"The City of Lights" is renowned for its Haussmannian architecture, cultural gems, and fine dining. Keep reading to discover The Sybarite's guide to the most luxurious things to do and see in Paris during the winter months.
Paris in winter feels different from the postcard-perfect snapshots you see splashed across magazines. The Seine and the bridges aren’t as crowded, and the city slows down without ever really stopping.
But Paris is still Paris, no matter the season. There’s still music pouring out of churches, windows glinting with gold displays, steam rising when someone cracks open a chestnut bag on the corner. Every hotel lobby boasts a roaring fireplace, there's ice skating at the Grand Palais, and cosy dinners that stretch into the evening. Winter certainly doesn’t dim Paris's magic, it simply shows the city in a different light.
The 15 Best Luxury Things to Do in Paris in Winter
Paris in winter is full of contradictions. Chaotic and buzzy one moment, then suddenly hushed and almost private as the tourists begin to recede.
You lean into the excess when it shows up (because really, where better), and you tuck into the quieter corners when you need a pause. Just be prepared to follow the city’s mood swings: mornings wrapped in mist, afternoons built around delectable French food, evenings dressed up, and nights enveloped in the city's magic.
Morning: Culture, Icons & History
Winter mornings in Paris feel like a scene from a storybook. The sunlight rises lazily, the Seine looks half-asleep, and the city's dwellers energetically pound the pavements just to stay warm. As the day is just starting to unfurl, there's no better time to tick off some of the many museums and famous landmarks.
1. Start Your Day at the Eiffel Tower
Morning light in Paris has this magical ability to soften the edge of the biting chill. The Eiffel Tower, which you think you know from postcards and key chains, transforms completely when you see it jutting up into the pale winter sky. The crowds aren’t the same either. Fewer lines and less jostling for the perfect selfie. Make the most of the opportunity to pause on the glass floor without being nudged forward. On clear days, you might even spot rooftops dusted with snow.
2. Explore the Louvre Without the Rush
The Louvre in summer feels a bit like an airport. Everyone moves in packs, eyes fixed on signs, while queues bend around corners you didn’t even know existed. In winter mornings, however, the corridors are much quieter and easier to navigate.
If you're hankering after a more in-depth experience, an expert-led tour guide can whisk you past the bottlenecks, allowing you to marvel at masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and Vermeer's The Lacemaker. During these guided tours, you start noticing details you’d normally skip. The Louvre starts to somehow shrink, and it feels like you're having an intimate conversation with the iconic works of art themselves.
3. Admire Impressionist Masters at Musée d’Orsay
The Musée d’Orsay doesn’t feel like much of a museum at first, more like you’ve wandered into a giant clock that happens to be filled with dazzling Renoirs and Van Goghs. You wander in for an hour, and suddenly you’re late for lunch because the light thrown upon a Cézanne still life had you cast under its spell. Notable works of art include Manet's Le Déjeuner Sur l'Herbe, Renoir's Dance at the Moulin de la Galette, and Degas' Little Dancer. Book an early-access tour for a quieter exploration of the gallery.
4. Historic Landmarks in Winter (Versailles & Chapels)
Exploring the Palace of Versailles in the cold feels different. The gold details still glimmer, but the gardens are starker, veiled in frost. From 1 November until 31 March, the palace is open every day from 8.00 am until 6.00 pm. To further avoid the queues, opt for the 'Passport' ticket with timed entry.
Back in the city's centre, chapels shift the mood. Chief among them is Sainte-Chapelle, located on the Île de la Cité. Bursting with stained glass windows, the Gothic-style chapel transforms the vaulted space into a kaleidoscopic dream. It feels like you've stepped into a living history book.
For an added dose of history, visit the fabled Notre-Dame, also located on the Île de la Cité. While the monument was closed following a fire in 2019, the Notre-Dame has since reopened and is welcoming visitors throughout the year. A new reservation system has been introduced to reduce waiting times, and allows visitors to choose a 30-minute slot. Because of its popularity, visitors are advised to arrive 15 minutes before their timed entry slot.
Afternoon: Gastronomy & Shopping
By the afternoon, the city is in full swing. Lunch turns into a two-hour ritual, shops pull you in with windows that look more like stage sets, and the covered passages tempt you with the gourmand smells of coffee and chocolate.
5. Indulge in a Michelin-Starred Winter Lunch
Paris takes lunch seriously, and in winter, the city takes it up a notch. The menus lean heavier, with indulgent classics such as French onion soup and tartiflette reigning supreme. Picture sauces you'll want to mop up with bread, thin curls of shaved truffles, and full-bodied wines bursting with flavour.
The Michelin-star experience is no exception. You sit down, the coat comes off, and suddenly three hours have passed and you’ve forgotten there was ever a world beyond the dining room. Some places even build whole seasonal menus around the season. Think chestnut velouté, venison, and cheese soufflé.
6. Afternoon Tea at Iconic Parisian Hotels
Afternoon tea in Paris means transporting yourself into a world of luxury where velvet chairs and silver trays take centre stage.
