More about: 12 Things to Do in Paris in January
Paris is a city that shines, figuratively and literally, 365 days a year, but winter is a time that paints the streets of the French capital with a very special hue. Although you will have to deal with inconveniences such as the cold, the truth is that the advantages of visiting Paris in January may well outweigh the discomfort. It is the favorite season to see and do everything in Paris that you couldn't do on other trips.
1. Haute couture with Paris Fashion Week - Men's Edition
In the French capital, fashion is not just for women. The world's most important and iconic gathering of designers, models, and celebrities has its own men's edition every year in Paris.
Some of the designers who attend the Men's Edition every year are: Louis Vuitton, Balmain, Hermès, Lanvin, Valentino, Dior, Kenzo, and many more.
Where is Paris Fashion Week held?
Paris Fashion Week aims to maintain public interest through novelty, which is one of the main reasons why the event does not have a fixed location. However, Paris is a city with a lot to offer, so in the past this event has taken place in museums, libraries, cultural centers, and places of historical significance for Parisians.
How to purchase tickets
Paris Fashion Week is an invitation-only event. Some people purchase tickets through online resellers. You can see the detailed schedule of activities on the official website.
2. Join the Grand Prix d'Amérique celebration
Horse lovers may want to attend this unique event, which takes place every year at the end of January in Paris and brings together beautiful horses and their riders.
The Grand Prix d'Amérique is the World Harness Trotting Championship, created in 1920 in honor of the United States as a token of gratitude for its participation in World War I. The world's best trotters and drivers attend this summit to race a distance of 2,700 meters and win first place.
Harness trotting, also known as harness racing, is a very particular style of racing in which the horse must pull a small cart on which the rider is mounted.
Where it takes place
This event takes place at the Vincennes Racecourse, located in the 12th arrondissement of Paris on the right bank of the Seine.
How to purchase tickets
On the official website of the Hippodrome de Vincennes, you can access the invitation request form, fill in the details, and follow the instructions.
3. Take a trip to Mont Saint-Michel
Mont Saint-Michel is a beautiful and unique village located on a small island. In 1979, it was declared a World Heritage Site, along with its bay. Although many people recommend visiting in the summer because of the better weather, here are some of the advantages of taking a trip to Mont Saint-Michel from Paris in January:
- The location takes on a very special mystical atmosphere due to the fog.
- There are far fewer tourists, so you can enjoy the place much more.
Keep in mind that on January 1, the abbey is closed to visitors, and in winter you may find some restaurants and bars closed, but the advantages definitely outweigh the disadvantages.
4. Take shelter from the cold in Parisian museums
Yes, Paris is cold in January, but that's no reason not to explore the city in depth, especially its many museums. In fact, the winter season is perfect for visiting these art-filled places, as you won't feel like spending so much time outdoors. In summer or spring, you may not be so keen on this plan because you prefer to enjoy the outdoors, so this is your chance to discover the great works housed in the French capital.
There are many museums in Paris, and below I would like to recommend some of the most interesting and iconic ones:
- Louvre Museum: also known as the National Museum of France, it houses such popular paintings as the Mona Lisa, as well as the Code of Hammurabi, The Coronation of Napoleon, and Liberty Leading the People.
- Marmottan Monet Museum: created in the 19th century, this museum houses works by important artists such as Monet, Manet, Renoir, and Degas, among others. Its most valuable work is "Impression, Sunrise," which gave rise to the Impressionist style.
- Picasso Museum: if you want to learn more about the work of the Malaga-born artist, here you will find creations from all periods of his career. In addition, there are also a large number of his sculptures.
- Rodin Museum: here you will find the work of the artist Auguste Rodin. The museum was formerly a hotel where the painter himself lived.
- Musée d'Orsay: Along with the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay is one of the most important museums in France. It is located in a former railway station and contains the largest collection of Impressionist works in the world.
5. Take advantage of the winter sales
If you like fashion and are visiting Paris in January, don't miss out on the big winter sales for a day of shopping in true Parisian style. The start date varies, but they usually begin on the first or second Wednesday in January and continue for four full weeks.
