January in France: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

Visit France in January and you’ll find half the country celebrating the ski season in the glorious, snow-covered mountainous Alps, and the other half, it might seem, enjoying the semi-annual sales. Jacques Frost might be nipping at your fingers, but it’s a good time for bargains—on airfares, hotels, and package deals.

So while it can be cold—especially in the country's northern reaches—January is a great time to spend time in France shopping, skiing, or cozying up in a café with a mug of chocolate chaud and a croissant.

France Weather in January

The weather is variable in January. Some days will be cold but beautifully clear and crisp and on other days, it might be snowing or raining. High and low temperatures vary across the country, but generally never go above 60 degrees Fahrenheit (16 Celsius), even in the south.

• Paris: 43/36 F (6/2 C)
• Bordeaux: 52/37 F (11/3 C)
• Lyon: 45/36 F (7/2 C)
• Nice: 55/43 F (13/6 C)
• Strasbourg: 39/30 F (4/-1 C)

The south of France can get cold, and it can rain, but it is extremely unlikely to snow. The Riviera along the Côte d'Azur, after all, is where the rich have traditionally gone to escape winter, and Nice almost never gets snow. No matter where you go in France, though, expect the full range of weather, including chilly temperatures at night. The climate varies hugely in January depending on where you are in this large country, but on average you can expect 18 days of rain in Paris, 15 in Bordeaux, 15 in Strasbourg, 14 in Lyon, and nine in Nice. When it comes to snow, Strasbourg sees on average seven days of snow, while Paris has four, Lyon two, and Bordeaux typically has just one day of snow during the month.

What to Pack

If you are traveling around France, you may need to pack different types of clothes for different cities. But remember that no matter where you go, January can be very cold, so even in the south of France, you will need a jacket and coat for going out at night. It might be windy and snow could fall almost anywhere except in the south along the Mediterranean. Don’t forget the following:

• A winter coat
• A warm jacket for daytime
• Sweaters or cardigans
• Scarf, hat, and gloves
• A good umbrella that can resist the wind
• Comfortable walking shoes and fine shoes for evening occasions

January Events in France

January in France brings a series of events and activities, ranging from the government-sponsored winter sales to great skiing. 

• The Winter Sales: Les soldes d'hiver offer wonderful bargains, with savings of up to 70 percent. They are tightly controlled by the government, so they are genuine sales of the previous season's stock. They typically run from mid-January through mid-February. 
• Paris Fashion Week: Paris caps off the international fashion season in mid-January after shows in New York, London, and Milan. The first week of the two-week affair is dedicated to men's fashion.
• New Year's Day: On January 1, many shops, cafés, and other attractions will be closed for the holiday.

January Travel Tips

• France has some spectacular skiing areas and some of the best slopes in the world. Many are in the Alps, but the other main mountain ranges also offer good skiing, both overland cross-country and downhill. 
• January is a nice time to visit France, as there are few crowds and no long waits for tourist attractions. Additionally, prices are lower for both airfares and for hotels and you can get a good deal on flights.
• When visiting in January, beware that some hotels, particularly in the south of France, will be on their annual leave.
• Unpredictable weather can cause travel delays by air, rail, or car. Be prepared and give yourself extra time if you'll be driving yourself within the country.