October in Paris 2023
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 in Paris, and they choose this month to explore the countryside or the small towns near the French capital.
If you want to travel to Paris in October 2023, you can expect to be in for a treat. So what is Paris like in October? Go on reading for what to do in Paris in October, the main events in Paris October 2023, and packing tips so you know what to expect in October in Paris.
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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 that October in Paris 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.
Sure, there are fewer crowds than during Summer in Paris, but it is still a good idea to book hotels and main attractions well in advance if you visit Paris in October.
Also, beware that in 2023 kids in France will have school holidays from 21 October to 6 November 2023 (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.
This year 2023, Paris and France will host the Rugby World Cup 2023 in September and October. France’s RWC 2023 will attract rugby fans from all over the world in addition to the regular crowds, especially during the days around the final match.
Below we 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 2023. As mentioned above, in October 2023, kids will have school holidays from Saturday 21 October to Monday 6 November 2023 (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 – from Saturday 21 October to Monday 6 November 2023 – 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, October was a great month for long walks, outdoor activities, and weekend getaways from Paris.
What to Wear in Paris in October 2023
What to wear in Paris in October 2023? 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.
What to pack for Paris in October? Here’s the ultimate guide to packing for Paris in October with clothes to be 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 2023
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. Check out this Paris Pass Comparison to find the best tourist pass for you.
Alternatively, buy skip-the-line tickets for the top tourist attractions.
Leave some float in your daily schedule, especially for outdoorsy activities. If it is rainy outside, you may want to review your plan. Check out some fun things to do during a rainy day in Paris (just in case).
Need insurance for France? HeyMondo offers travelers insurance that combines medical and travel-related coverage for single trips (leisure and business trips), annual multi-trip, and extended stays (with Covid-19 coverage included). And you will get a 5% off for being a World in Paris reader! – Click here for more information and a quote for your trip
Best Things to Do in Paris in October 2023 (and Top Events in Paris in October 2023)
If you visit Paris in October 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:
Apart from these best places to visit in Paris in October and other ideas that you will find in our Paris Travel Blog, these are some seasonal things to do and top Paris events October 2023:
SUPPORT YOUR FAVORITE TEAM AT THE RUGBY WORLD CUP 2023
Crouch, bind, and get set for the last matches of the Rugby World Cup 2023! Paris and France will host the RWC for a whopping third time and are dead set on making it one of the best tournaments in history.
The Rugby World Cup 2023 schedule will run for seven weeks, from 8 September to 28 October 2023. The Grand Finale will be on Saturday 28 October 2023 at Stade de France in Paris – Saint-Denis.
If you are looking to get in on the action, whether you have tickets or not, check out this quick guide to the France Rugby World Cup 2023, which covers everything, from the qualified teams to the locations of the Rugby World Cup 2023 matches, schedule, and fan zones.
EXPLORE THE GIANT MURALS IN THE EAST OF PARIS
Apart from its iconic monuments 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 our article about Street Art in Paris 13. Learn about the Giant Murals Program and follow one of our free self-guided walking tours (with a map!) around the most beautiful street artworks.
EXPLORE PARIS IN OCTOBER 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 are interested in exploring beyond Paris, we recommend doing Versailles by bike or the 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 11 to 15 October 2023) in the streets of Montmartre around the Sacré Coeur.
Of course, you can buy some bottles of the Montmartre wine (Clos Montmartre), which is quite expensive. But there are also many food & drink stalls with great deals and also 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 our favorite month for a stroll in 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 our favorite things to do in Paris in October is a day trip or weekend getaway to the region of Champagne to stock up our wine cabinet for the following months. In October, 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. 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. 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 propose 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 is set at Parc des Expositions de la Porte de Versailles – 1, place de la Porte de Versailles – in Paris 15, this year from 28 October to 1 November 2023. Apart from some chocolate tasting and buying, the Paris Chocolate Festival proposes other activities and shows always related to the world of chocolate.
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, very easy to reach by train and well worth a day trip from the capital. Provins and Chantilly are the most famous, but there are many more!
CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN IN PARIS 2023
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.
Disneyland Paris always offers a special Halloween show, so get ready for a scary Disneyland Paris Hallowing night with Ursula and all the other Disney witches and bad guys. – Click here to book your Disneyland Paris tickets
Check out our quick guide to Disneyland Paris with all the information on how to get there, the best rides, and our best tips to skip 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 our quick guide to Halloween in Paris with some ideas to feel the city’s dark side and have a great deal of spooky fun!
CHECK OUT THE TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS IN OCTOBER IN PARIS 2023
The list of temporary exhibitions in museums and galleries for Paris in October 2023 is not complete yet (it’s too early for some dates). Keep clicking for the latest updates.
Eternal Mucha – Grand Palais Immersif, from 22 March to 5 October 2023
Medieval Treasures from the Victoria & Albert Museum – When the English spoke French – Musée de la Marine, until 23 October 2023
Yves Saint Laurent – Shapes and Forms – Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris, until 14 January 2024
Naples in Paris – Musée du Louvre, until 8 January 2024
Chagall, Paris – New York – Atélier des Lumières, from 17 February 2023 to 7 January 2024
Paul Klee, Painting Music – Atélier des Lumières, from 17 February 2023 to 7 January 2024
Notre Dame de Paris, from Builders to Restorers – Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine, from 15 February 2023 to 29 April 2024
Amedeo Modigliani. A painter and his dealer – Musée de l’Orangerie, from 20 September 2023 to 15 January 2024
Ron Mueck – Fondation Cartier, from 8 June to 5 November 2023
La Mode en Mouvement – Palais Galliera, from 16 June 2023 to 15 March 2024.
NEED MORE IDEAS FOR OCTOBER IN PARIS 2023?
Check out our posts about Paris in September and also 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
We 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 come with awesome views of the Eiffel Tower, 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 view of Eiffel Tower
HOTELS AT LE MARAIS IN PARIS 3
Le Marais in the Right Bank is a beautiful and central neighborhood perfect to set 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 at the heart of Marais and entirely designed by Christian Lacroix, this hotel offers the best combination of history + design. Guests can use complimentary bicycles and enjoy free access to the spa at Hotel Pavillon de la Reine, a 10-min 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, $$$$
Hotel La Lanterne has an excellent location (between Notre Dame and Luxembourg Gardens), attractive rooms, and some great facilities like a spa, pool, or a private garden. Perfect to finish your exploring days in a more relaxing way.
Click here for the Latest Prices
OBSERVATOIRE LUXEMBOURG: Paris 5, $$$
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.
We hope you enjoyed this quick guide to October in Paris, with the best things to do in Paris in October 2023 and the main Paris events October 2023. Bon voyage!
