10 Things to Do in Paris in Autumn

If you have the opportunity to travel to Paris in autumn, you're in luck, because it's one of the best times to visit the "City of Light". The temperatures are not yet very cold, prices are lower than in other months of the year, and there are fewer tourists.

And, above all and most importantly, 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 White Night, and the Garden and Urban Agriculture Festival. Fun is guaranteed!

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 centre stage and which welcomes thousands of visitors every year.

The Harvest Festival has a full programme 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 purchase the most typical products of the neighbourhood.

I recommend that you book a guided tour of Montmartre and also read the post on what to do in Montmartre so that 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.

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

It's a night when the city never sleeps and transport runs non-stop so that everyone can take part in this event, where contemporary art takes centre 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 around the city comfortably 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.

Paris has many parks and gardens, and autumn is the ideal season to visit them, as their colours 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 travelling with your partner, friends or family is to go for a bike ride or a walk. Here are some options:

• The Trocadero Gardens.
• The Luxembourg Gardens.
• The Tuileries Garden.
• The Champ de Mars.
• The Bois de Vincennes.
• Louise Michel Park.
• Belleville Park.
• The Zoo at the Jardin des Plantes in Paris.
• The Jardin d'Acclimatation in Paris.

Useful information

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

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 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, as well as passing 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 unsure about which one to choose, don't hesitate to read the post on the 6 best cruises on the Seine. Even so, here are my favourite options:

• Cruise on the River Seine, from AED 73
• Cruise on the Seine and the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris, from AED 103
• Cruise on the River Seine with French crêpes, from AED 105
• Night cruise on the Seine with music and appetisers, from AED 140
• Cruise on the Seine with gourmet dinner, from AED 428
• Cruise on the Seine River with lunch and live music, from AED 339

Useful information

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

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 release of this wine, which is characterised by its youth, lightness and fruity flavour. It is pink-purple in colour and stands out for its short maceration time. This wine, which is served at a temperature of 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 be sure to book a wine tasting in Paris.

Useful information

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

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, as, 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 31 October. 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:

• What to see and do at Disneyland Paris.
• Best attractions at Disneyland Paris.
• How to get from Paris to Disneyland.
• What to see at Disneyland Paris in one day.
• Disneyland opening hours.
• Best time to visit Disneyland Paris.
• Finally, after doing all this research, don't hesitate to book your one-day ticket to Disneyland Paris or your multi-day ticket to Disneyland Paris.

Useful information

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

From 1 November 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 at various locations:

• The Pantheon in Paris.
• The Palace of Versailles.
• The Basilica of Saint-Denis.
• Sainte Chapelle.
• The Palace of Maisons-Laffitte.
• The Château de Vincennes.
• The Château de Champs-sur-Marne.
• The Château de Pierrefonds.
• The Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
• The Rodin Museum.
• The Conciergerie.
• Villa Savoye.

This list joins other must-see attractions, which are free to visit 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 in Paris.
• The Jean-Jacques Henner National Museum.
• The National Museum of Immigration History.
• The Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine.
• The Georges Pompidou National Centre for Art and Culture.
• The Musée de l'Orangerie.
• The Picasso Museum in Paris.
• The Musée d'Orsay.
• The Guimet Museum.
• The Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac Museum.

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 1 November.
• Location**...**Monuments and museums in Paris.
• Price**...**Free.

In September, the Autumn Festival (Festival d'Automne à Paris) begins in Paris , featuring various temporary exhibitions, theatre, dance and music shows, film screenings, different expressions of the plastic 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 autumn and part of the winter.

Useful information

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

As soon as autumn arrives, on the weekend closest to 23 September, 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 programme 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.

The Paris National Opera, located in the Palais Garnier, begins its season in September, so if you are visiting in autumn and have the opportunity, I recommend checking the programme 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 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 already quite cold, with temperatures below 10ºC. It also rains frequently.

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 travellers.

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 take advantage of offers and promotions on both flights and hotels.

If you are travelling to Paris in autumn, you need to be very careful about what you pack in your suitcase, as depending on the month you go, temperatures can be very low and it is advisable to take jumpers 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 footwear. And, of course, don't forget your umbrella.

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

• Paris in spring.
• Paris in summer.
• Paris in winter.
• The best time to travel to Paris.