October in Paris 2024
All you need to know and the best things to do in Paris in October 2024.
Are you visiting Paris in October? In October, Paris is a great place to be. The summer crowds are gone, people are more relaxed, and when the avenues and parks take on their autumn reflections, and the street lamps’ soft light sets aglow the carpet of fallen leaves, it’s an inspiring sight. As the summer heat slowly fades, the wine and food festivals are also back in town.
Parisians are fond of October, and they choose this month to explore the countryside or small towns near the French capital.
If you want to travel to Paris in October this year, you can expect to be in for a treat. So what is Paris like in October? Keep reading for what to do in Paris in October, the main Paris events in October 2024, and my top tips for getting the most out of your trip to Paris.
Are you planning your Versailles trip last minute?
Below are some of the best Versailles tours, hotels, and more!
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Top Experiences and Tours in Versailles:
- Entry Ticket Château de Versailles, Gardens, and Estate of Trianon
- Château de Versailles Priority Entrance Ticket and Guided Tour
- Afternoon in the Petit Trianon and Estate of Marie-Antoinette
- Versailles Bike Tour with Château and Estate of Marie-Antoinette
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Top Places to Stay in Versailles:
- Waldorf Astoria Versailles – Trianon Palace (by the Park of the Château de Versailles)
- Hotel Le Versailles (close to the Old Town and the famous Château)
- Hotel des Lys (close to Notre Dame Market and the famous Château)
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Table of Contents:
- Is Paris Busy in October? Crowds Forecast
- Weather in Paris in October
- What to Pack for Paris in October 2024
- Best Tips for Visiting Paris in October 2024
- Best Things to Do in Paris in October 2024 (and Events in Paris, October 2024)
- Where to Stay in Paris in October
Related content
Is Paris Busy in October? Crowds Forecast
Is October a good time to visit Paris to avoid crowds? In October, the days are shorter, and it gets crisp, but not many realize when planning their fall trip to Paris that October is still the high season. In general, the low season is considered to run from 1 November to 31 March, and the high season from 1 April to 31 October.
With the Summer Olympics in Paris (July and August) and the Paralympics (September), many people will delay their trip to Paris to avoid these big events, so expect a busier-than-usual October in Paris.
Sure, there are fewer crowds than during Summer in Paris, but if you visit Paris in October 2024, it is still a good idea to book hotels and main attractions well in advance.
Also, beware that this year kids in France will have school holidays from 19 October to 4 November 2024 (Vacances de la Toussaint), and it is common for families from other parts of France to travel to Paris for a cultural trip. If you decide to come during this period, start booking things right now, especially if you need train tickets from /to Paris.
Below I list the main Paris attractions you will need advance tickets for and have added links to our favorite trusty providers for your convenience.
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS IN FRANCE OCTOBER 2024. As mentioned above, in October 2024, kids will have school holidays from Saturday 19 October to Monday 4 November 2024 (Vacances de la Toussaint). In France, it is common for parents to take a week off to make a family trip to Paris or other parts of France. This means that hotels tend to be full during this period, and the prices of train tickets are higher than usual. If you want to visit Paris in October 2024 during the school holidays in France, book everything well in advance!
Weather in Paris in October
How is Paris in October? In Paris, October is the start of fall, and you can expect mild temperatures, shorter days but good hours of sunshine, and a reasonable amount of dry days, with the occasional shower.
The average temperature in Paris in October is 17C maximum and 11C minimum, with a 13% probability of rainfall. As the month progresses, the temperatures get cooler, but during the last years, people could enjoy long walks, outdoor activities, and weekend getaways until Paris in late October.
What to Pack for Paris in October 2024
What to wear in Paris in October 2024? In Paris, October is mostly a fall month. The key to dressing in Paris in October is layers.
In Paris in early October, some people may be comfortable in short sleeves during the day, but later in the evening, you will be happy to have an extra layer or two.
October is also the time to rescue your jeans and long trousers. Forget the sandals at home and bring comfortable closed shoes or sneakers with socks, especially if you visit Paris in late October.
So what to pack for Paris in October? Here’s the ultimate guide to packing for Paris in October with clothes that are comfortable and stylish. If you need ideas on how to combine things to blend in with locals, check out our Fall /Winter style guides for men and women.
Best Tips for Visiting Paris in October 2024
If this is your first time in Paris, and you plan on visiting many tourist attractions, consider the purchase of a Paris pass to save time and money. The Paris Museum Pass is the best seller for a first trip to Paris, but there are other options worth considering. Check out this Paris Pass Comparison to find the best tourist pass for you.
Alternatively, buy skip-the-line tickets or Paris bundles for the top tourist attractions – Check out this up-to-date list of the best Paris bundles.
Leave some float in your daily schedule, especially for outdoor activities. If it is rainy outside, you may want to review your plan. Have in mind some fun things to do during a rainy day in Paris (just in case).
Need travel insurance for France? Be sure to check rates and coverage with my recommended provider, SafetyWing. SafetyWing works well for long and short trips (starting with a minimum of 5 days). SafetyWing covers COVID-19 for new policies purchased, and unplanned quarantine is covered, too.
