If you’re visiting Paris in February then this guide is for you. I’ve been living in Paris for over 8 years and I know the city really well.
This guide will tell you exactly what to see, do and to expect in the wintery month of February!
What’s Paris like in February?
February in Paris is, as you’d expect, cold. We’re in the depths of winter and with that it’s likely to be unpredictable weather wise.
Unsurprisingly, along with December and January, it’s one of the quieter months of the year with most tourists visiting in the warmer months. Of course the benefit of this is less queues and less competition for those hard to get restaurant reservations.
So other than the cold, what’s it like? Generally rather quiet and not just because of the lack of tourists. From mid February, the winter school holidays start and most Parisians go skiing.
There’s also plenty going on the city with the famous crêpe day and plenty of events celebrating Chinese New Year.
What’s on in February in Paris
Crêpe Day
Crêpe Day or Chandeleur in French is a Christian holiday that celebrates Candlemas. In France this is always on the 2nd February and it’s traditionally celebrated by eating crêpes!
Walk into any supermarket around this time and you’ll see flour, Nutella, lemons and other crêpe related ingredients on sale.
Want to know where to get the best savoury and sweet crêpe?s Checkout my guide on where to find the best crêpes in Paris!
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is celebrated every year in Paris. There’s a big Chinese community in the city (13th arrondissement, Belleville and around the 2nd and 3rd arrondissement). These are the best areas to enjoy the parades and of course some incredible New Year’s food!
This year’s Chinese New Year (year of the snake) falls on 29th January but celebrations go on for several weeks.
There are parades all over the city with some starting at the end of January. The Belleville parade takes place on 25th January and departs at 2pm from 56 rue de Belleville.
The largest parade takes place in the 13th arrondissement (44 Av d’Ivry) on Sunday 9th February. It’s free to attend but note that this parade gets very busy!
Valentines Day in Paris
Valentines Day is on Friday 14th February which means it’ll be a very busy weekend in the city of love!
Restaurants usually have special, unique menus that can be on the pricier side. Check out my guide to the best restaurants in Paris for options. I’d advise reserving as soon as possible as tables get booked up quickly.
There’s also the fun option of having a Valentines Day dinner on a cruise on the Seine. Again, these book up quickly so reserve in advance here.
Things to Do in February in Paris
Try Fondue!
When in Paris, eat like the locals do! A classic French dish from the Savoyard region is fondue and it’s a great winter warmer.
There’s plenty of fondue restaurants in Paris. My favorite is the oh so fun Le Refuge des Fondus. Wine is served in baby bottles and all the tables are next to each other!
Explore the Covered Passages
February can be unpredictable weather wise and there’s usually a decent amount of rain. When it’s wet, go and explore the city’s covered passages (passage couverts in French) in the 1st and 2nd arrondissement.
They’re beautiful art-nouveau shopping arcades with stained glass ceilings, wooden shop fronts and mosaic floors. In them you’ll find bars, bistros, coffee shops, book shops and fashion boutiques.
My favourite is Galerie Vivienne and the nearby Galerie Vivienne in the 2nd arrondissement.
Visit the Jardin du Palais-Royale
If you’re lucky with the weather then I’d recommend wrapping up and getting outside to explore the city.
Just a stone’s throw from the Louvre museum is the stunning Jardin du Palais-Royale.
Dating back to the 1693, the gardens used to belong to the Royal Palace. On the south side of the gardens, behind the Council of State, you’ll find a courtyard with a series of black and white columns of varying heights. This is an interactive sculpture designed by French artist Daniel Buren in 1986.
Explore the Notre-Dame Cathedral
At the end of 2024, Notre-Dame Cathedral was finally reopened after 5 years of restoration after the great fire in 2019.
It’s free to enter and I’d definitely recommend visiting to see the stunning Cathedral restored back to its former glory.
You can learn more about the Cathedral in my guide to visiting Notre Dame.
Exhibitions on in February in Paris
- Louvre Couture (Until July 21, 2025):
Fashion meets history with haute couture from Chanel, Dior, and more displayed alongside ancient and decorative art. - Du Cœur à la Main: Dolce & Gabbana (Until March 31, 2025):
Showcasing 200 Alta Moda looks, accessories, and Sicilian ceramics, celebrating Italian craftsmanship and haute couture at Grand Palais. - Suzanne Valadon (Until May 26, 2025):
Retrospective on Suzanne Valadon’s art, featuring 200 works that celebrate her bold, realistic portrayal of the human form. - Pop Forever: Tom Wesselmann & Others (Until February 24, 2025):
Dive into 150 works of Pop Art by Tom Wesselmann and 70 by international artists at Fondation Louis Vuitton. - L’Age Atomique (The Atomic Age) (Until February 9, 2025):
Explore the atomic bomb’s influence on art, with works by Kandinsky and Pollock at Musée d’Art Moderne.
The Weather in February
February in Paris is typically cold and rainy. Temperatures average between 3°C to 8°C (37°F to 46°F).
In my experience, rain is common so I’d say that bringing an umbrella is essential.
The days are gradually and the sun will set around 6:30pm at the end of the month.
I’d advise that you check the forecast a week before and ensure that you bring plenty of layers and a thick winter coat if it’s forecasted to be around 3c/37f.
