Things to do when it snows in Paris

When snow falls in Paris, something quiet and magical happens. The city slows down, rooftops get dusted in white, and the usual grey of winter is replaced with a soft shimmer. While it’s not the most common weather, snowy days in Paris are worth celebrating—and the city’s filled with warm, wonderful ways to make the most of them. From elegant museums and moody cafés to covered passages and hot chocolate spots, this is your cosy, curiosity-filled guide to enjoying Paris when it turns into a snow globe. No need to stay indoors—unless you want to. 

Warm up inside the Louvre Museum 

Normal price: €23.00 | Included with the Paris Pass 

Snowy outside? Head into one of the world’s greatest indoor escapes: the Louvre Museum. With over 35,000 works of art, the Louvre isn’t just a museum—it’s a full-day retreat. Wander through vast marble halls, admire ancient sculptures, and spend quality time with the Mona Lisa without worrying about the weather. The glass pyramid looks especially striking with snowflakes swirling around it, and the heated galleries provide a welcome break from the cold. Tip: start with the Denon wing and take your time—it’s the perfect place to slow down and soak up the quiet. Rain may drive people indoors, but snow? It’s your cue to linger. 

Discover the covered passages of Paris 

Normal price: €36.00 | Included with the Paris Pass 

Nothing beats ducking into the covered passages of Paris when snow starts to fall. These 19th-century arcades are lined with vintage shops, old book stalls, tea rooms, and cafés, all tucked under ornate glass ceilings that keep the chill out while letting the light in. On the Covered Passages Walking Tour, you’ll explore hidden arcades like Passage Jouffroy and Galerie Vivienne, filled with the kind of old-world charm that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. It’s warm, romantic, and ideal for a slow winter stroll. Bonus: plenty of chocolat chaud stops along the way. 

Steamy cheese tasting at Ô Chateau 

Normal price: €20.00 | Included with the Paris Pass 

Snowy weather calls for comfort food—and Ô Chateau has just the ticket. This cosy wine cellar near the Louvre hosts regular cheese tasting sessions, pairing gooey, nutty, creamy French cheeses with just the right wine to match. It's indulgent, educational, and very, very satisfying. You’ll learn about regional varieties while warming up in a stone-walled cellar that feels both upscale and intimate. It’s a great pick for couples, solo travellers, or anyone who believes winter is best enjoyed with a glass of Bordeaux in hand. And honestly, is there anything more comforting than melted cheese when it's snowing? 

Explore the Musée d’Orsay 

Normal price: €16.00 | Included with the Paris Pass 

The Musée d’Orsay is already one of the city’s most beloved museums—but visiting on a snowy day feels extra special. Housed in a grand former train station, the space itself is warm and filled with light, thanks to the sweeping glass roof and giant clocks. Inside, you’ll find some of the world’s most recognisable Impressionist works—Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, and more—all glowing with soft winter light. Grab a hot chocolate from the museum café, linger near the sculpture galleries, and watch the snow drift down on the Seine through giant arched windows. It’s the indoor moment you didn’t know you needed. 

 

Catch the Eiffel Tower sparkling in the snow

Even if you’ve seen the Eiffel Tower before, catching it during a snowfall feels like discovering it all over again. The surrounding Champ de Mars park turns into a white canvas, and the soft snow mutes the sound, adding an almost reverent hush. You don’t even need to go up—just bundle up, grab a takeaway coffee, and admire the view from the Trocadéro steps or beneath the tower itself as it glitters on the hour. If the weather clears, opt for the Eiffel Tower Guided Climb (included with the Paris Pass) for an adventurous, snow-dusted ascent and unforgettable wintry views.

See wax wonders at Grévin Paris

Normal price: €27.50 | Included with the Paris Pass

When it’s freezing outside but you still want to hang with stars, head to the Grévin Wax Museum. Inside, it’s all glamour, gold trim, and (very lifelike) celebrity figures—from Einstein to Beyoncé. It’s quirky, campy, and fun for both kids and adults, especially when the weather makes outdoor plans less appealing. Bonus points for the heated rooms and plenty of Instagrammable spots to prove you “bumped into” French royalty or your favourite actor. It’s lighthearted, warm, and delightfully surreal—a perfect snow day mood booster.

Wander the Orangerie Museum

Normal price: €12.50 | Included with the Paris Pass

On a snowy morning, few places feel more peaceful than the Orangerie Museum. Tucked in the corner of the Tuileries Garden, it houses Monet’s monumental water lily panels—arranged in light-filled oval rooms designed to feel like a meditative cocoon. The soft winter light filters through the skylights, making the brushstrokes glow. Downstairs, there’s even more to discover, from Renoir to Cézanne. It’s compact, quiet, and endlessly calming—especially when you’re stepping in from the cold. Afterwards, take a slow, snowy walk through the Tuileries for that real “Paris in a snow globe” vibe.

Shop and stroll at Galeries Lafayette

If the weather outside is frightful but your shopping list is still long, the Galeries Lafayette flagship on Boulevard Haussmann is the perfect snow day haven. This department store is as much a visual feast as it is a shopping destination, with its famous stained-glass dome, rooftop terrace (still open for photos, even in winter), and endless aisles of fashion, beauty, and gourmet treats. During the colder months, the winter décor is particularly dazzling—making it feel more like a festive attraction than a mall. Warm up with a pastry in one of the in-house cafés, or catch the Fashion Show (included with the Paris Pass) for a splash of runway sparkle.

