Exciting Paris events during February include final Winter Sales (look for the biggest bargains this month!), a lively roster of concerts and museum shows, a big Mardi Gras parade, and believe it or not, the first signs of spring toward the end of the month.

Visiting Paris in February?

If you're coming to Paris this month, consider booking your "bucket list" tours and activities ASAP to make sure you get your top choices.

Top Paris attractions & experiences:

Most popular Paris destinations this month:


February gets off to a tasty start with La Chandeleur (a.k.a. "Pancake Day"), when everyone in France eats crepes.

Valentine's Day means you'll see lovely displays in bakery windows, and special menus in the city's romantic bistros.  If you're visiting, don't miss the romantic dinners, shows, and cruises on this day.

With warmer temperature, noticeably longer days (especially toward the end of the month), and the first flowers appearing on early-blooming cherry trees, February is a wonderful time to explore Paris, visit museums, and enjoy hints of romance in the air.

Want to celebrate being in the "City of Love"?  Pose for a photo in front of the famous blue and white Wall of Love in Rictus Square in Montmartre where you'll see I Love You written 311 times and in 250 different languages.

Top photo: Le mur des je t'aime (the Wall of Love) in Rictus Square in Montmartre, (c) Paris Discovery Guide

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Valentine's Day in Paris:  Celebrate Your Love in the City of Love

Roses and peonies outside a Paris florist
Roses and peonies outside a Paris florist

It's hard to imagine a more romantic city in the world than Paris - so what better destination to celebrate your love on Valentine's Day, especially if you plan to propose? 

First, save by finding a cheap flight so that you can splurge once you get there by staying at a 5-star Palace hotel. 

Spend the day exploring the city and enjoying a leisure lunch in a cozy bistro.

As night falls, head out to one of these romantic destinations for the perfect place to propose:

And if a proposal might happen - or if you just want to commemorate the day, consider getting romantic photoshoot to capture your special day in Paris.

February Concerts in Paris - 2025

Notre Dame Cathedral - Popular classic concert venue in Paris
Notre Dame Cathedral - Popular classic concert venue in Paris

Paris concerts during February include an exciting mix of opera and ballet, top contemporary artists such as Cyndi Lauper, and classical concerts in historical churches, where you can hear favorites such as Mozart, Bach, Chopin, Vivaldi, and more.  Valentine's Day concerts usually sell out far in advance, so if you're interested, don't wait to book!

More Paris classical concerts, opera, & dance performances during February

More Paris rock, pop, jazz, rap, indie, & other concerts during February

Find Paris concerts for other months

Winter Sales on Designer Fashions - Final Days 2025

Winter sales of Missoni, Valentino, Pinko, and other designers in a Paris boutique
'Soldes' sign announces sales in this Paris boutique 

The famous Paris winter sales end on February 4.  

By early February, Soldes signs in store windows all over the city will be announcing final reductions - as high as 70-80%, and occasionally even more. 

Savvy shoppers know that these last few days are when you'll find the biggest bargains.  

Can you still find any desirable items in the sales area?  Absolutely! 

PDG Publisher's Note:  I've snatched up some of my favorite capsule wardrobe pieces for unbelievably low prices during the last day or two of the Paris sales.  Always check to see what's left on the rack!  ~ Susan

Find out more about Paris Winter Sales 2025


Paris Tours for Fashionistas

La Chandeleur in Paris:  Crêpe Day!

Chinese New Year Parades in Paris - dates and locations
Au Lys d'Argent Creperie on Île Saint Louis in Paris

In case you've never heard of La Chandeleur, it takes place on February 2 and is the day in France when everyone eats crêpes.  (In English, it's called "Candlemas" - or just "pancake day.")  

Why?  The date is based on a rather obscure Roman Catholic holiday that celebrated the presentation of Baby Jesus at a temple 40 days after Christmas, which is the 2nd of February. 

