booking two to four weeks out in spring and fall; same-week almost always works in November through February.
The first Sunday of the month is free at many museums: wonderful for the budget, terrible for the lines. Know which trade you are making.

Know before you go

August: many family-run restaurants and small shops close two to four weeks for annual vacation. Major museums, department stores, and sights all remain open. Check any specific restaurant before you build a day around it.
Most museums close one day a week: the Louvre on Tuesdays, Orsay and Versailles on Mondays. Plan the pairings accordingly.
May is a minefield of public holidays (May 1, May 8, Ascension, Pentecost). May 1 in particular closes nearly everything, including the Louvre.
December 25 and January 1 close most sights; the days around them are open but run holiday hours.

Paris in December, quick answers

Is December a good time to visit Paris?

December is a good month to visit Paris. Christmas markets, department-store windows, skating rinks. The week between Christmas and New Year spikes back to peak crowds.

What is the weather like in Paris in December?

Cold, highs near 46F (8C), festive lights everywhere.

Is Paris crowded in December?

Crowds in Paris are moderate in December; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.

What is happening in Paris in December?

Christmas season (late november through early january).