Paris in Nov and Dec

We were there in Dec. Keep in Paris is about as far north as the Canadian border. The days are very short with weak sunlight. When we were there it was a nearly constant overcast with a little drizzle each afternoon for several days in a row. It was chilly and damp and felt colder because of the humidity. It was in the high 30s and 40s when we were there. But assume that there could be a wide range of weather.

The city had a very festive feel and the city of lights had a lot of lights. Silk underwear is a very good idea along with waterproof shoes, wools socks and a good rain jacket, cap, and hood. The Christmas markets are open but do not remember any flea markets. Lot of sidewalk vendors. Roasting chestnuts everywhere -- and they are not that good. Don't know when the decorations go up but they were in full swing by mid-December.

We were there a few years ago from Dec 13-20 and they had holiday decorations up when we got there. It was a great time to be in Paris. No tourist lines! It was usually in the mid-40's during the day and the only time it rained was the day we arrived and the day we left. Two days were sunny and clear! So we were lucky. But a week after we got home I saw on the news that it was snowing there, so you never know. I wore a nice wool coat and some warm scarves, a polar fleece soft hat and gloves and I was fine.

Not sure when exactly, but at some point street markets mutate into Christmas markets.

Oh yeah, weather. Short periods of indirect daylight, cool but not cold, damp and more often gray than bright blue sky.

We went this last Jan. and I would recommend long underwear. Also don't let the winter fool you, the women still wear heals everywhere! Hat and scarf are a must. Also we found out that sometimes they close the top of the Eiffel Tower if it's too cold, so make sure you have plenty of opportunities to return.

I hope the lights are beautiful!

I was in Paris early December '08 being from NY area, I found it was no different from the weather I would have experienced at home. I had one day of rain and it snowed the day I left. I arrived on Dec 4th and holiday decorations were all set up and found christmas markets around the montmarte area and another around St. Sulpice. The outdoor cafes have space heaters so I was still able to sit outside and eat! Enjoy

Stephie,

Think DC in the winter with less snowfall. Street markets are open, but I don't know about flea markets. I was there at Christmas/New Years two years in a row a few years back so the decorations were up, but I don't know when they went up.

Another thing to keep in mind when asking people about their experiences. The last two winters were much colder than normal.

The flea markets and street markets are open year round.

I went to a flea market when I was there in Dec/Jan.

The holiday decorations are wonderful.

My sister and I stayed at Champs Elysee right after Thanksgiving 2008 for a couple days. The lights were absolutely gorgeous and the stores were totally decorated and operating-except on Sun. Crowds were there!! Boy, it was wet and cold! Took me hours to get courage to leave the hotel lobby! The Christmas Market was open, but did not visit it. The young Arab women at the hotel were dressed to the hilt with short short dresses. The Arab women beggars on the street were all covered up! I looked much more like a beggar than a sophisticate! Boy, it was cold, cold cold!!!

Bring a good umbrella. We were there Nov/Dec 2008 for 4 days and I believe I saw maybe 2 hours of sunlight and the rest rain. But it was still awesome. But it is hard to hold your guidebook, take pictures, and hold umbrella at the same time.