Weather in Paris in December: What to Expect and Packing Tips

The arrival of cold weather in Paris in December marks the true beginning of winter as days grow shorter, temperatures drop to the freezing mark, and rainy gray days threaten to outnumber the sunny ones.

Fortunately, you'll find plenty of things to do that take advantage of Paris's chilly December weather and holiday season.

Christmas markets offering roasted chestnuts and hot mulled wine, spectacular holiday decorations in store windows fascinate shoppers, and plenty of sparkling lights bring a festive glow to the city and lure you outdoors - despite the sometimes chilly December temperatures.

Planning a Visit to Paris in December?

If you're coming to Paris this month, consider booking tours, cruises, and other activities as soon as possible to make sure of getting your top choices.

Top Paris attractions & experiences:

Seine River Panoramic Views Dinner Cruise - 3-course meal prepared on board
Eiffel Tower 2nd Floor or Summit Guided tour - Sells out fast
Moulin Rouge Dinner Show with Return Transportation - Enjoy a dazzling cabaraet show with a 3-course gourmet dinner & Champagne

Most popular Paris destinations this month:

Champagne Tasting Tour Plus Reims Cathedral - Fun day trip from Paris
Disneyland Paris 1-Day Ticket - Favorite family-friendly activity
Dinner at Madame Brasserie on the Eiffel Tower - Toast December and the New Year with a multi-course meal, superb French wine, live music & Champagne

Although you may still experience relatively balmy December days in the 50s and even the low 60s this month, it's also possible to have some days when the temperature remains in the low 40s (and even, occasionally, the upper 30s) and then hovers around the freezing mark or drops even lower at night.

Rain ranging from drizzle to downpours, wind, and even the rare snow flurry can make you feel even colder.

So you'll need to pack layers to prepare you for whatever version of December weather greets you when you wake up in the morning.

When December winter weather makes itself felt, spend time at museum exhibitions, covered passages and markets, and cozy bistros where you can sip hot chocolate and enjoy a steaming bowl of onion soup. Take a macaron baking class at Galeries Lafayette

But also schedule a few outdoor activities where you can soak up some sun while exploring the city - perhaps a Montmartre walking tour to taste cheese, wine, and pastries, or a fun walking tour of the city's best street art.

So keep reading to find out everything you need to know about December weather in Paris, packing tips, top things to do in December, and even recommendations about where to stay this month.

Article contents:

Paris weather temperature ranges for December - Plus What to Really Expect
How much rain and snow to expect in Paris during December
What to pack for your December visit to Paris
Should you visit Paris during December? Or wait for a warmer month?
Activities for all types of December weather in Paris
Where to stay in Paris during December

Top photo: Rainy December evening in Paris's Saint Germain neighborhood, (c) Paris Discovery Guide

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What Is Paris Weather in December Really Like?

The maze near the Louvre Museum on a chilly December day

Even though the official beginning of winter doesn't happen until December 21, you may see (and feel) the transition from fall to winter take place during the first days of December.

Daytime temperatures feel colder, you'll have fewer dayllight hours, and the showers of November give way to longer periods of rain during December.

Visually, the last bits of golden foliage still clinging to Paris trees in November has now mostly dropped to the ground by early December.

Paris now feels quite different from November, thanks to the mostly bare-branched trees - although as you can see in the above photo, grass still rather strangely remains green. In parks and other green spaces, you're still likely to spot at least a few plants boasting small blossoms.

Paris Temperatures in December: Average Highs & Lows

Notre Dame Cathedral on Ile de la Citein December — Notre Dame Cathedral on Paris's Ile de la Cite in December

Here's a quick look at what December weather in Paris looks like on Fahrenheit (F) and Celsius (C) degree scales for average daily high and low temperatures during the past 10 years:

Average daily December high temperature: 46°F to 53° F (7°C to 12°C)
Average daily December low temperature: 34°F to 44° F (1°C to 7°C)

Remember, these are averages - useful for comparing one month with another, but definitely not a weather forecast for Paris in December.

To better understand what actual temperatures might be during your December visit, always check the December high and low temperature ranges in the following section.

Weather Statistics for December in Paris: High & Low Temperature Ranges

If you want to find out what December weather in Paris will really be like, looking at the average temperature ranges will give you a better idea than just checking the monthly averages.

