What to Do in Paris in the Fall

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Fall might just be the best time of year in Paris. The summer crowds start to disappear, café terraces are still lively, and the entire city slowly turns shades of gold, orange, and brown.

September can still feel surprisingly summery, but by October, sweater weather is in full swing. Then November brings colder days, earlier sunsets, and the first hints of the holiday season. Somewhere in between, you get what I think is Paris at its best: brisk mornings, colorful gardens, new museum exhibitions, Fashion Week, wine festivals, and plenty of excuses to spend an afternoon lazing in a café.

I’ve experienced Paris throughout every season, and fall is one of the times I recommend most for a visit. You’ll normally encounter fewer tourists than during peak summer, while still having an incredibly packed calendar of things to see and do.

In this guide, I’m breaking down everything you need to know about visiting Paris in the fall, including the weather, what to wear, seasonal events, and the top things to do from September through November.

For even more tips to make the most of your trip, don’t miss my month-by-month guides for fall:

What is Paris Like in the Fall?

Fall in Paris is really three different seasons in a few months.

September often feels like an extension of summer. Temperatures can still climb into the 70s, people fill bars, terraces and parks. You may not need much more than a light jacket in the evening. It’s also la rentrée, when Parisians return from their summer holidays and the city suddenly feels busy again.

October is when autumn truly takes over. Temperatures cool down, the leaves begin changing color, and jackets, sweaters, loafers, and boots come back out. It’s also one of the busiest months culturally, with Paris Fashion Week, the Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre, Art Basel Paris, new museum exhibitions, and countless other events.

By November, Paris feels noticeably quieter and colder. The days get shorter, coats become essential, and the final leaves begin to disappear from the trees. Toward the end of the month, Christmas lights and decorations start appearing around the city. It feels like the transition between fall and the holiday season.

Is Fall a Good Time to Visit Paris?

Oui ! Yes! In fact, I think fall is one of the best times of year to visit Paris.

You get many of the advantages of visiting during summer without quite as many of the downsides. In September, the weather can still be warm and sunny. October is, in general, mild enough to spend most of the day walking around outside. At the same time, the tourist rush begins to slow down compared to July and August. And of course, there is a much lower chance of a heatwave.

There’s also a lot happening. September brings la rentrée (France’s back-to-school season), European Heritage Days, Paris Design Week, and the beginning of the fall cultural season. October is packed with fashion, art, food, and wine events. By November, there are major photography and food fairs alongside the first Christmas light displays.

And then there’s the scenery. Paris is magical year-round, but seeing the Luxembourg Gardens, Tuileries, Montmartre, and the Seine surrounded by autumn foliage is pretty hard to beat.

Weather in Paris in Fall

During the fall, Paris weather is commonly mild and quite sunny with a mix of cold winds and rainy days as the colder weather arrives. The temperature in Paris varies widely, but the average is between 45°F and 60°F.

September is usually the warmest of the three months. Early September can still feel like summer, particularly during the afternoon, although mornings and evenings gradually become cooler as the month progresses.

October brings true autumn weather. Average temperatures sit around 63°F (17°C) for the high and 50°F (10°C) for the low, although early October can be warmer and late October noticeably colder.

November is when you’ll really start bundling up. Average highs fall into the low 50s°F, while mornings and evenings frequently dip into the 40s°F.

The days are short during late October and November, and the sun can start to set as early as 5 p.m. Plan your day accordingly to make the most of daylight hours. If you’re expecting to do some outdoor sightseeing or photography, schedule those activities earlier in the day.

Rain is possible throughout the season, but that doesn’t necessarily mean entire days of downpours. Paris often gets shorter periods of rain mixed with clouds and sunshine, so I always advise carrying a compact umbrella.

Stroll through Parisian streets and gardens and you’ll be surrounded by vibrant fall foliage that makes the city look like a colorful painting.

Don’t forget to check the weather for your travel dates to determine a more accurate forecast and prepare for the variable fall weather in Paris.

