Paris in January: a handy guide to discovering the city
Visiting Paris in January can be a memorable experience. During this month the city of light unfolds in a variety of activities including: fashion, literature, circus art and tradition. Let's discover how to enjoy it!
View of Paris from the Air | ©Luca Micheli
Paris is a city that shines, figuratively and literally, 365 days a year, however winter is a time that tinges the streets of the French capital with a very special tint. Although you will have to face inconveniences such as the cold, the truth is that the advantages of visiting Paris in January may well outweigh the inconveniences. 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, of course, is not just for women. That's why 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 that take part every year in the Men's Edition are: Louis Vuitton, Balmain, Hermès, Lanvin, Valentino, Dior, Kenzo and much more.
Where Paris Fashion Week takes place
Paris Fashion Week aims to keep the public's 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 this event has in the past taken as its setting museums, libraries, cultural centers and places of historical relevance to Parisians.
How to buy tickets
Paris Fashion Week is one of the exclusive ones; being an invitation-only event. Some people buy tickets through online resale. On the official website you cansee the detailed schedule of activities.
2. Join the Grand Prix d'Amérique celebration
Horse lovers may want to attend this unique event that takes place every year at the end of January in Paris and where beautiful horses and their riders meet. Grand Prix d'Amérique, the World Harness Trotting Championship, was created in 1920 in honor of the United States as a token of appreciation for its participation in the armed conflict of the First World War. It is attended by the best trotters and drivers in the world, to run a distance of 2,700 meters and win the first place.
Harness trotting, also known as harness trotting, is a very particular style of racing in which the horse must pull a small cart on which the jockey is mounted.
Where it takes place
This event takes place at the Hippodrome de Vincennes; located in the 12th arrondissement of Paris on the right bank of the Seine.
How to buy tickets
On the official website of the Hippodrome de Vincennes you canaccess the invitation request form. Fill in the requested information and follow the instructions.
3. 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 all over the world. As in 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 Circus of Tomorrow Festival is an international reference, all circus fans, artists, past winners and producing agents of circus arts gather under the tents of Cirque Phénix to be part of the party.
Where it takes place
This event takes place on the premises of Cirque Phénix, the nearest Metro station is Liberté.
How to buy tickets
You can find tickets for this event on sites like TicketSwap.
4. Take advantage of the Winter Sales
If you love fashion and you are visiting Paris during the month of January, you can't miss the great winter sales to have a day of shopping in the purest Parisian style. The start date varies, but they usually begin on the first or second Wednesday of January and continue for 4 full weeks.
Parisians have a talent for creating impeccable fashion style in a simple and fabulous way. Even with modest budgets they know what to combine and how to combine it to create enviable looks. It's no surprise that Paris is the style capital of the world and its stores are the best place to shop, if it's during thesales season even better.
Where it takes place
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:
- Louvre district and the Tuileries Perfect for those looking for designer fashion and quality cosmetics.
- Boulevard Haussmann Perfect for getting lost for hours in the prestigious and dizzying Parisian department stores.
- Le Marais You'll find eclectic chains and premium couture, vintage stores, handcrafted jewelry, antiques, cosmetics and perfumery.
- Avenue Montaigne and the Champs-Elysées You'll find a fusion of world-class designer fashions and trendy chain stores.
- St-Germain-des-Prés Ideal for those looking for classic and elegant designs, also if you like books.
5. Join La Nuit de la Lecture
It is an event created by the French Ministry of Culture in 2017 focused on promoting and celebrating the lovefor books. Since its creation it takes place every year in January, during the days of the celebration libraries, media libraries, bookstores, and other cultural actors offer various activities to all who wish to participate.
Following a structure similar to that of the European Night of Museums, the participating libraries and centers throughout France open their doors for extended hours to offer the public various activities such as: Pajama readings, music, meeting with authors, debates, shows and games focused on all ages.
Where it takes place
Nuits de la lecture is an open call event that takes place during three days in all libraries, bookstores and cultural actors who want to participate. You can visit the official website of the event for more details about the program.
Almost all French libraries join this celebration. Paris is a city with approximately 57 libraries; here is an indicative list of some Parisian libraries that every year join the Nuits de la lecture and offer all kinds of interesting activities.
- Bibliothèque Faidherbe
- Robert Sabatier Library
- Fessart Library
- Bibliothèque Drouot
- Bibliothèque Lancry
- Bibliothèque Forney
- Bibliothèque Amélie
- Benoîte Groult Library
How to buy tickets
Tickets are not required. Most of the activities are free of charge, although some, such as the meetings with authors, may have limited seating.
6. Join the Hip-hop Party
Suresnes cités danse is a dance festival that pursues the union of the hip-hip movement with the more institutionalized contemporary dance. It was created in 1993, and since then it takes place every year during the month of January and usually lasts until the first days of February.
