Planning a trip to Paris during January and wondering, "What's the weather in Paris, France like in January?"

First, the bad news.  On average, January ranks as the coldest month of the year in Paris (although not by much - December and February almost tie for that "honor").

Now for the good news, especially if you live in the northern U.S., Canada, or Northern Europe, where typical January temperatures drop much lower.  Paris winter weather in January may be much warmer than what you're used to, with daytime temperatures almost always well above freezing. 

But that's not all on the "good news" front:  averages are just, well, averages.  In reality, you'll experience January days where the temperature rises well above average.  A few days may feel almost balmy. 

On the other hand, other days will be colder than average, some will be windy, and you may even encounter a little snow.  But again, there's good news:  the snow looks lovely, but melts quickly so it won't impede your walks around the city.

Find out about best places to stay in Paris in the winter

You'll find all the information you need about January weather in Paris, the wide range of temperatures you may experience, plus other weather events such as rain, wind, and snow. 

We also include packing tips for January's unpredictable weather.

Article contents:

Top photo: View of La Conciergerie and the Seine River on a late afternoon in January, (c) Paris Discovery Guide

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What Is Paris Weather in January Really Like?

Eiffel Tower view from Palais de Tokyo street-side tables on a gray day in January - but note the blooming flowers!
Eiffel Tower view from Palais de Tokyo street-side tables on a gray day in January - but note the blooming flowers!

January claims the title for "Coldest Month of the Year" in Paris, although December and February rank as very close seconds.  But with a monthly average high temperature of 46°F (8°C) and average lows of 35°F (2°C), you may consider it chilly, not cold. 

Paris weather is also famously unpredictable - not just during January, but throughout the year.  Don't be surprised if the weather forecast changes frequently throughout the day, and you have to dodge an unexpected shower by ducking into a cafe for a cup of hot chocolate.

Paris Temperature in January:  Average Highs & Lows

Here's a quick summary of what January weather in Paris looks like on Fahrenheit (F) and Celsius (C) degree scales for average daily high and low temperatures, which have increased by 1-2 degrees Fahrenheit during the past decade:

  • Average high (maximum - usually during daytime hours) temperature: 46°F (8°C)
  • Average low (minimum - usually at night) temperature:  35°F (2°C)

Remember, these are just averages - useful for comparing one month with another, but they're not a weather forecast for Paris in January.  To better understand what actual temperatures might be during your January visit, always check the January high and low temperature ranges below.  (All temperature data in this

Weather Statistics for January in Paris:  High & Low Temperature Ranges

The average temperatures for January shown above give you only part of the Paris weather story - and not the most important part if you're planning to visit and want to know what to pack and even what activities you should plan based on the weather conditions you'll encounter.

That's why looking at the range of high and low temperatures during recent years gives you a much better understanding of what January weather in Paris may actually be like.

When you look at the range of daily highs and lows throughout a typical Paris January, here's what you'll find:

  • Range of monthly high temperatures during January:   35°F to 62°F (2°C to 17°C)
  • Range of monthly low temperatures during January:  8°F to 50° F (-13°C to 10°C)

If you're thinking that's a big temperature variation from day to day throughout January in Paris, you are right. 

Here are the record-breaking temperatures for the past three decades, and when they occurred:

  • Highest monthly January temperature (1991-present):   62°F (17°C) in 2003
  • Lowest monthly January temperature (1991-present):   8°F (-13°C) in 2010

As you can see, Paris weather is unpredictable from one year to the next as well as on a daily basis so you need to be prepared for a range of possibilities.

That's why planning your packing list to include layers to put on and take off is a good idea.  More about what to pack in a moment!

Sun and Clouds during January:  What to Expect

Rue des Lombards jazz club in Paris 1 near Les Halles on a cloudless winter evening
Rue des Lombards jazz club in Paris 1 near Les Halles on a cloudless winter evening

January tends to be a cloudy month in Paris, and daylight hours are short.  You'll typically experience overcast conditions or partly cloudy skies almost 75% of the time during daylight hours. 

Here's what that means:

  • Average hours of daylight:  8 hours, 50 minutes
  • Average hours of sunshine during January:  2 hours per day

Ironically, the sky is often clear at night and for a short period after daybreak.

On average, you can expect about 6-12 days to be totally or mostly sunny (which of course means that most days are not). 

How Much Rain, Wind, & Snow does Paris Get in January?

Les Deux Magots in Saint-Germain right after a brief shower in early January
Les Deux Magots in Saint-Germain right after a brief shower on a chilly (but not cold) day in early January

On average, Paris records about 2 inches (about 51 cm) of precipitation during January.  In a typical year, you can expect noticeable showers lasting more than a couple of minutes on about 7-8 days, including maybe one or two when steady rain falls, and brief showers or sprinkles on another 6-7 days.

There are, of course, exceptions.  January of 2018 proved to be unusually, with weeks of unrelenting rain that actually started during the previous month. 

As the weeks the level of water in the Seine continued to rise, finally peaking at just under 20 feet (6 m) as January ended.  The Louvre Museum had to close the galleries on its lower level,  the RER C train shut down for a week, and Seine River cruises came to a halt until water levels finally subsided. 

Unusual?  A flood of this magnitude has happened during January only three times in the last century.  But rain during January is always a reality, and the 2018 flood is a reminder to always have a "Plan B" for your Paris activities in case the weather decides to surprise you.

On the low temperature days which you can expect to occur at some point during the month, the rain can feel icy, although actual ice is rare.  During cold nights when the thermometer drops below freezing, Paris sometimes experiences what is called "ice fog" - frozen droplets of moisture suspended in the air.  If you're outside walking around when this happens, you'll definitely notice it.