Winter makes everything feel cosier and more indulgent. Frost clings to windows and fireplaces flicker in the corner. After a morning spent pounding the pavements, there's no better time to pause and enjoy a Parisian afternoon tea filled with intricate mini sandwiches and whimsical cakes that feel like great architectural feats.
For a memorable afternoon treat, check out Le Trianon Palace, Le Meurice, and Plaza Athénée. Angelina, meanwhile, is fabled for its silky-smooth hot chocolate.
7. Wander the Covered Passages & Gourmet Cafés
Step into one of Paris' covered passages, and suddenly it feels like you've been transported to a different century. Tucked away from the main streets, these hidden passages boast glass ceilings, elegant mosaic floors and plenty of character. Formerly private shopping lanes, these covert passages now house an array of boutiques, cafes, bars, and galleries.
The beauty of these passages is that they weave luxury seamlessly into everyday life. Boutiques selling antique prints jostle for attention next to chocolatiers and bookbinders.
8. Luxury Winter Shopping on Avenue Montaigne & Le Marais
Winter shopping in Paris has its own appeal. Avenue Montaigne is pretty much a runway disguised as a street. Head here for designer shops including Dior, Chanel, Balenciaga, Gucci and Versace, to name just a few. Over the festive period, window displays transform into miniature snow-globe worlds, frosted with snow and festooned with golds, silvers and rich jewel tones.
Le Marais, on the other hand, is less refined and more playful. In lieu of high-end designer shops, picture French boutiques, vintage art galleries, gourmet food stores and innovative concept stores. In December, head to the 9th arrondissement to explore the magical Galeries Lafayette - an historic department store home to all manner of luxurious brands. There is usually a Christmas tree soaring under the glass dome, lights spilling everywhere and visitors pausing to take photographs of the impressive displays.
9. Take Part in a Perfume Workshop
Indulging in a perfume workshop feels suitable Parisian. The doors close behind you, the city hums outside, and suddenly you’re swirling teeny bottles in a quiet room. The likes of Galimard, Molinard and French staple, Fragonard, offer an array of olfactory experiences.
Workshops here are equal parts science and seduction. With the guidance of an expert, get to grips with the olfactive pyramid, immerse yourself in a concoction of scents, and create your very own personal spritz. The luxury here is in the odd intimacy of the process: sniffing, guessing, and laughing when you’ve lost track after the tenth vial.
Evening: Experiences & Entertainment
“Quiet” in Paris never means empty. In the evening, the Christmas markets pull in half the city, sales pack the department stores, and weekends can still feel hectic in central spots. But it’s a different kind of chaos. It’s softer, slower, and less frantic. People tend to linger more than they rush. You notice it most in the evenings, when the streets are peppered with tourists, but you’re not having to elbow your way through them.
10. Visit Parisian Christmas Markets
Multiple Christmas markets crop up across the city during the festive season. Bustling rows of Swiss-style wooden chalets spread out under strings of lights, and billowing plumes of steaming food and drink curl up towards the inky sky.
While trinkets and ornaments dominate, there's plenty of other luxurious treats worth sampling. You'll find chocolatiers handing out samples of spiced ganache, a craftsman carving wooden toys, and cups of mulled cider that warm your hands before it hits your throat.
Christmas markets worth visiting include the La Magie de Noël in the Tuileries Gardens, the Notre-Dame Christmas Market, the Abesses Christmas Market in Montmartre, and the Saint-Germain-des-Prés Christmas Market.
11. Attend the Opera at Palais Garnier
The Palais Garnier doesn’t really need an opera to feel dramatic since the building itself does half the work. Visually, it's a gilded masterpiece. The staircases curl like they were built to be ascended slowly while enormous chandeliers loom from above.
Visiting the Palais Garnier during winter is an experience in itself. Coats are shrugged off in the foyer, breath still visible as people slip inside, and velvet seats beckon from beyond. The grandeur, the intimacy, and the entire setting come together to elevate the experience.
Opt for a self-guided or guided tour, or immersive yourself in the gilded glamour with tickets to a ballet show or opera performance. Self-guided tours start from €15.
12. Ice Skating at Iconic Paris Locations
Ice skating in Paris feels almost cinematic. The Hôtel de Ville rink spreads out beneath gothic towers, skaters looping and stumbling under the lights while music bounces off the stone. The Grand Palais des Glaces, meanwhile, is a unique experience like no other. Dubbed the world's largest indoor ice rink, the venue boasts a domed glass roof curving overhead and 2,700m² ice gleaming below. For a slice of luxury, visitors can also trade their skates for crisp flutes of Champagne.
And even if you’re terrible at skating (most of us are), winter gives you the perfect excuse to give it a shot. When you've dusted off the ice, retreat to a nearby restaurant where the only balancing act is keeping your glass steady.
13. Private Night Cruise on the Seine
Paris at night is pure glamour and elegance. Every other corners feels whimsical and wonderful, particularly beside the Seine. The bridges are lit, the Eiffel Tower sparkles every hour, and every single city façade glows as if it’s been waiting all day for darkness to fall. For the ultimate evening experience, opt for a private night cruise and watch Paris come to life, one monument at a time.
