Following the horrific terrorist attacks that took place in Paris on the evening of 13 November, many tourists and travellers have been reticent to visit the city, staying away for fear that such an event might happen again. In fact, the country is still on high alert post the Paris attacks. However, to avoid spending some time in this beautiful and magical city this winter would be a grave mistake. Terrorism is a sad and unfortunate reality of modern living: to constantly question ‘what if’ and ‘what might’ happen would be to never experience the joy of travelling and of experiencing new cultures. In fact, this is a great time to show your support to Paris and its citizens by paying a visit to the City of Light.
To be sure, there is currently a huge security presence in central Paris, and unlike in other parts of Europe, all French police officers are licensed to carry fire arms. Whilst this can be overwhelming and seem intimidating the first time you see it, it is actually massively reassuring. Of course, all tourists visiting Paris are advised to ensure they are protected by adequate levels of travel insurance before they travel and to follow the advice of their own specific foreign office. But, besides fear and the ‘what if’ factor, there is absolutely no reason why you should travel to Paris this winter.
Why Winter?
Snow in Paris is a common occurrence during the winter monthsMuch is made about the beauty of Paris in spring-time but, in my opinion, there is nothing more beautiful that Paris in winter, particularly if you visit around the Christmas period and the weeks after it. Paris is cold during winter so it is essential to keep warm. There is also a strong likelihood that you will experience some snow, which coats the whole city and makes it look like a winter wonderland. The best time to experience this is when the city’s famous markets are in full swing. One of the most popular, and the most accessible, lines the bottom of the Champs Elysée, providing visitors with a unique handcrafted shopping experience and access to a wide variety of warm local treats and delicacies. Nothing is more wonderful than enjoying a delicious French hot chocolate from one of these market stalls whilst standing outside in the snow.
Get Your Skates on!
For visitors keen to enjoy outside pursuits during their time in Paris, winter doesn’t mean Parisians stop being active: in fact, the activities only get more exciting as the temperatures drop! Visitors and locals alike can ice skate outside the iconic Hotel de Ville on a huge purpose built ice skating rink each year. This time, the rink was inaugurated on 18 December, 2015 and will be open until 1 March, 2016. The rink measures an incredible 1,365m² and is open to everyone: there is even a small section of the rink dedicated to children, meaning Paris’s youngest visitors can try their hands at ice skating in a slow and safe environment. Hiring skates costs just six euros: Access to the rink is free.
If you’re a keen ice skater but are looking for something a little more unique then why not try your hand at skating one of the highest skating rinks in the world? Although it is not widely publicised, there is actually a small ice skating rink on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower. Providing wonderful views, and an experience unlike any other, this is certainly not something to be missed!
Shop ‘Til You Drop!
When the temperatures go down, Paris’ beauty takes on a white hue that is all its ownIf you’re a keen shopper then winter is certainly an ideal time to visit Paris in the winter: store sales in France are strictly controlled by the government, and whilst other countries seem to have regular sales, in France they are a national event and there are just two sale periods a year: the winter sales and the summer sales. Look out for the sign of ‘Soldes’ across shop windows! For 2016, the winter sale period began on January 6 and will end on February 16, meaning that tourists looking to purchase their own piece of Parisian chic would be well advised to ensure that their winter visit to the city falls within these dates. The savings during this time are considerable, with most stores offering goods at between 30-50% off retail prices: as the sale period continues these sale discounts could increase up to 70% in some stores and departments. Head to the city’s most famous department store, Galeries Lafayette, to soak up the atmosphere and bag some bargains during your winter trip to Paris.
Despite everything that has happened to the city in recent weeks, Paris is and always will remain one of the most enchanting cities in the world. So if you haven’t made any plans for your immediate travel, then go get that ticket for Paris.
This post was written for Constant Traveller by freelance writer Sally Baines. Images courtesy Flickr.
