France Paris Weather in January — Climate Guide
January in Paris is Below Average
January is Below Average for Paris.
January is Paris's quietest month — perfect for queue-free Louvre visits and uncrowded Versailles tours. Average highs hover around 7°C / 45°F with damp gray skies. Hotel rates drop 30-40% versus peak season; mid-range Marais hotels can be found at $90-130/night vs $200+ in spring.
The Soldes d'Hiver (winter sales) starting second Wednesday of January are Paris's biggest shopping event — French law restricts sales to two periods per year. Department stores and boutiques discount 30-70%. The first weekend of sales is busy; mid-week January 20-31 is calmer.
Travel score
Paris January Weather Stats
Avg High
7°C
Avg Low
2°C
Rainy Days
10
51mm total
Sunshine
2h
Daily avg
Humidity
84%
Damp
UV Index
1
Low
Wind
14 km/h
Gusts 30
Snow Days
1.5
Monthly avg
Crowds
Quiet
At attractions
January Sunrise & Sunset
Expect about 1.5 snow days this month. Bring slip-resistant shoes and warm gear.
Air Quality
PM2.5
16 μg/m³
PM10
24 μg/m³
Status
Moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
4°C
Nighttime
-2°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
14 km/h
Max gust 30 km/h
Activities Recommended for January
January Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Cheapest hotels and flights of the year
- Empty museums — Mona Lisa with 10-15 min queue
- Soldes d'Hiver winter sales (60-70% off)
Cons
- Damp gray weather most days
- Short daylight (sunset 5 PM)
- Some restaurants and shops close in early January
January Events & Festivals
- Winter sales (Soldes d'Hiver) begin second Wednesday of January
- Galette des Rois (Three Kings cake) season
- Quiet museum days at Louvre and Musée d'Orsay
Paris in January — Full Picture
January is Paris's quietest month — perfect for queue-free Louvre visits and uncrowded Versailles tours. Average highs hover around 7°C / 45°F with damp gray skies. Hotel rates drop 30-40% versus peak season; mid-range Marais hotels can be found at $90-130/night vs $200+ in spring.
The Soldes d'Hiver (winter sales) starting second Wednesday of January are Paris's biggest shopping event — French law restricts sales to two periods per year. Department stores and boutiques discount 30-70%. The first weekend of sales is busy; mid-week January 20-31 is calmer.
Damp cold (3-7°C / 37-45°F) feels colder than equivalent dry temperatures. Bring a waterproof coat — rain is light but consistent. Daylight is short (sunrise 8:45 AM, sunset 5:00 PM), so plan outdoor walks for midday.
Indoor sights are at their most enjoyable: the Louvre often has 10-15 minute Mona Lisa queues vs 30-45 minutes in summer. Cafés have prime window seats. Restaurant Week-equivalent Janvier en Cuisine offers prix-fixe menus at top restaurants.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Heavy waterproof coat or trench, scarf, gloves. Layered with sweater and thermal base. Damp cold feels colder than the temperature; waterproof shoes essential.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
16°C
7.3°C
10/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
24.3°C
15.3°C
8.3/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
16°C
8.7°C
10.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current7.7°C
2.3°C
10/mo
Paris Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7° | 2° | 10d·51mm | 2h | 84% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 8° | 2° | 9d·41mm | 3h | 81% | 2 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 12° | 4° | 10d·48mm | 4.5h | 75% | 3 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| April (Best) | 16° | 7° | 9d·47mm | 5.5h | 70% | 4 | Busy | Peak |
| May (Best) | 20° | 11° | 11d·63mm | 6.5h | 70% | 6 | Busy | Peak |
| June (Best) | 23° | 14° | 9d·50mm | 7.5h | 67% | 7 | Busy | Peak |
| 25° | 16° | 8d·53mm | 8h | 67% | 8 | Very busy | Peak | |
| 25° | 16° | 8d·58mm | 7.5h | 70% | 7 | Very busy | Peak | |
| September (Best) | 21° | 12° | 9d·55mm | 5.5h | 73% | 5 | Busy | Peak |
| 16° | 9° | 11d·62mm | 4h | 80% | 3 | Busy | Shoulder | |
| 11° | 5° | 11d·56mm | 2.5h | 84% | 2 | Moderate | Low season | |
| 8° | 3° | 11d·59mm | 1.5h | 85% | 1 | Busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Paris January Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is January a good time to visit Paris?
Paris in January is Below Average. Tourist crowds are quiet and flight/hotel prices are low season.
What's the average temperature in Paris in January?
Paris January averages a high of 7°C and a low of 2°C.
Does it rain much in Paris in January?
Paris January averages 51mm of rainfall over about 10 rainy days.
What should I wear in Paris in January?
Heavy waterproof coat or trench, scarf, gloves. Layered with sweater and thermal base. Damp cold feels colder than the temperature; waterproof shoes essential.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Paris in January?
Paris January sunrise is 08:43 and sunset is 17:04, with 8h 21m of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Paris in January?
Paris January air quality (AQI) averages 38, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 16μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Paris in January?
In January, Paris is great for Louvre uncrowded visits, Soldes d'Hiver shopping, Café culture.
Is January peak season in Paris?
Paris January crowds are quiet and prices are low season. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Paris
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.