Paris · France
December
Christmas in Paris is genuinely spectacular — expensive, cold, but worth considering once.
Strong option
#11 of 12 months
There are better months for Paris — see the full ranking below.
See when to go instead →Climate
High
6.9°C
Low
3°C
Rain
51mm
Sun
2hrs/day
30-year climate normals · Open Meteo ERA5
How December scores in Paris
Weather
Below average
Value
Good
Crowds
Above average
Events
Excellent
Atmosphere
Excellent
What you gain in December
- ↑Champs-Élysées Christmas market and illuminations: a genuinely beautiful and not tacky spectacle
- ↑Galeries Lafayette Christmas windows are a Parisian institution — crowds are part of the experience
- ↑New Year's Eve along the Champs-Élysées is free and atmospheric
What you sacrifice
- ↓Christmas week prices spike sharply — hotel rates double in some central areas
- ↓Coldest month: 3°C overnight, limited sunshine (2 hours daily)
- ↓New Year's Eve Champs-Élysées is a crush — spectacular but physically demanding
How December compares to September (best month)
| Factor | December | September ★ |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | 3 | 9 |
| Value | 6 | 5 |
| Crowds | 5 | 5 |
December in other destinations
Climate data: 30-year normals (1991–2020) from Open Meteo ERA5 reanalysis. Scores compare months within Paris, not across destinations. Methodology →