January 24, 2015

Paris in January


January may not seem like the most obvious month for visiting Paris, but this month is actually one of the best for a visit! The main reason is that the city is not yet overrun by tourists allowing you to see and experience the city like the locals. 


The weather is cool yet there is freshness about it. Cafes and bistros still offer outdoor seating and  the heat from the terrace heaters almost draw you in as you pass by. The cafes are the life nerve of the city and where life is lived. It is clear that the Parisians don’t let the winter keep them at home.






To help you get the most out of Paris in January, here is a list of experiences you should not miss when visiting the city.


Something not to be missed in January and at the top of my wife's “Must See” list is bargain hunting during Paris’ large post-Christmas sales. Just watch for signs stating "Soldes"


And because tourism is less intense it allows excellent opportunity to enjoy the most famous museums which normally are packed with tourists: We have visited the Louvre many times in the past, but this was our first time in January. This was the first there was no queue. We could quietly linger around the museum, and we also got to see some new areas of the museum we hadn’t seen before. It was the first time for our daughter so to make the museum more exciting we had taken a map and drawn in the highlights, then it was up to her to find each point of interest as if it was a treasure map.


The Eiffel Tower has always been fascinating to me. It is always quite exceptional to visit the tower and see this impressive city from above. This time was extra special as they had built an ice skating rink on one of the platforms. It was free of charge to borrow some skates making this an unforgettable experience for not only us but also for our daughter. How many can say they actually skated on the Eiffel Tower?



Our family has always loved theme parks. We always try to plan our visit so it allows us to visit one if available. And this city is famous throughout Europe for Disneyland Paris. I have visited Disney both as a child and with my girlfriend (before we were married) and now we had the chance to show our daughter the place. We were always forced spend hours queuing for the rides and this time there were so few people that we could try rides continuously. This alone is reason enough to travel to Paris in January! Oh and the winter parade with characters from Frozen was amazing for our daughter who is true Elsa and Anna fan.







Wining and dining in Paris is a chapter of it’s own. We visited many places but really only one stands out. This was Restaurant Bouillon Chartier

Chartier is over 100 years old and still in the very prime of life. The restaurant is dear to native Parisians, which might help explain why it is just as beloved by tourists from the world over.
In 1896, the Bouillon Chartier was born out of a very simple concept – provide a decent meal at a reasonable price and give customers good service in order to earn their loyalty. 50 million meals, and only four owners later, the recipe is still every bit as much a success.
This place has known and been touched by all those, the many famous and anonymous faces, who have dined there, on romantic dates, as a family or with friends. It has developed more than a personality; they have given it a soul.”


Besides being a good eatery this place was authentic...at the table next to us sat three young american girls (assuming they were in their late teens). In comes an elderly Parisian female, she is politely seated at the same table as the three girls, even though there are plenty of available tables. The girls are in total shock and stop speaking making the situation completely awkward. So be warned, if you eat here you risk of having to mingle with locals as the waiters fill up the restaurant from one table to the next.