Hello breakfast on a heated patio.
A warm lunch of delicious soup á l’oignon and chocolat chaud.
If ever there was an excuse needed for such. Paris in the wintertime is it. Sights are even better when sandwiched between these delicious moments, in the city that has perfected them.
Paris is glorious. Anytime of year, Paris is incredible.
Maybe you will even be lucky enough to experience a skiff of snow in the already beautiful city that is Paris! Or you will duck in, out of the cold and discover your new favourite sight. Paris is definitely not to be avoided, but rather celebrated come winter.
Les Cafés
Paris is fancy, but the fantastic bistros and cafés are my kind of casual places to eat and enjoy good food while sightseeing.
Café Des Marronniers
In the Tuileries gardens ( Jardin de Tuileries – in front of the Musée du Louvre) – for great French onion soup (soup d’oignon) and crème brûlée
Café Panis
Directly across the street, to the right from Notre-Dame, if you are looking at the front of the cathedral.
This is the BEST Parisian hot chocolate ever. Actually the best I have EVER had! It also has great character, French Onion Soup (Soup á l’oignon) and Beef Bourgogne.
Café Bar Nemours
Place Collette, Palais Royal
Behind The Louvre (between the Louvre and Palais-Royal)
This was my fave for breakfast.
Baguette and le café creme combo was perfection on their always heated outdoor seating. The croissants were great too. I also found the waiters to be super polite (and arguably handsome).
Might be worth saying that I didn’t go anywhere else once I found this for breakfast. It marked all the boxes for me. But I didn’t seem to find their lunch/dinner quite as remarkable. But for breakfast (petite déjeuner), it was my happy place.
Crepe Stands
Crepe stands can be found pretty much anywhere a tourist might be and are really good. Especially the Nutella ones and super cheap (might have arguably been the Hubster’s main food source). Plus your hands stay toasty clutching a warm crepe.
Museums
The outdoor temperature doesn’t matter when you are inside a museum and Paris has some of the best to offer. Get the museum pass and tour away.
Museé D’Orsay
The Museé D’orsay is a must. An absolute must! This is my favourite museum in Paris so far. The curated levels are amazing, but the architecture (it’s the old train station) and cafés add to the ambiance as if they are part of the art installations themselves. One could easily spend a day here. The top level (complete with the amazing clocks) is my personal favourite. The food, views and ambience are wonderful. I dare say I enjoyed it more than the Louvre (hard to believe I just wrote that) and the cafés in the Louvre are terrible in my experience.
The Louvre
Of course I could get happily lost in the Louvre for days (and still not see it all). In fact a day barely scratches the surface. Consider taking a tour or two, but leave time to wander as well, especially if you are escaping inclement weather. I enjoyed the part of the museum that referenced palace life and the seemingly endless halls of paintings. If you are like me, get a kick of taking notice of the steady stream of people headed straight for the Mona Lisa and then directly back out again.
Musée de l’Orangerie
This museum was specifically built to hold Monet’s water lilies (Les Nymphéas) and it shows. The light and room allow the appreciation of these works of art beautifully.
City Views
Consider the best vantage point for views. This means walking up stairs. Lots of stairs. Worth every step and at the 300th step you might just be grateful for the cooler weather!
Sacré-Cœur
The Sacré-Cœur Dome is worth the climb to the top for 360 degree views of Paris, rooftops and the Eiffel Tower. Wondering the streets up and down from Montmartre is equally enjoyable and full of famous sights.
Arc de Triomphe
I personally prefer the Arc de Triomphe best at sunset or evening (the golden hour) and alas it can be windy. However it lends the full wagon wheel effect of the city streets and buildings.
Trocadero
Contrary to popular belief the Eiffel Tower doesn’t give the best views for photos – because it is so high! Place du Trocadéro gives superb views of both the Eiffel tower and surrounding area.
