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Paris gets its cherry blossoms in spring, but come fall, it’s the leaves that make the city. From tree-lined avenues covered in golden leaves to romantic gardens framed by copper-colored foliage, fall is one of the loveliest times to explore the French capital.
Autumn brings more than just brilliant foliage too. You’ll find fall blooms across the city (mums, dahlias, roses) and a rainbow of seasonal produce piled high at outdoor markets.
While you won’t find the vast forests of New England within central Paris, there are plenty of postcard places to enjoy autumn colors without leaving the city. Here are the best places to see fall foliage in Paris.
When is the Best Time to See Fall Foliage in Paris?
The exact timing varies from year to year depending on temperatures and weather, but late October through early November is generally a good period to look for peak autumn colors.
Keep in mind that some trees will change earlier than others, so visiting over several weeks can give you very different scenery.
If you’re photographing the foliage, go in the morning or late afternoon when the light is softer and warmer. After a sunny day, the amber leaves can look particularly pretty.
1. Jardin du Luxembourg
If you only have time for one autumn stroll in Paris, I would make it the Jardin du Luxembourg. Located in the heart of the Left Bank, this elegant 25-hectare garden is known for its gorgeous French-style landscaping. But you’ll also find quieter, tree-filled corners that put on a lovely display of fall color.
Autumn brings warm shades of yellow, orange, and red to the garden. It’s an especially romantic backdrop for the Luxembourg Palace, statues, and iconic green chairs. Take a leisurely walk around the 17th-century Medici Fountain and the garden’s large reflecting pools before wandering through the quieter paths.
Queen Marie de’ Medici created the gardens in 1612, drawing inspiration from the Boboli Gardens in Florence. What’s there now are French and English gardens with a geometric forest, an orchard of historic apple varieties, an apiary, rose garden, and beautiful greenhouses filled with orchids.
2. Parc des Buttes-Chaumont
For some breathtaking fall foliage without quite as many tourists, head to Parc des Buttes-Chaumont in Paris’s 19th arrondissement. One of the city’s most unique green spaces, this sprawling hillside park feels worlds away from the grand formal gardens of central Paris. There is the dramatic landscape of cliffs, a lake, waterfalls, a grotto, and the iconic Temple de la Sibylle perched high above the water.
The park’s hilly terrain makes it extra striking in autumn when the winding paths are surrounded by changing trees. Cross the charming suspension bridge and make your way up to the Belvedere. From there, you get one of the best panoramic views of Paris with Montmartre and the Sacré-Cœur visible in the distance.
I must add that the elevated viewpoints make for some spectacular photos.
3. Jardin des Tuileries
Right between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, the Jardin des Tuileries couldn’t be more central. If you’re already museum-hopping nearby, it’s an easy addition to your itinerary.
The garden takes its name from the French word tuileries, meaning tile works, as the site was once home to tile factories before Catherine de’ Medici commissioned the Tuileries Palace and gardens in the 16th century.
In autumn, walk beneath the rows of trees around the ornamental ponds, and past the garden’s statues. I’d also suggest stopping at the Angelina tea house nearby for a rich hot chocolate after your stroll.
Art lovers can also visit the Musée de l’Orangerie, home to Claude Monet’s monumental Water Lilies paintings. A new Monet exhibition is also set to open in September 2026.
4. Père Lachaise Cemetery
Not the first place that comes to mind for leaf-peeping in Paris, but it absolutely should be. Père Lachaise Cemetery is one of the city’s most atmospheric spots to experience fall foliage. With its hilly terrain, cobblestone paths, and varied tree cover, it’s easy to see why.
Amble between the ornate mausoleums and centuries-old tombstones where orange and red hues pop against the weathered stone. The cemetery takes on a very moody aura as Halloween approaches. I’d definitely include it on your itinerary if you’re visiting Paris in October.
Also good to know: Père Lachaise is the final resting place of many celebrities and famous figures, including Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, Édith Piaf, and Marcel Proust.
5. Bois de Boulogne
On the western edge of Paris, the Bois de Boulogne offers a huge expanse of woodland. At around 850 hectares, it covers more than twice the size of New York’s Central Park. Once a royal hunting ground, it now ranks among Paris’s largest green spaces.