Sustained strong winds can also hit the city during January.  Occasionally, there may be storms with gale winds and downpours of rain.  Those are the days when you'll want to stay inside a museum, explore Paris's historic covered passages, or sip hot chocolate in Angelina's (226 Rue de Rivoli) or other tea rooms.

Snow is rare, but beautiful when it happens.  You'll usually see only a small amount on the ground because Paris snowfall typically measures less than an inch (2.5 cm), and it melts quickly - so enjoy the lovely views before the snow disappears.

If you're planning day trips from Paris, you may be wondering about the weather at Disneyland Paris, Versailles Palace, and other popular destinations.  The good news is that the temperature and other conditions will be virtually identical to Paris.

What to Pack for January Weather in Paris

Sculptures in the Korean Garden at Jardin d'Acclimatation in Bois de Boulogne
Rue des Ciseaux in the Saint Germain neighborhood in Paris 6 on a drizzly January afternoon

Unless you'll be in Paris for only a day or two and can check the weather forecast right before you leave, packing for the range of possible January temperatures is smart idea.  Paris weather can change rapidly and forecasts for more than a day or two ahead are notoriously unreliable.

In addition to your core wardrobe of tops, bottoms, comfortable walking shoes, and of course, underwear, here are the essentials plus a few options to consider:

  • A well-insulated winter coat or jacket, ideally water-resistant.  Bonus points if it has a hood - useful for when you get caught in sudden showers and even downpours without an umbrella.  No hood?  Consider bringing a rain hat.
  • One or two sweaters to wear alone or layered if temperatures soar to almost 60°, and under your coat for extra warmth on the coldest days and evenings, especially on a Seine River sightseeing cruise or open-top tour bus.  Cashmere is the best natural fiber for keeping you toasty outside but not making you sweat when you go inside a heated store or museum.
  • Lightweight thermal underwear can add an extra layer of insulation without being bulky.
  • A pair of comfortable ankle boots and your favorite walking shoes, ideally with thick skid-proof soles because wet cobblestones can be cold and slippery.  You'll also be thankful for warm socks.
  • A warm scarf (longer is better than shorter because you can double-wrap it around your neck and even your head), gloves, a warm hat, and even fleece-lined leggings, especially if you plan to do lots of walking or even ice skating.   If you live somewhere like California or Texas and don't have these things as part of your regular wardrobe, no worries - you can easily buy what you need once you reach Paris.  Go to Monoprix or Camaïeu for nice quality items at affordable prices.
  • You may need an umbrella if you don't have a hooded jacket or rain hat.  Either bring one from home, or buy one in Paris - you'll find them everywhere from small convenience stores and souvenir shops where they cost 5-10 euros to posh boutiques and department stores where you'll pay much, much more.  Regardless of how much you spend (or not), a Paris umbrella is a nice souvenir.

In case you're about to start packing for your trip, here is the 7-day Paris weather forecast in Fahrenheit and Celsius:

PARIS WEATHER
PARIS WEATHER

Is Visiting Paris in January Worth It Despite the Potentially Cold Weather?

Outdoor dining on a partly-cloudy (and slightly sunny) cold January afternoon on Rue des Rosiers in the Marais
Outdoor dining on a partly-cloudy, partly-sunny cold January afternoon on Rue des Rosiers in the Marais

Absolutely!  If you're lucky, you may experience one or more of the warmer days that January sometimes offers. 

But even if you don't, just dress warmly.  Paris is always a good idea.  But there are special benefits to visiting Paris in January:

  • Cheap flights and low-season hotel rates 
  • Much smaller crowds at popular attractions such as the Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum
  • The famous January sales, with mark-downs up to 70-80% off
  • Fantastic exhibitions at many, if not most, Paris museums
  • The pleasure of savoring popular winter French foods such as raclette, pot au feu, and onion soup

Weather-Proof Things to Do in Paris in January

Paris tour bus with a covered upper deck on Avenue de l'Opera on a chilly overcast afternoon
Paris tour bus with a covered upper deck on Avenue de l'Opéra on a chilly, overcast afternoon

Recommended activities for seeing Paris while staying warm despite January weather:

  • Hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour bus - Stay warm and dry while you ride on the covered upper deck or enclosed lower deck
  • Seine River dinner cruise - Savor a gourmet meal in a cozy glass-enclosed boat while seeing famous sights along the river
  • Moulin Rouge - Enjoy an evening of entertainment and champagne in this famous Paris cabaret - or choose the gourmet dinner option
  • Mont Saint Michel day trip - Explore the famous abbey on this guided tour with comfortable round-trip transportation from Paris
  • Paris Museums - You won't care what the weather outside is like when you use a Paris Museum Pass for free admission to the Louvre, Orsay, Versailles, and almost 60 other famous Paris museums and attractions

More Fun Things to Do & See in Paris in January


Where to Stay in Paris during January

As you know by now, January weather in Paris can be cold so a smart strategy is to stay in central Paris neighborhoods close to top attractions, lots of restaurants, and convenient metro stations.  

With these criteria in mind, we recommend staying in these top locations during January:

Use this hotel booking map to find more hotels and apartments for your travel dates: 

Booking.com

Check out the newest Paris hotels


More about Paris in January


Paris Weather Resources

Want current Paris weather predictions?  This is a good French source:  Meteoblue
Historical weather data sources:  The Weather Channel, Weather Spark, and Time and Date


More Information for Your Paris Visit in January