There’s Champagne, naturally, and dinners that somehow taste better when served in motion. What could be more romantic than feasting on the finest French food whilst gazing at the Notre-Dame and the Louvre?
Night: Indulgence & Relaxation
Nights here are never straightforward. One moment you're navigating the frosted streets, hands thrusted deep into your pockets, the next, you're sweltering under rooftop heaters, sipping on a Kir Royale. Some bars feels half-empty, while others are spilling out into the streets, jam-packed for a night of jazz.
While Paris at night can feel a little frenzied and a little overdressed, it has an enchanting edge that compels you stay out for longer than you planned.
14. Experience a Luxury Spa Retreat
Nights in Paris don’t always require glittering sequins and frosted glasses of Champagne. Instead of embarking on a culinary journey, visitors can explore the city's wellness offerings, particularly the exclusive spas of which there are many. Picture steaming hammams, tiled saunas, and hotel steam rooms pumping out clouds of eucalyptus and woody scents. Indulging in a spa session is the ultimate way to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, even if just for an hour of two.
Hankering after your own Parisian wellness reset? The likes of the Molitor Spa by Clarins, Sense spa at Hôtel de Crillon, The Spa Nolinski by La Colline, the Dior Spa at Cheval Blanc, the Ritz Club & Spa, and Spa Clemens Aquatic Spa frequently rank among the best.
15. End Your Day with a Cocktail at a Rooftop Bar
Rooftop drinks during winter aren't especially logical. The heaters always seem to warm the air just enough for you to notice how cold it still is, scarves become loose, and gloves end up on tables. And yet, these rooftop spots continue to draw large crowds thanks in part to the mesmerising views of Paris peppered with glittering lights and Mansard roofs.
In Paris, there's a rooftop to suit every mood. The Peninsula is the epitome of chic, while Le Perchoir is renowned for its laid-back and inherently cool atmosphere. It's also worth making a beeline for Printemps, Terass", and Skybar Paris.
Yes, and not in the generic “Paris is always a good idea” sort of way. Winter changes the city, transforming it into a magical hub. Lights illuminate the streets, shop windows look like they've been staged for theatre, and restaurants serve up plates of hearty food.
Paris in winter can be cold, but it's rarely baltic. The weather, like much of Western Europe, can be damp and chilly, with most days sitting at around 5°C. But prepare to wrap up warm as it does snow occasionally.
Layers. Always bring layers. The kind you can peel off when you duck into a café, then put straight back on five minutes later when you head out again. A good coat is a non-negotiable.
Not really. Compared to summer, at least. You can walk down the Champs-Élysées without getting swept into a flock of tourists. Museums in Paris tend to be calmer, too.
Almost anything can be considered romantic here, because the city does the hard work for you. Flit between glitzy hotels such as Le Meurice, window-shop to your heart's content, drift down the Seine during sunset, or indulge in an evening spa session.
Japan's cherry blossom season takes place each year from late March to early May. Discover The Sybarite's guide to the very best places to marvel at these frothy pink blooms.
The InterContinental Khao Yai is not your typical resort. Designed by the visionary architect Bill Bensley, the property draws inspiration from the region’s railway heritage, transforming upcycled train carriages into one-of-a-kind luxury suites.
Austin's unique charm has elicited praise from many travel writers. The city's motto, "Keep Austin Weird," reflects its independent and alternative spirit, even as it faces commercialisation.
Chef Larry Jayasekara reopened Mayfair hotspot, The Cocochine, in September 2025. Spotlighting produce from regenerative British farms, Jayasekara creates elegant dishes with bold, memorable flavours.
Located in the heart of Colwell Bay on The Isle of Wight, The Hut is taking beachside dining to a whole new level. Flora Devenport reviews the popular seafood restaurant.
The ever-expanding litter of THE PIG hotels are synonymous with gourmet excellence, making them the perfect weekend retreat for a foodie escape, which is how I found myself at THE PIG- at Combe, arguably the grandest of the British hotel groups outposts.
Jean-Philippe Blondet helms the esteemed Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, renowned for its haute cuisine and excellence. Find out more about his career below.
The St. Regis Bali is not just another five-star property in Nusa Dua, it is a sanctuary where Balinese artistry, signature St. Regis rituals, and intuitive butler service converge to create a stay unlike any other.
What began as a modest bungalow in 1887 has since transformed into one of Singapore’s most iconic heritage hotels, named in honour of Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of modern Singapore. Declared a national monument in 1987, it remains the only hotel in the country to hold such recognition.
In this exclusive Q&A with the resort’s General Manager, we will explore what sets Patina Maldives apart in the competitive Maldivian hospitality scene, its dedication to sustainability, and the personalised experiences that make it a standout destination.
Tucked away in Indonesia’s Riau Archipelago on the idyllic island of Bintan, The Sanchaya is a beachfront escape that’s still refreshingly under the radar. While part of us wants to keep this gem a secret, it's simply too exceptional not to share.
In this exclusive Q&A interview with the resort’s General Manager, we’ll explore what makes Amilla Maldives a standout destination in the Maldives, the philosophy behind its impeccable service, and the experiences that guests can look forward to.
