1. Paris
Something special happens to Paris in wintertime. Without the leafy trees, the boulevards look wider, and the formal gardens appear even more austere. Parisian rooftops seem to meld with the steel-grey skies. On rare occasions when it snows, the bright powdery coating gives the city a dreamy quality.
The experience of visiting Paris in the winter is completely different than during the summertime high season. Many travelers consider winter to be the best time to visit Paris. You can wander the spacious halls of the Louvre without running into other tourists, and spend some time admiring the Mona Lisa without anyone obstructing your view.
Winter is the ideal time to visit the world-class museums of Paris. It’s also a wonderful time to explore the city’s historic churches. Many churches feature performances of sacred music or Christmas carols during the holiday season.
2. Lyon
This UNESCO-listed city brims with cultural attractions and has a rich history dating back to the ancient Roman era. The city’s museums offer enough to keep travelers busy while staying warm indoors during wintertime.
The Musée des Beaux-Arts displays masterpieces of European painting from the 15th through the 20th centuries, along with sculptures, antiquities, decorative arts, and graphic arts. The Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine gives visitors a sense of the ancient Roman city that thrived in the locale that is now Lyon.
Lyon holds a place of honor in the celebrated gastronomic heritage of France and is widely considered the French culinary capital, thanks to its central location near the farmlands of Auvergne and Provence and the cheesemakers of the Alps.
Lyonnais cuisine is famous for its hearty traditional dishes. Winter is the best time to sample some of the classics, like lamb stew and roast chicken in morel sauce, because they are rich and warming. To sample the best local cuisine, dine at the «Bouchons Lyonnais» found throughout the city. These inviting little bistros offer a friendly ambience and authentic regional cooking.
