There’s something undeniably special about Paris in January — the crisp winter air, quiet cafés nestled down cobblestone streets, and the city transforming into a global design destination. For interiors lovers and design professionals alike, Design Week in Paris is an immersive, inspiring way to start the year.
We recently took the Eurostar straight into the centre of Paris and found it so easy to step off the train and head straight into the streets where Paris Déco Off unfolds. This part of Design Week isn’t a traditional trade show in one hall, it’s a city-wide celebration of interiors that feels wonderfully organic and genuinely Parisian.
Discovering Paris Déco Off — Where Streets Become Showrooms
Paris Déco Off is a four-day design stroll, with more than 150 brands opening their doors and showcasing the latest in fabrics, wallpapers, trimmings and decorative crafts. It feels like a design treasure hunt, instead of navigating sprawling halls, you wander through some of the most charming corners of Paris.
The showrooms are largely clustered in Saint-Germain-des-Prés on the Left Bank (think Rue de Seine, Rue Bonaparte and surrounding lanes) and around Rue du Mail, Place des Victoires and Place des Petits-Pères on the Right Bank, all wonderfully walkable and perfect for exploring at your own pace.
Every house and atelier puts its best foot forward, windows are dressed, interiors styled, and doors flung open to welcome designers and visitors from across the world. We loved weaving through the streets, popping into the showrooms of Pierre Frey, CASAMANCE, Lelievre and Dedar, and it was a joy to see British brands like De Le Cuona, Sanderson and Designers Guild presenting their winter collections with such pride.
One of our favourite parts was the welcoming atmosphere, you can often walk right in, but it’s worth calling ahead to the showrooms you’re most keen to see for a more focused visit.
Take Your Time — Half a Day (or More!) to Wander
We’d recommend setting aside at least half a day to let the experience unfold. Step across both sides of the river, pause for a coffee, indulge in a macaron, or enjoy a glass of wine in one of the elegant cafés or bars that line these streets.
Many showrooms host evening events, staying open late with wine, music and a lively crowd, the perfect blend of inspiration and social buzz. Whether you’re deep in conversation with a maker, sharing notes with fellow visitors, or simply soaking up the atmosphere, it’s an effortless way to let design lead your day.
Maison&Objet — Big Design Beyond the City Streets
If you’re able to venture a little further, Maison&Objet is the other essential stop during Design Week. This is one of the world’s leading design fairs — a place to see global trends, meet brands and get a panoramic view of what’s shaping interiors right now.
Held at the Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition centre just outside central Paris, Maison&Objet brings together thousands of exhibitors across decor, furniture, textiles, lighting and more. It’s vast in scale, so we’d recommend at least half a day there to explore the different halls and sections.
Practical tip: Book your entry ticket and cloakroom access online before you go, queues can build up, especially on busy days, and grab a coffee early before diving into the show
How We Made It Work — Two Perfect Days in Paris
Here’s how we structured our trip:
- Day One: Eurostar arrival into Paris, explore Paris Déco Off at a relaxed pace, lingering in showrooms, and enjoying aperitifs in the streets as evening set in.
- Day Two: Head out to Maison&Objet in the morning (easy by RER train or shuttle), take it all in, then orbit back towards the airport for a flight home from Charles de Gaulle — which, funnily enough, was just one RER stop from the exhibition centre.
Working the transport with a day ticket for buses, trams and Metro made getting around the city effortless, it’s a small detail, but one that made the whole trip feel seamless.
Paris in January — A Rich, Rewarding Design Escape
Whether you’re a professional designer, design addict, or simply someone who loves beautiful spaces, Paris in January feels like stepping into a living, breathing interiors celebration. Paris Déco Off offers that intimate, street-level charm, while Maison&Objet provides breadth and global perspective. Put them together, and even a two-day trip feels full, iinspiring, unforgettable and genuinely creative.
