Updated 2 Nov 2026 · recomputed nightly
Is December 2026 a good month to visit Paris?
Calm — the typical December day in Paris is calmer than 62% of its year.
The weather is the trade-off here, not the crowds.
Calm · Lively · Busy · Packed rank a day against Paris's own year — not a headcount.
December sits between the seasons in Paris: cool and wet, around 9°C / 48°F with rain on about 16 days, Calm on 17 of 31 days — 8 days run Busy or Packed.
Mostly yes, if the weather does not put you off. The typical December day in Paris is Calm, and only 8 of the 31 days in our window run Busy or Packed. Expect around 9 °C by day, with rain on about 16 days. The crowd comes with the school holidays in Germany and France. Cruise ships call on 11 of the 31 days, 2 at once on Friday 25 December. Journées Dermatologiques de Paris falls on 1–5 December. Mid December is the month's quietest stretch in Paris — the typical day at 34%, against 74% in early December. The crush is at the Louvre pyramid and Tuileries axis; the quiet is at the covered passages. The calmest day is Monday 7 December, the busiest Friday 4 December.
In short, a solid middle-ground pick.
Among the 12 months we forecast for Paris, December ranks 8th for crowd pressure. Its heaviest day is Fri 4 Dec, busier than 99% of the year; its lightest is Mon 7 Dec at 32%.
Preparing pays off in a month like this: timed-entry tickets and pre-booked tours turn the queue time into sightseeing time. see the options →
Pack for wet first — rain on 16 of 31 days.
A folding one lives in the day bag and weighs nothing.
See umbrellas →
Wet stone is the thing to plan around in a month this wet.
See walking shoes →
How busy is Paris in December?
The busiest days are the 1st, 4th, 5th and 6th, and 4 more. Away from those, most days sit Calm. The calmest stretch is the 16th–24th.
Ships call on 11 of 31 days, a typical call day carrying at least 3,502 guests between them — real, but a secondary part of the crowd here; the season moves the needle more.
The month is not one thing: its lightest day sits at 32% of the year and its heaviest at 99%, so where you land inside it matters. Daylight runs about 8 hours.
Either side of it, November picks up and January is far calmer.
The calmest days include the 7th, 11th and 12th — 6 days share that level, so there is room to choose.
Tue 01 Dec Busy busier than 80% of days here · ⚓1 · Journées Dermatologiques de Paris
- AIDAnova — guest capacity 5,400 08:00–20:00
Record Paris on Tue 1 Dec 2026 is forecast Busy. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 5,400 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 08:00–20:00. Why: Journées Dermatologiques de Paris. Nearest calmer day: Mon 30 Nov (Calm). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/paris/#d-2026-12-01 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 02 Dec Busy busier than 70% of days here · ⚓1 · Journées Dermatologiques de Paris
- Ventura — guest capacity 3,078
Record Paris on Wed 2 Dec 2026 is forecast Busy. Why: Journées Dermatologiques de Paris. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 3,078 guests at double occupancy. Nearest calmer day: Mon 30 Nov (Calm). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/paris/#d-2026-12-02 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 03 Dec Busy busier than 78% of days here · ⚓1 · Journées Dermatologiques de Paris
- MSC Preziosa — guest capacity 3,502 08:00–21:00
Record Paris on Thu 3 Dec 2026 is forecast Busy. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 3,502 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 08:00–21:00. Why: Journées Dermatologiques de Paris. Nearest calmer day: Mon 30 Nov (Calm). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/paris/#d-2026-12-03 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Fri 04 Dec Packed busier than 99% of days here · Salon du Cheval de Paris · Journées Dermatologiques de Paris
Record Paris on Fri 4 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. Why: Salon du Cheval de Paris; Journées Dermatologiques de Paris. Nearest calmer day: Thu 3 Dec (Busy). The day in full, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/paris/#d-2026-12-04 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sat 05 Dec Packed busier than 99% of days here · ⚓1 · Salon du Cheval de Paris · Journées Dermatologiques de Paris
- AmaLyra — guest capacity 148
Record Paris on Sat 5 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. Why: Salon du Cheval de Paris; Journées Dermatologiques de Paris. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 148 guests at double occupancy. Nearest calmer day: Sun 6 Dec (Busy). The day in full, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/paris/#d-2026-12-05 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 06 Dec Busy busier than 81% of days here · ⚓1 · Spain public holiday · Salon du Cheval de Paris
- Queen Mary 2 — guest capacity 2,726
Record Paris on Sun 6 Dec 2026 is forecast Busy. Why: Spain public holiday; Salon du Cheval de Paris. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 2,726 guests at double occupancy. Nearest calmer day: Mon 7 Dec (Calm). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/paris/#d-2026-12-06 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Mon 07 Dec Calm busier than 32% of days here
Record Paris on Mon 7 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/paris/#d-2026-12-07 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Tue 08 Dec Calm busier than 33% of days here · Spain public holiday
Record Paris on Tue 8 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. Why: Spain public holiday. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/paris/#d-2026-12-08 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 09 Dec Calm busier than 38% of days here · ⚓1
- ms Nieuw Statendam — guest capacity 2,666 08:00–21:00
Record Paris on Wed 9 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 2,666 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 08:00–21:00. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/paris/#d-2026-12-09 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 10 Dec Lively busier than 43% of days here · ⚓1
- MSC Preziosa — guest capacity 3,502 08:00–20:00
Record Paris on Thu 10 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 3,502 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 08:00–20:00. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/paris/#d-2026-12-10 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Fri 11 Dec Calm busier than 32% of days here
Record Paris on Fri 11 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/paris/#d-2026-12-11 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sat 12 Dec Calm busier than 32% of days here · ⚓1
- AmaLyra — guest capacity 148
Record Paris on Sat 12 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 148 guests at double occupancy. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/paris/#d-2026-12-12 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 13 Dec Lively busier than 57% of days here · Congrès Français de Rhumatologie
Record Paris on Sun 13 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. Why: Congrès Français de Rhumatologie. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/paris/#d-2026-12-13 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Mon 14 Dec Lively busier than 57% of days here · Congrès Français de Rhumatologie