What to Wear in Paris in Fall

The key to dressing for Paris in the fall is layering. Temperatures can vary quite a bit throughout the season (and even throughout the day) so you’ll want pieces you can comfortably add or remove.

In September, I tend to pack lighter layers like blazers, trench coats, cardigans, button-down shirts, jeans, pants and lightweight knits.

In recent years, warmer temperatures have also meant that summer weather can last well into September. You may still get a lot of wear out of dresses, skirts and short-sleeved tops, mostly during the first few weeks of the month.

By October, you’ll likely want to bring out your sweaters and jackets. A trench coat is perfect for milder days, while a wool coat can come in handy toward the end of the month. Loafers, sneakers, ankle boots and ballet flats are all great options depending on the forecast.

November calls for warmer layers as temperatures continue to drop. Think wool coats, chunky sweaters, scarves, boots, trousers and tights underneath skirts and dresses.

Whatever month you visit, walking shoes are non-negotiable. Paris is a walking city, and it’s not difficult to clock 20,000 steps in a day without even realizing it.

For more ideas on what to wear, follow me on TikTok for my weekly Paris packing guides. Here, I share what to wear based on the upcoming weather forecast for the week ahead!

Best Things to Do in Paris in the Fall

See the Fall Foliage

Watching Paris change color is easily a highlight of visiting in autumn.

The leaves typically start to turn in October with some of the most spectacular colors appearing from mid-October into early November depending on the year’s weather.

In autumn, the Luxembourg Gardens become a showcase of fall foliage. Grab one of the green chairs, bring a coffee or book, and people-watch underneath the changing trees.

You can also find striking autumn scenery at the Jardin des Tuileries, Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, Jardin des Plantes, Bois de Boulogne, Père Lachaise Cemetery, Place des Vosges, and around Montmartre.

Participate in Café Culture

As the autumn chill sets in, it’s essential to warm up with a hot drink at a Parisian café. And with cafés on practically every corner, you’ll never have trouble finding somewhere to settle in for an hour or two.

On sunny September and October afternoons, pick a spot on a terrace and savor the early fall weather. Once it gets colder, snag a table inside and order a café crème, tea, or hot chocolate. Bring a book, catch up on some writing, people-watch or simply sit back and watch Paris go by.

If hot chocolate is your drink of choice, stop by Angelina for its celebrated chocolat chaud. Otherwise, you can order an espresso, café crème or café au lait at just about any café in the city. And make sure you know how to order a coffee in France.

For a classic Paris experience, you can always try one of the historic cafés. But personally, some of my favorite fall afternoons are spent at an ordinary neighborhood café with a warm drink and nowhere in particular to be.

what is the weather like in paris in october

Check Out the Fall Exhibitions

Fall marks the beginning of a new cultural season in Paris, which means museums and galleries unveil some of their biggest exhibitions of the year.

It’s also flawlessly timed for those days when the weather (inevitably) doesn’t cooperate. Save a few museums on your itinerary so you always have an indoor backup for a rainy afternoon.

First-time visitors will probably want to prioritize institutions like the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, but don’t overlook Paris’s smaller museums and galleries either.

I’ve included a full list of events, exhibitions and other things happening in Paris this fall later in this guide.

Stroll Around the City

Paris is the perfect city to get lost in, as you’ll always uncover something new around every corner. With the gorgeous fall leaves and crisp air, autumn is the ideal time to walk through the city.

If you’re more of a planner, explore Paris with a self-guided walking tour (there are several free tours online). Otherwise, pick a neighborhood and just go!

The Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Montmartre, the Latin Quarter, and the streets surrounding the Luxembourg Gardens are exceptionally dreamy in autumn.

Visit a Historic Cemetery

If you’re visiting around Halloween, swap the haunted house for something much more Parisian: a cemetery.

Père Lachaise is the largest and most famous one. Located in the 20th arrondissement, it holds around 70,000 graves, including those of Édith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, Frédéric Chopin, and Jim Morrison of The Doors. Spend an afternoon ambling around its 110 acres of rolling hills, tree-lined cobblestone paths, and ornate monuments.

