Winter in Paris, France
Since summer came to an end and winter is lingering around the corner, I thought I’d write a post about Winter in Paris. In January of this year, I was lucky enough to go back to Paris. I didn’t know what to expect since I’ve only been in Paris during the summer and I don’t necessarily like the cold. haha! Here are the best things to do during Winter in Paris:
If you’ve explored/read my blog, I’ve written my first experience and recommendations of Paris, see Best Places to Visit in Paris.
FOOD
The first time around, I was more carefree but with the cold, I opted to plan a little bit and made dinner reservations. If you like French food, check out Le Tantes Jeanne which is in the Montmarte area. This place is quaint but so cute. The service was impeccable. To illustrate, I was under the weather when I went on vacation. At the restaurant, I was coughing a few times. The staff immediately gave me hot water with lemon and honey without being asked. It was such a sweet gesture and I absolutely needed it. The food was incredible, see pics below.
Another restaurant that I highly recommend is Kong. It’s an Asian Fushion restaurant with great views of the city. If you’re lucky enough to get seated on the top floor, enjoy the view for me! When you reserve, they can’t guarantee where you’ll be seated but regardless, you will have good views all over. I had their pot stickers, shrimp, steak and cheesecake. They were all delicious.
ACTIVITIES
If you like museums but you don’t want to be too overwhelmed (Louvre), I suggest going to Musee d’Orsay. I don’t know if this usually happens but when I went, there was no line to get in (even without tickets). The museum is fairly small compared to the other museums. However, it is still so pretty with plenty of interesting art to look at. At the top is a huge clock which is a great photo op and views of the city. The top of the museum also has a restaurant you can enjoy.
Another museum is the Louvre but I really just wanted to take a picture at night. Haha! It opens pretty late on certain days so be sure to check their website if you want to go in. As noted above, this museum is vast. In fact, you can spend days exploring this museum.
A friend recommended the Catacombs. There was a small line to get in but it only took about 10 minutes. This is underground in Paris and think of it like an open cemetery. There were plenty of narratives around while you go through the labyrinth. At times when there weren’t people around, it felt a little creepy. It was indeed interesting to look at.
Another place I recommend seeing is the Sainte-Chapelle Paris. This is a Gothic style chapel and the architecture including its stained glass is absolutely stunning. This is a great option instead of the Notre Dame Cathedral since you’re not able to get inside due to the fire in April 2019.
DRINKS
Since the weather is super cold outside, I checked out a few bars I hadn’t visited in Paris. However, as a reminder, check out Experimental Cocktail. I visited this again since I loved it in my initial visit. Their drinks and the vibe are just as good as I remembered.
Canderalia Bar is one of favorite cocktail bars in Paris. I thoroughly enjoyed their tequila drinks. May I warn you that this is like a speakeasy place, the front is a taco shop and the inside is very tight especially when there are so many people.
Little Red Door is one of the popular cocktail bars in Paris. In fact, the line was so long that I went to Canderalia around the corner first and then opted to go back to Red Door in hopes of a shorter line, with much success. The place is larger that Experimental Cocktail or Canderalia. Their drinks are good but I honestly think the hype is bigger than the taste of their cocktails. Nonetheless, give it a try!
HOTEL
I am such a fan of the hotel I stayed at the first time so I went back without a doubt. Maison Souquet is a stunning hotel and ranked one of the most romantic hotels in Paris. The ambiance is just sexy! This hotel also has a cozy/romantic bar, go check it out!
Overall, if you don’t like the cold, Paris can still be fun. There are plenty of places to check out during the winter to keep you warm. Don’t pass up the opportunity if you see a very cheap flight. Have you been to Paris? What are your recommendations? Comment below.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate link(s). An affiliate link means I may earn advertising/referral fees if you signup through my link, without any extra cost to you. The opinions provided herein are from SmartTravelersGuide.
