10 things to see and do in Paris in autumn

If you have the opportunity to travel to Paris in autumn, you are in luck, because it is one of the best times to visit the "City of Light". Temperatures are still not too cold, prices are cheaper than in other months of the year and there is not so much tourism.

And, above all and most importantly, there are various cultural events that coincide with these months of the year, such as the Autumn Festival, the Montmartre Harvest Festival, the White Night or 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 Grape Harvest Festival, a traditional and fun leisure event in which wine is the protagonist and which welcomes thousands of visitors every year.

The Grape Harvest Festival has a full programme with visits to vineyards, picnics, walks, popular dances, concerts, exhibitions, book presentations, debates, tastings of local products, excursions, parades and parades, art, cooking 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 neighbourhood.

I recommend you book a guided tour of Montmartre and, in addition, read the post What to do in Montmartre and make the most of your visit to see everything this district has to offer.

Useful information

• When... Early October, from 10am to 10pm.
• Location... Montmartre, next to the Sacre Coeur.
• Price... Free of charge.

Since 2002, the popular Nuit Blanche (White Night) has been taking place on the first Saturday in October, with creations, exhibitions, stage sets, concerts and special installations.

A night when the city does not sleep and transport runs non-stop to enable everyone to participate in this day in which contemporary art becomes the protagonist and which is celebrated in the different emblematic streets and squares of the city of Paris.

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

Useful information

• When... First Saturday in October.
• Location... Main sites, squares and museums in Paris.
• Price... Free of charge.

Paris has many parks and gardens, and autumn is an ideal season to visit them, as their colours turn yellow and ochre and dazzle all visitors.

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

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

Useful information

• When... The autumn months, from September to November, when temperatures are still mild.
• Location... Different locations in Paris.
• Price... Free of charge.

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 route you will be able to see the most popular monuments in Paris such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, the Musée d'Orsay, Notre-Dame Cathedral, 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 have any doubts about deciding, don't hesitate to read the post The 6 best cruises on the Seine. Even so, here are my favourite options:

• Seine River Cruise, from CAD 26.
• Cruise on the Seine River and the Saint Martin Canal in Paris, from CAD 37.
• Seine River Cruise with French crepe, from CAD 30.
• SeineRiver evening cruise with music and aperitif, from CAD 48.
• Seine river cruise with gourmet dinner, from CAD 178.
• Seine river cruise with lunch and live music, from CAD 111.

Useful information

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

On the third Thursday of November in Paris, as well as in other cities in France and Europe, Beaujolais Nouveau, a traditional French festival that has spread to other cities around the world and is celebrated with a delicious meal and wine tastings in the "bar à vins" and bistrots.

This is a way of celebrating the marketing of this wine characterised by its youth, lightness and fruity flavour, which, with its purple-pink colour, is notable 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 book a wine tasting in Paris.

Useful information

• When... Third Thursday in November.
• Location... Paris.
• Price... Free of charge.

If going to Disneyland is always a perfect plan for both children and adults, having the opportunity to go coinciding with Halloween is an even more spectacular experience since, together with Christmas at Disneyland, it is one of the most special moments for your visit.

The theme park prepares for this date in style with unique events and spooky decorations. Halloween is not celebrated for just one day or one weekend, but for more than a month, as the season of terror begins in September and ends on 31 October. Read the post Disneyland Paris on Halloween and get to know all the proposals you can enjoy.

In addition, here are some interesting facts for your trip:

• What to see and do in Disneyland Paris.
• Best attractions in Disneyland Paris.
• How to get from Paris to Disneyland.
• What to see in Disneyland Paris in one day.
• Disneyland opening hours.
• Best time to go to Disneyland Paris.
• Finally, after all this homework, don't hesitate to book your Disneyland Paris one-day ticket or book 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 every month, the museums of Paris open their doors to the public free of charge. This open day takes place in several locations:

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

This list joins other must-sees, which are free to enter 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 Cité Nationale de l'Histoire de l'Immigration.
• The Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine.
• The Georges Pompidou National Centre for Art and Culture.
• The Orangerie Museum.
• The Picasso Museum in Paris.
• The Musée d'Orsay.
• The Guimet Museum.
• The Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac.

Read the post the 17 best museums in Paris and decide which ones 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 of charge.

The Autumn Festival (Festival d'Automne à Paris) starts in Paris in September, when various temporary exhibitions, theatre, dance and music shows, film screenings, different expressions of the plastic arts, performances... a large number of cultural proposals for all tastes and audiences. It is also an attraction, as the city is visited by numerous international artists.

This festival, which was founded in 1972 by Michel Guy with the aim of bringing different artistic disciplines to all audiences, is held in various locations in the city, such as the Centre Pompidou and the Théâtre de l'Odéon, among others, and is held throughout the autumn and part of the winter.

Useful information

• When... September to February.
• Location... Theatres, museums, city galleries.
• Price.... Fixed price for each show.

As soon as autumn arrives, on the weekend closest to 23 September, the Fête des jardins et de l'agriculture urbain has been held in Paris for more than 20 years.

Thousands of people gather in the city's green spaces and parks to welcome autumn.

For this purpose, a complete free programme is designed for all tastes and ages, which also seeks to raise awareness of current environmental problems. The various activities include guided tours, gardening workshops, concerts...

Useful information

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

The Paris National Opera, which is located in the Palais Garnier, starts its season in September, so if you go in autumn, and you have the opportunity, I recommend that you check the programme and buy your 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, so be seduced by a show or concert on this incomparable stage! And if you want to know more details, visit the post Opera Garnier.

Useful information

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

The temperatures in Paris in autumn vary greatly from September to the last days of November and the beginning of December to enjoy all the things to see and do in Paris.

So, while in September the temperatures are between 13 and 20°C, in October they fall with an average minimum of 10°C and a maximum of 18°C.

November and December are quite cold, with temperatures below 10°C. It is also often rainy. Rain is also common.

Paris is one of the most touristy cities in the world and no matter what time of year you go, you'll find a large number of tourists. However, there are certain months of the year when the number of tourists is lower and these tend to coincide with the autumn months.

However, there are special dates such as Halloween when it is common to see a higher number of travellers.

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

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

If you are travelling to Paris in autumn you should be very careful about what you pack in your suitcase. Depending on the month in which you go, temperatures can be very low and it is advisable to take jumpers or sweatshirts, as well as a coat, preferably waterproof, because it is very common for rain to surprise you 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 this article you are not sure which 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.