Paris in January

Well, my dear friends, I am so excited to have just visited to the most beautiful city in the world (in my opinion)! The hubs and I hopped on a jet across the Atlantic to one of our favorite places – PARIS!

We often get asked, “Why do you always go to Europe (or more specifically France) for your vacations?” Ummm… no brainer! Because it’s simply AMAZING and BEAUTIFUL!!! Despite the many, many times we’ve been blessed to visit, I still get teary-eyed when I first see that beautiful Iron Lady (Eiffel Tower) from my little airplane window. Every. Single. Time.

You know, we have (adult) friends who LOVE to visit Disney – with kids or without. It doesn’t matter to them, just as long as they’re at Disney – their “happiest place on earth.” Disney isn’t our gig (although there is Disney Paris…), but that’s perfectly fine. I’m sure Paris may not be their gig either – which is why we often get asked if we’re tired of visiting France (or especially Paris). NOPE! Not at all. I can go there several times a year and never get tired of it. We all have our happy places; Paris is mine. <3

So, back to Paris in January… You may be wondering “why in JANUARY???”. Well, yours truly will be celebrating a milestone birthday in her favorite place. 🙂 Four years ago I decided that I want to spend this monumental birthday in Paris, so off to Paris we headed.

I’ve had a lot of people ask what the weather is like in Paris in January and how on earth would I pack for a trip to Paris in the winter. Well, let me just share with you a few of my tips just for that.

CLOTHING

“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” ~ Alfred Wainwright

I love this quote because it is so true! A little research into the weather at your destination can make a huge impact on your time at your destination. January in Paris is the rainiest month. That right there is enough to deter some from visiting in January, but not us! Bring on the rain – better yet, BRING ON THE SNOW! (Yes, I am literally praying for snow while we are in Paris. It will most likely not happen, but this girl is being hopeful)!

If you’ve never seen Paris bathed in rain – it’s absolutely stunning! Seriously. Everything just sparkles. As long as you’re prepared, it will be just fine if it rains. The average temperatures in Paris in January is highs in the mid-40’s and lows in the mid-30’s and lots of rain.

DRESS IN LAYERS

1. A thin first layer (merino wool, thermal or cotton undershirt or tank top) is a good idea. Something that is a thin, cozy layer will allow for another layer or two very comfortably. I bought these two base layers (Long Sleeve Shirt with pockets) and (Long Sleeve Shirt) for this trip and I love the way they fit.

2. Next, layer on a long-sleeve shirt, vest or sweater. Of course this depends on your preference and how warm you normally get. If you’re like my husband and I, we love to walk, walk, walk, and walk some more when we’re in Paris. Although it’s a huge city, it is so walkable because there is beauty everywhere. Taking the Metro, G7 (Taxi) or whatever form of transport you choose, you miss out on a lot of the experience of Paris. Now don’t get me wrong, we also use the Metro from time to time, but if we have time to walk, we’re walking! I want to soak in the beauty of Paris every second I can.

3. Last layer – a weatherproof coat or jacket. As mentioned before, chances for rain in January is quite likely. No one wants to walk around in the chilly temps with a rain-soaked outer layer. Being smart with your clothing layers will make all the difference in your experience.

ACCESSORIES

Scarves – You will NEVER go wrong weather a scarf in Paris no matter what time of year you’re there. Wearing a scarf year round is very French – actually very European (and not just for the ladies). In warmer months, scarves are worn as an accessory. In the colder months, it’s very fashionable, but also practical. ALWAYS bring a scarf (or two) to Paris anytime of year or… even funner… make it a memorable shopping item! This is a fantastic souvenir that will remind you where you were when you bought it each time you wear it. I’ve done this several times.

Gloves and Hats (or ear warmers) are also very practical to bring along for the winter weather. Of course you will see many tourists sporting their new French beret they just purchased, but the French don’t wear them nearly as often as tourists do. Being warm and comfortable is the best way to go however that looks on you.

FOOTWEAR

Comfort and warmth should be the first priority when making your decisions for what to pack. I cannot stress enough to ensure you have waterproof footwear for a trip to Paris in January or anytime in the winter. If you are spending a couple of days or more, chances are you will endure rain at some point. Being prepared is the secret to enjoying your time despite what Mother Nature decides to do.

OTHER ITEMS TO CONSIDER HAVING ON HAND

1. Sunglasses – You may see some sun after a brief shower!
2. Hand/Feet Warmers – Whoever invented hand/foot warmers is genius! Anytime we travel in the winter, we always bring along these disposable hand warmers. And… I just discovered they now have foot warmers, too! Maybe they’ve been around for a while, but I just discovered them and you know I’ve already purchased some for this trip!
3. Umbrella – I have a small, compact umbrella with a sleek case that I absolutely love to travel with.
4. Lip Balm – Keep those smackers protected in the chilly weather 🙂
5. Battery Backup – We always bring an extra power bank to charge our electronics (because I take LOTS of pics haha)! If you have an iPhone, this is a great one.
6. Protective Coverings – Some like to carry a backpack with them. If you do, I suggest purchasing a waterproof backpack cover for it to keep it dry.
7. Extra bag – We have purchased a couple of nylon, foldable bags in Paris that we take with us on every trip now. They are perfect to keep in our handbags for when we make an impromptu purchase – or even when we head to the grocery to get items. These little dudes are sooo handy to have with you at all times.
8. Passport (and a copy) – I highly encourage you to keep your passport with you at all times. I also recommend you give a copy of your passport to a close family member or friend who is not traveling with you. We also make a copy of each of our passports and keep them in a different safe place (not on us) while we travel.
9. Bank/Credit Card – We use our bank card for almost all purchases, aside from the small ones like a coffee and a croissant.
10. Small amount of cash – You should always have 20-30 Euros cash with you. If you’re anything like us, we love to duck into a cafe for a delicious cup of coffee or Hot Chocolate and a croissant. The shop owners appreciate cash for small purchases and may even require a minimum amount to use a bank/credit card. TIP: Don’t exchange money at the airport or at your bank before the trip as it will be much more costly for you. It’s best to wait until you arrive in Paris, then use a bank machine. I’ll post more about this soon.
11. Selfie Stick – This one is funny. My man actually suggested I add this, and I cannot disagree. Although they’re old school or goofy to some, I will tell you that we’ve captured some pretty amazing shots with ours and we’re so happy we brought it. Go ahead and use it – it’s ok.
12. Gimbal – This is kind of like a selfie stick, BUT WAY BETTER. We bought one for this trip to take more videos. We have been practicing with it and it is a game changer in quality of selfies and videos. I highly recommend it if you want to take short videos or selfies, of course. Here is the link to the one we purchased: DJI Osmo Mobile 6 Gimbal

So, I hope this helps if you’re planning a trip to the City of Light during colder weather seasons. Paris in January can be just as charming as it is in the spring, summer or autumn! Just remember, Paris is always a good idea – no matter when you go!

Merci et à la prochaine…