Wondering what to wear in Paris in January? Winter is in full swing throughout Paris in January and both the crowds and the temperatures are at their lowest. In this guide we tell you everything to pack for Paris in January for weather, dinner, dress codes and more.
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Weather in Paris in January
Paris in January is definitely still mid-winter. In fact Winter is full swing in January and it is often the coldest month of the year in the City of Lights.
How cold is Paris in January?
Generally speaking the weather in Paris in January ranges from average highs of 8C/46F and average lows of 3C/37.4F. And although the temperatures don’t often dip below freezing you are still going to need lots of layers.
Note: remember if your visit covers two months be sure to check out our other Paris monthly guides. The weather does change in Paris month to month, and you never known when there are some special events that do require at alteration to the dress code.
And if you are visiting other areas of France then be sure to check out our other regional guides for summer
- What to wear in France in January
- What to wear in the South of France
- What to wear in Cannes
- What to wear in Nice
- What to wear in Corsica
Note: although the weather in this guide are historical averages however we advise always checking the weather at your destination 7 days in advance in case of anomalies such as cold snaps and heat waves.
Is it rainy in Paris in January?
If you are visiting Paris in January you can expect to experience around 9 days of rain across the month. This means that you are more than likely to experience some wet weather during your Winter Paris vacation so it is worth having a waterproof top layer as well as a compact travel umbrella with you at all times.
Tip: Want to skip queues in Paris? we recommend buying your Paris attraction tickets in advance with skip the line access for some of the most popular attractions such as the Louvre, Eiffel Tower and Disneyland Paris to name but a few. Even though the crowds are at their lowest in January, no one wants to be queuing outside attractions in the cold or rain.
Does it snow in Paris in January?
You can get snow in Paris in January however it is not all that common. And when snow does fall in Paris in January it is usually mixed in with rain as sleet, and very rarely settles on the ground.
Therefore snow boots and snow gear shouldn’t be on your January packing list.
How do Locals Dress in Paris In January
In January you will find that the local Parisians have fully transitioned into their Winter Capsule Wardrobe. This means lots of classic Winter coats as well as smart boots and sweaters.
It is also worth noting that Parisians tend to stick monochrome and neutral tones in their winter wardrobes so expect to see lots of black, white and camel colors on the street at this time of year. And no matter the season you are traveling you will find Parisians a stylish bunch.
What to Wear in Paris in January
So now you know what to expect from the weather, what should you wear in Paris in January?
Best Shoes for Paris in January
Ankle boots
As the weather can be changeable and rainy in Paris in January we recommend having a leather boot with some waterproofing. Overall we prefer an ankle boot for Paris or any destination as these are much easier to pack than longer length boots i.e. knee high boots.
But no matter what boot you pack be sure to check out our guide on how to pack boots for travel.
And when picking your boot we recommend avoiding thin heeled shoes. These are actually on my what not to wear in Paris list. This is because Paris has lots of cobbled streets and uneven walkways. Therefore thin heels are dangerous so should be replaced with thick heels.
A boot without a high heel is also suitable for wearing for sightseeing during the day at museums and along the Seine and is also great for restaurants in Paris with a smart casual dress code.
Click here to shop ankle boots.
Sneakers
Sneakers are a great shoe for Paris in January when sightseeing at places such as museums, boat tours and more. And they are good for the vast amounts of walking you will be doing in Paris, even in Winter.
My favorite sneaker brands for travel are Hoka and All birds but for Paris in January I also like to have a white sneaker such as the Addidas Cloud Foam brand. Not only are these one of the most comfortable sneakers around but they are also super versatile. Though my only concern with white sneakers in Europe in Winter is that they may discolor in the rain.
For this reason I also love the Ecco brand. These are great comfortable walking shoes but are also leather sneakers which mean they can cope with rain well.
For a full guide on the best shoes for Paris check out this post.
What to wear in Paris in January for women
So now you know the best shoes to pack for Paris in January, we will turn our attention to what clothes to pack for Paris in Winter.
But before we get onto the specifics of what to wear in Paris in Winter for women and men, we wanted to reiterate that we think it is a great idea to pack a capsule wardrobe.
It means you are less likely to lose your luggage when traveling and prevents you from overpacking. For help in packing a capsule wardrobe check out these posts:
So what does a Paris Winter Packing List look like for women? In our opinion you should have the below on your list:
Coat
In January you are definitely going to want a warm coat for Paris. That is because the weather is definitely chilly especially in the evenings. However depending on what you plan on doing on your itinerary will depend on what type of coat you will need.
Although many Parisians will wear smarter coats such as wool coats for the office you may want a more practical coat for the rain if you plan on spending time outdoors. H
Click here to shop coats for Paris.
Hat, Scarf and Gloves
Winter accessories are a must for Paris in January. They are a very practical item for being outdoors in Paris and doing river cruises etc, but also can stylishly finish off your Winter Paris outfit.
But be sure to get gloves that are touch screen compatible so as you are likely to be taking lots of photographs.
Click here to shop winter accessories
Skirts and dresses
Although I tend to avoid dresses for sightseeing in January because I find it too cold I would usually take a dress with me for evenings out and restaurants.
Because of the temperatures at this time of year I find sweater dresses / jumper dresses to be most appropriate. I layer these with a thick pair of tights as well my boots.
Trousers / Jeans
If skirts and dresses aren’t your thing then trousers are a great choice. As January is cold we recommend picking thicker trousers made of heavier fabric.
