10 Things to 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.
10 Things to Do in Paris in Autumn

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If you have the opportunity to travel to Paris in the fall, you're in luck, because it's one of the best times to visit the "City of Light." The temperatures are still mild, prices are lower than in other months of the year, and there are fewer tourists.

And, above all, there are various cultural events and activities that coincide with these months of the year, such as the Autumn Festival, the Montmartre Harvest Festival, the Nuit Blanche, and the Festival of Gardens and Urban Agriculture. Fun is guaranteed!

1. Have unlimited fun at the Montmartre Grape Harvest Festival

Montmartre Harvest Festival| ©ViajaaFrancia
Montmartre Harvest Festival| ©ViajaaFrancia

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 entertaining event in which wine takes center stage and which welcomes thousands of visitors every year.

The Harvest Festival has a full program of events, including visits to vineyards, picnics, walks, folk dances, concerts, exhibitions, book presentations, debates, tastings of local products, excursions, parades and street performances, art workshops, cooking workshops, and children's workshops. In addition, at the various food and drink stands set up for the occasion, you will have the opportunity to taste and buy the most typical products of the neighborhood.

I recommend that you book a guided tour of Montmartre and also read the post on what to do in Montmartre so you can make the most of your visit and see everything this district has to offer.

Useful information

  • **When...**Early October, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Location**...**Montmartre, next to Sacré-Cœur.
  • Price**...**Free.

Book a guided tour of Montmartre

2. Take part in Nuit Blanche

Nuit Blanche in Paris| ©Hervé
Nuit Blanche in Paris| ©Hervé

Since 2002, the first Saturday in October has been the date for the popular Nuit Blanche (White Night), featuring creative events, exhibitions, stage shows, concerts, and special installations.

It's a night when the city never sleeps and transportation runs non-stop so that everyone can participate in this event, where contemporary art takes center stage and is celebrated in the different streets and iconic squares of Paris.

Nuit Blanche originated in France, but gradually spread to other European countries, such as Spain. Book the night tourist bus through Paris and move comfortably around the city to make the most of the night.

Useful information

  • When**...**First Saturday in October.
  • Location**...**Main landmarks, squares, and museums in the city of Paris.
  • Price**...**Free.

Book the nighttime sightseeing bus tour of Paris

3. Be dazzled by the autumn colors of Paris' parks

Tuileries Garden in autumn| ©Jim Lukach
Tuileries Garden in autumn| ©Jim Lukach

Paris has many parks and gardens, and autumn is the ideal season to visit them, as their colors turn yellow and ochre, dazzling all who visit them.

So, if your trip coincides with the end of September, October, or November, an ideal plan whether you are traveling with your partner, friends, or family is to go for a bike ride or a walk. Here are some options:

Useful information

  • **When...**The fall months, from September to November, when temperatures are still moderate.
  • Location**...**Various locations in Paris.
  • Price**...**Free.

Book your ticket for the Jardin d'Acclimatation.

4. Enjoy a cruise on the Seine

The Seine River and Paris| ©jlfaurie
The Seine River and Paris| ©jlfaurie

Another ideal plan for the fall season, before temperatures drop too low, is to take a cruise along the banks of the Seine.

Along the way, you can see the most popular monuments in Paris, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, the Orsay Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Île de la Cité, and you will also 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 options. If you're having trouble deciding, don't hesitate to read the post on the 6 best cruises on the Seine. Even so, here are my favorite options:

Useful information

  • When**...**The fall months.
  • Location**...**Banks of the Seine.
  • **Price...**From €18-20 to €99 depending on the type of cruise.

Book your cruise on the Seine

5. Join a wine tasting in Beaujolais Nouveau

Bottles of wine| ©Hermes Rivera
Bottles of wine| ©Hermes Rivera

On the third Thursday of November, Paris, along with other cities in France and Europe, celebrates Beaujolais Nouveau, a traditional French festival that has spread to other cities around the world and is celebrated with delicious food and wine tastings in wine bars and bistros.

This festival celebrates the sale of this wine, which is characterized by its youth, lightness, and fruity flavor. It is pink-purple in color and stands out for its short maceration time. This wine, which is served at a temperature of between 55 and 59°F, 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 be sure to book a wine tasting in Paris.

Useful information

  • When**...**Third Thursday in November.
  • Location**...**Paris.
  • Price**...**Free.

Book a wine tasting in Paris

6. Enjoy the magic of Disneyland Paris

Visiting Disney| ©Lyle Hastie
Visiting Disney| ©Lyle Hastie

While a trip to Disneyland is always a perfect plan for both children and adults, having the opportunity to go on Halloween is an even more spectacular experience because, along with Christmas at Disneyland, it is one of the most special times to visit.

The theme park goes all out for this date with unique events and spooky decorations. Halloween is not just celebrated for one day or one weekend, but for over a month, as the season of terror begins in September and ends on October 31. Read the post Disneyland Paris at Halloween and find out about all the activities you can enjoy.