La Chandeleur is also associated with superstitions about prosperity (you'll lose it if you drop a gold coin held in your left hand while holding the crepe pan in your right hand and flipping the crepe) and the weather (rain on February 2nd predicts 40 more days of rain - similar to Groundhog Day in the U.S. and Canada).

Bottom line:  If you're in Paris on February 2nd, head to the nearest creperie to celebrate this tasty French tradition.


Fun Ways to Tour Paris in February

What to see Paris from a fun, slightly off-the-beaten-path perspective?  Take a look at these interesting ways to experience the city's culture:


Paris Exhibits - Must-See Shows during February 2025

Mark Rothko exhibition at Fondation Louis Vuitton
Exhibition previously at Fondation Louis Vuitton

These are just a few of the top exhibitions you can see in Paris this month:

  • Musee du Louvre:  Guillaume Guillon-Lethiere - A major exhibition of the paintings and drawings depicting the political upheavals between the Revolution to the July Monarchy by this 19th century African/Guadeloupean-French artist and collector, little-known today but renowned during his lifetime.
    Dates: Through Feb 17, 2025
    Tickets:  22€ adults plus the Louvre's 3€ online booking fee; includes special exhibits and permanent collections; book in advance for skip-the-line access; can also book in advance with a Paris Museum Pass
    Location:  Rue de Rivoli, Paris 1;  Metro: Palais Royal/Musée du Louvre
  • Grand Palais Immersif: PIXELS - An Interactive Experience with the Creative Universe of AI - A multimedia immersive show focused on the senses - fun for all ages.
    Dates:      Through April 6
    Tickets: Get online
    Where:  110 rue de Lyon  (Opera Bastille complex; entrance is on the side of the building), Paris 12; Metro: Place de la Bastille
  • Fondation Louis Vuitton: Pop Forever, Tom Wesselmann & ... - An exhibition on Pop Art, with a major focus on 150 works by Tom Wesselmann, plus 70 works by 35 other Pop artists spanning Dadaism to the present day - Dates:  Oct 16 - Feb 24, 2025 
    Tickets:  Book in advance
    Location: 8 Avenue du Mahatma Gandhi, Bois de Boulogne, Paris 16;  Metro: Les Sablons, plus a 10-minute walk (or take the shuttle bus included with the ticket)
  • Centre Pompidou: Suzanne Valadon - About 200 paintings and drawings organized into five themes show the artistic development of this Montmartre model-turned-artist, known especially for her boldly realistic paintings of nudes.
    Dates:  January 15 - May 26    , 2025; Level 6
    Tickets:  15€ adults; book online (includes some shows plus permanent collections) or use your Paris Museum Pass for free entry; shows in several galleries require an additional ticket at (usually) an extra cost of 1-2€, so book the "permanent and temporary" ticket if you want to see one of these exhibits.  Or enhance your visit with a private tour by an expert guide.
    Getting there:  Rue Saint-Martin between Rue Rambuteau and Rue Merri, 4th;  Metro:  Rambuteau, Hôtel de Ville, Châtelet; RER: Châtelet les Halles, lines A, B, D

Find more Paris museum exhibitions

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Chinese New Year Parades in Paris - Dates & Locations 2025

Chinese New Year Parades in Paris - dates and locations

Dragon Dances - Chinese New Year Celebration

Although Chinese New Year actually begins in January this year, the Chinese New Year parades, festivities, and other events span about two weeks during late January / early February in Paris, home to Europe's largest Asian community.  Don't miss the chance to experience the big parades with Lion Dancers, colorful dragons, drums, firecrackers, food, and activities!

Chinese New Year (also called Lunar New Year, or Têt) falls on Saturday, January 29 in 2025, which marks the Year of the Snake.  According to traditional beliefs, people born in the Year of the Snake are wise, calm, creative, and open to transformation (like snakes as they shed their old skins). 

In China, New Year celebrations typically take place over about a 15-day period after the onset of the holiday and that is generally true for Paris as well, which means that some events will be in the early part of February. 