Hide out in the Sainte-Chapelle

Normal price: €11.50 | Included with the Paris Pass

Snow falling outside, stained glass glowing inside—Sainte-Chapelle is pure winter magic. This Gothic chapel, hidden on the Île de la Cité, is famous for its 15-metre-tall windows that transform sunlight into rainbow reflections. On snowy days, the light softens, creating an even dreamier atmosphere. It’s a peaceful, spiritual space that invites you to slow down and warm up while taking in one of Paris’s most enchanting architectural treasures. Don’t rush through it—sit on a bench, look up, and let the colours do their thing. You’ll leave feeling warmer than when you came in, even if the snow’s still swirling outside.

Enjoy a pastry stop in Montmartre 

Montmartre becomes a true storybook setting when it snows. Add a stop at one of its famous pâtisseries and you’ve got yourself a perfect winter plan. Try La Maison Rose for charm, Arnaud Larher for inventive pastries, or Le Grenier à Pain for an award-winning baguette. Stroll slowly through snow-lined streets, pop into the Petit Train de Montmartre (included with the Paris Pass) if the walk feels too chilly, and reward yourself with something sweet and flaky. Winter calories don’t count in Paris—especially when they’re this good. 

Get steamy at the Hammam de la Grande Mosquée 

When the cold really sets in, nothing compares to stepping into the warm, tiled world of the Hammam at the Grande Mosquée de Paris. This traditional steam bath is open to the public and feels like stepping into another time and place. The architecture is stunning—mosaics, lanterns, marble—and the heat? Glorious. Enjoy a scrub, a mint tea, or just a quiet sit in the mist. It’s affordable, authentic, and the perfect way to shake off the chill. Bring a swimsuit, and prepare to emerge glowing and defrosted. 

Visit the Arab World Institute 

Normal price: €8.00 | Included with the Paris Pass 

The Arab World Institute is a great pick for a snow day—interesting, warm, and totally unique. This museum and cultural space explores the richness of Arab art, history, science, and culture across centuries, with stunning exhibitions, beautiful ceramics, calligraphy, and temporary showcases that span music to fashion. But one of its best-kept secrets? The rooftop terrace. Even on snowy days, the view of Notre Dame and the Seine is worth stepping out for—then pop back inside for a hot mint tea at the on-site café. It’s culture, warmth, and a little Parisian edge all in one place. 

Musée de Cluny – National Museum of the Middle Ages 

Normal price: €12.00 | Included with the Paris Pass 

If you want serious winter atmosphere, head to the Musée de Cluny. Housed in a medieval mansion with Roman baths underneath, this museum is packed with tapestries, stained glass, and medieval artefacts that feel perfectly suited to a snowy day. It’s dimly lit in the best way, quiet, and a bit mysterious—ideal for wandering slowly while the city outside gets blanketed in white. The Lady and the Unicorn tapestry series is the main event here, and seeing it in low winter light only adds to the magic. You’ll leave feeling like you’ve stepped out of a different century. 

Play and learn at the Paris Science Museum 

Normal price: €15.00 | Included with the Paris Pass 

Travelling with kids—or just a science enthusiast yourself? The Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie is Paris’ largest science museum and the perfect indoor spot when the weather’s bleak. You’ll find interactive exhibits on everything from biology to robotics, plus a planetarium, a submarine, and the delightfully tactile Cité des Enfants for little ones. It’s hands-on, colourful, and packed with activities that make science feel like play. And if the snow clears, there’s a big open park outside (Parc de la Villette) for a crisp post-museum walk. Until then, stay warm and geek out. 

Spend a lazy day at the Louis Vuitton Foundation 

Normal price: €53.00 | Included with the Paris Pass 

With its curved glass sails and cutting-edge exhibits, the Louis Vuitton Foundation is a striking place to spend a snowy afternoon. The building itself feels like a winter sculpture, and inside you’ll find contemporary art shows from world-renowned artists, immersive installations, and a café with warm drinks and sleek design. It’s modern, inspiring, and perfect for art lovers who’ve already hit the classics. Plus, the surrounding Bois de Boulogne looks quietly magical under a layer of snow—take a short walk (or don’t, if your shoes say no) and enjoy the hush that winter brings. 

Discover the Museum of Music 

Normal price: €8.00 | Included with the Paris Pass 

If the snow’s falling and you’d rather be surrounded by sound than slush, head to the Museum of Music inside the Philharmonie de Paris. This collection features over 7,000 instruments—from Baroque violins to electric guitars—and includes listening stations and multimedia guides that bring the pieces to life. The building is sleek and modern, with warm acoustics and a soothing atmosphere, and it’s the kind of museum that makes time slip by. You’ll leave humming something new, and possibly daydreaming about joining an orchestra. It’s a hidden gem that hits just right when it’s cold outside. 

Take in the snow from Tour Montparnasse 

Normal price: €25.50 | Included with the Paris Pass 

Want one last wintry view of Paris before you call it a day? Head up to the Tour Montparnasse observation deck, where you'll get a full panoramic sweep of the city—including the Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Cœur, and all those snowy rooftops. It’s not as packed as other viewpoints, and it’s fully indoors with big windows that let you take it all in while staying warm. If the weather clears, step onto the open-air terrace for that true “top of the world” feeling. Sunset or not, it’s a perfect final stop before dinner—or before heading back to your hotel with snowy shoes and a full heart. 

Paris in the snow is quieter, softer, and somehow even more charming. Whether you’re tucked inside a candlelit museum, sipping hot chocolate beneath a glass dome, or watching flurries fall across the rooftops from a toasty observation deck, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the city when the temperature drops. The Paris Pass helps you keep things flexible—with indoor gems and warm experiences across every arrondissement—so you can swap sleet for sculpture and icy streets for Impressionists. Layer up, lean in, and let Paris show you just how magical winter days can be.

Experiencing a rainy day in Paris? We've got you! Check out these stunning indoor spots near you.

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