Churches
Sainte-Chapelle
If you were only going to see one church I would suggest the Sainte-Chapelle for stained glass like I have never seen, which lets in lots of light, unlike most of the other much darker, Gothic churches.
It is jaw dropping and never to be forgotten.
Notré-Dame
The most impressive part of Notre-Dame to me is the outside! Make sure to walk up front and look for the point zero on the ground in front. From here every other point in France is measured. You also are at one the best spots to climb for superb city views! The view from the top of Notre-Dame is terrific, not to mention you can get close up to a famous gargoyle or two. You are now also remarkably close to my favourite hot chocolate, simply cross the street!
Sacré-Cœur
Getting to Sacre-Cœur is half the fun and much more my cup of tea, than actually touring through the Basilica. So many famous sights along the way. Download a walking tour and enjoy Montmartre on the way to and from.
Arcades
Try out the fantastic covered Arcades (covered walkway/malls) full of shops, books, restaurants and ambience. A great walking map can be found here.
If it’s raining, the covered walkways and stores (arcades) are fun. A great spot for finding books, postcards, sweets and souvenirs.
Versailles
Take a day trip out to Versailles and pack an umbrella if need be (plus comfortable walking shoes/boots) and explore the gardens and grounds when less busy. There is so much to find and see. I find the grounds and summer homes, as well as Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet are far better than the palace itself. I never tire of wandering them, camera in hand. There is always more to discover. Plus witnessing the Hamlet bordering a frozen pond is quite the site to see.
Experience the City
Experience the city by foot. Dress for the weather and walk. Layers are your friend. A large scarf, hat and gloves makes life more enjoyable. Raining? Take an umbrella and wear boots. Clear skies? even better. Work with what you have got. Some of the most romantic photos come from Paris in the rain. Include the umbrellas in your shot. Embrace the moody hues and puddle reflections. Head out during the golden hour – that time just before sunset when the everything is bathed in a beautiful hue. Snow? Well snow makes everything just a little more magical.
Book Stores
Book stores are a great spot to warm your hands and get inspired in the beautiful world that is books. Paris boasts many new and second hand book shops.
Palais-Royal
This is a personal favourite. It was located very near to where we stayed and so I walked thru daily. The gardens and walkways are simple, grand and superbly Parisian. A light dusting of snow one morning made me dance with glee. It is worth searching out the immaculately sculpted gardens and taking a wander regardless of season.
Eiffel Tower
Few things are as iconic as the Eiffel Tower. I find it best experienced from the base and surrounding areas. It is a sight to behold all lit up and sparkling at night as well!
Cooking Lessons
If you are looking for indoor Parisian experiences – here is one!! This was a fantastic experience and I plan to repeat when given the chance again. There are many different companies that offer the chance to learn different French delicacies. These can book up far in advance come the the more popular tourist months. However I was able to secure a spot with less than 48 hours notice. Depending on the local, perhaps hire a cab or take an Uber as some can be a bit off the beaten path. I was more than pleased with the afternoon class of Bistro Desserts with Chef Sarah from Cook’n With Class Paris . In fact I was delighted as it was a bit of a dream come true for me!
If inclement weather drives you in doors or seeking cover – go with it. This is how we came across the BEST hot chocolate (chocolat chaud) I have ever had. When we wandered the halls and walkways of the covered Arcades. We even ducked into the nearest café or sight and saw something we might have missed otherwise.
Choose Your Own Adventure
Walk around and see the streets and experience the city.
And of course go with the weather.
Obviously the sky is the limit when it comes to travelling, exploring and visiting Paris. And personal opinion widely differs. But hopefully I have given you a little glance into the wonder that is wintertime in Paris!
Looking for more Paris?! Then check out A Parisian Week In Spring post!
OOoooooooh la la! You found some real gems on location. You have a fantastic eye for catching these special spots, where many others might just pass on by. Enchanting!
Thanks Dennis! travel is great, especially in a place as wonderful as Paris!
Tres bon!
Merci beaucoup. J’adore Paris!