November in Paris
All you need to know and the best things to do in Paris in November 2024.
Are you visiting Paris in November 2024? In November, Paris is calm, a resting month before the start of the festive season. November in Paris is the beginning of the low season, almost the only time of the year without many tourists. This means you will see a more authentic city if you decide to visit Paris in November.
In Paris, November comes with shorter or no lines, lower prices, and more hotel availability. However, the weather is not at its best, with more chances of rain. There are also not many festivals or seasonal events in Paris in November.
So what is Paris like in November? All considered, visiting Paris in November can be a great idea for a cultural trip or a weekend getaway to change the air. Keep reading for what to do in Paris in November, the main events in Paris November 2024, and my top tips for getting the most out of your trip.
Are You Planning a Trip to Paris Last Minute?
If you are booking a last-minute trip to Paris, I’ve got you covered! Below are our must-guides, top tours, hotels, and more:
» Plan: Paris Travel Planner; Paris Arrondissements Guide; Check out the best Paris Metro tickets for tourists
» Book your flight tickets with Omio; book your train tickets with Omio
Book your transfer from the airport to the city with Welcome Pickups.
» Where to Stay: Best Districts to Stay in Paris
- Le Pavillon de la Reine (historical 5-star hotel in Le Marais)
- Hotel La Comtesse (mid-range hotel with Eiffel Tower view from all the rooms!)
- Hotel Ducs de Bourgogne (super central 4-star hotel near the Louvre)
» Top-Rated Paris Tours & Tickets:
- Louvre Museum Skip-the-Line Ticket
- Eiffel Tower Summit Access Ticket
- Seine River Night Cruise
- Catacombs Skip-the-line tour with VIP access to restricted areas
Want skip-the-line access at museums & attractions in Paris? Get your hands on a Paris Museum Pass!
» Don’t leave without travel insurance! Safety Wing 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.
Table of Contents:
- Is Paris Busy in November? Crowds Forecast
- Best Tips for Visiting Paris in November 2024
- Best Things to Do in Paris in November 2024 (and Paris Events November 2024)
- Where to Stay in Paris in November
- Weather in Paris in November
- What to Wear in Paris in November 2024
Related content
Is Paris Busy in November? Crowds Forecast
Is November a good time to go to Paris to avoid crowds? In November, Paris is calm. If you don’t like crowds or waiting in line to visit museums or monuments, this is definitely the best month to see Paris!
However, beware that 1 November (La Toussaint) and 11 November (the Armistice of WWI) are holidays in France. This year, 1 November falls on a Friday, so I expect many people will take a few days off for the last mini-holiday before Christmas.
Also, kids will have school holidays from 19 October to 4 November 2024 (Vacances de la Toussaint), and French families often use these days off for a cultural trip to Paris.
Because of all these holidays, try to avoid Paris in early November. If you are not flexible with your dates, start booking things right now, especially if you need train tickets from /to Paris or to the top attractions in Paris.
Best Tips for Visiting Paris in November
If you visit Paris in early November – around 1 November or 11 November – plan and book everything in advance. The first day of November is a holiday in many places in Europe (France included), and 11 November is a holiday day in France.
Always have a B plan for rainy days in Paris in November. If you need some ideas, check out this list of fun things to do during a rainy day in Paris.
A week before the departure, check out this post on transportation strikes in Paris, which is always up to date. Just in case . . .
By the end of November, the first Christmas Markets in Paris open, and some streets start to dress up for the festive season. This is an excellent opportunity to enjoy a bit of Christmas in Paris without the crowds (and the higher prices).
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 November 2024 (and Paris Events November 2024)
If you haven’t been to Paris before, you may want to tick some of Paris’s top tourist attractions off your bucket list. The itineraries below are thought for people visiting Paris for the first time, and they are planned around the main attractions and the most interesting neighborhoods in Paris:
- 1 day in Paris itinerary
- 2 days in Paris itinerary
- 3 days in Paris itinerary
- 4 days in Paris itinerary
- 5 days in Paris itinerary
- 6 days in Paris itinerary
- 7 days in Paris itinerary
Combine these itineraries with this list of the best things to do in November in Paris 2024: seasonal activities and temporary exhibitions with something for everyone.
VISIT A CEMETERY
In France, on 1 November (La Toussaint), we honor the dead. La Toussaint is a Catholic tradition and a holiday in France, and people like to go to the cemeteries to visit the graves of their relatives and bring flowers.
