Paris in February

Judy, Paris can be quite cold or quite mild in February, but on average, I believe it's warmer than Saskatchewan. Layers is the key to being comfortable. If you're dressed appropriately, anything you might do in warm weather can comfortably be done in February. The only difference is that gardens won't be in bloom.

My best tip for traveling to colder climates in the winter is silk long underwear. It's lightweight but warmer than wool so you won't overheat when you go inside. It takes up almost no room in your suitcase. It can double as pajamas, and be washed up in a jiffy in the bathroom sink. It dries really quickly as well.

I was in Paris in February one year that was so cold, I had both pairs of silkies on under my clothes and was still freezing. But I don't believe that's the norm.

Boston, it can’t possibly be as cold as it is here in northern Saskatchewan, Canada, so I’m thinking will be ok. Any hotel restaurants activities info would be welcome.

I don't know what you enjoy, but I was there last January solo and am going back this coming February with my husband. Each trip about 6 days. Here are some of our winter activities:

Things I did last January that we will repeat together -

An Opera or ballet at the Palais Garnier. Preorder some macarons and champagne for the intermission.
A dinner cruise on Le Calife - They keep it nice and warm and the food is very good.
A concert at the Eglise St. Germain des Pres, or another church of your choosing - dress warmly.
Walk around Notre Dame - last year studying all of the signboards, this year we will try to get inside

Other things I did last January -

Take in the view of Notre Dame from the top of the Instutut du Monde Arabe
View terrace and shopping at the Galeries Lafayette
Picasso Museum
Musee Carnavelet - particularly for the basement with the ancient roman artifacts
Victor Hugo home
Special exhibition at the Musee du Luxembourg - this was great and I may see if there's something this year
Musee d'Orsay and it's Van Gogh exhibit - ditto - we love the Musee d'Orsay
Musee Marmottan
Pantheon
Arenes de Lutece
Marie Curie's Laboratory
Food tour of the Marias
Walking tour of the latin quarter

This February we are going to the top of the Eiffel Tower and the top of the Arc de Triomphe. I would not usually recommend these for Feb, but my husband has somehow never been to the top and wants to experience. I think I have been 5 times already - taking children or whoever wanted to go, but that's fine. Maybe we will take some stairs down - I have never done that.

We will also likely visit the Musee de l'orangerie as I have not been in decades.

Versailles is possible, but because I love the gardens more than the chateau, we will probably skip it this time. If you have never been and want to go, there is nothing to stop you. We are instead considering a day trip out to Chantilly. I have not been in decades and there is a great deal of art inside, and plenty to see if the gardens are blah and dormant. Less crowded than Versailles, I hope.

Happy planning!

Thank you, will check these out. Hotel or restaurants recommendations?

Judy, if you tell us where you're staying, we may be able to offer some suggestions without traipsing across the city.

Happy, I’m not sure yet, we just booked the flights today and hoping to nail down. Hotel or BnB later today or tomorrow. Something central would be good. 200 euro/ night hopefully.

Fantastic hotel: Hotel Des Deux-Iles on Ile Saint Louis. Super easy walk to Notre Dame, Shakespeare and Co., Cluny, flower market, Marais, many other sites. I just returned from Paris (end of December), and while I did not go to Versailles, some companions did and enjoyed it. The hotel and the street it is located on are very cute and inviting with local stores, eateries, take-away options, and even grocery stores. Best place I have stayed in for quite some time. It will be on my list for the next visit. Oh, metro stops easy to get to.

Last year I also stayed on the Ile St louis at the Hotel St. Louis en l'isle. Loved it and the location was so easy to access both left and right banks. This year we are using a wealth of IHG points to stay at the Intercontinental. Not my style but free is free.

Le Calife actually prepares the food on the boat. Other Dinner Cruises are heating up the premade meals.

Last year I enjoyed dinner at the following two places:

Le Souffle, https://www.lesouffle.fr/bienvenue/accueil/, reservations can be made from their website & are recommended.

La Jacobine, https://lajacobine.fr, reservations highly recommended by phone or in person. I did mine in person on my arrival day for a few days later.

Safe Travels.

We are staying in The 6th, St Germaine de Pres area. Any recommendations for dinner? We have a milestone birthday we would like to have a special meal. TIA

I would consider Le Calife for a memorable dinner. I also had an excellent meal at Les Deux Magots prior to a concert at the Eglise St. Germain des Pres. I was concerned that it would be too touristy, but it was a fun experience and my profiterole dessert was the envy of the surrounding tables. Your neighbors will be very close to you, so there was almost a shared table feeling.

I was there twice in the months of Feb and March in different years.
One dry day I took the train out to Versailles, not to see the palace as I had been there years before, but to see the town.
It was market day and very interesting.
The market is both inside and out on the streets.
The streets around the area are pretty.
I think I was the only tourist in that part of town.
Walkable from the train station and worth a visit.
I don’t remember which day of the week market day was, but you could easily find out.

Today it is minus 3!
February 17th is statistically the coldest day of the year but it’s worse because it is damp not a dry cold.
Layers
Ps add to what people have said and go to notre dame without a ticket and line up before 9.30 am because after that the line is long.
It took 20 minutes to wait at that time and 3 hours inside. When I got out the line was over the bridge and down the other side of the seine!! Last week.

I understand that you can only book a timed slot for Notre Dame 48 hrs before your entry choice. So I will have to book at midnight the day I arrive which should be a bit difficult, jet lag and all. Also, tried to book tickets to the ET and it shows nothing available other than a few timed slots later in the evening, this is for mid February. I don’t know if I’m reading this right but I guess we view from the ground. Staying at the 6th Arrondissment and would welcome dinner reds for the day we arrive as probably wont get to far. I read good/bad for Les Magouts , opinions? TIA

Judy, in my December 2024 Paris trip, no tickets were required to enter Notre Dame. On the Monday (Dec. 16) we walked by ND around 9:30-10 AM and noticed the line moving rather quickly. We joined the line and within 15 minutes, we were in. It was a bit crowded. Later that week, on the Thursday, I went again on my own around 8:30 AM and there were absolutely no lines. It was raining. Not crowded. Other folks I travelled with went a different times, including some evening times.

No tickets required.