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Paris in winter is damp cold. At Paris-Montsouris, Météo-France’s 1991–2020 normals put the daytime high at 11.1°C (52°F) in November, 8°C (46°F) in December, 7.6°C (46°F) in January, and 8.8°C (48°F) in February. Lows run from 3.2°C to 6.2°C (38–43°F). Dress for wet stone and a warm café, with one coat that can take rain and boots you have already walked in.
On the street the uniform is a long dark coat, a wool scarf, dark trousers, and shoes that survive a puddle. A beret turns up, and so does a plain wool beanie. Pack the list below, not a costume.
- Coat: a long waterproof trench, or a wool coat plus a shell.
- Shoes: waterproof leather ankle boots with a tread.
- Layers: a thin base, a sweater, a wool scarf, and gloves that work with a phone.
- Bag: a zip crossbody, worn in front.
- From the US: a Type C/E adapter. Your plug does not fit.
Paris weather, November to February
These are the 1991–2020 normals for Paris-Montsouris. Fahrenheit is rounded to the nearest degree. Our Paris in December guide quotes the same December figures as a high of 8°C (46°F) and rain on about 11 days. On the sheet that is 8°C, a low of 3.8°C (39°F), and 11.4 days with at least 1 mm of rain, the most rainy days of any month.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | Days with at least 1 mm | Frost days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | 11.1°C (52°F) | 6.2°C (43°F) | 54.3 mm | 10.4 | 1.6 |
| December | 8°C (46°F) | 3.8°C (39°F) | 62 mm | 11.4 | 5.4 |
| January | 7.6°C (46°F) | 3.2°C (38°F) | 47.6 mm | 9.9 | 7.0 |
| February | 8.8°C (48°F) | 3.3°C (38°F) | 41.8 mm | 9.1 | 5.3 |
A frost day here means a low at or below 0°C. A day that stays below freezing is rare: 1.1 days in January, 0.7 in February, 0.6 in December, and 0.1 in November. The sheet does not publish a snow-day average. December has 56.9 hours of sunshine all month, about 57, which is why the dark arrives in the middle of the afternoon.
Visiting in November? Our Paris in November guide adds the month’s dates, from Armistice Day to the first Christmas lights.
Source: Météo-France climate sheet, Paris-Montsouris (75114001), 1991–2020 normals, sheet dated 6 June 2025. Checked October 23, 2026.
The Paris winter capsule
Nine categories cover November through February. Each link is an Amazon search for that category, so you can see what is available now.
| Item | Why | Where it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Long waterproof trench coat See it on Amazon | December has more rainy days than any other month. | Markets and the river after dark |
| Compact windproof umbrella See it on Amazon | 5.3 December days have a gust at or above 58 km/h. | A shower between the museum and the Métro |
| Waterproof leather Chelsea boots, women See it on Amazon | Wet stone, Métro stairs, and a full day on foot. | Streets, queues, the Versailles gardens |
| Waterproof leather Chelsea boots, men See it on Amazon | The same walking day: cobblestones, stairs, and rain. | Streets, queues, the Versailles gardens |
| Merino or thermal base layer See it on Amazon | Mornings are near 38°F, and cafés and museums are heated. | A day that moves indoors and out |
| Thermal leggings See it on Amazon | January’s average low is 3.2°C (38°F). | Under trousers on the coldest mornings |
| Wool scarf See it on Amazon | The accessory you will actually see on the street. | Every outdoor stretch from November to February |
| Touchscreen gloves See it on Amazon | You will be using a phone for tickets after dark. | Markets, the river, the walk back |
| Anti-theft crossbody bag See it on Amazon | A zip you can wear in front of you. | The Métro, markets, a crowded terrace |
Shoes for cobblestones, stairs, and wet pavement
Older streets are cobbled, wet pavement is slick, and a Métro ride often ends on stairs. Bring a waterproof leather ankle boot or Chelsea boot you have already broken in. A hiking boot is more shoe than a dining room wants. A dark sneaker is a fair second pair for a dry museum day. White leather and suede should stay home. December’s 11.4 rainy days will find them.
Coats and layers
A wool coat is right on a dry day and the wrong only coat in a month with 11 rainy days. Choose a waterproof trench that covers your thighs, or a wool coat with a compact shell over it. One rain-capable coat beats two heavy ones in a carry-on.
Under it, keep the layers thin: a merino or synthetic base, a sweater, then the coat. You will take the coat off in cafés and museums. A thick fleece with nothing under it is too hot indoors and too little the moment you step out.
The scarf is the piece you will see all winter, in navy, black, camel, and gray. A beret or a wool beanie covers your head. Pack the one you will wear. Gloves matter after dark. In December the sun sets around 5pm, which the daylight table on our Paris in December page spells out, so choose gloves that work with a phone.
