What's the Weather Like in Paris in January?
January is the coldest and wettest month in Paris, France. But it's also one of the cheapest months to visit with better deals on flights and accommodation. It's a quieter, less crowded month when it will be easier to explore the city's attractions.
How Cold Is Paris In January?
The average temperature for the city is 5°C, with average highs of 7°C and lows of around 3°C at night. The highest temperature recorded for Paris in January is 16°C, with the lowes being -12°C.
Does It Rain In Paris In January?
With an average of 18mm of rainfall divided over an average of 14 days, you'll probably experience a shower or two on your trip.
Does It Snow in Paris in January?
Paris has an average of two days of snow in January when it is most likely to occur around the 31st, although the overall probability of snow lying on the ground is very unlikely.
Average Sea Temperature
At a bracing 9°C, the average sea temperature for Paris' closest coastal location is far too cold to go swimming, even for those who consider themselves to be hardy swimmers.
How Sunny Is Paris In January?
Paris enjoys an average of four hours of sunshine each day in January, a number which can vary greatly according to how dense the cloud is.
Paris Hotels in January
Grand Hotel Francais
The Grand Hotel Francais is a luxury hotel set in the heart of Paris, close to several metro stations, Place de la Nation, Place de la Bastille, Places des Vosges and Pere Lachaise Cemetery. Accommodation comes in the form of standard, superior and privilege rooms, plus suites.
Each guestroom features flat-screen TV, minibar with free drinks, free WiFi access and private bathroom with shower or bath and hairdryer. Suites are decorated with friezes, lacquered ceilings and sandstone floors. Onsite services and facilities include lobby bar, breakfast room which serves traditional continental breakfast buffets and free WiFi access throughout.
Hotel des Arts
If you'd rather stay in Montmartre, check out the Hotel des Arts. Located in a small street in the popular village within walking stances of Place du Tertre and Place des Abbesses, this three-star hotel provides guests with single, double, twin, superior, romantic and Eiffel Tower rooms. Each guestroom features flat-screen TV, free WiFi access, iPod socking station and private bathroom with hairdryer.
Superior rooms are larger, whilst romantic rooms offer street views, champagne, flowers, chocolates and bathrobes. Eiffel Tower rooms simply come with a view of the Eiffel Tower. Within the hotel you'll find a basement stone dining room where breakfast is served, free Wifi access throughout, nearby paid parking and airport shuttles.
Hotel Design de la Sorbonne
Art lovers should consider staying at the Hotel Design de la Sorbonne. Situated on the Left Bank, just a few minutes' walk away from the Pantheon, Notre Dame and the Luxembourg Gardens, this hotel offers newly-decorated rooms complete with bright designer wallpapers and colourful fabrics, divided between classic, superior, deluxe, top floor and romantic categories.
Each of the guestrooms features air conditioning/heating, free WiFi access, TV with DVD player and private bathroom with bath or shower and hairdryer. Top floor and romantic rooms are set under the eaves and offer superior furniture and decor.
Within the hotel you'll find free WiFi access throughout, photo exhibitions on each floor, breakfast room which hosts breakfast buffets and the option to have breakfast served in your room. Note that no parking is available.
Hotel de l'Arve
When it comes to central accommodation in Paris, Hotel de l'Avre is a top pick. Situated between the Invalides and Montparnasse, close to the Champs de Mars Gardens and the Eiffel Tower, this hotel provides accommodation in the shape of single, double and triple rooms.
Each guestroom includes free WiFi access, satellite TV and private bathroom, with some rooms also boasting access to a private garden. Within the hotel you'll find breakfast room which hosts continental breakfasts, free WiFi access throughout and paid public parking nearby. Although onsite services and facilities are limited, shops, supermarkets, bars and restaurants are in abundance nearby.
Things to do in Paris in January
HintHunt
January is a very cold time to visit Paris, when the weather tends to be wet and the temperatures low, so you're best off planning plenty of indoor activities. If you're holidaying with adults or older children, don't pass up the opportunity to visit HintHunt.
This challenging game is suitable for small groups of three to five people and involves many puzzles and mysteries which must be solved in one tiny room in order for the participants to escape. Visitors have only 60 minutes to work together to figure out the answers, solve the puzzles and escape the room. The rooms book up weeks in advance, so make a reservation as early as you can in order to avoid disappointment.
Musée Rodin
Art lovers won't want to miss the chance to visit the Musée Rodin. Set inside the Hotel Biron, this monographic museum in conjunction with the museum at Meudon was opened in 1919 is home to the largest collection of sculptures created by French sculptor Rodin. Here you'll find 8,000 drawings, 6,600 sculptures, 7,000 objects d'art and 8,000 photographs.
Some of the most iconic pieces include the Thinker, the Gates of Hell and the Kiss. In addition to artwork created by Rodin, the museum is also home to a room dedicated to Camille Claudel, as well as paintings from Renoir, Monet and Van Gogh which were collected by Rodin.
Champs-Elysees
The Champs-Elysees is one of the most famous streets in the world and is definitely worth a visit during your stay in the city. This area is even more noteworthy in January, when the shops and boutiques which line the street hold their January sales with loads of discounts and bargains just waiting to be snapped up.
In addition to the seemingly never-ending line of shops, the Champs-Elysees is also home to a great selection of cafes, bars and restaurants where you can stop for a coffee and a pastry.
St Germain
A trip to Paris isn't complete without stopping by St Germain. This area is linked to the historic centre of French intellectualism and is known for its winding streets, fantastic cafes and university life atmosphere. Thanks to the wealth of bookshops, museums, design boutiques, churches, art galleries, cafes, boutique hotels and restaurants found here, St Germain provides hours of entertainment.
Versailles
Similarly, any visit to Paris wouldn't be quite right without an excursion to Versailles. Easy ranking as one of the most magnificent palaces in the world, Versailles is a sight to behold and welcomes tourists throughout the year.
You could easily spend hours wandering through the various suites of the palace and its grounds, which give you an insight into the prestige and privilege of the French aristocracy. There's a lot to pack in during your visit to the town, so it's worth putting a full day aside to really appreciate the place.
Department Stores
Paris is also known across the world as one of the great centres of fashion, and the shopping on offer in the city is phenomenal. Visit Boulevard Hausmann (near Champs Elysees) to experience the classic department stores Printemps and Galeries-Lafayette, or head to the Left Bank for quirky thrift stores and antiques.