The idea behind the creation of the festival is to support more informal and less structured dance movements, so it offers choreographers who have not followed a classical training in modern or contemporary dance the opportunity to perform on stage with other renowned performers. At the same time, it allows them to soak up the creative energy of street dance, especially movements such as brake dance.
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 the center of Paris and get off at the Suresnes trainstation.
in the center of Paris and getting off at La Défense station.
How to buy tickets
On the official website of the Théâtre Suresnes you will find all the information you need to purchase tickets online.
7. Celebrate Epiphany or La Fete des Rois like a Parisian
In the catholic tradition during the Epiphany the moment of the presentation of the Child Jesus to the Magi and the respective gifts they brought with them is celebrated. This event was joined to the Saturnalia feast whose origin dates back to ancient Rome. During this pagan celebration the roles of masters and slaves are reversed and to designate the "Prince of Saturnales" the Romans used a cake in which a Jewess was hidden.
In France, the tradition of the Galette des Roi began; so, if you are in Paris for these dates, don't miss the opportunity to eat a delicious puff pastry. Additionally, both the day of the Fete des Rois Celebration and the days before, you will see Parisian restaurants and pastry shops reinventing themselves to offer their customers special activities, these may include.
- A wine tasting to accompany a selection of galette des rois.
- Joining diners in the bean game, where a bean is hidden in the cake and the customer who finds it can win a prize.
- Some renowned chefs organize a special menu for the Fete des Rois, including the famous galette des rois with an elegant and distinctive touch.
Where to eat the best Galette des Rois in Paris
Choosing pastry shops in Paris is a complex task, but here are some ideas.
- Aleph House: 20 rue de la Verrerie, 4th arrondissement.
- Sano: 15 rue Marie et Louise, 10th arrondissement.
- Mamiche: 45 rue Condorcet, 9th arrondissement.
- Benoît Castel: 150 rue de Ménilmontant, 20th arrondissement
- Tapiz: 65 rue de Charonne, 11th arrondissement
- Yann Roofer: 137 Ave Parmentier, 10th arrondissement
8. 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 done in the winter cold: ice skating. In the French capital, ephemeral skating rinks take over the city's most important squares and grand palaces to take this fun activity to the next level.
If you like ice skating, bring your equipment ready for the adventure! While it is true that some rinks close during the first days of January, many others will be open well into February in Paris.
Where to ice skate in Paris
- Place du Trocadero: Free admission.
- Stade Sébastien Charléty: Free admission.
- Grande Arche de la Défense: About 10€ adults and 5€ children
- Marché de Noël du Jardin des Tuileries: About 10€ adults and 65€ children
- Grand Palais des Glaces: Between 20-29 € adults and 12 € children
- Place Athénée: Approximately 60€ with tea time
-Espacesportif Pailleron: Indoor rink open most of the year. Prices and schedules can be found on their website.
9. Take a ride in La Grande Roue de Paris
If you visit Paris during the winter season, you must make an appointment at one of the favorite attractions of Parisians placed in the Place de la Concorde, the Grande Roue de Paris is a Parisian institution in itself. It was once the largest Ferris wheel in the world built in a 100-meter high structure for the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1900.
Today the attraction is considered the largest moving Ferris wheel in the world at 70 meters high; it is mounted in the Parisian capital from the month of November in Paris to February or March in Paris. The calendar changes every year.
Where to do it
La Grande Roue de Paris is installed every year in Place de la Concorde; from here it offers a 360-degree panorama that allows you to admire the most important monuments of Paris.
How much does it cost
You can visit the official website to have information about the updated rates. However, the average price to pay is: Adults 10 € and Children under 10 years old 5 €.
10. Attend the Maison&Objet design and decoration trade fair
Maison & Objet is the largest design and decoration fair in Paris that takes place 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, for five days showcasing 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 his or her career and contributions to the industry are recognized.
Where it takes place
The event is held 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 an access badge that costs around 50€. With this credential you can attend the 5 days of the event. You can purchase your ticket directly on the website of Maison&Objet.
The weather in Paris in January
Paris is a cold and wet city during the whole winter, additionally January is the coldest of the whole year in the City of Light, with an average temperature per day around 7 or even 5 degrees Celsius.
The most important tip for visiting Paris in January: Make sure you are prepared for the cold. Pack a winter coat, warm socks, gloves, scarves, caps or hats, a waterproof jacket to wear under your coat and boots for snow or rain.
Paris in January.
January is possibly the quietest time to visit Paris due to the scarcity of tourists. This means that you can visit your favorite exhibits without rushing; tables in the cafes are once again available and the sidewalks are unobstructed by human traffic. If you like it quiet and want to enjoy Paris at your leisure, you will love January!
It is also the cheapest time of the year. For this month it will not be very difficult to find plane or train tickets at discounted prices, plus many hotels place special seasonal offers looking to attract tourists in the months with less demand.