Paris in December feels like a dream you don’t want to wake up from. Soft lights glow along the streets, cafés spill warmth into the cold air, and the city somehow becomes even more photogenic than usual. This Christmas season, I took a solo trip to Paris with one main goal: wander, observe, and photograph the city as it dressed itself up for the holidays.
A Perfect Base – First Hotel
For this trip, I stayed at First Hotel, and the location couldn’t have been better. Being centrally located made it incredibly easy to explore Paris on foot, especially during a season when walking is half the experience. Early mornings were quiet and peaceful, while evenings felt alive with lights, conversations, and music drifting through the streets.
Staying somewhere comfortable and well-located made solo travel feel effortless. After long days out in the cold, it was the perfect place to come back, warm up, and recharge before heading out again.
Solo Travel in the Winter City
Traveling solo in Paris during the winter felt calm and reflective. Without a strict schedule, I could slow down – stop for coffee when I wanted, linger longer with my camera, or simply sit and watch the city move around me.
There’s something special about experiencing a city alone during the holidays. It allows space to really notice details: the sound of footsteps on cobblestones, the warmth inside cafés, the contrast between cold air and glowing interiors.
A Photographer’s Dream
Paris is always photogenic, but Christmas adds another layer. The combination of winter light, festive decorations, and timeless architecture made this trip especially inspiring. Whether shooting wide city scenes or small details, the city offered endless opportunities.
If you enjoy photography, winter in Paris is a season worth experiencing – softer crowds, dramatic skies, and a mood that feels both romantic and introspective.
Visiting Paris during the Christmas season was everything I hoped for: beautiful, peaceful, and creatively fulfilling. Staying at First Hotel gave me the perfect base, traveling solo allowed me to move at my own pace, and photography gave me a way to capture moments I’ll always remember.
If you’re considering a winter trip to Paris, don’t hesitate. Bundle up, bring your camera, and let the city surprise you.
Some favourites from the trip and select prints are available on the print store here….