Paris boasts beautiful cemeteries spread around the city, quiet places perfect for a stroll. Some cemeteries (Saint Vincent Cemetery in Montmartre or Picpus Cemetery) are more intimate, while other cemeteries (Père Lachaise Cemetery, Montmartre Cemetery, and Montparnasse Cemetery) are monumental and attract tourists.
If you can, visit one of the best cemeteries in Paris right after La Toussaint when the flowers on the graves have been renewed.
WALK THE COVERED PASSAGES OF PARIS
If you are wondering what to do in Paris in November when it is cold, I can help. November is the perfect time to visit some of the most beautiful covered passages of Paris, a labyrinth of commercial passages built during the 18th century across the city. These covered passages, all bathed in natural light, are decorated with beautiful mosaic works and iron latticework.
After some years of abandonment, the covered passages of Paris were restored to their former glory, and they are today real Art Nouveau / Neoclassical architectural gems. If you know where to look, you will find delightful ancient boutiques, cute cafés, and other curiosity shops.
TAKE A FOOD TOUR IN PARIS
Food tours in Paris are a good option for a November trip to Paris. Discover the best food in Paris and some good addresses to eat or buy while learning fascinating historical facts and anecdotes about the neighborhood you are exploring.
The most popular neighborhoods for food tours are Le Marais, Saint Germain-des-Prés, and Montmartre. The neighborhood of Saint-Germain-des-Prés is also very reputed for its pastry and chocolate shops, and this top-rated Saint-Germain Pastry and Chocolate Walking Tour is perfect for exploring the most beautiful ones. If it is too cold, opt for this fun Croissant Baking Class with a Chef.
GET INSPIRED DURING THE MONTH OF PHOTOGRAPHY IN PARIS
In Paris, November is the month of Photography, and numerous fairs and exhibitions honor the world of cameras, pictures, and great photographers.
After a spectacular restoration, Paris Photo will take place again at the Grand Palais from 7 to 10 November 2024. This is an event not to miss if you are a photography lover!
Plus, there are always many small photo exhibitions around the city, free or for a small fee, where photography passionates can admire the work of some of the most iconic photographers but also new talents.
CELEBRATE THE ARRIVAL OF THE NEW BEAUJOLAIS
In November, Paris and France celebrate the arrival of the Beaujolais Nouveau (this year, on Thursday, 21 November 2024), when it is possible to taste this wine’s latest vintage everywhere in the city.
This tradition seems more popular abroad than in France (we are not particularly fond of this Beaujolais Nouveau wine…), but it makes just another excuse to toast and celebrate with friends and colleagues. Cheers!
HOT CHOCOLATE AND PEOPLE-WATCHING IN A TERRASSE CAFE
When the air gets crisp, it is a good moment to cozy up with a good book and a steaming cup of hot chocolate somewhere picturesque.
The neighborhoods of Le Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, or Montmartre are good places to find lovely cafés, but there are pretty cafés all around Paris.
If the weather is good, enjoy lounging at one sidewalk terrace café for people-watching. It’s as simple as that.
DO THE GRAND TASTING
The Salon Grand Tasting is THE event for wine lovers in November in Paris! This is one of the rare wine fairs open to non-professionals.
From 29 to 30 November 2024, explore the best of France’s wine regions, and perhaps buy some bottles in this festival of Great Wines held at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris.
TIP: Don’t forget your wine suitcase or wine tote bag to bring your best findings back home!
DISNEYLAND PARIS’ ENCHANTED CHRISTMAS STARTS IN NOVEMBER!
Right after Halloween (from 1 October to 3 November 2024), this year, Christmas in Disneyland Paris lasts two months, from 9 November 2024 to 5 January 2025! Immerse yourself in a warm, festive atmosphere at Disneyland Paris, with light shows and streets adorned with Christmas decorations – Click here to buy your Disneyland Paris tickets
A day trip to Disneyland Paris from Paris is very easy to organize (check all the options in this Paris to Disneyland Paris quick guide). For a unique Disneyland Christmas trip, however, I recommend spending one night or two at one of the hotels near Disneyland Paris with a free shuttle bus, which are also decorated for the festive season.
EXPLORE THE FIRST CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN PARIS
Around the second half of November, the first Christmas Markets in Paris open, and some streets begin to dress up for the festive season.
