Visiting Paris Region in winter
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- Visiting Paris Region in winter
The end-of-year celebrations are over and winter has descended upon Paris Region. The cold weather makes you want to snuggle up at home or in a restaurant with a mountain atmosphere, as a family or with your partner. You’d be forgiven for thinking everything slows down at this time of year, but it certainly doesn’t. On the Champs-Elysées and in the shopping mall window displays, Christmas lights are replaced by posters announcing the sales. On the exhibition front, the cultural programme is well under way again in the museums. And when it comes to food, the festivities continue. After the Christmas log, the pastry chefs of Paris are at it again, this time with their Epiphany cake.
Did you think you’d be bored this winter in Paris Region? Suggestions for romantic things to do on Valentine’s Day, delights to discover for Epiphany and Chinese new year… Before spring brings those first rays of sunshine, check out this winter’s entertainment and activities in Paris Region.
In Paris Region, try the very best patisserie made specially for Epiphany
After the Christmas celebrations, the New Year brings Epiphany and the inevitable Epiphany cake. In the Paris Region, the pâtissiers know how to make mouths water with this traditional January pastry. An opportunity to explore the streets of the capital and the surrounding area in search of the ultimate taste. This year, will it be Jeffrey Cagnes, Nina Métayer or Michalak, who wins your sweet-toothed heart?
Looking for a place in Paris to enjoy Epiphany cake with family or friends? Head for the tearooms of the Paris Region. At Angelina’s, Epiphany cake is served with creamy hot chocolate. A comforting break in the middle of winter.
Celebrate the Chinese New Year in Paris Region
In winter, the Île-de-France region also celebrates traditions from other countries, such as the Chinese New Year. For this special occasion, the whole world flocks to the Triangle de Choisy district in the 13th arrondissement of Paris. Red lanterns, dancing dragons and traditional costumes invade the streets for the colourful celebrations. With family or friends, take this opportunity to discover the restaurants in the area, which also celebrate the lunar year.
The event is celebrated in many places in the Paris Region. In Belleville, the festivities take on a more local dimension, while cultural institutions such as the Guimet Museum organise entertainment and exhibitions on the theme of Asian culture.
Fashion galore, this winter in Paris Region
Where to go for the sales in Paris Region?
The traditional winter sales begin in the capital and across France just after the Christmas and New Year festivities… A chance to make a big dent in those gift vouchers you received for Christmas.
Along the streets of the Paris Region, the shop windows display their best bargains. The concept stores are packed with trendy ideas to treat yourself at affordable prices. Are you more into haute couture? Then go to Vallée Village to find a luxury item at discount price.
Of course, you may not fancy spending time outside in winter. If you feel the cold, treat yourself to a spree in the department stores of Paris. From Galeries Lafayette - Champs-Élysées to Printemps Haussmann, what could be nicer than a shopping spree at such historic shops as these?
Experience the buzz of Paris Fashion Week
At the beginning of each year, fashion is celebrated with great pomp in the Paris Region during Fashion Week. The Eiffel Tower, the Tuileries gardens](/en/garden-of-tuileries) and the Palais de Tokyo roll out the red carpet for the world’s top creators. An opportunity to take inspiration from the latest trends, or just admire the stars of the catwalk.
During this period, the window displays of luxury brands are all about Fashion Week. Pop to the Golden Triangle or to Saint-Germain-des-Prés to discover their brand new capsule collections.
In Paris Region, pull out all the stops for Valentine’s Day
How can you not celebrate Valentine’s Day in the capital of romance? A romantic walk on the banks of the Seine, dinner at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, a visit to the Rodin Museum… There’s no shortage of ideas to make this the ultimate romantic day.
For lovebirds who enjoy good food, the romantic restaurants of Île-de-France put on a special set menu. Are you more into art? Opt for an evening out at the theatre, the opera or even a museum. If you never get seasick, why not enjoy the views of Paris during a cruise on the river Seine.
Last but not least, if you want something unusual to do on Valentine’s Day, Paris Region has that too. A ride in a Citroen 2CV, an aquarium visit at nightfall, a soppy film at the cinema? Take your pick from the [best original activities for couples in the Paris Region](/en/inspiration/top-experiences
Enjoy activities in Paris Region during the winter holidays
Escape the winter cold in a museum of the capital or in the surrounding area
Winter is the ideal time of year to visit a new exhibition in Île-de-France. Take refuge from the cold in a museum and discover the best exhibitions of the season. Grand Palais, Orsay Museum, Palais Galliera… There’s no shortage of events to appreciate the cultural wealth of the Paris Region.
Make the most of the winter holidays to take the family to a museum! Between the Philharmonie des Enfants, the Musée en Herbe and the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, visiting exhibitions with your children has never been so much fun.
And what better season than winter to pop to the Cheese Museum, the Barley Sugar Museum or the Chocolate Museum? A whole programme of entertainment and activities on the theme of production, with tastings, of course.
With family or friends, enjoy the vibe of Paris Region’s shows
In the Paris Region, winter is a great time to share magical moments with your children, thanks to a whole programme of circuses and shows suitable for families. Between revisited fairy tales, puppet shows and interactive plays, every performance is designed to keep the little ones entertained. Not forgetting the adults. All sorts of shows and special events beckon you to every corner of the Paris Region. Although the festival season begins in summer, stay tuned! Certain cultural sites inject a little sunshine into their programme with shows and concerts that really warm your heart.
Also to be discovered
- Copyright image: © Nicolas Dieppedalle/Adobe Stock