Best Things to Do in Paris in October 2024 (and Top Events in Paris October 2024)
If you visit Paris for the first time, you may want to tick some of Paris’s top tourist attractions off your bucket list. The itineraries below are thought for Paris first-timers and cover the main attractions in Paris as well as the most iconic neighborhoods:
Combine these itineraries with this list of the best things to do in October in Paris 2024: seasonal activities and temporary exhibitions with something for everyone.
EXPLORE THE GIANT MURALS IN THE EAST OF PARIS
Apart from its iconic landmarks and Haussmannian architecture, the French capital is a playground for street art lovers.
If you are interested in street art, head to Boulevard Vincent Auriol in the 13th district of Paris. Nicknamed “the Champs Elysées of Street Art,” Boulevard Vincent Auriol has an important collection of giant murals by the best national and international street artists.
Check out this article about Street Art in Paris 13, which comes with different self-guided walking tours (with a map!). Learn about the Giant Murals Program and visit the most beautiful street artworks.
EXPLORE PARIS BY BIKE
October is a great month to explore Paris by bike; the weather in Paris in October is perfect for touring the city on two wheels.
Check out this Paris by Bike Quick Guide with all the do’s and don’ts to navigate the city on a bike, plus some ideas for bike itineraries. If you like guided bike tours, this Best of Paris bike tour and this Secret Paris 3-hour bike tour are always top-rated.
If you are interested in exploring beyond Paris, I recommend visiting Versailles by bike or this lovely trail along Canal de l’Ourcq.
GET FESTIVE AT THE MONTMARTRE’S GRAPE HARVEST FESTIVAL
The Fête des Vendanges (Wine Harvest Festival) is a five-day celebration of the grape harvest at the only remaining vineyard in Montmartre.
This is one of the most popular food festivals in Paris (yep, there are also lots of foods!), and it takes place each October (this year, from TBD to TBD October 2024) in the streets of Montmartre around the Sacré Coeur.
Of course, you can buy some bottles of Montmartre wine (named Clos Montmartre), which is quite expensive. But there are also many food and drink stalls with great deals, as well as music and street performances.
Montmartre’s Fête des Vendanges is one of the most attended food festivals in Paris, so we recommend going during the week if possible.
TIP: Don’t forget your wine suitcase or wine tote bag to bring your best findings back home!
GET TO THE PARKS TO SOAK IN THE COLORS OF PARIS
October is locals’ favorite month for strolling the gardens of Paris. Enjoy the changing colors of fall with a long walk in the Jardin des Plantes, the Luxembourg Gardens, the Tuileries Gardens, or the more eccentric Bois de Vincennes in the east and Bois de Boulogne in the west.
Stop by a guinguette (small kiosk with some tables outside), get a hot drink when it gets crisp, walk on the leaves, or simply enjoy the fresh autumn air.
STOCK UP YOUR WINE CABINET WITH THE BEST CHAMPAGNE
One of my favorite things to do in Paris in October is a day trip or weekend getaway to the region of Champagne to stock up my wine cabinet for the following months. At this time of the year, a Champagne day trip from Paris is always beautiful, with the rolling hills covered by autumn colors.
Go to Reims for sightseeing (it is a beautiful city) and champagne tastings – here’s the list of the best champagne houses in Reims. Go to Epernay (with a short visit to the village of Hautvillers) to enjoy the countryside and champagne tastings – here’s the list of the best champagne houses in Epernay.
Book well in advance if you want to visit the most famous Maisons’ champagne cellars like Moët-Chandon or Veuve Clicquot on the weekend.
TIP: If you prefer to stay closer, some villages around Meaux (Ile-de-France) also have the right to produce champagne wine. To avoid the (crazy) Paris traffic, take a train to Meaux and rent your car there. From Meaux, the road (D603 and D402) is dotted with small producers that sell good champagne for better prices. Have a look at the champagne houses in the Marne Valley, around the villages of Charly-sur-Marne and Crouttes-sur-Marne. Most of them also offer champagne tastings.
GET SWEET AT THE SALON DU CHOCOLAT
This fair, you guessed well, is all about chocolate, and it attracts chefs, chocolatiers, designers, confectioners, chocolate experts, and chocolate lovers every year!
The Salon du Chocolat, this year from 30 October to 3 November 2024, is set at Parc des Expositions de la Porte de Versailles (1, place de la Porte de Versailles in Paris 15). In addition to chocolate tastings and shopping, the Paris Chocolate Festival offers other activities and shows always related to the world of chocolate.
If you cannot be in Paris for the Salon du Chocolat, this self-guided chocolate tour in Paris – Le Marais is a great alternative.
EXPLORE THE PETITE CEINTURE OF PARIS
The Petite Ceinture in Paris is an ancient railway that circumnavigated the city. With the construction of the Parisian metro, the Petite Ceinture fell into disuse and was abandoned.
A few years ago, the City of Paris recovered some sections of the Petite Ceinture to use as public green spaces. Some sections still keep part of the tracks and other parts of the network, and it is fun to do the explorers walking on the railroads.
