Paris in Winter (late Jan - early Feb)

Save your money. There won't be any lines worth talking about. Take some ear muffs and a rain jacket.

Mindi, how exciting - I love Paris! Suggest that you check out the museum pass website (http://en.parismuseumpass.com/rub-the-pass-price-36.htm), review what's covered, what you want to visit, add up the entrance fees and see which way is cheaper. I did exactly that for my upcoming trip and decided to get the 2 day pass. Besides skipping any lines (which is huge), I like to be able to stop by for a short visit and move on. Another plus is that nearly every museum has a restroom and cafe so you can pop in for that purpose too. I hope you have a great time in Paris!

I was in Paris in January of 2009 and as I recall the only line was on a clear day at the Eiffel Tower. There were only 6 other people at L'Orangerie on a rainy day, however. Pere Lachaise was ferme due to icy sidewalks. When you see Notre Dame, you won't be far from the Holocaust memorial, which is very moving. I was in Versailles once in November, and with most of the shrubs covered with tarps for the winter, the chateau failed to impress as I had imagined (perhaps because we had spent the day before at the Louvre?) We loved the cathedral in Chartres, if you feel like getting out of town for a few hours - the train ride is bucolic, the church a very short walk from the station (don't miss the labyrinth on the floor.) Bon Voyage!

I was in Paris in January of 2009 and as I recall the only line was on a clear day at the Eiffel Tower. There were only 6 other people at L'Orangerie on a rainy day, however. Pere Lachaise was ferme due to icy sidewalks. When you see Notre Dame, you won't be far from the Holocaust memorial, which is very moving. I was in Versailles once in November, and with most of the shrubs covered with tarps for the winter, the chateau failed to impress as I had imagined (perhaps because we had spent the day before at the Louvre?) We loved the cathedral in Chartres, if you feel like getting out of town for a few hours - the train ride is bucolic, the church a very short walk from the station (don't miss the labyrinth on the floor.) Bon Voyage!

Hi Mindi, Paris in the winter is cold and snowy or rainy. But you could luck out and get a few nice days in. I went to Paris in February 2006 and it was cold. We waited to do the Eiffel Tour on a warmer day and ended up on the tour freezing our behinds off. But it was memorable! I think I would try to look at the weather situation and plan to see things like the Eiffel Tour, Sacre Coeur and Monmarte on drier days and the museums and Versaille on wetter days. My sister and I took the train out to see Versaille on our first trip to Europe. It's super easy to do yourself. Just purchase the ticket to Versaille and the train stops in town. It's a short walk to the Palace. It is a good place to visit when it is raining because most of it is inside. In the summer the garden is wonderful too but in the winter I don't think you visit that. There's also Shopping! The Print Temps is not only a wonderful place to shop but the stained glass is magnificent! Truly beautiful! There is a cafeteria under the stained glass that is a great place to stop for some lunch or a snack. Many other shopping places too. Champ Eylsees, Le Bon Marche and the Samaritain! The Champ Eylsees is a street of shops but once you are inside it's warm and Le Bon Marche and the Samaritain are Department Stores. You have to try the French Macaroons! I know they look like simple little cookies but they are special! And in my opinion the best ones are at Laduree'. After seeing a long line out the door of one of their shops, I bought several and started walking down the street. I tried one cookie and turned to my sister and said we have to go back there. It's a truly french thing that you will enjoy! They have shops all over Paris. I hear Pierre Hermes are good too but I am partial to the ones I fell in love with on my first trip to Paris! Bon Voyage!
Andrea