In the 18th arrondissement, Montmartre Cemetery is a smaller but equally atmospheric option, filled with the elaborate tombs of early 20th-century artists, intellectuals, and writers. I’d also suggest a stroll through Passy Cemetery in the 16th arrondissement near the Eiffel Tower. It’s the smallest and quietest of the three.

Tour the Paris Catacombs

For something a little darker, head underground. The Paris Catacombs are a series of underground ossuaries that hold the remains of more than six million people.

Originally, this vast network of tunnels served as limestone quarries that provided stone for many of Paris’s Haussmannian buildings. However, the catacombs feel far from charming today.

Instead, the dim passageways lined with carefully stacked bones create a haunting atmosphere. An eerie attraction if you’re ready to be spooked by the world’s largest grave.

Tickets regularly sell out, so this is one visit I wouldn’t leave until the last minute.

Shop Fall Fashion

For me, Parisian fashion is at its finest in autumn. Not only does Paris Fashion Week bring lots of street style inspiration to the city, but there’s something about shopping once sweater season arrives that makes it even more delightful.

By September, stores are filled with their new fall collections: suede bags, wool coats, leather jackets, loafers, boots, knitwear, scarves and all the other pieces that make French fall style so covetable.

The major department stores are a good place to start, but I’d also devote some time to exploring smaller boutiques around the Marais and Saint-Germain.

Here are some more helpful resources for shopping in Paris:

Cozy Up With a French Film

When the weather is unpredictable, it’s always a good idea to have a plan B. And on a cold, rainy fall day in Paris, why not head to the cinema?

Paris has an incredible film culture, and you can find everything from the latest blockbusters to obscure classics playing somewhere in the city. Fall is also a great season for new releases, so there’s usually plenty to choose from.

The Latin Quarter is home to several fantastic independent cinemas, and if you love classic films, check out La Filmothèque.

Lost in Frenchlation also has an excellent program showing classics and recently released French films with English subtitles in Paris. I went to one of their screenings in Strasbourg, and it was such a fun way to discover French cinema and meet new people.

A little tip: look for “VO” (version originale) when checking movie listings if you want to watch a foreign film in its original language with French subtitles. I almost always choose this option for English-language films rather than “VF” (version française), which means the movie has been dubbed into French.

Explore the Covered Passages

Paris is known for its hidden courtyards and covered passages. But they’re often nestled between buildings and easy to miss if you don’t know where to look.

Dating largely from the 19th century, these elegant arcades are lined with bookshops, cafés, restaurants, antique dealers and independent boutiques. Look up and you can admire their gorgeous glass roofs (also practical for a chilly or rainy fall day).

You may come across a few naturally around the city, but there are several worth adding to your itinerary. Galerie Vivienne is undoubtedly one of the prettiest with mosaic floors and beautiful boutiques. It’s also home to one of my favorite French candle brands.

Nearby, Passage des Panoramas is one of the oldest covered passages in Paris and is filled with restaurants, vintage shops and stamp and postcard dealers. Just across Boulevard Montmartre, Passage Jouffroy continues the old-world atmosphere with bookshops, quirky boutiques and the entrance to the Musée Grévin.

Thankfully, many of Paris’s best-known covered passages are clustered around the 2nd and 9th arrondissements, so you can visit several in a single afternoon.

Cruise Down the Seine

A Seine cruise is lovely any time of year. However, in the fall, it offers a specially scenic perspective of the city. As the trees lining the riverbanks begin to change color, you’ll enjoy stunning sights of the autumn foliage along the water.

Many companies offer both daytime and evening cruises, so you can choose an option that fits your schedule. Along the way, you’ll also take in iconic views of the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, and other iconic landmarks from the Seine.

Go right before sunset for the best light on the bridges and monuments. Just keep in mind that with shorter days and Daylight Saving Time, the sun starts setting earlier as the season goes on, so book your cruise accordingly.

Enjoy Seasonal French Food

Eating with the seasons is an important part of the traditional French diet, and fall brings some of the most tantalizing flavors of the year.

