What to see in Paris in winter

Paris is beautiful in any weather, including winter. Even in fog and frost, the city looks smart thanks to bright lights and shiny shop windows. Paris looks especially beautiful and unusual in snowfall, although this weather phenomenon is not common here.

So what can tourists see in winter in the capital of France?

1. Christmas fairs

On the eve of Christmas, festive markets are held in many iconic places in Paris(Champs-Elysees, Montmartre, the Marais Quarter). The stalls are bursting with all kinds of goods: Christmas tree toys, colorful souvenirs, handicrafts. There is a lively trade in a variety of delicacies and delicacies: sausages, pates, cookies, sweets, cheeses, which can often be tasted before buying. Dancers, musicians, circus performers and actors often take place on the fairgrounds.

2. Chocolate Museum

Winter is the best season to visit the Chocolate Museum, where it is always warm and cozy. The expositions tell in detail the history of the popular delicacy from the times of ancient Indians to the present day. The halls display many items related to chocolate: raw materials, utensils, tools and devices, boxes, old advertising posters. Finally, visitors are offered a master class in chocolate making and free tasting of different types of chocolate (white, milk, black). You can also drink hot chocolate – regular and spiced.

3. Rollers

In winter, ice skating rinks open in all Parisian neighborhoods. The most popular one is located on the square next to the City Hall (Hôtel de Ville). The outdoor rink, with a specially designated area for children and beginners, is always crowded. Skating in the evening is especially wonderful when the lanterns are lit and the City Hall is beautifully illuminated.

Fans of exoticism can climb to the first level of the Eiffel Tower, where you can go ice skating while enjoying views of the city from a height of 57 meters. Another interesting option is to go to the indoor skating rink located under the glass roof of the Grand Palais, a few steps from the Champs-Elysees.

4. Large Greenhouses

You can get from winter to summer by visiting the Great Orangeries, which are located in the Garden of Plants (not to be confused with the Botanical Gardens). The glass gallery, decorated in the Art Deco style, maintains a comfortable temperature of ^+22°C all year round. Here palm trees, ficus, bananas, lianas twisted with vines grow, a stream gurgles, and brightly colored butterflies fly. You can also visit the “Mexican” and “Australian” pavilions, where the flora of Latin America (cacti, avocados, coffee trees) and the Green Continent are represented respectively.

The Jardin des Plantes is also home to the Zoo (La Menagerie), where more than 1000 animals are on display. Here you can also visit the Museum of Natural Sciences, the centerpiece of which is the Great Gallery of Evolution, which allows you to visually follow the changes in the animal world of our planet.

5. Grand-Rex Cinema

The oldest movie theater in Paris, opened in 1932. There are seven luxuriously decorated halls where movies, plays and concerts are shown. On Christmas Eve, the main hall hosts the traditional premiere of a Disney cartoon, accompanied by an unusually spectacular show – the “waterfall extravaganza”.

In addition, the movie theater has an interactive museum Les Etoiles du Rex, which allows you to visit the backstage area, learn how special effects are performed, star as an extra, try your hand at voice-over.

Tips

• Although the average temperatures of the winter months in Paris are plus (around ^4-5o C), the climate seems colder due to high humidity and winds.
• Going to the capital of France in winter, take with you a down jacket or a warm jacket, as well as comfortable shoes with fluted soles, an umbrella and a scarf.
• Winter is the best time for shopping in France: in January there are large-scale sales, where you can buy even products of famous design houses, such as Chanel.
• After the Christmas holidays, the flow of tourists subsides somewhat, so you can see the popular sights of Paris without queues and crowds. Museum lovers should take advantage of this opportunity by visiting the city in January and February.