Fall is arguably the best season to visit Paris. Not too hot, not too cold, and the fall foliage in Paris starts to flourish around the city. Fall marks the beginning of cozy season, and what better place to celebrate that than in Paris? Below I’ve listed out 10 unique things to do for your visit to Paris in the Fall.
Paris in the Fall Weather
Paris in the fall starts to become cooler, but recently it has started to get colder later in the season. September was still quite hot in 2023, so if you’re really looking for that autumnal weather, I’d plan to come in October or early November. Below is a monthly average breakdown based on 2022.
- September: High of 71ºF/22ºC and low of 55ºF/13ºC
- October: High of 63ºF/17ºF and low of 50ºF/10ºC
- November: High of 52ºF/11ºC and low of 43ºF/6ºC
Additionally, you can expect some rain during your trip in the fall. It doesn’t necessarily get rainy in Paris, but we have our days. Some boots and an umbrella should be more than enough to keep you dry. With that said, let’s dive into the best things to do in Paris this time of year.
10 Unique Spots to Visit in Paris in the Fall
#1 Visit Pere-Lachaise Cemetery
Pere Lachaise is one of my favorite parks in Paris, especially during the fall. Aside from the obvious spooky factor of it being an actual cemetery, it is actually picture perfect when the orange leaves start to fall all around the park. Established in 1804, its cobblestone paths wind through a serene landscape filled with centuries-old trees and ornate tombstones. The cemetery is famous for housing the graves of legendary personalities like Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and Edith Piaf.
#2 Drink Hot Chocolate
As you probably already know, café culture in Paris is a big deal, and this extends way past just coffee. Hot chocolate, or chocolat chaud, is no exception. First brought to France by Spanish Conquistadors, it was originally reserved for the nobility and upper classes. In fact, hot chocolate was thought to be Louis XV’s favorite beverage, even making hot chocolate for himself in his private apartments — the very apartments you can tour in Versailles today.
You’ll find that French hot chocolate, or hot chocolate in Europe in general, is much thicker than American hot chocolate. This is mainly due to the fact that they don’t use powdered cocoa, and instead real chocolate bars, as well as whole milk or even cream to provide a richer and creamier texture.
You can stop in pretty much any café and grab a hot chocolate. However, the best places to get hot chocolate are:
- Angelina
- Carette
- Jacques Genin
- La Chocolaterie Cyril Lignac
- Café de Flore
A trip to Paris in the Fall is not complete without a hot chocolate stop, but if you’re not into hot chocolate, here is my list of artisinal Parisian coffeeshops that you can visit instead.
#3 Visit Tuileries Gardens
The Tuileries Garden, or Jardin de Tuileries, makes for a beautiful walk during a crisp autumn day. The gardens are right next to the Louvre, so you can kill two birds with one stone and visit both conveniently. If you walk to the Les Fils de Caïn statue, you’ll find the exact view as the photos above. If the weather allows it, I recommend meandering around the gardens until you reach L’Orangerie, where you can see Monet’s Water Lillies.
#4 Visit the National Library – BNF Richelieu
The National Library of France, (Bibliothèque Nationale de France) actually has 4 sites in Paris (Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand, Richelieu, Arsenal, and Opéra). It’s two main sites, and most popular, are Richelieu and François-Mitterrand. I actually wrote my graduate thesis in Richelieu! Entry is free for the room pictured above, the Salle Ovale. There are other rooms of Richelieu, but you’d have to purchase and be approved for a research pass, which most are not. Note that the Salle Ovale is closed on Mondays.
#5 Celebrate the Wine Harvest (Fêtes des Vendages)
Every year in October, the Fête des Vendanges takes place, a five-day celebration of the grape harvest centered around Montmartre’s one remaining vineyard.
The streets around Sacre-Coeur Basilica are filled with food and drink stalls ranging from wine and meats to cheese and pastries from vendors all around France. If you manage to grab a ticket, you can also visit Montmartre’s one remaining vineyard (and taste the wine there). There are specific tickets to visit the Musée de Montmartre which also include a wine tasting and guided tour of the vineyard. In 2023, these tickets cost €36 per person. You can book tickets here.
You can find updates for the 2024 festival here.
#6 Admire the Leaves at the Ivy Wall in Montmartre
If you’re looking for that insta worthy fall photo, look no further than Rue Saint Vincent in Montmartre. The spot has become quite iconic for fall, because as you can see, the sprawling leaves turn into that beautiful tricolor palette we all expect around this season. These photos were taken in early October, so the wall was still very much transitioning, but if you visited towards later October or early November, it’s likely that the wall will have fully transformed by then. Here is the exact location of the wall.
#7 Visit Opera Garnier
The Opera Garnier, also known as Palais Garnier, is an architectural masterpiece in the heart of Paris. Designed by Charles Garnier, the building showcases the opulent Beaux-Arts style, with a stunning façade adorned with sculptures, marble columns, and intricate details. The Opera Garnier has been a hub for world-class ballet and opera performances, offering a cultural experience that marries architectural splendor with artistic excellence. The Opera Garnier is open everyday from 9am-5pm, and tickets are 15 euro. You can also book a show to see if you’re more interested in experience the opera for it’s original purpose. Everything regarding tickets and shows can be found their official website, or if you’re interested in a private tour, I recommend this 2 hour private tour on Viator.
#8 Take Pictures at the Colonnes de Buren
The Colonnes de Buren, situated in the Palais Royal courtyard in Paris, is a modern art installation created by French artist Daniel Buren in 1986. Comprising 260 black and white striped columns of varying heights, the installation challenges traditional notions of art and space. The columns have historically been a subject of controversy, with critics claiming that the modernity of the work clashed with the traditional beauty of the Palais Royal. While they may have varying opinions on them, I find that the columns make for a fun pit stop to rest and take photos if you’d like. They’re fun to photograph and to no surprise, you’ll find many visitors doing exactly the same.
#9 Enjoy a Hearty French Meal at Auberge Aveyronnaise
L’Auberge Aveyronnaise serves up a traditional south western dish called aligot. This dish is made from cheese blended into mashed potatoes and originates in L’Aubrac region in France. Normally, I reserve recommending any melted cheese dishes for the winter only, but if you’re coming to Paris and the weather is below 60 degrees, that’s all the excuse necessary to find a plate of aligot. In the photos above, I ordered le traditionnel aligot saucisse (traditional aligot sausage) and for dessert, a milles feuilles to share. If you have your sights set on trying this dish, I recommend making reservations ahead of time.
#10 Walk Along the Seine
Okay, a walk along the Seine isn’t necessarily the most unique thing to do in Paris. Many tourists, though, opt to take a boat tour on the Seine and never end up taking a proper walk along it. And not all parts of the Seine are created equal! I recommend grabbing a coffee at Artesano, a coffee shop I recommend in my Best Coffeeshops in Paris guide, and starting your walk at 1 Quai des Célestins, 75004 Paris just across the street.
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