Visit a French market and you’ll come upon the stalls piled with autumn produce like mushrooms, grapes, apples, pears, squash, walnuts and chestnuts. It’s a great time to discover a neighborhood market and see what’s in season.

With autumn also comes a return to heartier French dishes. It’s officially the time of year when boeuf bourguignon, French onion soup, chestnut soup, raclette and other seasonal dishes start sounding appealing again.

Keep an eye out for vendors selling marrons chauds, or roasted chestnuts, around the city. They become more common as Paris gets closer to the Christmas season.

And, of course, save room for something sweet. Stop by a pâtisserie or tea room for desserts like tarte Tatin (caramelized apple tart), red fruit clafoutis, and other pastries featuring autumn fruits and flavors.

Browse Parisian Bookstores

If you’re a bookworm like me, fall is a fitting excuse to explore Paris’s bookstores in search of a fall-inspired read. I don’t know about you, but the autumnal weather makes me want to dawdle around a bookshop and leave with another book I probably didn’t need.

Start at the city’s most well-known English-language bookstore, Shakespeare and Company, then walk a few minutes to The Abbey Bookshop, a quaint shop floor-to-ceiling with English-language books. You can also read my guide to the best English bookstores in Paris for even more places to discover.

Along the Seine, you’ll also find the iconic bouquinistes and their green bookstalls selling secondhand books, vintage magazines, old postcards and prints. Even if you’re not looking for anything in particular, they’re always fun to browse.

On my most recent trip to Paris, I found the French version of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets at a bookstand near Notre Dame.

Indulge in a Glass of French Wine

Wine lovers have so much to look forward to in France during the fall. It’s harvest season, and Paris celebrates with several wine festivals and events throughout the autumn months, including the Montmartre Harvest Festival in October, Beaujolais Nouveau Day in November and Le Grand Tasting later in the season.

The Montmartre Harvest Festival (Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre) is one that many locals take part in. The five-day celebration marks the annual harvest of grapes from Clos Montmartre, the neighborhood’s tiny vineyard tucked away on the hill. The festivities take over the streets of Montmartre with wine tastings, food stands, concerts, parades, performances and other events.

If you’re new to the world of French wine, browse my beginner’s guide to French wine before your trip. It covers the basics so you’ll feel a little more confident ordering and tasting wine while you’re in France.

Fall Events in Paris 2026

One reason I love Paris in autumn is the sheer number of things happening between September and November. Here are some of the top events to know about for 2026.

September 2026

Aug. 28–Sep. 6, 2026: Jazz à la Villette
Sep. 10–19, 2026: Paris Design Week
Sep. 11–Dec. 2026: Festival d’Automne (Paris Autumn Festival)
Sep. 19–20, 2026: Journées du Patrimoine
Sep. 25–Oct. 4, 2026: Foire de Chatou
Sep. 28–Oct. 6, 2026: Paris Fashion Week

October 2026

Sep. 11–Dec. 2026: Festival d’Automne (Paris Autumn Festival)
Sep. 25–Oct. 4, 2026: Foire de Chatou
Sep. 28–Oct. 6, 2026: Paris Fashion Week
Oct. 3–4, 2026: Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
Oct. 7–11, 2026: Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre
Oct. 9–24, 2026: Jazz sur Seine
Oct. 23–25, 2026: Art Basel Paris
Oct. 28–Nov. 1, 2026: Salon d’Automne

November 2026

Sep. 11–Dec. 2026: Festival d’Automne
Oct. 28–Nov. 1, 2026: Le Salon d’Automne
Oct. 28–Nov. 1, 2026: Salon du Chocolat
Nov. 1, 2026: All Saints’ Day (Toussaint)
Nov. 11, 2026: Armistice Day
Nov. 12–15, 2026: Paris Photo
Nov. 19, 2026: Beaujolais Nouveau Day

Best Fall Day Trips From Paris

If you’ve got an extra day (or two) built into your trip, fall is an excellent season to get out of the city. Below are some of the most popular day trips from Paris.

