The beautiful Pont Alexandre III in the snow – how romantic!
We think Paris is extraordinary in any season, but there are special advantages to visiting in the low season. When is that, you ask? It’s typically from November to March, but varies depending on the venue. Mary Ann Grisham has created a fun list of our top ten reasons you should come to Paris NOW …
10. Avoid the Crowds
Hordes of tourists have come and gone, and you will not be jostled off the sidewalk. Museum lines are shorter, and café waiters are less harried. Yes, there will still be tourists, but there is much less risk of being flattened by a tour bus, or getting stuck behind cozy groups of 100, moving en masse from painting to painting while visiting the Louvre Museum.
See the Mona Lisa and other masterpieces at the Louvre with fewer crowds during the low season
9. Dine at the Top Restaurants in Paris
During the low season it’s easier to get reservations at your favorite Parisian restaurant. And if your French is limited, you might want to check out these online reservation booking sites: The Fork, and Eat in Paris.
8. Paris Winter Fashions
You get to wear your cute boots!! Isn’t this reason enough?
Stylish Parisian boots for the cooler weather
7. Stretch Your Frequent Flyer Miles!
Frequent Flier miles are more useful in low season for many airlines. For example, American Airlines off-peak travel awards from North America to Europe require only 40,000 miles instead of 60,000 in high season. Check with your carrier for similar off-season savings.
6. Holiday Markets & Christmas Windows in Paris
The holidays are a festive time to be in Paris, with Christmas Markets, ice skating rinks and beautiful holiday windows at the shops and department stores. Galeries Lafayette and Printemps always create show stopping window displays! Take a peek at this year’s enchanting Christmas windows in Paris. The Christmas Market on the Champs-Elysées is another favorite – and fun for the whole family!
Charming Christmas windows at Printemps in Paris
5. Winter Sales!!!
Winter soldes, or sales, are a wonderful time for fashion lovers and bargain hunters to visit Paris. You’ll find deep discounts during the sale period, which will run from January 9th to February 12th in 2013. Visit our Shopping in Paris guide for tips on the best shopping streets, department stores and outlets to visit during the after Christmas sales in Paris!
4. Our Favorite Pumpkin Soup
The fabulous pumpkin soup (velouté de potiron) is a seasonal favorite at Café Constant … heavenly! We love it so much that we even got chef Christian Constant to share his recipe, which you can find on the Paris Perfect Blog here.
Delicious pumpkin soup – a winter favorite at Café Constant
3. Warm Up at a Café
Take a break from sightseeing to warm up at a café while soaking up the charming Parisian atmosphere. The café scene is not just limited to warm weather months. Cafés are toasty warm inside, and many have portable heaters and even lap blankets so you can enjoy the outdoor setting, too!
Warm up at a Paris café - inside it is toasty warm!
2. Enjoy a Delicious Chocolat Chaud
Warming up at a Parisian café is the perfect time to enjoy one of the little pleasures of life … hot chocolate! Paris is famous for making rich and deliciously thick hot chocolate topped with puffs of whipped cream. We’ve been taste testing hot chocolate in some of Paris’ top spots … conduct your own Hot Chocolate Challenge and see if you agree with our taste testers!
1. Deep Discounts on Paris Perfect Rentals!
Drum roll please for our number one reason to visit Paris off season … Paris Perfect apartment rentals are 30-40% off!!! It’s the perfect way to create cherished memories with family or special friends. Girlfriend Getaways are very popular to de-stress after the holidays, and Winter/Spring Breaks are wonderful times to share the magic of Paris with your children or grandchildren. Visit our website to find out more about our Last Minute Sales or contact us right away for great savings on your winter getaway in Paris!
Stunning view of the Eiffel Tower from our beautiful Beaujolais apartment!
Have you been to Paris in low season? What are your favorite things to do during the quieter months?
Photo Credits: Pont Alexandre III by Jean-Yves Romanetti, Parisian Café by Joseph M. Marti,
