Winter is always a season when we like to stay warm at home, with family or friends. But it is also an opportunity to take advantage of this cool period to visit tourist sites without suffering from too many people. Visiting Paris in winter is therefore perfect for discovering the capital in a different light. The Bleu de Grenelle has therefore listed for you all the activities to do in Paris in winter.

 

Take advantage of the warmth of the covered passages

During the winter in Paris, the cold can sometimes reduce walking times, in favor of a good hot chocolate and a comfortable plaid. So, to make sure you don't miss a thing during your visit, and continue to discover the most beautiful places in the capital, go to the covered passages. Hidden in the middle of the main streets or under elegant glass roofs, these passages were initially intended to protect the Parisian bourgeois from the mud in the event of bad weather, and from the crowds of certain streets. The covered galleries of Paris are therefore imprinted with the history of the city, and among the 21 passages open to the public, the Bleu de Grenelle particularly recommends:

• The Véro-Dodat Gallery;
• The Passage of Panoramas;
• The Vivienne Gallery;
• The Passage du Grand-Cerf;
• The Colbert Gallery;
• The Passage of the Princes;
• Passage Choiseul;
• The Madeleine Gallery;
• Passage Jouffroy;
• The Passage Verdeau...

Mainly located in the 2nd and 9th arrondissements of Paris, these covered passages are now occupied by more or less luxurious boutiques, where it is always pleasant to shop.

 

Enjoying the ice rinks of Paris

A winter activity par excellence, ice skating is a must end-of-year celebrations in Paris. You can, of course, go to the ice rinks open all year round, but why not enjoy the Christmas atmosphere by choosing to skate in the ephemeral ice rinks of Paris ? Installed for the holiday season, these skating rinks are the ideal place to have fun with music and good humor. Young and old are expected during all the Christmas school holidays at the various ice rinks in Paris:

• The Tuileries ice rink : from November 19, 2022 to January 6, 2023, the Tuileries garden ice rink is an intramural Paris ice rink that stretches on 500 m²;
• The Parc des Princes ice rink : intended for children, this ice rink is open from November 19, 2022 to December 22, 2022. This is an opportunity to visit the stadium and the changing rooms, and to enjoy the winter entertainment;
• The Champ-de-Mars ice rink : at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, the Champ de Mars ice rink offers you a festive atmosphere in the heart of the Eiffel Tower Christmas village.

 

Enjoying a hot drink on a Parisian terrace

We grant you, drinking a little hot chocolate on the terrace of a Parisian bar is a big cliché. But what a joy to warm up after a nice stroll through the streets of Paris, in a typical setting of the capital! Go to a bar, a Christmas market or a brasserie, to enjoy a delicious hot coffee, a tea, a hot chocolate, or even a mulled wine, and take the time to savor this moment.

Why not take the opportunity to discover a real tea room, where you can also taste tasty pastries? The Bleu de Grenelle recommends that you go to the Jardin de Mademoiselle, the Angelina Rivoli, the Jacques Genin salon, or even Ladurée, on the Champs Élysées.

 

Take to the skies on the Ferris wheel

Long installed on the Place de la Concorde, the Grande Roue de Paris is moving to the Jardin des Tuileries this year. Meet from November 2022 to February 2023 at the entrance to the garden, to climb aboard one of the 48 nacelles and gain height. You will then have plenty of time to discover Paris as you have never seen it before, thanks to this 60-meter-high merry-go-round. You will then have a breathtaking panorama of all the most beautiful monuments of Paris : the Louvre museum, the Tuileries gardens, the avenue des Champs Élysées...

 

Visiting the gardens of Paris

In winter, nature seems asleep. However, the gardens of Paris are an invitation to stroll and promise you dazzling discoveries. You then have plenty of time to visit the famous Jardin des Plantes, but the Bleu de Grenelle hotel also recommends the Jardin des Serres d'Auteuil. In the heart of the Bois de Boulogne, this huge botanical garden has 5 large greenhouses where it is good to meet up during the winter. You will meet many species of rare plants, and you will offer a one-way ticket to colorful exotic countries. You will almost forget the cold of Paris.

 

Experience the magic of Christmas at the Christmas markets

If you have the opportunity to experience a stay in Paris during the end-of-year celebrations, take the opportunity to experience the magic of Christmas in the various markets of the capital. The trees are adorned with garlands, the monuments are dressed in light, and the small wooden chalets will fill your eyes with stars. Meet at Christmas village at the Eiffel Tower, at the Tuileries Christmas market, or even at the Christmas market on the forecourt of La Défense, to discover artisanal gift ideas or seasonal delicacies.

The good-natured spirit is there, and if you're lucky, you'll even come across Santa Claus!

 

Discover the windows of department stores

At Christmas, the whole city of Paris puts on its festive clothes. This is an opportunity to wander the streets at random to discover the illuminations. But if you want to see the eyes of your loved ones shine, guide them through the shops of the Department Stores. Every winter, Galeries Lafayette, Printemps Haussmann, or BHV des Marais decorate their windows with magic and light. Shopping on the Grands Boulevards then becomes a fairy tale, where you can admire each store as you would visit a museum.

True works of art, these windows of Parisian stores present fantastic settings, where characters, lighting and Christmas decorations compete in beauty and enchantment. And why not take the opportunity to do your last Christmas shopping?

 

Visit one of the museums of Paris

Stay in Paris in winter is also an opportunity to visit some of the greatest Parisian museums. You will savor the warmth of the place, while strolling the alleys without the tourist crowds of the summer season. Depending on your tastes, all the choices are allowed: the Army Museum, the Orsay Museum, the Louvre Museum, the Gustave Moreau Museum... In this winter season, all the tourist attractions are more peaceful, and you leave time to discover everything in complete serenity.

If you are visiting Paris with your family, we recommend that you go to the museums which offer fun visits for the youngest, such as the Grande Galerie de l'Évolution, the museum of magic, or even the Fragonard Perfume Museum and the Grevin museum.

 

Go to the Salon de l'Agriculture

If you are waiting for the winter holidays to come to Paris, you can take advantage of one of the great events at the beginning of each year: the International Salon de l'Agriculture. From February 25 to March 5, 2023, the doors of Paris Expo Porte de Versailles open for the largest agricultural fair in France.

Producers, breeders and players in the agricultural world meet there to introduce visitors to their trades, as well as their animals and their gastronomic products. Many activities are then organized, for adults and children, and different stands teach you more about agricultural activity.

 

Climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower

Of course, in all seasons, the Eiffel Tower is a must in the City of Lights. In winter, the Iron Lady dresses up in lights and remains accessible to visitors. Then climb to the first or second floor to enjoy the restaurants and souvenir shops, and climb to the top to offer you an incredible view of all of Paris, more than 275 meters high.

On the first floor, the magical winter terrace immerses you in the magical atmosphere of Christmas, while the glass floor offers you incredible sensations.

In the evening, the sparkles and lights of the Eiffel Tower will dazzle you and fill your day of visit to Paris. You can then observe them from the Champs de Mars or from anywhere in the capital, but you can also enjoy this magical view from your Bleu de Grenelle hotel room. Make yourself comfortable, have a little glass of champagne, and savor this moment out of time, surrounded by the people you love.

 

The winter period offers a special atmosphere in Paris. It is therefore the ideal time to visit the capital and enjoy the activities from December, and throughout the winter. The Bleu de Grenelle hotel welcomes you in a warm and comfortable room, close to the greatest monuments of Paris.