Jeans are perfect for sightseeing during the day. I would recommend picking smarter jeans such as black jeans or dark blue jeans that are more fitted or skinny jeans as these are more in keeping with local styles.
But I also usually include a black pant on all my Parisian packing lists. Currently we love the Athleta Brooklyn ankle pant for travel.
But other great choices are thick cord jeans or wool trousers.
Click here to shop trousers for Paris.
Blouse
Blouses are perfect for Paris in the Winter for both sightseeing and going out to dinner. They are a versatile layering item and can be dressed up or down depending on where you are going. Click here to shop blouses.
T Shirts
I don’t think I ever visit Paris without a t shirt on my packing list, January included. It is worth pointing out though that given the weather in Paris in Winter, more long sleeve t shirts than short t shirts are usually required.
Also style wise, plain t shirts are more in keeping with local styles. Patterned, graphic or slogan tees are not commonly worn by locals.
Also as a personal style choice I try to avoid the striped Breton tee as I think it can look a little touristy.
Layers
For Paris in January layers are going to be your best friend. For a week in Paris I will usually pack:
- a cardigan,
- a hoodie, and
- smart sweater.
I like to stick to neutral colors as a personal style preference in Paris in January. I particularly love to pack a camel cardigan along with a smart merino wool sweater as I find these key pieces in a Parisian wardrobe.
I personally never travel in Winter without a merino wool sweater. Merino wool is one of my favorite fabrics to include in a Winter capsule wardrobe.
That is because it provides extra warmth as they are an insulating fabric but is also compact unlike a thick knit. Therefore it is easy to pack and doesn’t take up a lot of space in your case.
Pashmina
A pashmina is always on my Paris packing list especially in Winter.
It can act as a scarf to dress or a a more casual outfit but is a useful extra layer on cooler nights and days. Shop pashminas here.
Underwear and Socks
Goes without saying. I like to pack merino wool socks for Winter travel. They are thinner than hiking socks but are insulating so are good for cold weather.
PJs or Nightie
Thicker weight PJs are best for Paris in January.
What to Wear in Paris in January Packing List for Men
So now you know what to pack for women in Paris in January, we will turn our attention to a men’s packing list. Alongside our regular men’s travel essentials we recommend adding the following items to your men’s packing list for Paris in Winter:
Chinos/Jeans
A combination of chinos and jeans mean you should be covered for every occasion. I would also opt for smarter trousers when traveling in Paris however to fit in more with the locals.
T Shirts and Shirts
A mix of long and short t shirts are perfect for men during the day as both base layers and top layers on warmer days.
However if you plan on eating out I recommend packing some long sleeve button down shirts. The Paris restaurant dress code tends to be smart casual and you will look more like a local in Paris in a shirt rather than a t shirt when eating out in the evening.
Jacket / Coat
I always recommend that you check the temperature for your travel week before you go as to decide what thickness jacket you need. But something warmer with some water resistance is a good idea.
Underwear, Socks and Pjs
What to Pack for Paris in January (Non Clothing)
Now you know the clothes you should bring to Paris in January what else should you pack for visiting the city of lights in Winter?
We recommend packing:
- Documentation – i.e. including but not limited to Passports, travel insurance, prescriptionsm visas etc.
- Universal Travel Adaptor – Paris uses the traditional European plugs. So if you are coming from the UK or USA etc you will need an adapter to make your electronics work.
- Compact Umbrella – essential for any month in Paris.
- Crossbody bag – As with any tourist city around the world there are pickpockets in Paris. Therefore we recommend using a cross body anti theft bag with you such as this one.
- Reusable Water bottle
- Medication
- Lip Balm – Our favorite brand at the minute is sun bum and is good to combat the cold air effects on your lips.
- Travel First Aid Kit
- Blister plasters
- Camera
- Power Pack / Battery charger – is a beautiful city, especially at Christmas time so you will be using your phone lots to take photos. On top of that you will be using your phone for navigation and public transit info. This obviously is a drain on your phone battery.
- Toiletries – for our essential toiletries packing list click here.
Note: if you have room in your suitcase then you can bring toiletries with you. However toiletries are very easy to buy in Paris in supermarkets or pharmacies. Therefore we would recommend leaving the toiletries at home and buying them on arrival. It will save space in your case.
What to wear in Paris in January FAQs
Do you need a coat for Paris in January?
Yes I would absolutely bring a coat for Paris in January. Something with some waterproofing and some wind resistance is a good idea when selecting the best coat for Paris.
Local Parisians tend to wear smart winter coats such as wool coats. However as a tourist you may find that a waterproof coat is the most versatile.
Paris Winter Packing List Checklist
So just to recap here is our complete list of what to add to your Paris Winter Packing List
- Waterproof and Wind resistant Coat or jacket
- Scarf, Gloves, Hat and ear muffs
- T shirts
- Thicker weight trousers such as jeans, wool trousers or corduroy trousers.
- Merino Wool Thermal socks
- Layers such as sweaters, fleeces, jumpers and hoodies
- Dresses / Skirts
- Warm Nightwear
- Ankle Boots
- Sneakers
- Medication and Documentation
- Back Pack
- Travel Adaptor
- Toiletries
- Camera
- Battery Pack
- Sunglasses
- Travel first aid kit including blister plasters
- Lip Balm
Do you have any questions about what to wear in Paris in January that we haven’t answered here? Then pop us a comment below and we will do our best to answer them as quick as we can.