Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Paris in January
This is the coldest month in Paris: highs average 43°F (6°C) and lows 33°F (0°C), with about 2.1 in (54 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 48/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 43°F (6°C)
- Avg low
- 33°F (0°C)
- Rain
- 2.1 in (54 mm)
- Humidity
- 92%
- Cloud cover
- 75%
- Daylight
- ~8 h 28 min
- Comfort score
- 48/100 · Fair
What January feels like
Afternoons only reach about 43°F (6°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
Nights cool to an average low of 33°F (0°C).
Rain is moderate at about 2.1 in (54 mm) for the month.
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 75%.
Daylight is short, roughly 8 h 28 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around January
January is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are May – September.
- Comfort holds steady from December (48 → 48/100).
- Our Paris to the Riviera route recommends May – Sep, so January falls outside its suggested window.
- Our Paris & Reims route is planned for Dec – early Jan, a window set by the holiday season rather than the weather — January is part of it.
What to pack for January
- Insulated jackethighs only 43°F
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Paris in January
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
Angelina
Tearoom on Rue de Rivoli since 1903, known for thick hot chocolate and Mont-Blanc pastries.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 43°F.
L'As du Fallafel
Marais falafel counter on Rue des Rosiers, stuffed pitas to go.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Galeries Lafayette Haussmann
Department store whose 1912 glass and steel dome holds a giant Christmas tree each year, with animated windows outside.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 43°F.
Basilique du Sacré-Cœur
White-domed basilica at the top of Montmartre with a panorama over Paris.
Why now A way to spend part of a cold day out of the wind.
Printemps Haussmann
Belle Époque department store next door, known for its animated Christmas windows and lit domes on Boulevard Haussmann.
Notre-Dame de Paris
Gothic cathedral reopened in December 2024 after the 2019 fire restoration.
Nearby in January
- Reims in January~81 mi · highs 41°F, 2.5 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Amboise in January~118 mi · highs 44°F, 2.3 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Tours in January~127 mi · highs 45°F, 2.5 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Saumur in January~157 mi · highs 46°F, 2.6 in rain · 1°C (3°F) warmer by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Paris in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Paris?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 48/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are May – September. Expect highs of 43°F (6°C) and 2.1 in (54 mm) of rain. Our Paris to the Riviera route recommends May – Sep, so January is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Paris in January?
Average highs are 43°F (6°C) and average lows 33°F (0°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Paris in January?
Not much: about 2.1 in (54 mm) of rain falls across January on average, the 5th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 26.1 in (662 mm).
What should I pack for Paris in January?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 43°F) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Routes in season in January
- Paris & Reims Dec – early Jan
Planning Paris in January?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.