Dressing for the plans
Christmas markets at night
A market evening is standing weather: the coat, the scarf, the gloves, and the boots. Dates and which markets are confirmed are in our Paris Christmas markets guide. This small-group lights walk keeps the group to six and includes a warm drink.
Small groupChristmas Lights Small-Group Walk with Hot Chocolate or Mulled Wine
Dayin
- Local tour guide
- Cup of hot chocolate or mulled wine
- Group of 6 max (private upgrade available)
Free cancellation
From$78.53
per person
Seine dinner and evening cruises
After dark the river is the same damp cold as the quay, even under a glass roof. Keep the coat with you. Several boats ask for smart-casual, and some later seatings are stricter, so read the dress note. Compare them in our Seine dinner cruise guide and our evening cruise guide. For a shorter outing, this hour on the water includes a drink and blankets when the night is cold.
Sunset & Evening Cruise with a Glass of Champagne
France Tourisme
- 1-hour evening cruise
- 1 glass of wine, Champagne or soft drink
- Background music
Free cancellation
From$38.70
per person
Versailles in winter
The gardens are a long walk in the open, in the same weather as the city. Wear the boots. Hours and the train are in our Versailles guide.
Churches
A covered shoulder is the courteous habit, at Notre-Dame as at Sacré-Cœur. It is not one citywide rule. Read the sign at the door. A scarf over a top you would wear to dinner is enough.
A nicer restaurant
Dark jeans, a closed shoe, and the day’s coat will do for a bistro. For a room you booked, add a blazer or a fine knit and leave the wet umbrella by the door.
The Eiffel Tower
The summit platforms are outdoors, so take the coat up with you. Tickets are in our Eiffel Tower tickets guide. Over the holidays, pair it with what is open on Christmas and New Year’s.
Bags and pickpockets
Wear a bag that zips, in front of you, on the Métro and in a dense market. Keep the phone off the outer edge of a café table, and leave the passport in the hotel safe. A zip crossbody with a strap across your chest is the useful day bag. A backpack is fine on a travel day and clumsy at dinner. This is ordinary city sense. We are not attaching a theft number to it.
Plugs and tech
France uses Type C and Type E sockets, so a US plug does not fit. Pack a Type C and Type E plug adapter, a Dual-voltage USB-C GaN charger when the label includes 100–240 V, and a USB-C power bank for a long evening. Which adapter to buy, and when a converter is the wrong tool, is in our France plug adapter guide.
What not to pack
- A ski parka. Highs are in the 40s and low 50s. You will overheat indoors.
- Two bulky coats. One rain-capable coat plus a layer covers the trip.
- White or suede shoes you care about. The rainy-day counts above are the reason.
- A brand-new boot. Break it in before the cobblestones do.
- A 120 V hair tool. France is 230 V. If the label does not say so, leave it.
- A huge suitcase. You will drag it over stone and up Métro stairs.
- A costume beret and nothing warm. A hat is optional. A scarf and a coat are the point.
FAQ
Can I wear sneakers in Paris?
Yes. A clean, dark sneaker is fine on a dry museum day. For wet cobblestones and a full day of walking, bring a waterproof leather ankle boot or Chelsea boot you have already worn in. Leave white leather at home.
Can I wear jeans in Paris?
Yes. Dark jeans are ordinary at cafés and casual restaurants. For a booked dinner, add one sharper layer. Some dinner boats are stricter than smart-casual, so check the dress note in our Seine dinner cruise guide.
Do I need an umbrella in Paris in winter?
Yes, a compact windproof one. Paris-Montsouris averages 11.4 days with at least 1 mm of rain in December, the most of any month, and 10.4 in November. The same sheet lists 5.3 December days with a gust at or above 58 km/h.
What should I wear in Paris in December?
Use the winter capsule, aimed at the wettest month. Montsouris normals are a high of 8°C (46°F), a low of 3.8°C (39°F), and rain on about 11 days, the figures on our Paris in December page. Holiday closures are in the hours guide.
Does it snow in Paris?
The Montsouris sheet does not publish a snow-day average, so this page does not invent one. It does list frost: a low at or below 0°C on 5.4 days in December, 7.0 in January, and 5.3 in February. A full day below freezing is uncommon, about 1.1 days in January and under one day in November, December, and February.
Do I need a plug adapter in Paris?
Yes, from the United States. IEC World Plugs lists France at 230 V and 50 Hz with Type C and Type E sockets, and the United States at 120 V and 60 Hz with Type A and Type B. A charger labeled 100–240 V needs only the adapter. Anything labeled 120 V only stays at home.