Fall completely transforms the park. The Parc de Bagatelle is replete with colorful trees surrounding formal gardens, ponds, and winding paths. The rose beds may have gone dormant, but the trees take over in shades of gold, orange, and red.
I used to visit the Bois de Boulogne almost every weekend when I lived in the 16th arrondissement. It feels much quieter than the parks in central Paris. You can easily spend an afternoon walking through the woods, photographing the foliage, or stopping for a picnic by the water. You’ll also see a lot of chic Parisians exercising throughout the park.
6. Palais-Royal
Tucked away in the 1st arrondissement, the Palais-Royal’s inner garden looks exceptionally vibrant in fall. Mature trees, neatly trimmed hedges, manicured lawns, and stylish arcades give the garden a quintessentially French feel.
The Palais-Royal dates back to 1633, when Cardinal Richelieu commissioned the original palace. The royal family later lived here before moving to Versailles. During the French Revolution, the Palais-Royal became a lively gathering place and a center of political debate.
Today, the complex houses cafés, boutiques, galleries, and French institutions. In autumn, honeyed leaves bring warmth to the formal garden and stand out against the palace’s grand architecture. Stroll beneath the arcades, then saunter between the geometric hedges and carefully shaped topiary.
You also don’t want to miss the Colonnes de Buren, Daniel Buren’s famous black-and-white striped columns in the courtyard. It’s a highly Instagrammable spot.
7. Montmartre
You don’t have to leave the Paris streets to find fabulous fall foliage. Montmartre offers some of the city’s most charming autumn scenery, with rolling hills, twisting streets, leafy squares, and ivy-covered architecture.
Start around Place du Tertre and make your way through the neighborhood toward Sacré-Cœur. The quieter streets around Rue de l’Abreuvoir and Square Jehan Rictus offer washes of orange and ochre. For some of the best views, head to the viewing platforms around the top of the hill surrounding Sacré-Cœur. Take the funicular from Rue Tardieu or climb the 222 steps to the top.
For even more color, head to Square Marcel-Bleustein-Blanchet, a small garden tucked behind Sacré-Cœur. Its trees and elevated position offer a pleasant break from the crowds, with sweeping views across the rooftops of Paris.
Montmartre also has a surprising connection to winemaking. The Clos Montmartre vineyard sits on the slopes of the hill, with thousands of vines growing just steps from the Sacré-Cœur. If you find yourself in Paris in September, it’s an excellent time to visit. In autumn, the changing leaves and vines add even more color to this already picturesque neighborhood.
8. Place des Vosges
A pocket of calm in the middle of the Marais, Place des Vosges is one of the city’s most scenic squares. It’s also one of its oldest, dating back to the early 17th century.
The garden sits at the center, surrounded by elegant red-brick buildings, covered arcades, and rows of tall trees. In fall, the trees turn shades of golden yellow and orange that really catch the eye against the square’s architecture.
Take a slow walk beneath the arcades, then find a bench in the garden and enjoy the changing leaves. I’d recommend going in the morning before the Marais gets busy.
Browse the nearby boutiques and galleries, stop for coffee, or visit Maison de Victor Hugo, the former home of the French author, located right on the square.
9. Jardin des Plantes
The Jardin des Plantes offers a particularly peaceful place to enjoy fall in Paris. This historic botanical garden dates back to 1635, when it began as a royal medicinal garden. Today, it serves as France’s main botanical garden and forms part of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle.
The garden spans 28 hectares and features thousands of plant species, trees, greenhouses, museums, and landscaped gardens. For the best fall foliage, head to the 2.5-hectare formal French garden that runs through the center. Towering trees and hedges frame the geometric flower beds and create a real display of autumn color.
I visited the Jardin des Plantes on a recent trip to Paris in spring, and I already plan to return this fall!
After your walk, explore the nearby Latin Quarter or continue toward the Seine for an easy autumn afternoon in the 5th arrondissement. And if you’re in the mood for some beauty shopping, one of my favorite French pharmacies is also nearby.
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What are your favorite spots to see the fall leaves in Paris? Let me know in the comments below.
