Paris in November 2024 – Quick Guide by a Local

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.

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? 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.

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 because 1 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. 

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. The cemeteries of Paris are gorgeous under the fall colors, and the flowers on the graves have been renewed.

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 covered 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.

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. Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood is also very reputed for its pastries and chocolate tours, like this popular, top-rated Saint-Germain Pastry and Chocolate Walking Tour. If it is too cold, opt for this fun Croissant Baking Class with a Chef.

In Paris, November is the month of Photography, and there are numerous fairs and exhibitions to 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, free or for a small fee, where photography passionates can admire the work of some of the most iconic photographers but also new talents.

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 family. Cheers!

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 you want to experience a magical moment in Paris? Then, head to the Parc de La Villette on [Saturday TBD] for the Lantern Festival, a beautiful celebration of magic, love, and hope.

Light up your handmade lantern and join the lantern parade along with musicians Zalindê and Doubayabi. After the lit parade across the park, the celebration will wrap up over some spicy tea to warm up.

DISNEYLAND PARIS’ ENCHANTED CHRISTMAS STARTS IN NOVEMBER!

Right after Halloween (from TBD October to TBD November 2024), this year, Christmas in Disneyland Paris lasts two months, from TBD November 2024 to TBD 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-Disneyland 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.

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.

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. The list of temporary exhibitions in museums and galleries for Paris November 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.