First Snow in Paris

A Parisian Surprise

During my recent trip to Paris, I was greeted with a wonderful surprise—it snowed… and it wasn’t just a dusting! Usually, winters in Paris are not quite as cold as they are back home in New England, but this January, Paris had other plans.

Paris in White

Snow in Paris isn’t an every-year occurrence. You might hear of a light sprinkle now and then, but never in all my years traveling to France have I seen the city truly blanketed in white as it was this year. In fact, a friend later told me they hadn’t seen snow like this in nearly 15 years.

I first saw the snow after a quick rendezvous in the 8th arrondissement, when I stepped outside into what felt like a winter wonderland! Because Paris isn’t used to snowfall, much of the city’s transportation went into a bit of a tailspin. So, I decided to walk home to the Left Bank, and I’m so glad I did.

A Winter Wonderland

The scene was magical. People were out everywhere, savoring this rare and fleeting moment. I took it all in as I walked, marveling at the beauty of the city I love so much, now softened and transformed, covered in white.

What struck me most was the pure, unfiltered joy that filled the streets. Children were making snowmen, tossing snowballs, and laughing without a care. There was a shared sense of wonder, as if the entire city had paused together to enjoy something magical. I caught myself smiling the whole way home, thinking I had never believed Paris could look any more beautiful! But somehow, it did.