Updated 16 Sep 2026 · recomputed nightly
Is December 2026 a good month to visit Paris?
Calm — the typical December day in Paris is calmer than 63% 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 is Paris with the crowds gone — Calm on 17 of 31 days — 2 days run Busy or Packed, cool and wet, around 9°C / 48°F with rain on about 16 days.
Yes, if the weather does not put you off. The typical December day in Paris is Calm, and only 2 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. Mid December is the month's quietest stretch in Paris — the typical day at 32%, against 40% in late December. The crush is at the Louvre pyramid and Tuileries axis; the quiet is at the covered passages. The calmest day is Friday 4 December, the busiest Friday 25 December.
In short, quiet and wide open, if the weather doesn't put you off.
Among the 12 months we forecast for Paris, December ranks 8th for crowd pressure. Its heaviest day is Fri 25 Dec, busier than 90% of the year; its lightest is Fri 4 Dec at 32%.
You won't need skip-the-line tickets here — that's rather the point. A month like this is the one for the longer visit — the guided walk, the food tour, the day out of town, with room and time to enjoy them. see what's on →
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 25th and 29th. Away from those, most days sit Calm. The calmest stretch is the 1st–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 90%, so where you land inside it matters. Daylight runs about 8 hours.
Calm apart from 2 days — the 25th and 29th, which run packed or busier. Any other date works.
Tue 01 Dec Lively busier than 45% of days here · ⚓1
- AIDAnova — guest capacity 5,400 08:00–20:00
Record Paris on Tue 1 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 5,400 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-2026-12-01 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 02 Dec Calm busier than 35% of days here · ⚓1
- Ventura — guest capacity 3,078
Record Paris on Wed 2 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 3,078 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-2026-12-02 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 03 Dec Lively busier than 43% of days here · ⚓1
- MSC Preziosa — guest capacity 3,502 08:00–21:00
Record Paris on Thu 3 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 3,502 guests at double occupancy; ships in port 08:00–21:00. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/paris/#d-2026-12-03 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Fri 04 Dec Calm busier than 32% of days here
Record Paris on Fri 4 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-2026-12-04 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sat 05 Dec Calm busier than 32% of days here · ⚓1
- AmaLyra — guest capacity 148
Record Paris on Sat 5 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-2026-12-05 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 06 Dec Calm busier than 35% of days here · ⚓1 · Spain public holiday
- Queen Mary 2 — guest capacity 2,726
Record Paris on Sun 6 Dec 2026 is forecast Calm. Why: Spain public holiday. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 2,726 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-2026-12-06 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 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 16 Sep 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 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 09 Dec Calm busier than 36% 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 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 10 Dec Lively busier than 41% 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 16 Sep 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 16 Sep 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 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 13 Dec Calm busier than 32% of days here
Record Paris on Sun 13 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-2026-12-13 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Mon 14 Dec Calm busier than 32% of days here
Record Paris on Mon 14 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-2026-12-14 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Tue 15 Dec Lively busier than 45% of days here · ⚓1
- AIDAnova — guest capacity 5,400 08:00–20:00
Record Paris on Tue 15 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. 1 cruise ship scheduled, at least 5,400 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-2026-12-15 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 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 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 17 Dec Lively busier than 41% 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 16 Sep 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 16 Sep 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 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 20 Dec Calm busier than 37% 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 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Mon 21 Dec Calm busier than 37% 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 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Tue 22 Dec Calm busier than 37% 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 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 23 Dec Lively busier than 40% of days here · France school holidays
Record Paris on Wed 23 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. 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-2026-12-23 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 24 Dec Lively busier than 40% of days here · France school holidays
Record Paris on Thu 24 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. 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-2026-12-24 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Fri 25 Dec Packed busier than 90% 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 Packed. 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 (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-2026-12-25 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sat 26 Dec Lively busier than 42% of days here · France school holidays
Record Paris on Sat 26 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. Why: France school holidays; Germany public holiday; Spain public holiday. The 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 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 27 Dec Lively busier than 40% of days here · France school holidays
Record Paris on Sun 27 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. 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-2026-12-27 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Mon 28 Dec Lively busier than 42% of days here · France school holidays
Record Paris on Mon 28 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. Why: France school holidays; UK public holiday; Germany school holidays. The 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 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Tue 29 Dec Busy busier than 71% 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 Busy. 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. Nearest calmer day: Mon 28 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-2026-12-29 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 30 Dec Lively busier than 40% of days here · France school holidays
Record Paris on Wed 30 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. 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-2026-12-30 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 16 Sep 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 31 Dec Lively busier than 56% 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 16 Sep 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 32%, against 40% in late December.
The upside of a quiet December
- Walk straight into the sights that sell out in high season — no timed ticket, no queue.
- This is a wing-it month: nothing needs locking in.
- Photograph the landmarks empty — the shot everyone else queues for.
No queues to skip, and nothing to book ahead — that's the whole point.
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.
This is the value month: no need to book far ahead, and the freedom to change plans on the day is part of what you're getting.
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.
