During winter, Paris is enchanting. Holiday lights line the streets, vendors sell hot wine, kids skate on the rink near city hall and sometimes, snow covers the ground in a white blanket. Yes, Paris is quite a sight in winter, but you don’t want to underestimate Mother Nature. You’ll need some warm clothes to brave the chilly temperatures. What also helps ease the chill? Returning to a warm and cozy Paris Perfect apartment every evening! For the time outside of your apartment, here’s what to pack for Paris in the winter so you’ll stay warm.
What to Pack for Paris in the Winter
Weather Expectations
During the winter months, expect chilly temperatures. Of course, “chilly” is relative depending on where you live. In December, January and February the temperatures remain fairly steady, hovering around 6 degrees Celsius, or 42 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re visiting from Duluth, Minnesota, where subzero temperatures are the norm, this weather could feel like a heat wave. However, if you’re visiting from Key West, Florida, the temperatures will be a shock to your system.
On any given day, there’s a 50 percent change of cloudy, rainy weather. Of course, there’s a chance for snow too. Usually it’s just a dusting that disappears in a day or so.
To help you prepare for your winter trip, here’s a list of must-have items to pack for Paris in the winter:
Clothing and Footwear
Sweaters and tops
Break out the cable knit sweaters, cardigans and fleece tops. It’s a good idea to bring a few t-shirts too, both short-sleeve and long-sleeve, so you can layer-up to stay warm. If you want to feel French, you can even shop some of these affordable French brands online in advance of your trip. Purchase a Saint James striped Mariniere shirt to plan for your Instagram perfect French look!
Pants
Pack jeans and heavier slacks for this trip. Parisians love black, so pack a black pair of jeans and dark colored pants will fit in with the masses. A pair of tights or leggings to layer under your pants is also a good choice. To stay trendy, tuck the bottom of your pants right into your boots.
Boots
Speaking of boots, don’t leave home without them. You’ll want a pair of waterproof, leather boots with a nice lining inside. You don’t want to mess around with winter footwear, so if you don’t have a good pair of warm boots you’ll want to buy some before you go.
You can bring a pair of “going out boots” too. Warm, leather boots don’t go with everything, but don’t be a hero. If it’s cold, wear the heavy boots.
Warm Accessories
Hats, gloves and scarves
Paris is a fashion-forward city, but how do you focus on fashion in winter? It’s all about your accessories. Winter is a great time to break out wrist warmers, leather gloves with touchscreen fingertips, colorful scarves and knit caps. Don’t shy away from those big, blanket scarves – they’ll save your neck, literally! Thick wool socks are a must too.
Winter Coat
It’s big and bulky, but you’ll need a winter coat. A heavy black pea coat is a warm and fashionable option. A puffy coat can lock in heat too, and you’ll see many Parisians opting for the puffy style. Since winter coats take up so much room in your suitcase, you’ll want to pick one heavy-duty, goes-with-everything coat.
To seriously save space, consider using a vacuum-packed space bag to squeeze in your bulky garments, and wear your winter coat on the plane to save space in your luggage.
Hand Warmers
Grab few hand warmers for the road too. These small packets can be tucked in your gloves to provide a little extra warmth while you’re out and about.
Gadgets
Camera and Accessories
Of course, you’ll want to pack your camera. Be sure to bring extra batteries. Using your camera in the cold can drain battery life faster than normal. Bring a case and charger as well.
Laptop or Tablet
In winter, thanks to colder temperatures, you might find yourself hanging out in Parisian cafés, taking in the scenery, staying warm and surfing the internet. Bring along your laptop, tablet or e-reader to relax during your stay.
Don’t forget to load up your Kindle with these books about Paris before your trip. You can leisurely sip a chocolate chaud while warming up from the cold and adding some must-see spots around Paris you discovered on your new Paris reading list.
To keep your laptop safe from bumps while traveling, be sure to also have a chic yet heavy-duty travel laptop sleeve. A top-zip laptop sleeve makes pulling your laptop out at airport security easy.
Toiletries
Lotion
The winter air will zap the moisture from your skin, so be sure to bring a nourishing moisturizer like L’Occitane Almond Delicious Hands.
Instant Toothbrushes
After drinking hot wine, or vin chaud at the holiday markets, indulging on old-fashioned hot chocolate and sampling seasonal baked goods at Parisian bakeries, instant, disposable toothbrushes will go a long way. Nobody wants to walk around all day with wine-stained teeth!
Essentials
Cash for Taxi
With the cold weather, you’re more likely to take a taxi or the metro to get around rather than walking. Some taxis take credit cards, some don’t. Bring cash so you’re not left out in the cold. For the metro, machines take coins or credit cards, not bank notes. In other words, bring both cash and credit cards to make travel within Paris easy.
Important Documents
This wouldn’t be a packing list if we didn’t include the absolute essentials, even if they aren’t exactly winter-specific! Don’t forget your passport, a copy of your passport, itineraries, information regarding any pre-booked tours and your travel guide.
You’ll want to store your documents in a zip-around passport wallet. This way you ensure your important documents don’t fall out or get lost.
It might be a bit cold in Paris during the winter months, but with the packing tips above you’ll be able to tour the city in style and warmth!
_____________
Thinking about coming to Paris this winter? Winter is considered the low travel season, so you’re already saving money there. Check our sales on winter and last-minute bookings, and you’ll have lots of extra room in the budget for hot chocolate and winter activities!
If you’re traveling to Paris at other times of the year, also check our guides for packing for Paris in the Spring, how to pack for Paris in the Summer and packing for Paris in the Fall.
This article contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase through our affiliate partner sites, we earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
I am from Mauritius. I am actually preparing to visit Paris this December 2019. However, I am a bit confused about the winter clothes. Can you help me please. It concerns me, myself, my wife and my son 5 years
It will be MUCH colder than you are used to. 3*-5* Celsius, perhaps as low as 0*.
Long pants, layers of warm clothing, socks, heavy shoes. Hats!
Nothing worse than wet and cold at the same time.
It might be best to buy most of your clothing when you arrive, I doubt you can get anything in Mauritania that will be designed for the climate.
Think of mountains and snow. It will not be quite that cold, but to you, it will feel like it is.
Perhaps we will see you there, arriving ourselves in France 3 December for 10 days. But, we are from the same latitude in the US, and have plenty of clothes for this weather.
David H. We arrive on December 3 also. Wondering about activities during December since weather is cold. We have been to Paris before but during summer?
What suggestions?