You'll also get a much better sense of what to pack - because Paris weather seldom hits the "average" mark for more than a day or two.

Here's the range of daily highs and lows for Paris in December during the past decade:

Range of monthly high temperatures during December: 27°F to 61°F (-3°C to 16°C)
Range of monthly low temperatures during December: 21°F to 57° F (-6°C to 14°C)

As you can probably guess from the high end of these ranges, it's not unusual for Paris to have several days during December when daytime temperatures soar into the lower 60s. Even the lowest temperature during a day can reach almost that high.

Now take a look at the record high and low temperatures in December for the past 30 years:

Highest monthly December temperature: 62°F (17°C) in 2000
Lowest monthly December temperature: 14°F (-10°C) in 1996

Although these temperatures would not be unusual earlier in the fall, they can feel like a heat wave in December.

Stroll through almost any city park, and you'll see Parisians laying on the ground to soak up the sun.

This is why you need to look at both the average temperatures as well as the highest and lowest ranges when you're packing.

Paris's climate is unpredictable from one year to the next (and on a daily basis) so you're wise to be prepared for a range of December weather conditions.

Sun and Clouds during December: What to Expect

Rue de Seine in Saint Germain after a December afternoon shower

December in Paris offers a mix of cloudy, overcast conditions, rainy spells, and brilliant, vividly blue skies filled with fluffy white clouds - often during the same day.

Days are short this month, with only 8 hours and 20 minutes of daylight. You may experience some days when you don't see the sun at all.

How Much Rain, Wind, & Snow does Paris Get in December?

Paris typically records about 2.7 inches (about 68 mm) of precipitation on average during December, making it (potentially) one of the rainiest months of the year.

But averages don't tell the whole story. During the past 10 years, Paris has received from 0.6 inches (16 mm) to 4.8 inches (122 mm), which is actually a huge variation from year to year.

Although Paris can be breezy in December, including occasional strong winds (which invariably seem to happen on cold days, producing a significant wind chill factor), conditions are normally relatively calm.

However, some years prove to be the exception. In 1999, a massive storm hit Paris on a Monday night following strong gales over the weekend that had uprooted trees across the city.

During the second storm, gales exceeded 90 mph in some parts of France. In Paris, the winds damaged or tore down 60,000 trees in Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes, the two great forests flanking the city, and felled another 2,000 along the city's streets.

Versailles Palace and Estate received the worst damage, with broken windows, roof damage, and around 10,000 uprooted trees, including some dating back to the time of the French Revolution.

Blue skies in Saint Germain in December about 1 minute after a shower

Of course, storms can (and do) happen during any month in Paris, so consider adding a rain-resistant jacket and a strong umbrella to your packing list - more about that in a moment!

Snow during December is rare for Paris.

A few flakes typically fall on a couple of days this month, but far less than an inch accumulates on the ground during most years and the snow will most likely fall at night and melt before you see it.

What to Pack for December Weather in Paris

Sidewalk tables at a cafe near the Louvre Museum

When you're making your packing list for December, it's important to bring outerwear that's heavy enough to keep you warm on cold, windy days as well as things you can layer if the temperature hits 60°F (16°C) or above.

In addition to your core wardrobe of tops, bottoms, comfortable walking shoes, and under garments, these are the essentials and options to consider for December:

A warm jacket or a coat - bonus points if it's water-resistant. Everyone feels cold in a different way. If you're from a warm climate, you may feel like Paris in December is frigid, but by northern US/Canadian standards, it's not very cold at all and in case you're thinking of bringing your super-warm Canada Goose coat, don't - you'll be way too hot on most days. However, do bring couple of warm sweaters to layer under your medium-weight cost if necessary (keeping in mind that during some periods, you won't need them at all). Cashmere sweaters work well because of their ability to insulate without making you sweat.
A pair of comfortable ankle boots and your favorite walking shoes.
Bring warm socks, if you have some you like. Otherwise, Monoprix carries high-quality wool socks at very affordable prices (ie, about half or even less than what you'd pay in the U.S.).
A warm scarf, gloves,fleece-lined leggings, and a warm hat are useful on cooler days and chilly nights.
A rain hat or umbrella is almost always necessary this month. After experiencing a 3-day rainstorm accompanied by a lot of wind a few years which destroyed my light-weight umbrella as soon as I ventured outside, I now bring my sturdiest one whenever I'm here in December.