December in Paris averages highs of 9 °C (48 °F) and lows of 3 °C (38 °F), with about 10 rainy days and 8 h 16 min of daylight.
December weather in Paris at a glance
average high to low each dot ≈ 3 rainy days
Is December a good time to visit Paris?
Tough month: cold and some rain. December is usually high season in Paris: book rooms early, as prices are typically at their highest.
Our rule: a month scores 2 points for comfortable average highs of 18–28 °C (1 point for 14–18 or 28–32 °C) and 2 points for 5 or fewer rainy days (1 point for 6–10). Average highs above 35 °C or below 8 °C make it a tough month whatever the rain. A rainy day here means 2 mm of rain or more. 4 points = great, 3 = good, 2 = mixed, 0–1 = tough.
Holidays and events in December 2026
- Fri 25 Dec: Christmas Day (Noël) public holiday
- Christmas lights on the Champs-Élysées and Christmas markets across the city event
Banks and many shops close on public holidays, and museums may change their hours, so check before you go.
Things to do in Paris in December
December's weather suits a mix of outdoor sights and museums, so the open-air ones come first.
- Eiffel Tower and the Champ de Mars — go up at dusk outdoors
- Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur — views over the whole city outdoors
- Seine walk and Île de la Cité — Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle outdoors
- Le Marais — galleries, falafel and squares outdoors
- Louvre — book a timed slot indoors
- Musée d'Orsay — Impressionists in a railway station indoors
Where to stay: Le Marais or Saint-Germain for first-timers; Canal Saint-Martin and the 11th for better value.
What to pack for Paris in December
- A warm jacket and layers; evenings drop to around 3 °C (38 °F).
- An umbrella or a light waterproof: about 10 days this month see real rain.
- Comfortable walking shoes.
What a day in Paris costs
| Budget traveller | Mid-range | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical total per person, per day | €65–160 | €190–410 |
Excluding flights. December is usually high season in Paris: book rooms early, as prices are typically at their highest.
December in nearby cities
| City | High / low | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | 9° / 4° | 10 | Tough month |
| Amsterdam | 8° / 4° | 12 | Tough month |
| Munich | 6° / -1° | 10 | Tough month |
Plan your Paris trip
- Is Paris Expensive? Real Costs and a 2026 Budget Guide
- Romantic Weekend in Paris: A 2-Day Plan for Couples (2026)
- 3 Days in Paris — A First-Timer's Itinerary (Hour by Hour, With Costs)
- AI Trip Planner Prompts — How to Ask for a Trip and Get a Plan That Works
Want the whole trip planned? Join the Journey waitlist: tell it where, when and your budget, and it plans every day hour by hour.
FAQ
Is December a good time to visit Paris?
By the numbers, December is a tough month: cold and some rain, with average highs of 9 °C (48 °F) and about 10 rainy days. December is usually high season in Paris: book rooms early, as prices are typically at their highest. The best months for weather are May, June, July, August, September.
How warm is Paris in December?
Average highs are 9 °C (48 °F) and lows 3 °C (38 °F) (2015–2024 averages).
Does it rain a lot in Paris in December?
Expect about 10 days with 2 mm of rain or more, about 76 mm in total. It is the 3rd wettest month of the year in Paris.
Sources: climate averages from Open-Meteo historical weather (ERA5 reanalysis, 2015–2024); sea temperatures from the Open-Meteo marine API (2023–2024); public holidays from Nager.Date. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of the month. Averages are a guide, not a forecast. Costs are typical ranges per person per day, excluding flights.