10 things to do in Paris on a winter day

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Paris is definitely one of the best European cities which has many things to see and it offers a lot of interesting programs for its tourists no matter which season it might be. But, what can you do if it is freezing cold in Paris? Here are our recommendations.

In this article we have collected the best and funniest things you can do in Paris on a winter day during your holiday. Let’s start with our favorite tips of all.

Christmas market

What else would be our first point if not the Christmas markets. The Christmas markets slowly became an important part of the festive season and it is nowadays definitely one of the most known and awaited events of the winter. Luckily in Paris there are several of these markets in the city. Usually the markets open their gates between the end of November and beginning of December. At the markets you can get your Christmas decorations and other festive objects and if you don’t know what to buy for your loved ones for Christmas try the markets where you can definitely pick the most unique Christmas presents. Apart from all the goodies the market also offer a wide range of drinks and food. Probably the most visited ones in the city are:

  • Christmas market at Notre Dame
  • Christmas market at Montparnasse
  • Christmas village on La Defense esplanade (open from 17th November until 27th December 2016)
  • Christmas market on the Champs-Elysèes (open from 11th November 2016 to 2nd January 2017)
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Paris is beautiful on a cold winter day – Felix Catana / Shutterstock

Paris on ice

Our second tip is similar to our first one because it is actually has something to do with the Christmas markets. So our second advice would be the ice rinks because the Christmas markets and the ice rinks simultaneously appear of the streets of Paris in the beginning of the Christmas period. There are several rinks to choose from but probably the biggest and the most popular ones are the one front of the Paris City Hall (Hôtel de Ville), the one front of the Gare Montparnasse and the one at the Eiffel Tower. Winter would definitely not be completely complete without the ice rinks in Paris. The rinks, same as the Christmas markets, became a big part of the festive season. They are great fun and activity for families, for singles, for couples, for friends for everyone so it is highly recommended on a winter day in Paris.

Museums

Our third tip might sound a little bit boring or maybe stressful at first but actually winter and festive season is one of the best time of the year to check some of the most popular museums of Paris out. Winter can be a little bit cold in Paris during the winter so spending time in a museum might not sound so bad anymore. As winter is also not the most beloved season by the tourists you will not have to fight and compete with the big groups of tourists in the museums and you can just simply enjoy your chosen exhibitions. Luckily there are several good exhibitions are going on always in the city so all you need to do is picking the right museum for your taste.

L ‘ Aquarium de Paris

L’ Aquarium de Paris is one of the best programs on a chilly winter day in Paris and it is also one of the most enjoyable programs for children as well as for adults. In the aquarium of Paris you can see sharks, string rays, turtles and more than 1000 fish from the oceans. In the aquarium you can learn about the marine life of the world and about all the different species living in the open sea and waters. Visitors can also feed and touch the fish and there are various fish themed workshops, cartoons and documentations. The aquarium is open everyday from 10 in the morning until 7 in the evening, the entrance fee for a whole day for an adult costs 20.50 euro.

Disneyland Paris

If you are in Paris and you just want to have pure fun and enjoyment you must visit Disneyland. Paris Disneyland is located in a small town Marne-la-Vallèe only 32 kms away from Paris. This entertainment resort is one of the most visited theme parks in Europe which has two theme parks, resort hotels, a golf course and you can also check the Walt Disney Studios out. Of course there are many roller coasters, laser shooting, Disney and Pixar short films, musical boats and so on, the most popular attractions of the park according to the official site is the Big Thunder Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, It’s a Small World and the list goes on. Apart from this you can shop and eat in the big shopping and eating area of the park called Disney Village. Disneyland is open every day from 10.00 to 19.00 and the Walt Disney Studios from 10.00 to 18.00.

Spa in Paris

What can be more relaxing than spending a cold and chilly winter day in one of the best spas of Paris?! There are several spas to choose from in Paris but the best ones are probably these: Institut Dior, Hotel Plaza Athene, Spa Anne Sèmonin, Le Bristol, George V Spa, Four Seasons Gerorge V and Ritz Spa & Healthclub, Ritz Paris. Lot of the spas in Paris have pools, treatment rooms, fitness area, beauty rooms, saunas, steam baths, wide range of massages, various body treatments and relaxation rooms.

Restaurants

This time of the year is not only perfect if you want to visit the most popular museums but also if you would like to eat out in one of the best restaurants in Paris. During winter the number of the visitors of Paris is nothing compared to the other seasons of the year. They say everything has a good and a bad side, the bright side of the cold winter days in Paris is that you won’t have to compete with a group of tourist in every restaurant to have a table. So take your time and choose the best restaurant out, luckily in Paris there are thousands of good restaurants to eat out.

Aqua world in Paris

The Aquaboulevard de Paris is one of the best choice for families in a winter day in Paris. The Aquaboulevard is the largest urban water park in Europe which contains two wave pools, 11 huge water slides, indoor and outdoor jacuzzis, various water games, lazy rivers and a huge sandy beach. The aqua world has also a huge dining area with different catering points and a parking lot as well. Unfortunately children under the age of 3 are not allowed to enter the facility. The Aquaboulevard is open from Monday to Thursday from 9.00 to 23.00, on Friday from 9.00 to midnight, on Saturday from 8 to midnight and on Sunday from 8.00 to 23.00. The entrance fee for adults is 33 euros, for children above the age of 3 until 11 is 19 euros.

Laser Paris

Laser Paris is laser tag in Paris. It is similar to paintball, but it is just friendlier and less painful. Laser Paris is the biggest laser game in Paris which is located near to the Eiffel Tower and the new shopping centre called Beaugrenelle. The total space of the place is 520 square meters and it is the only place inside Paris where you can play laser tag. Laser tag is perfect with friends, family or colleges. On the official site of Laser Paris you can easily book online the time you and your friends would love to go and play. Laser Paris is open on Tuesday and Thursday from 14.00 until 23.00, on Wednesday and on Saturday from 14.00 to 23.00, on Friday from 16.00 to 23.00, on Sunday from 14.00 to 19.00.

Shopping

In this last point we would like to give you some nice tips where you can go and shop in Paris. There are several shopping malls in Paris but most Parisians prefer window shopping so most of the most famous shopping areas in Paris are located outdoors, but shopping indoors on a winter day is, in our opinion so much better. We will introduce you to two of the best shopping malls you can find in Paris. The first one is the Forum des Halles which is one of the most popular shopping malls located in central Paris and the second one is Les Quatre-Temps, which has also a huge cinema complex showing movies in English with subtitles, is located in the business district of the city. Both of the malls have several restaurants and clothing stores of the well known brands such as Zara and H&M.

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From Galeries Lafayette in Paris – Pavel L Photo and Video / Shutterstock

These are some of our suggestions on what to do in Paris on a cold winter day. Do you have other suggestions or recommendations? Write a comment to share your thoughts and your insight on the subject.

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