Versailles

Just outside Paris, Versailles is one of the easiest day trips to make from the city. The RER C takes you to Versailles Château–Rive Gauche in around 30–45 minutes, followed by a short walk to the palace.

The Château de Versailles is busy year-round, but fall generally feels peaceful. The gardens are particularly enchanting as the leaves change. Plus, exploring the enormous estate is much more pleasant sans the summer heat.

Wander through the renowned château, including the Hall of Mirrors and its many ornately decorated rooms, before heading outside to explore the gardens. Through November 1, you can also catch Les Grandes Eaux Musicales, the musical fountain show that takes place on weekends.

Fontainebleau

About 40 miles southeast of Paris, Fontainebleau is another magnificent château day trip. Trains leave from Gare de Lyon and take around 40 minutes to reach Fontainebleau–Avon. From there, you can take a local bus to the château.

The Château de Fontainebleau rivals Versailles in grandeur, but with far fewer people. I visited on my first fall trip to Paris back in 2019, and it was so serene. Beyond the château itself, the surrounding Fontainebleau Forest is one of France’s best-known spots for hiking and bouldering.

Loire Valley

The Loire Valley is farther from Paris, but it’s still possible to visit on a day trip, especially if you take an early train or join an organized tour. The TGV can get you from Paris to Tours in just over an hour. From there, renting a car or joining a tour makes it much easier to visit several châteaux in one day.

The Loire Valley is filled with fairy-tale castles like Chambord and Chenonceau, but it’s extra alluring in autumn when the surrounding landscapes glow copper and gold. Fall also coincides with harvest season across the region’s vineyards, so you can combine a day of château-hopping with a local wine tasting (or two).

Champagne

France’s famed Champagne region is within easy reach of Paris for a day trip. Reims is about 90 miles northeast of the capital, but the high-speed TGV from Gare de l’Est gets you there in around 45 minutes.

After the hectic harvest season wraps up, Champagne’s vineyards become much calmer, making fall a prime time to visit the region. You can tour a maison or two while admiring the vineyards in all their golden autumn splendor.

I’d start your day trip in Reims, the capital of the region. I’ve got an entire guide on what to do in Reims (beyond just drinking bubbly) based on my own trip back in April.

Giverny

About 45 miles northwest of Paris, Giverny makes an idyllic day trip into the Normandy region of France. Take the train from Gare Saint-Lazare to Vernon–Giverny, which takes around 50 minutes. From the station, you can hop on the shuttle to Giverny.

Giverny is home to Claude Monet’s house and gardens, which inspired some of his most iconic Impressionist paintings. You’ll probably recognize the water lily pond and Japanese bridge from his Water Lilies series.

The property remains open through November 1, giving you a small window to experience Giverny in the fall. By then, the summer blooms begin to give way to dahlias and asters, while the changing foliage adds a cornucopia of autumn color. There is also less hustle and bustle from the summer months.

Once you’re back in Paris, pair your day trip with a visit to the Musée de l’Orangerie to see Monet’s Water Lilies for a full-circle moment.

Disneyland Paris

About 40 minutes from central Paris via the RER A, Disneyland Paris is a bucket-list day trip for many visitors. In October, there’s the added bonus of the Disney Halloween Festival, which runs from September 26 through November 1, 2026.

Throughout the park, there are autumnal decorations, festive treats, Halloween entertainment, and appearances from mischievous Disney characters and villains. The festivities culminate on October 31, when guests can get into the spirit by dressing up for Halloween.

I haven’t made it to Disneyland Paris myself yet, but it’s still on my list!

There’s a reason I keep coming back to Paris in the fall.

You get the changing leaves and corner cafés, but also one of the busiest cultural calendars of the year. One day, you can while away the afternoon meandering around the Luxembourg Gardens in the sunshine. The next, you can escape the rain inside a museum, cinema, or covered passage.

Between the seasonal events, romantic fall foliage, and endless things to do no matter the weather, autumn is a unique time to experience Paris. Now that you know what to do, which events to add to your calendar, and what to pack, you’re all set to make the most of fall in Paris. Bon voyage !