Visit France in January and you’ll find that half of the country celebrates the ski season in the glorious snow-capped mountain Alps, with the other half apparently enjoying semi-annual sales. Jack Frost may be pinching your fingers, but it’s a great time for bargains: airfare, hotels, and packages.
So yes, although it can get cold, especially in the far north of the country, January is a great time to spend time indoors shopping, skiing outside, or lounging in a cafe with a cup of chocolate chaud and a croissant. .
France Weather in January
The weather is variable in January. Some days it will be cold but wonderfully clear and crisp, but on other days it may be snowing or raining.
- Paris: 43 degrees Fahrenheit (6 degrees Celsius) high / 36 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius) low
- Bordeaux: 52 F (11 C) / 37 F (3 C)
- Lyon: 45 F (7 C) / 36 F (2 C)
- Nice: 55 F (13 C) / 43 F (6 C)
- Strasbourg: 39 F (4 C) / 30 F (-1 C)
The south of France can get cold and it can rain, but snow is extremely unlikely. The Riviera along the Côte d’Azur, after all, is where the wealthy have traditionally gone to escape winter, and Nice hardly ever has a snowy day. However, no matter where you go in France, expect the full range of weather (and it can get very cold at night) and you won’t be surprised. The weather varies greatly depending on where you are in this great country, but on average you can expect 18 days of rain in Paris, 15 in Bordeaux, 15 in Strasbourg, 14 in Lyon, and nine in Nice.
When it comes to snow, Strousbourg sees on average seven days of snow, while Paris has four, Lyone two and Bordeaux only one day of snow in January.
What to pack
If you are traveling in France, you may need to pack different types of clothes for different cities. But remember that no matter where you go, January can be very cold, so even in the south of France, you will need a good jacket and coat for a night out. It can be windy and it can snow almost everywhere except in the south along the Mediterranean. Don’t forget the following:
- A good winter coat
- A warm jacket for the day.
- Sweaters or cardigans
- Scarf, hat and gloves
- A good umbrella that can resist the wind.
- Good walking shoes and smart shoes for evening occasions.
January events in France
January in France brings a variety of events and activities, ranging from government-sponsored winter sales to excellent skiing.
- The winter sales ( les soldes d’hiver ) offer wonderful bargains, with savings of up to 70 percent. They are tightly controlled by the government, so they are genuine sales from last season’s stock. They generally run from mid-January to mid-February.
- Paris Fashion Week (held in mid-January) culminates the international season after shows in New York, London and Milan. The first week of the two-week affair is devoted to men’s fashion.
- New Years Day is January 1. Many shops, cafes and other attractions will be closed during the holidays.
January Travel Tips
- France has some spectacular ski areas and some of the best slopes in the world. Many are in the Alps, but the other major mountain ranges also offer good skiing, both cross-country and downhill.
- January is a great time to visit France as there are few crowds and there is not a long wait for tourist attractions. Also, the prices are lower for both travel (airfares) and hotels and you can get a good deal on flights.
- When visiting in January, keep in mind that some hotels, particularly in the south of France, will have an annual license.
- Unpredictable weather can cause travel delays by plane, train, or car. Prepare yourself and give yourself extra time if you are going to drive within the country.
For more information on the best time to visit France, and if winter holidays are right for you, check out our guide to the country’s climate each month.