In addition, here are some useful tips for your trip:

Useful information

  • When**...**September and October.
  • Location**...**Disneyland Paris.
  • Price**...**From €64.

Book your ticket to Disneyland Paris

7. Immerse yourself in art by visiting the best museums and castles in Paris for free

Paris Pantheon| ©Moonik
Paris Pantheon| ©Moonik

From November 1 to the end of March, on the first Sunday of each month, Paris museums open their doors to the public free of charge. This open house takes place at various locations:

This list joins other must-see attractions, which are free to visit the rest of the year, such as:

Read the post on the 17 best museums in Paris and decide which ones you want to visit on your trip to Paris.

Useful information

  • **When...**First Sunday of the month from November 1.
  • Location**...**Monuments and museums in Paris.
  • Price**...**Free.

Book your ticket to the best museums in Paris

8. Enjoy the Autumn Festival in Paris

Autumn Festival Show| ©Filip Van Roe
Autumn Festival Show| ©Filip Van Roe

In September, the Autumn Festival (Festival d'Automne à Paris) begins in Paris , featuring a variety of temporary exhibitions, theater, dance and music performances, film screenings, different expressions of the visual arts, performances... a significant number of cultural offerings for all tastes and audiences. It is also a major attraction, as the city welcomes numerous international artists.

This festival, which was created in 1972 by Michel Guy with the aim of bringing different artistic disciplines to all audiences, takes place in various venues around the city, such as the Centre Pompidou and the Théâtre de l'Odéon, among others, and runs throughout the fall and part of the winter.

Useful information

  • When**...**From September to February.
  • Location**...**Theaters, museums, and galleries throughout the city.
  • Price**...**Price determined for each show.

Book a private tour of Paris

9. Welcome autumn at the Garden and Urban Agriculture Festival

Garden Festival| ©ParisInfo
Garden Festival| ©ParisInfo

As soon as autumn arrives, on the weekend closest to September 23, Paris has been celebrating the Garden and Urban Agriculture Festival for more than 20 years.

An event that brings together thousands of people in the city's green spaces and parks to welcome autumn.

A comprehensive program of free events is designed for all tastes and ages, which also seeks to raise awareness of current environmental issues. The various activities include **guided tours, gardening workshops, concerts,**and more.

Useful information

  • **When...**First weekend of autumn.
  • Location**...**Parks and green spaces throughout the city.
  • Price**...**Free.

Zoo at the Jardin des Plantes in Paris.

10. Be enchanted by a show at the Paris National Opera

The Opéra Garnier| ©Helen Simonsson
The Opéra Garnier| ©Helen Simonsson

The Paris National Opera, located in the Palais Garnier, begins its season in September, so if you are visiting in the fall and have the opportunity, I recommend checking the program and buying a ticket to see one of the internationally renowned shows that dazzle audiences every year.

The Paris National Opera is one of the most important on the international circuit. Let yourself be seduced by a show or concert in this incomparable setting! And if you want to know more details, visit the post on the Opéra Garnier.

Useful information

  • When**...**From September.
  • Location**...**Paris National Opera.
  • Price**...**Different ticket options.

Temperatures in Paris in autumn

Autumn in Paris| ©Cliffano Subagio
Autumn in Paris| ©Cliffano Subagio

Temperatures in Paris in autumn vary greatly from September to the last days of November and early December, so you can enjoy everything there is to see and do in Paris.

While temperatures in September range between 13 and 20ºC, in October they drop to an average low of 10ºC and a high of 18ºC.

In November and December, it is quite cold, with temperatures below 10ºC. It also rains frequently.

Book the tourist bus

Tourist numbers in Paris in autumn

After autumn| ©Carl Campbell
After autumn| ©Carl Campbell

Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and no matter when you visit, you will find large numbers of tourists. However, there are certain months of the year when tourist numbers are lower, and these tend to coincide with the autumn months.

That does not mean that there are not special dates, such as Halloween, when it is common to see larger numbers of visitors.

Book a ticket to Disneyland

Prices in Paris in the fall

Autumn afternoon| ©Paola Breizh
Autumn afternoon| ©Paola Breizh

Precisely because autumn is one of the times of year when there are fewer tourists, prices at this time of year are usually lower than in other months.

Therefore, I recommend that if you have the opportunity, you choose September, October, or November for your trip, as you will be able to benefit from offers and promotions on both flights and hotels.

Book tickets for the Moulin Rouge with dinner

What to pack for a visit to Paris in the fall

Preparing what to pack| ©Ketut Subiyanto
Preparing what to pack| ©Ketut Subiyanto

If you are traveling to Paris in autumn, you need to be very careful about what you pack in your suitcase. Depending on the month you go, temperatures can be very low, so it is a good idea to take sweaters or sweatshirts, as well as a coat, preferably waterproof, as it is very common to be caught in the rain during these months of the year.

I also recommend that you wear comfortable, waterproof shoes. And, of course, don't forget your umbrella.

If after reading this article you are still not sure whether fall is the best season for your trip, read the following articles and choose the date that best suits your interests:

Book a private tour of Paris