Record Paris on Mon 14 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. Why: Congrès Français de Rhumatologie. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/paris/#d-2026-12-14 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Tue 15 Dec Busy busier than 70% of days here · ⚓1 · Congrès Français de Rhumatologie
- AIDAnova — guest capacity 5,400 08:00–20:00
Record Paris on Tue 15 Dec 2026 is forecast Busy. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 5,400 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 08:00–20:00. Why: Congrès Français de Rhumatologie. Nearest calmer day: Mon 14 Dec (Lively). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/paris/#d-2026-12-15 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 16 Dec Calm busier than 32% of days here
Record Paris on Wed 16 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/paris/#d-2026-12-16 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 17 Dec Lively busier than 43% of days here · ⚓1
- MSC Preziosa — guest capacity 3,502 09:00–21:00
Record Paris on Thu 17 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 3,502 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 09:00–21:00. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/paris/#d-2026-12-17 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Fri 18 Dec Calm busier than 32% of days here
Record Paris on Fri 18 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/paris/#d-2026-12-18 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sat 19 Dec Calm busier than 32% of days here · Germany school holidays
Record Paris on Sat 19 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. Why: school holidays in Germany. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/paris/#d-2026-12-19 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 20 Dec Calm busier than 35% of days here · France school holidays
Record Paris on Sun 20 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. Why: school holidays in France and Germany. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/paris/#d-2026-12-20 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Mon 21 Dec Calm busier than 36% of days here · France school holidays
Record Paris on Mon 21 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. Why: school holidays in France and Germany. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/paris/#d-2026-12-21 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Tue 22 Dec Calm busier than 36% of days here · France school holidays
Record Paris on Tue 22 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. Why: school holidays in France and Germany. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/paris/#d-2026-12-22 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 23 Dec Calm busier than 37% of days here · France school holidays
Record Paris on Wed 23 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. Why: school holidays in France and Germany. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/paris/#d-2026-12-23 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 24 Dec Calm busier than 38% of days here · France school holidays
Record Paris on Thu 24 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. Why: school holidays in France and Germany. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/paris/#d-2026-12-24 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Fri 25 Dec Busy busier than 77% of days here · ⚓2 · France public holiday
- MSC Preziosa — guest capacity 3,502 07:00–21:00
- Mein Schiff 3 — guest capacity 2,506 07:00–19:00
Record Paris on Fri 25 Dec 2026 is forecast Busy. 2 cruise ships scheduled, at least 6,008 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 07:00–21:00. Why: France public holiday; UK public holiday; Germany public holiday. Nearest calmer day: Thu 24 Dec (Calm). Ship-by-ship detail for the day, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/paris/#d-2026-12-25 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sat 26 Dec Calm busier than 38% of days here · France school holidays
Record Paris on Sat 26 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. Why: France school holidays; Germany public holiday; Spain public holiday. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/paris/#d-2026-12-26 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 27 Dec Calm busier than 38% of days here · France school holidays
Record Paris on Sun 27 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. Why: school holidays in France and Germany. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/paris/#d-2026-12-27 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Mon 28 Dec Calm busier than 38% of days here · France school holidays
Record Paris on Mon 28 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. Why: France school holidays; UK public holiday; Germany school holidays. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/paris/#d-2026-12-28 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Tue 29 Dec Lively busier than 58% of days here · ⚓1 · France school holidays
- AIDAnova — guest capacity 5,400 08:00–20:00
Record Paris on Tue 29 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 5,400 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 08:00–20:00. Why: school holidays in France and Germany. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/paris/#d-2026-12-29 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 30 Dec Calm busier than 38% of days here · France school holidays
Record Paris on Wed 30 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. Why: school holidays in France and Germany. This quiet day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/paris/#d-2026-12-30 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 31 Dec Lively busier than 48% of days here · ⚓1 · France school holidays
- MSC Preziosa — guest capacity 3,502 08:00–21:00
Record Paris on Thu 31 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 3,502 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 08:00–21:00. Why: school holidays in France and Germany. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/paris/#d-2026-12-31 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Which week of December is quietest in Paris?
Mid December is the month's quietest stretch in Paris — the typical day at 34%, against 74% in early December.
Can't move the dates? How to avoid the worst crowds
- Need flexibility? The 16th–24th is the month's calmest stretch — the easiest window to move around in.
- On the busy days, the walk-up queues for the big sights are the biggest time-sink — a timed-entry ticket skips them, which is where a busy month is won or lost.
Travelling on a busy day?
Timed-entry and skip-the-line tickets turn queue time into sightseeing time — sort them before you fly.
December weather in Paris
Cold — around 9°C / 48°F, so pack a proper coat, with rain on about 16 days, so keep a layer handy. Daylight is short, about 8 hours, so plan the big sights for the middle of the day.
Worth booking the marquee sights ahead for the busy days, but you can keep the rest of the trip flexible.
More about Paris in December
Based on: France's public holidays · school vacations across France and Germany · the season pattern from official overnight stays · five years of weather records (2019–2023) · confirmed event dates · the published cruise schedule
Every figure is recomputed nightly from real cruise schedules, public and school holidays, and long-run climate normals. Gaps are shown, not filled.