Parisians have a talent for creating impeccable fashion styles in a simple and fabulous way. Even on modest budgets, they know what to combine and how to create enviable looks. It's no surprise that Paris is the capital of style and its stores are the best place to shop, especially during the sales.
Where to go
The simple answer is: all over Paris. The French capital is full of fabulous boutiques and stores. However, the best places to shop in Paris are:
- The Louvre and Tuileries district: perfect for those looking for designer fashion and quality cosmetics.
- Boulevard Haussmann: lose yourself for hours in the prestigious and dizzying Parisian department stores.
- Le Marais: you'll find top-quality haute couture, vintage shops, handmade jewelry, antiques, cosmetics, and perfumes.
- Avenue Montaigne and the Champs-Élysées: a fusion of world-class designer fashion and fashion chain stores.
- St-Germain-des-Prés: ideal for those looking for classic and elegant designs.
6. Celebrate Three Kings' Day or La Fete des Rois like a Parisian
In the Catholic tradition, Epiphany celebrates the presentation of the Baby Jesus to the Three Wise Men and the gifts they brought with them. This event was combined with the festival of Saturnalia, whose origins date back to ancient Rome. During this pagan celebration, the roles of masters and slaves are reversed, and to designate the "Prince of Saturnalia," the Romans used a cake in which a bean was hidden.
The tradition of Galette des Rois began in France, so if you are in Paris at this time of year, don't miss the opportunity to eat a delicious puff pastry cake. In addition, both on the day of the Fete des Rois celebration and the days leading up to it, you will see Parisian restaurants and pastry shops reinventing themselves to offer their customers special activities.
Where to eat the best Galette des Rois in Paris
- Casa Aleph: 20 rue de la Verrerie, District 4.
- Sano: 15 Rue Marie et Louise, District 10
- Mamiche: 45 rue Condorcet, District 9
- Benoît Castel: 150 rue de Ménilmontant, 20th arrondissement
- Tapis: 65 Rue de Charonne, District 11
- Yann Techador: 137 Avenue Parmentier, 10th arrondissement
7. Attend the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain
This unique show was founded in 1977 by Isabelle and Dominique Mauclair to pay tribute to young artists from around the world. The event takes place at the end of January and brings together dozens of acrobats, tightrope walkers, clowns, jugglers, and trapeze artists from around the world.
Just like at the Olympics, the talents who come to perform their feats in front of an international jury are awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals.
The World Festival of Tomorrow's Circus is an international benchmark, where all circus fans, artists, previous winners, and circus arts producers gather under the big tops of the Cirque Phénix to be part of the party.
Where it takes place
This event takes place at the Cirque Phénix. The nearest metro station is Liberté.
How to purchase tickets
You can find tickets for this event on websites such as TicketSwap.
8. Join La Noche de la Lectura
This event was created by the French Ministry of Culture in 2017 to promote and celebratethe love of books. Since its creation, it has been held every year in January. During the days of the celebration, libraries, media libraries, bookstores, and other cultural actors offer a variety of activities to anyone who wishes to participate.
Following a similar structure to European Museum Night, participating libraries and centers throughout France open their doors for extended hours to offer the public various activities such as pajama readings, music, meetings with authors, debates, shows, and games for all ages.
Where it takes place
Nuits de la lecture is an open event that takes place over three days in all libraries, bookstores, and cultural venues that wish to participate. You can visit the official website of the event for more details about the program.
Almost all French libraries join in this celebration. Paris has approximately 57 libraries; below is a list of some Parisian libraries that participate in Nuits de la lecture every year and offer all kinds of interesting activities.
- Bibliothèque Faidherbe
- Bibliothèque Robert Sabatier
- Bibliothèque Fessart
- Drouot Library
- Lancry Library
- Forney Library
- Amélie Library
- Benoîte Groult Library
How to get tickets
No tickets are required. Most activities are free of charge, although some, such as meetings with authors, may have limited capacity.
