Winter weather doesn’t dim the dazzle of the City of Lights. Although summer finds the streets of Paris thronged with tourists, savvy travelers know deals abound during winter months – and the city offers as much to see, do and experience as she does at other times of the year.

Visit in January, February or March and you’ll have no trouble finding hotel rooms and Paris vacation rentals at great prices, even in the city’s most desirable areas. Popular tourist attractions, from the Louvre to the Eiffel Tower, are open during winter months, but far less crowded than you’ll find them in high season. And the weather, while chilly and damp, is manageable for most Americans, as daytime temperatures average in the mid to high 40s F and rarely fall below freezing.

If you’re ready to book your Parisian winter vacation, keep these tips in mind before you go:

1. Live like a local. While many tourists, especially first-timers, choose to stay in a hotel when they visit a new city, there’s a special charm to living like a local and staying in Paris apartments when you visit France’s most famous and vibrant city. You’ll find ample opportunity to mingle with real Parisians, stroll residential areas you might not visit if you stay in a hotel, and experience the true flavor of city life. Paris furnished apartments often offer easy access to the city’s most popular tourist attractions through multiple types of public transportation, by taxi, walking, scooter or even bike.

2. Take advantage of events and opportunities that only occur in winter in Paris. End-of-January sales can be a great time to bargain hunt, an opportunity you’ll have at just one other time in the year as French law allows only two sale seasons, in winter and summer. Or you can ice skate on one of the many outdoor rinks that operate only in winter. There are also many festivals, celebrations and special events that take place throughout the winter season.

3. Indulge yourself with as much time as you like at top attractions like the Musee de Louvre, Champs Elysees, Eiffel Tower or the Cathedrale Notre Dame. You’ll find shorter lines and thinner crowds in the winter, so there will be plenty of time to savor the experience. Just be sure to check hours and tour availabilities as some attractions may operate on shorter winter hours.

4. Learn some basic courtesy phrases in French. Although many people at the attractions you’ll visit and in the shops do speak English, Parisians appreciate the courtesy of a “merci” or “bon jour,” followed by “parlez vous anglais” – “Do you speak English?”

5. Feast your way through Paris. Like many of Europe’s great cities, Paris offers gastronomic delights uniquely its own from fine wines and a classic French meal in an upscale restaurant, to a simple crepe and coffee in one of the many sidewalk cafes throughout the city. Many travel experts will tell you the best way to truly sink your teeth into a new city is to savor its cuisine.