10 things to see and do in Paris in autumn
Autumn is one of the best times to visit Paris: prices are not too high, the weather is not too cold and the city offers a wide range of interesting proposals.
If you have the opportunity to travel to Paris in autumn, you are in luck, because it is one of the best times to visit the "City of Light". Temperatures are still not too cold, prices are cheaper than in other months of the year and there is not so much tourism.
And, above all and most importantly, there are various cultural events that coincide with these months of the year such as the Autumn Festival, the Montmartre Harvest Festival, the White Night or the Garden Festival and Urban Agriculture. Fun is guaranteed!
1. Have unlimited fun at the Montmartre Harvest Festival
One of the charms of Montmartre is its vineyard houses. They harvest the grapes, make their own wine and, at the beginning of October, celebrate the Harvest Festival, a traditional and fun leisure proposal in which wine is the protagonist and which receives thousands of visitors every year.
The Harvest Festival has a full program with visits to vineyards, picnics, walks, folk dances, concerts, exhibitions, book presentations, debates, tastings of local products, excursions, parades and parades, art workshops, cooking and children's workshops. In addition, in the various food and beverage stands set up for the occasion you will have the opportunity to taste and buy the most typical products of the neighborhood.
I recommend you to book a guided tour of Montmartre and also read the post what to do in Montmartre and take advantage of your visit to see everything this district has to offer.
Useful information
- When... Early October, from 10 am to 10 pm.
- Location... Montmartre, next to the Sacre Coeur.
- Price... Free of charge.
2. Join the Notte Blanche
Since 2002, the popular Nuit Blanche (White Night) has been taking place on the first Saturday of October, during which creations, exhibitions, scenographies, concerts and special installations are organized.
A night in which the city does not sleep and transportation runs non-stop to allow everyone to participate in this day in which contemporary art becomes the protagonist and is celebrated in the different streets and emblematic squares of the city of Paris.
La Noche en Blanco originated in France, but gradually spread to other European countries such as Spain. Book the night tourist bus in Paris and move comfortably around the city to make the most of the night.
Useful information
- When... First Saturday in October.
- Location... Main sites, squares and museums of the city of Paris.
- Price... Free of charge.
3. Let yourself be dazzled by the autumnal colors of the parks of Paris
Paris has several parks and gardens and autumn is an ideal season to visit them, as their colors are tinged with yellows and ochers and dazzle all visitors.
So, if your trip coincides with the end of September, October or November, an ideal plan whether you go with your partner, friends or family is to take a bike ride or walk. Here are some options:
- The Trocadero Gardens.
- The Luxembourg Gardens.
- The Tuileries Garden.
- The Champ de Mars.
- The Forest of Vincennes.
- The Louise Michel Park.
- The Belleville Park.
- The Zoo of the Jardin des Plantes de Paris.
- The Jardin d'Acclimatation of Paris.
Information of interest
- When... The autumn months, from September to November, when temperatures are still moderate.
- Location... Different locations in Paris.
- Price... Free of charge.
4. Enjoy a cruise on the Seine
Another ideal plan for the autumn season, before the temperatures drop too much, is to take a cruise along the banks of the Seine.
Along the way you will be able to see the most popular monuments of Paris such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, the Musée d'Orsay, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Île de la Cité and, in addition, you will pass under its most emblematic bridges. And if you opt for a night cruise, the beauty of the City of Light will seduce you. The most romantic plan if you go with your partner!
There are many cruise proposals. If you have doubts when deciding do not hesitate to read the post the 6 best cruises on the Seine. Even so, here are my favorite options:
- Seine river cruise, from $18.
- Cruise on the Seine River and St. Martin Canal in Paris, from $27.
- Seine river cruise with french crepe, from $20.
- Night cruise on the Seine River with music and aperitif, from $35.
- Seine river cruise with gourmet dinner, from $85.
- Seine river cruise with lunch and live music, from $80.
Useful information
- When... The autumn months.
- Location... Seine riverside.
- Price... From 18-20€ to 99€ depending on the type of cruise.
5. Join a wine tasting in New Beaujolais
On the third Thursday of November takes place in Paris, as well as in other cities in France and Europe, Beaujolais Nuevo, a traditional French festival that has spread to other cities around the world and is celebrated with a delicious meal and wine tastings in the "bar à vins" and bistrots.
In this way, the commercialization of this wine is celebrated, characterized by its youth, lightness and fruity flavor that, with a pink-purple color, stands out for its short maceration time. This wine, which is served at a temperature between 13 and 15ºC, is produced in the Rhône-Alpes region of France.
The best quality wines are found in the towns of Brouilly, Saint-Amour, Chénas, Côté-de-Brouilly, Julienas, Fleurie, Morgon, Régnié, Chiroubles and Moulin-à-Vent. In fact, on your trip to Paris, I recommend that you do not fail to book a wine tasting in Paris.
Useful information
- When... Third Thursday in November.
- Location... Paris.
- Price... Free of charge.
6. Enjoy the magic of Disneyland Paris
If going to Disneyland is always a perfect plan for both children and adults, having the opportunity to go coinciding with Halloween is an even more spectacular experience because, along with Christmas at Disneyland, is one of the most special moments for your visit.
The theme park prepares for this date in style with unique events and spooky decorations. Halloween is not just celebrated for a day or a weekend, but for more than a month, since the season of terror begins in September and ends on October 31. Read the post Disneyland Paris on Halloween and know all the proposals that you can enjoy.