9. Join the Hip-hop party
Suresnes cités danse is a dance festival that aims to bring together hip-hop and more institutionalized contemporary dance. It was created in 1993 and has been held every year since then during the month of January, generally extending into the first days of February.
The idea behind the festival is to support more informal and less structured dance movements, offering choreographers who have not had classical training in modern or contemporary dance the opportunity to perform on stage with other renowned artists.
Where it takes place
This event takes place every year at the Suresnes Theater on the outskirts of Paris. Suresnes is a commune in the suburbs of Paris located in the Hauts-de-Seine. The fastest way to get to Suresnes is to take the RER A trainline from central Paris and get off at La Défense station.
How to purchase tickets
How to purchase tickets
All the information you need to purchase tickets online can be found on the official website of the Théâtre Suresnes.
10. Ice skating in the heart of Paris
The arrival of winter in Paris gives way to one of those unique activities that can only be enjoyed in the cold winter months: ice skating. In the French capital, temporary skating rinks take over the city's most important squares and grand palaces, taking this fun activity to the next level.
If you like ice skating, get your gear ready for adventure! While some rinks close in early January, many others will remain open well into February in Paris.
Where to go ice skating in Paris
- Place du Trocadero: free admission.
- Stade Sébastien Charléty: free admission
- Grande Arche de la Défense: around €10 for adults and €5 for children
- Marché de Noël du Jardin des Tuileries: around €10 for adults and €65 for children
- Grand Palais des Glaces: between €20-29 for adults and €12 for children
- Place Athénée: approximately €60 with tea time
- Espace sportif Pailleron: indoor rink open most of the year. Prices and opening hours can be found on their website.
11. Take a ride on La Grande Roue de Paris
If you visit Paris during the winter season, you must visit one of the favorite attractions of Parisians located in the Place de la Concorde. La Grande Roue de Paris is a Parisian institution in itself. It was once the largest Ferris wheel in the world, built on a 100-meter-high structure for the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1900.
Today, the attraction is considered the largest mobile Ferris wheel in the world at 70 meters high. It operates in the French capital from November to February or March in Paris. The calendar changes every year.
Where it takes place
The Grande Roue de Paris is installed every year in Place de la Concorde, offering a 360-degree view of Paris' most important monuments.
How much does this activity cost
You can visit the official website for up-to-date pricing information. However, the average price is €10 for adults and €5 for children under 10.
12. Attend the Maison&Objet design and decoration fair
Maison & Objet is the largest design and decoration fair in Paris, held every year, usually in the penultimate week of the month. This celebration of art and interior design brings together the most prominent names in the industry and, over five days, showcases their work and the trends in design and decoration that will set the tone for the year. In addition, each year a "designer of the year" is chosen and recognized for their career and contributions to the industry.
Where it takes place
The event takes place every year at Paris Nord Villepinte, a large convention center located in Villepinte, near Charles de Gaulle Airport.
How much does this activity cost?
To attend the event, you pay for an access pass that costs around €50. With this pass, you can attend all 5 days of the event. You can purchase your ticket directly on the Maison&Objet website.
The weather in Paris in January
Paris is a cold and damp city throughout the winter, and January is the coldest month of the year in the City of Light, with an average daily temperature of around 7 to 5 degrees Celsius.
The most important tip for visiting Paris in January is to make sure you are prepared for the cold. Pack a winter coat, warm socks, gloves, scarves, hats, and a waterproof jacket to wear under your coat (it's also a good idea to bring boots for snow or rain).
Tourist crowds in Paris in January.
January is possibly the quietest time to visit Paris due to the lack of tourists. This means you can visit your favorite exhibitions without rushing, tables in cafes are available again, and sidewalks are not obstructed by human traffic. If you like peace and quiet and want to enjoy Paris at your leisure, you'll love January!
It's also the cheapest time of year. During this month, it's not difficult to find discounted airline or train tickets, and many hotels offer special seasonal deals to attract tourists during the quieter months.