If you like the idea of getting a glimpse of Paris at Christmas time in November without the crowds, have a look at this article on the best Christmas Markets in Paris to see the dates and opening times this year. Usually, the Tuileries Christmas Market is one of the first to open (this year, from 16 November to 1 January 2025).
CHECK OUT THE TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS IN NOVEMBER IN PARIS 2024
At the end of the summer, the new cultural season starts in the city, usually with many temporary exhibitions in the main museums or art galleries. Check out the list of temporary exhibitions in museums and galleries for Paris, November 2024.
Surrealism – Centre Pompidou, from 4 September 2024 to 13 January 2025
The Egypt of the Pharaohs, from Cheops to Ramses II – Atelier des Lumières, from 9 February 2024 to 5 January 2025
Zombies – Death is Not the End – Musée du Quai Branly, from 8 October 2024 to 16 February 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
Dance – Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, from 2 July to 31 December 2024
Comics on Every Floor – Centre Pompidou, from 29 May 2024 to 4 November 2024
The Art of James Cameron – Cinémathèque Française, from 4 April 2024 to 5 January 2025
Space Mission – Musée des Arts et l’Industrie, from 23 October 2024 to 31 December 2025
Arte Povera – Bourse du Commerce, from 9 October 2024 to 20 January 2025
Caillebotte. Painting Men – Musée d’Orsay, from 8 October 2024 to 19 January 2025
Here’s the full list of exhibitions, shows, and concerts for your dates in Paris (use the calendar on the left side to select a date range).
NEED MORE IDEAS FOR PARIS IN NOVEMBER 2024?
For more things to do, check out this post about the best events and festivals in Paris this year. In addition to this list of things to do in Paris in November 2024, have a look at the articles about October in Paris and December in Paris; some of the activities proposed in these articles are also good ideas for November in Paris.
Where to Stay in Paris in November
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.
WAKE UP WITH AN EIFFEL TOWER VIEW
If you have the budget, why not treat yourself to the pleasure of waking up at an amazing hotel with an Eiffel Tower view? Some of the best hotels in Paris also have awesome views of the Eiffel Tower, which is especially beautiful during its night show! – Check out the best hotels with Eiffel Tower Views
HOTELS AT LE MARAIS
Le Marais is a central neighborhood in the Seine’s Right Bank, perfect to set your base in Paris, especially if you are visiting Paris for the first time. It is beautiful, well connected by the metro, and with many beautiful cafes and restaurant options – Click here for the best hotels in Le Marais
- Hotel de Josephine de Bonaparte (charming 4-star hotel inspired by Napoléon’s wife)
- Hotel France Louvre (mid-range hotel in a typical Haussmanian style)
HOTELS AT SAINT-GERMAIN-DES-PRÉS
The neighborhood of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, on the Left Bank, is a great place to put your luggage down in Paris, especially if you are visiting Paris for the first time. It is picturesque and central, with many entertainment, beautiful cafes, and restaurant options – Click here for the best hotels in Saint-Germain
- Relais Christine (4-star hotel in a 16th-century private mansion)
- Hotel Chaplain Paris Rive Gauche (mid-range hotel a few meters from Luxembourg Gardens)
Weather in Paris in November
How is the weather in Paris in November? The weather in November is hard to predict. With some luck, the first days in November can still be warm and sunny, but Paris in late November takes on a wintery aspect, and it is usually cold.
If we stick to the statistics, the average temperature in Paris in November is 12C maximum and 7C minimum, with a 15% probability of rainfall.
If you decide to visit Paris in November, you can still consider day trips from Paris to explore the countryside, but we recommend having a B plan if it rains.
What to Wear in Paris in November 2024
What to wear in Paris in November 2024? The key to dressing in Paris in the fall is layers. During the day, you will likely be okay with long-sleeved tops or a light, mid-season jacket, but later, it can be cold, and you probably will need one more layer.
The weather in November in Paris calls for good walking shoes, closed-toe and waterproof, scarves, a cardigan, and a foldable umbrella.
What to pack for Paris in November? Here’s the ultimate guide to packing for Paris in November with clothes to feel comfortable and stylish. If you need guidance on how to combine things to blend in with locals, check out our style guides for Paris in the fall-winter (for men and women):
Before leaving home for Paris, it is a good idea to check the weather forecast (temperatures and rainfall) and review your Paris packing list.
And there you have it – what to do in Paris in November 2024 and seasonal events to help you plan your Paris trip. Bon voyage!
