Paris in winter is not like Paris in springtime.   Just in case you thought it would always be springtime in Paris.   The sun rises later, it gets dark earlier, it’s rainy and the rain is cold.  Perhaps because of all the beautiful stone in the bridges, sidewalks and buildings, it’s a pretty gray city to begin with so the winter palette does not come as a shock.   And all those lights certainly rise to the occasion and shine away, adding sparkle at just the right moment every day.

Paris in winter is a surprise.

It’s inviting, full of activity, beautifully decorated for the holidays (long before and long after), and just as romantic as we all expect it to be.  The chill in the air makes that bistro stop for a bowl of onion soup really something to look forward to, not to mention what happens to your agenda when the aromas emanating from a patisserie grab your senses and won’t let go until you give in.   But so what…..you’re on vacation, aren’t you?   And those aromas won’t be found anywhere but here so you don’t have to worry about addiction.

For a long time, the only type of experience that really qualified as a vacation for us was a sandy beach, warm sun, blue sky……but we’ve expanded our horizons a bit now and been sweetly rewarded.   A winter stay in Paris won’t disappoint…….world-class museums, vast array of hotel and restaurant choices, and window shopping that is nothing short of an art form.

Pack lightly, bring money, prepare to have a really good time……because the great thing about Paris is that everyone has their very own private take on the place regardless of how many others are doing the same thing.