So you’re wondering about Paris in January: Is it too quiet, too gray, too rainy?

Yes, to all of the above. But it’s also perfection.

Paris in January is like Paris 201 — not the intro class but intermediate.

It’s often the quietest time of year. November has the anticipation of the holidays, and February bleeds into spring. But Paris takes a breath in January, after the Christmas holidays are over, work is back in session, and everyone adjusts their calendars to look forward to the next school holidays, in February.

The weather can be iffy: It’s rarely cold enough to snow in Paris, but there’s always time for rain. Officially December is usually rainier, but January is a close second. On the plus side, though, holiday lights stay up through Candlemas (in early February), and the mornings are noticeably brighter.

In exchange for the variable weather, you’ll find smaller crowds, and the perfect chance to experience Parisians’ Paris — the city without its makeup on. Are you ready to truly get to know it?

Paris in January: Quick Reference

Paris in January: Weather breakdown

This graph, produced by WeatherSpark, shows the average highs and lows for January:

As you can see, the average high is 44 — a tick higher than December, with its average high of 45. The average low of 36 explains why it’s often quite cold but not cold enough for snow. If you can image a sleety day with a high of 42…you have the right idea. It’s often sloppy, and often wet, but rarely a winter wonderland. There’s plenty of snow in France, but you’ll need to head outside Paris (and most reliably, to the mountains).

The most reliable complaint about January’s weather in Paris, though, isn’t about the cold, which is fairly moderate: It’s about the gray (a.k.a. le grisaille). December is the cloudiest month in Paris, but January is a strong second, as this WeatherSpark chart shows:

Only 29% of January days offer more clear skies than cloudiness, a stat only beaten by December’s 26%. With all the bare trees, this can make the city quite desolate — but it can also be moody and cozy. (It might be true that the best January day in Paris is spent indoors, in a corner booth in a warm bistro.)

Perhaps surprisingly, given all that cloud cover, January isn’t the rainiest month of the year: That’s December, followed by October. It’s actually tied for seventh place, with September, with 1.5″ of average rainfall.

In terms of what to pack: You’ll want a winter coat and gloves, but might want to skip the wool hat. (You will absolutely not want to forget the scarf.) Think good-looking boots for city walks, and leather sneakers rather than mesh to keep out the rain. Definitely dress in layers as busy bars and restaurants will be warm.

Crowds, Prices, and Travel Atmosphere

Two months of the Parisian calendar are noticeably emptier than the others: August, when all the Parisians leave for vacation, and January, when only Parisians are around — and tourists are presumably in the Caribbean, Mexico, Spain, Turkey or some other warmer-weather destination. Of the past 12 months, January 2025 had the lowest hotel occupancy rate, with 70.1% of available beds occupied. (Weirdly, July 2024 tied it for last place, but this is clearly a Paris Olympics-derived anomaly — they shot back up in July 2025, with an 81% occupancy rate.) With lower occupancy comes lower hotel rates, though there are other levers to pull if your accommodation cost is your biggest concern, such as staying outside Paris proper.

January in Paris is an in-between time: The holidays have ended, and work is back in session; the major events on the cultural calendar are mostly still to come, beginning with Fashion Week in late February. (Though let’s asterisk that for the menswear shows, which come to Paris in mid-January.) The coziness of autumn has faded — a loss if you like coziness, but a boon if more sunshine, especially in the morning, is desired.

The light is clear, and gray, unless it’s hidden by clouds. This is as lived-in, slow-paced and domestic as Paris gets — a specific vibe, for a specific sort of traveler. I’d come in the summer for fun, in the autumn for conviviality, in the spring for the beauty — but in January for rest, reflection, and calm.

12 Reasons to Visit Paris in January

Here, 12 reasons to come in January — but also a few counterarguments, if you’re wobbling.

1. New Year’s! 
I’m including the New Year’s “Eve” fireworks here since they officially begin at midnight. Fewer crowds, and just as impressive as the Bastille Day spectacular, with the same Eiffel Tower backdrop. Expect everything to be closed on the day itself.

2. Lowest airfares and hotel rates of the year
If you’re looking for a bargain, this is a good time to look — though as I say above, there are other levers to pull if you won’t enjoy a low-season rhythm. If you’ll be unhappy with gray weather, consider coming when it’s sunnier but staying outside Paris city limits, or trade a major airline (like United or American) for a discount carrier (like Norse).

3. Empty (well, emptier) Louvre and Musée d’Orsay
Outside of another pandemic, these museums will never again be close to empty (let’s pray) — and avoiding peak season can make a real difference in the quality of your experience. That said, this can also be mitigated, by spending time in under-trafficked galleries or visiting early in the morning. Also, the Mona Lisa may very well not be the most emotionally stirring artwork in all of Paris; the Louvre doesn’t have the sole license on art. If you’d prefer to come during the high season, a lesser-known museum might offer just as rich an experience.

4. Winter walks along the Seine
Now this is a magical experience: The Seine’s pedestrian walkways are much quieter than during the warm months, and the river in winter is a specific, beautiful experience. Bonus points for coming down at sunrise (which is much easier than it is in June).

5. Paris cold-weather drinks, still available
Vin chaud or chocolat chaud, your choice.

6. Les soldes!
The official sale season begins in early January and ends in early February, with the best selection offered at the start and the best discounts offered at the end.

7. Ephiphany
Now, Epiphany doesn’t mean much to me (it might to you!) but the official dessert does: the galette des rois (or king cake), a puff pastry with frangipane (i.e. almond cream) within. There’s a whole experience with this, wherein a little thing (a.k.a. la fève, or bean) is baked into the cake, and whoever finds it/doesn’t swallow it is crowed king/queen/benevolent leader for the day.

8. Men’s/Couture Fashion Week
It’s true that when you say “fashion week,” people think of womenswear, and the huge influx of the fashion crowd, coming in February — but in January Paris plays host to two major fashion events, with menswear first, followed by couture. Looking to mix ‘n’ mingle with hundreds of male models? Billionaire wives from around the Middle East/other wealthy corners of the world? Look quick and you’ll catch them between appointments/fittings.

9. Quicker lines at the Eiffel Tower
According to its website, the Eiffel Tower’s shortest lines come in January (along with February and November), from 8 PM – 10 PM.

10. Maison&Objet and Paris Déco Off
Watch as tens of thousands of international interior designers and associated trade gather in and around Paris for showroom openings, events, and brand parties galore. Some open to the public, others trade only.

11. Nuits de la lecture
A lovely five-day festival organized by the Centre national du livre (National Center for the Book), with thousands of events across France to encourage the act of reading. Definitely a plus if you’re francophone but a couple of anglophone-friendly events usually sneak in.

12. A highly moody Paris atmosphere
Calm, reflective — this stillness only settles on Paris once a year. Come February, it’s pfft. I wouldn’t want it year-round, but it’s a gift when it comes (and a gift when it gives way).