Here are dates and locations of the biggest New Year parades and other celebrations taking place in February (see our January Events article to learn about those occuring earlier):

  • Faubourg Saint-Honoré (where it intersects Rue Royal) - Wednesday, February 5, 12:30 - 2:30pm - Festive red lanterns and a colorful parade along Rue de Faubourg Saint-Honoré with about 30 lion dancers, dragon dancers, and drummers.  
  • 13th Arrondissement Spring Festival & Parade - Sunday, February 9, 12 noon, and continues for several hours. The largest Chinese New Year Parade in Paris with lion and dragon dances, and many marchers and even more watchers.  The 13th district reflects numerous Asian cultures: Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Tibetan, Mongolian.  Parade route & more details
  • Marais Chinese New Year Parade - Parade starting from Place de la Republique - Date to be confirmed

Find details for Paris Chinese New Year Parades including routes, other activities and things to do, and nearby places to stay

Future Chinese New Year dates:  February 17, 2026, February 6, 2027, January 26, 2028, February 13, 2029, February 3, 2030

"One Thousand and One Orchids" Show at Jardin des Plantes 2025

One of the greenhouses in Jardin des Plantes
One of the greenhouses in Jardin des Plantes

Chase away the final dregs of winter at the Botanical Garden's annual display of 1,001 rare and fabulous orchids (just a tiny fraction of the Garden's collection of 92,000 specimens) arranged in natural settings throughout the garden's enormous greenhouses. 

Dates:  February 6 - March 10, 2025, open daily except Tuesdays (to be confirmed)   
More information: website
Tickets:  Buy online or at the greenhouse entrance (admission to the Botanical Garden is free).  Please note:  It's best to buy online in advance because dates fill up quickly as this show is extremely popular.

Location: Greenhouses, Jardin des Plantes, 57 Rue Cuvier, Paris 5;  Metro:  Jussieu, Place Monge, Austerlitz, or Quai de la Rapée (walk across the Pont d'Austerlitz bridge to the garden)

Find fun things to do in Paris in February

The Dinasaur Ball at Jardin d'Acclimatation 2025

Dragon & Lanterns Stroll at Jardin d'Acclimatation in Bois de Boulogne
Dinasaur Ballat Jardin d'Acclimatation in Bois de Boulogne

Over 100 dinosaurs and 2,000 glowing lanterns will light up Jardin d'Acclimatation (next to Fondation Louis Vuitton) as this year's Lanterns Festival transforms this popular garden and amusement park into an evening fantasy land filled with giant illuminations. 

You'll see 40 species of tyrannosaurs, velociraptors, allosaurus, triceratops, and more.  This family-friendly event takes place from November 29 through March 2 from 6pm-9:30pm on Wednesdays through Sundays, excluding regular holidays, plus additional days on school holidays.  Find more information and a link to get the special tickets (not the regular entrance tickets) here.

Of course, you can also visit Jardin d'Acclimatation (check out ticket options here) during the day as you stroll along the trails in this popular children's amusement park on the edge of Bois de Boulogne in Paris's 16 arrondissement, and explore the exquisite Korean Garden, Norman "hamlet" complete with farm animals, aviary, beautiful peacocks roaming the grounds, and wooded slopes.  

Admission is 7€ at the gate (5-minute walk from Les Sablons Metro station) - or you can get free entrance to the park (but not the Lantern Festival) when you have a ticket to Fondation Louis Vuitton, where you can see the Pop Forever Tom Wesselmann & ... show on Pop Art through February 14.


More about Paris in February


Find more fun things to do in Paris in February

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Find More Fun Things to Do in Paris in February

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Heat lamp ouside this Paris bistro keeps sidewalk diners warm in February
Heat lamp outside this Paris bistro keeps sidewalk diners warm in February
Quiet street in the Marais neighborhood in Paris in February
Quiet street in the Marais neighborhood in Paris in February

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