VISIT THE SMALL TOWNS NEAR PARIS
If you are spending three days in Paris or more, grab a train and explore the French countryside. There are many picturesque small towns near Paris well worth a day trip from the capital. Provins and Chantilly are the most famous, but there are many more!
CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN IN PARIS 2024
Truth be told, Parisians are not fans of celebrations like Halloween, and there are not many events about it in the city. If you travel to Paris in late October, Disneyland Paris will be your best bet to celebrate Halloween in Paris.
Get ready for a spooky Halloween at Disneyland Paris with Ursula and all the other Disney witches and villains. – Click here to book your Disneyland Paris tickets
Check out our quick guide to Disneyland Paris, which includes information on how to get there, the best rides, and our best tips for skipping the longest lines. Do you want to extend your Disney Halloween experience? Book one night in one of the hotels in Disneyland Paris.
If you prefer to spend Halloween in the city, here’s a quick guide to Halloween in Paris with some ideas for experiencing the city’s dark side and having a great deal of spooky fun!
CHECK OUT THE TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS IN OCTOBER IN PARIS 2024
The list of temporary exhibitions in museums and galleries for Paris in October 2024 is not complete yet (it’s too early for some dates). Keep clicking for the latest updates!
The Egypt of the Pharaohs, from Cheops to Ramses II – Atelier des Lumières, from 9 February 2024 to 5 January 2025
The Orientalists: Ingres, Délacroix, Gérôme… – Atelier des Lumières, from 9 February 2024 to 5 January 2025
Immersive Experience “Aura Invalides” – Musée de l’Armée, from 22 Septembre 2023 to 31 December 2024.
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NEED MORE IDEAS FOR OCTOBER IN PARIS 2024?
For more things to do, check out this post about the best events and festivals in Paris this year. You can also have a look at my posts about Paris in September and Paris in November. Most of the activities proposed in these months are also good for October in Paris.
Where to Stay in Paris in October
As you make your bed, so you lie. Find the right accommodation in Paris – whether it’s a hotel or guesthouse, holiday apartment, or private apartment – I have them all! Book your accommodation by using the map below.
I recommend Booking.com for booking your hotel in Paris. They have a wide variety of accommodation of all kinds and good rates. In addition, they propose the option to cancel for free, most of the time up to 24 hours.
SLEEP WITH EIFFEL TOWER VIEWS
If you have the budget, why not treat yourself to the pleasure of waking up with an amazing Eiffel Tower balcony view?
Some of the best hotels in Paris also offer awesome views of the Eiffel Tower, which is especially beautiful during its night show!
Check out the best hotels with Eiffel Tower Views
The good news is that a cozy room with Eiffel Tower views is not exclusive to the best hotels in Paris. If you are looking for a more local experience, there are also beautiful, fully equipped apartments to rent with amazing Eiffel Tower views
Check out the best apartments with a view of the Eiffel Tower
HOTELS AT LE MARAIS IN PARIS 3
Le Marais in the Right Bank is a beautiful and central neighborhood perfect for setting your base in Paris, especially if you are visiting Paris for the first time. It is picturesque, well connected by the metro, and with many beautiful cafes and restaurant options.
Click here for the best hotels in Le Marais in Paris 3
LE PAVILLON DE LA REINE & SPA, Paris 3, $$$$
Le Pavillon de la Reine is a luxury hotel & spa located at Place des Vosges in the Marais. The rooms are individually decorated and very spacious. Facilities include a spa, fitness center, and hammam. Its beautiful secluded garden is perfect to end your day with a drink.
Click here for the Latest Prices
HOTEL DU PETIT MOULIN, Paris 3, $$$
Located in the heart of Marais and entirely designed by Christian Lacroix, this hotel offers the best combination of history and design. Guests can use complimentary bicycles and enjoy free access to the spa at Hotel Pavillon de la Reine, a 10-minute walk away.
Click here for the Latest Prices
HOTELS IN THE LATIN QUARTER
If you prefer to stay in the Left Bank, the Latin Quarter is also a good option, usually with less expensive options. Stay close to the Luxembourg Gardens or the Jardin des Plantes but also to lively areas like rue du Mouffetard or the Sorbonne with many bars and restaurants nearby.
Click here for the best hotels in the Latin Quarter in Paris 5
XHOTEL LA LANTERNE; Paris 5, $$$$
Hotel La Lanterne has an excellent location (between Notre Dame and Luxembourg Gardens), attractive rooms, and great facilities like a spa, pool, or private garden. It is perfect for finishing your exploring days in a more relaxing way.
Click here for the Latest Prices
OBSERVATOIRE LUXEMBOURG: Paris 5, $$$
Located close to Luxembourg Gardens, we find its design pretty cool. But of course, it is not all about decoration: the hotel’s comfortable rooms, French Brasserie, modern facilities, and cool staff are the perfect combination for a great stay in Paris.
And there you have it – what to do in Paris in October 2024 and seasonal events to help you plan your trip to Paris. Bon voyage!