In addition, here are some interesting information for your trip:
- What to see and do in Disneyland Paris.
- Best attractions of Disneyland Paris.
- How to get from Paris to Disneyland.
- What to see in Disneyland Paris in one day.
- Disneyland's opening hours.
- Best time to go to Disneyland Paris.
- Finally, after all this homework, do not hesitate to book your Disneyland Paris one-day ticket or book your multi-day ticket to Disneyland Paris.
Useful information
- When... September and October.
- Location... Disneyland Paris.
- Price... From 64 €.
7. Immerse yourself in art by visiting the best museums and castles of Paris for free
From November 1 until the end of March, on the first Sunday of each month, Paris museums open their doors to the public free of charge. This open day takes place in several locations:
- The Pantheon in Paris.
- The Palace of Versailles.
- The Basilica of Saint-Denis.
- Sainte Chapelle.
- The Maisons-Laffitte Palace.
- The Castle of Vincennes.
- The Château of Champs-sur-Marne.
- The Castle of Pierrefonds.
- The Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
- The Rodin Museum.
- The Conciergerie.
- The Villa Savoye.
This list joins other must-sees, whose entrance is free the rest of the year, such as:
- The Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature.
- The Museum of Arts and Crafts.
- The Gustave Moreau Museum.
- The Eugène Delacroix National Museum.
- The National Museum of the Middle Ages of Paris.
- The Jean-Jacques Henner National Museum.
- The Cité Nationale de l'Histoire de l'Immigration.
- The Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine.
- The Georges Pompidou National Center of Art and Culture.
- The Orangerie Museum.
- The Picasso Museum in Paris.
- The Orsay Museum.
- The Guimet Museum.
- The Musée du Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac.
Read the post the 17 best museums in Paris and decide which ones to visit on your trip to Paris.
Information of interest
- When... First Sunday of the month from November 1.
- Location... Monuments and museums of Paris.
- Price... Free of charge.
8. Enjoy the Autumn Festival in Paris
In September, the Autumn Festival (Festival d'Automne à Paris) begins in Paris, which organizes various temporary exhibitions, theater, dance and music shows, film screenings, different expressions of the visual arts, performances..., a large number of cultural events for all tastes and audiences. It is also an attraction, as the city is visited by many international artists.
This festival, which was founded in 1972 by Michel Guy with the aim of bringing different artistic disciplines to all audiences, is held in various parts of the city such as the Centre Pompidou and the Théâtre de l'Odéon, among others, and is held throughout the fall and part of the winter.
Useful information
- When... From September to February.
- Location... Theaters, museums, galleries of the city.
- Price... Price determined for each show.
9. Welcome the autumn at the Garden and Urban Agriculture Festival
As soon as autumn arrives, on the weekend closest to September 23, the Garden and Urban Agriculture Festival has been held in Paris for more than 20 years.
A meeting in which thousands of people gather in the green spaces and parks of the city to welcome the autumn.
For this, a complete free program is designed for all tastes and ages, which also seeks to raise awareness of current environmental problems. Among the various activities, there are guided tours, gardening workshops, concerts...
Information of interest
- When... First weekend of autumn.
- Location... Parks and green spaces in the city.
- Price... Free of charge.
10. Let yourself be seduced by a show at the National Opera Paris
The Paris National Opera, which is located in the Palais Garnier, starts its season in September, so if you go in autumn, and you have the opportunity, I recommend that you check the schedule and buy your ticket to see one of the shows of great international recognition that dazzle the audience every year.
The Paris National Opera is one of the most important on the international circuit, so let yourself be seduced by a show or concert in this incomparable setting! And if you want to know more details, visit the post Opera Garnier.
Useful information
- When... From September.
- Location... National Opera Paris.
- Price... Different types of tickets.
Paris temperatures in autumn
The temperatures in Paris in autumn vary greatly from September to the last days of November and early December to enjoy everything to see and do in Paris.
Thus, while in September temperatures are between 13 and 20 ° C, in October they decrease with an average minimum of 10 ° C and a maximum of 18 ° C.
November and December are already quite cold, with temperatures below 10ºC. In addition, rain is common.
The tourist flow in Paris in autumn
Paris is one of the most touristic cities in the world and no matter what time of the year you go, you will find a large number of tourists. Even so, there are certain months of the year when the tourist influx is lower and these usually coincide with the autumn months.
That does not mean that there are no special dates such as Halloween when it is common to find a greater number of travelers.
Paris prices in autumn
Precisely because autumn is one of the times when there is a lower tourist influx, prices at this time of year are usually lower than other months of the year.
Therefore, I recommend that if you have the opportunity to opt for the months of September, October and November for your trip, as you can benefit from offers and promotions on both flights and hotels.
What to bring in your suitcase to visit Paris in the fall
If you travel to Paris in autumn you have to be very careful with what you put in your suitcase and is that depending on the month in which you go temperatures can be very low and it is advisable to take sweaters or sweatshirts and a coat if possible waterproof because it is very common for the rain to surprise you in these months of the year.
Likewise, I recommend that you wear comfortable and waterproof footwear. And, of course, don't forget your umbrella.
If after this article you are not sure which autumn is the best season for your trip, read the following articles and choose the date that best suits your interests: