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09/19/22
October in Paris [2022]
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 Paris.
If you want to visit Paris in October, you can expect to be in for a treat. Here is our guide to making the most of your time in Paris in October 2022.
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PARIS TRIP PLANNER
» Basics: Language is French, but English is widely spoken; Currency is Euro
» Paris Travel Guide
» Plan: Paris Travel Planner
» Flying to Paris: find the best prices and book your flight tickets with Omio
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» Where to Stay: Best Districts to Stay in Paris
» Find your Bearings in Paris: Districts of Paris Quick Guide
» Getting around: Metro of Paris Quick Guide; Paris by Bike Guide
» List of Best Paris Museums, with Admission Conditions
» Top-Rated Paris Tours & Tickets:
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» Food & Drinks: Paris Food Guide
» Side Trips: Versailles Quick Guide, check out the Best Day Trips from Paris
Is Paris in October Busy? Crowds Forecast
In October, the days are shorter, and it gets crisp, but not many realize when planning their fall trip that October in Paris is 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 when visiting Paris in October.
Also, beware that in 2022 kids will have school holidays from 22 October to 7 November 2022 (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 we list the Paris main attractions you will need advance tickets for and have added links to our favorite trusty providers for your convenience.
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS IN FRANCE OCTOBER 2022. As mentioned above, in October 2022, kids will have school holidays from Saturday 22 October to Monday 7 November 2022 (Vacances de la Toussaint). In France, it is common for the 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 22 October to Monday 7 November 2022 – book everything well in advance!
Weather in 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.
In October, the average temperature in Paris 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 2022
What to wear in Paris in October? In Paris, October is mostly a fall month. The key to dressing in Paris in October is layers.
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.
What to pack for Paris in October? For October, have a look at our Fall /Winter packing lists here below. Sunglasses are also good, and a small, foldable umbrella is also recommended.
Best Tips for Visiting Paris in October
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? Be sure to check travel insurance rates and coverage for France with our recommended provider, SafetyWing. SafetyWing works well for long and short trips (starting with a minimum of 5 days). Since August 2020, it covers COVID-19 for new policies purchased, and since April 2021, unplanned quarantine is covered, too.
Best things to Do in Paris in October 2022
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 all these places and other beautiful sights that you will find in our Paris Travel Blog, these are some seasonal things to do in Paris in October 2022:
GET THE MOST OF PARIS AT NIGHT DURING THE NUIT BLANCHE
One of the main events in Paris in October is the Nuit Blanche (the sleepless night). This night festival in Paris is based on the Saint Petersburg White Nights, and it usually takes place on the first Saturday of October (this year on Saturday 1 October 2022).
This cultural festival is a great opportunity to enjoy Paris at night. During the Nuit Blanche, contemporary artists take over the City of Light from dusk till dawn inspired by a common topic: huge artworks, light installations, sensory experiences, and a great atmosphere for a night to remember.
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 5 to 9 October 2022) 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 parks of Paris. Enjoy the changing colors of fall with a long walk in 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 the autumn colors.
Go to Reims for sightseeing (it is a beautiful city) and champagne tastings – here’s the list of 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 Paris crazy 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 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 2022. 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 2022 AT DISNEYLAND PARIS
Truth be told, Parisians are not fans of celebrations like Halloween, and there are not many events about it in the city. If you visit the French capital in late October, Disneyland 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.
CHECK OUT THE TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS IN OCTOBER IN PARIS 2022
The list of temporary exhibitions in museums and galleries for Paris in October 2022 is not complete yet (it’s too early for some dates). Keep clicking for the latest updates.
Cézanne, Lumières de Provence – Atélier des Lumières, from 18 February 2022 to 2 January 2023.
Kandinsky, the Odyssey of Abstraction – Atélier des Lumières, from 18 February 2022 to 2 January 2023.
The World of Banksy – The World of Banksy Expo Paris, from 17 November 2020 to 31 December 2022.
Tribute to Notre-Dame de Paris. The Spire of the Cathedral and its Sculptures – Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine, from 16 February to 19 October 2022.
A Second of Eternity – Bourse du Commerce, from 22 June 2022 to 3 January 2023.
Edvard Munch – Musée d’Orsay, from 20 September 2022 to 22 January 2023.
Expo Hyperréalisme “Ceci n’est pas un Corps” – Musée Maillol, from 8 September 2022 to 5 March 2023.
Oskar Kokoschka Un Fauve à Vienne – Musée d’Art Moderne MAM, from 23 September 2022 to 12 February 2023.
Boris Mikhaïlov, Journal Ukranien – Maison Européenne de la Photographie MEP, from 7 September 2022 to 15 January 2023.
NEED MORE IDEAS FOR OCTOBER IN PARIS?
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 Paris in October 2022 quick guide, and it will help you plan your October in Paris. Bon voyage!
