3 Reasons Why You Should Visit Paris in December

Paris is magical year-round, but the “City of Light” has a certain je ne sais quoi in December. Here are three reasons why you should plan to visit the French capital at the end of the year.

You don’t have to worry about hordes of tourists

Avoid summer crowds at the Louvre.

As Paris ushers in wintry weather in December, the overwhelming crowds of travelers seem to dissipate. Don’t get me wrong, there are still plenty of tourists exploring the city during this time of year, but the crowds are a lot more manageable. I’ve seen pictures of the Louvre during the summer months and they make me feel claustrophobic—no thanks! I was able to explore sites like the Louvre, the Catacombs, and the Palace of Versailles with ease during my visit. I also didn’t have to worry about waiting to get into some of the city’s trendy restaurants and bakeries, like Angelina.

I was able to just walk up to the Mona Lisa and take my photo without having to fight my way through a giant crowd people.

The catacombs were empty. It was only me, my friend, and ghosts.

Nobody interrupted my shot at the Palace of Versailles.

Disclaimer: This is not real snow, but these are real(ly great) holiday decorations.

The Possibility of Snow

Paris is enchanting in the rain and during sunny weather, but it is an actual fairytale city in the snow. Just imagine the Eiffel Tower twinkling against the night sky as snow gracefully falls all around. Enough said.

Holiday decor

The city gets all dolled up for the holidays in December—from displaying its most festive string lights to charming Christmas trees, and cute ornaments. A walk down the Champs-Élysées or an exploration of Galeries Lafayette is sure to get you into the holiday spirit as both showcase impressive holiday decor. Plus, holiday decorations + snow = a dream.

What do you think is the most magical part of Paris in the winter? Or, do you try to avoid traveling to Paris at the end of year? Let me know in the comment section below!