France

France in January

Europe Updated 2026-07-01

Cold, short-lit and the emptiest month of the year, with museum queues that barely form.

Is January a good time to visit France?

January is one of the better months across France, with crowds averaging 42/100 and typical highs near 10°C.

Book things to do

France: tours and tickets in Paris, Nice, from our booking partner.

See all activities in Paris

What closes and what fills up in January

  • Winter sales (soldes), four weeks from early January

France city by city in January

The same month can feel very different depending where you are.

City Crowd High Wet days
Nice 38 13°C 6
Paris 46 7°C 10

More tours and tickets

More options from our booking partner.

How January compares across the year

Frequently asked questions

Is January a good month to visit France?

January is one of the better months across France, with crowds averaging 42/100 and typical highs near 10°C.

How busy is France in January?

Averaged across the destinations we track, France sits near 42/100 in January. The calmest of them is Nice.

What is the weather like in France in January?

Expect average highs near 10°C and lows near 5°C, with roughly 8 wet days — though France varies by region.

Other months in France