October might just be the best month to visit Paris. It is certainly my favorite! With the warm weather, fall foliage and fewer crowds, Paris in October is a dream.
Are you planning a trip to Paris this fall? How exciting! You’re in the right place. Keep reading for 10 things you need to know when visiting Paris in October.
Visiting Paris in October
1: October Might be the Best Month to Visit Paris
I’ve visited Paris in every season and each one has its advantages. However, I can easily say that the fall, specifically the month of October, is the best time to visit.
In October, the summer tourists have left the city and the oppressive summer heat is usually gone, too. What remains are fewer crowds and wonderful warm weather. There may be some rainy days, but in my experience, it’s warm and tends to be sunny.
If you need another reason to visit Paris in October, the foliage will (usually) be out! Warm days, foliage and fewer crowds makes October an especially wonderful time to explore the city.
2: The Weather is (Usually) Almost Perfect
Like I mentioned above, October is an excellent time to visit Paris because of the great weather. With highs in the 60s (and often days in the 70s), October feels like the best days of summer.
The nights are cooler, usually in the 50s, and are perfect with a sweater or light jacket. You can certainly still eat outdoors and enjoy outdoor activities all day long.
In the actual summer months (June-August), Paris it gets extremely hot, sometimes oppressively so. While in October the days are cooler, but still nice and warm, and there will often be a nice breeze.
Towards the end of October there may be more rainy days, as the fall weather sets in, but in general, you should have wonderful weather.
3: Pack Layers
The weather in October tends to be warm, but definitely still bring layers. The mornings and evenings will be cooler and there may also be some rainy days.
I recommend carrying around a sweater and maybe even a travel sized umbrella if there’s a chance of showers and you want to be really prepared.
I tend to wear a skirt, a short sleeve top and a sweater! Paired with some comfy sneakers, this is the perfect October in Paris uniform.
4: Pack Comfortable Walking Shoes
Going off of packing layers, be sure to also pack some comfortable walking shoes. I recommend a good white sneaker, as they match most outfits and are both cute and comfy.
Paris in October is the perfect time to be outside doing a lot of walking! With the walks, cobblestone streets and hills in some neighborhoods (like Montmartre), I’d leave the heels at home (or pack one pair for a fancy dinner), and go instead with something both cute and practical.
I also recommend leaving flip flops at home and would go instead with a closed toe shoe or at least a comfortable platform.
5: Plan to Spend a Lot of Time Outside
I know I keep saying it, but October is the best time to be outside in Paris! With the great weather you’ll really be able to walk everywhere and enjoy some great outdoor activities!
In addition to outdoor restaurants, wandering around neighborhoods and having a picnic under the Eiffel Tower, it’s such a fun time to take some unique tours!
This time of year I recommend:
- Paris Local Districts and Stories Off the Beaten Track Guided Bike Tour
- 1-Hour River Seine Cruise with Audio Commentary
- Private City Tour on a Sidecar Motorcycle
- Vintage 2CV Adventure: 2-Hour Paris Highlights Tour
- Haunted Père Lachaise Cemetery Guided Tour
6: October is a More Affordable Time of Year to Visit Paris
Summer, September specifically, is the high season in Paris, and therefore, plane tickets tend to be much more expensive. October is the perfect time to visit Paris as flights are often cheaper and some hotel prices have usually lowered considerably – especially towards the end of the month.
Hotels in Paris are pretty expensive, in general, but you can definitely find great budget options.
When considering where to stay in Paris, I recommend being somewhere central and walkable. I love the Latin Quarter (5th arrondissement) with its windy cobblestone streets, little shops and quaint hotels. You’ll also be very close to Notre Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, the Seine and the famous Shakespeare & Company bookstore.
Book a guided tour of Notre Dame and Sainte Chapelle here! These are certainly two of the most stunning churches I’ve ever seen and are so worth visiting.
The 1st arrondissement is also a fantastic option, as you’ll be central to so many major sites, like the Louvre and the Tuileries Gardens! There are tons of beautiful hotels in the 1st arrondissement, but often they are a little pricier due to their extremely central and sought after location.
Some of my favorite hotels in Paris:
Hotels in the 1st Arrondissement
- Relais Du Louvre
- Hôtel Crayon Rouge (cute & quirky)
- Hotel Opéra Richepanse
- Hôtel du Continent
Hotels in the Latin Quarter
7: Fall Foliage Should Peak in October
Fall foliage and warm weather? Sounds perfect to me! Foliage in Paris is really beautiful and it’s so nice to stroll around and see the beautiful leaves.
A few of my favorite places to see foliage in Paris include:
- Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Gardens)
- 6th arrondissement
- Easily walkable from the Latin Quarter
- Jardin des Tuileries (Tuileries Gardens)
- 1st arrondissement
- All around Montmartre
- Palace of Versaille – the gardens here are gorgeous in the fall!
- I definitely recommend a day trip
- I went once on my own (buying entry tickets on arrival) and once on a guided tour. The guided tour, with transportation included, was excellent!
8: Fall is a Great Time for (Almost) Any Activity in Paris
October is a great time to do just about anything in Paris. On warm days, you can partake in tons of outdoor activities (while walking everywhere) and if you get a rainy day you can spend time touring churches, museums and checking out the cozy cafes and bookstores.
I definitely recommend getting in some of the quintessential activities during your October trip. Whether that be going up the Eiffel Tower, walking the Champs Elysee or taking in the views from the Dome of the Sacre Coeur or Arc de Triomphe.
I sound like a broken record at this point, but when there’s good weather and fewer crowds, it makes for a wonderful time to take advantage of all that Paris has to offer.
Fun Activities and Tours in October in Paris:
- Paris Walking Food Tour with Secret Food Tours
- Louvre Museum Skip-the-Line Highlights Tour with Mona Lisa
- Moulin Rouge Evening Show with Champagne
- Seine River Cruise with 3-Course Dinner & Live Music
9: Take a Day Trip to Disneyland Paris
Here I go again with the weather, but October is a great time to visit Disneyland Paris! The summer months can be scorching hot, but fall is a great time to go.
If you only have a few days in Paris, or if it’s your first trip, I’d probably save Disneyland Paris for another trip. However, if you’re a Disney fan or have extra time in your schedule, it’s so much fun.
Disneyland Paris isn’t as big as Disneyland or Disney World in the US, but it’s still fun for kids and adults alike.
It’s also very easy to get to on the train from Paris, making it a great day trip for families.
From Gare du Lyon in Paris, hop on the RER A train and in 35 minutes you’ll be at your stop: Marne-la-Vallée Chessy. Marne-la-Vallée Chess is a 2 minute walk from the entrance to the park.
Book your Disneyland Paris tickets online HERE!
10: Consider Extending Your Trip For a Few Days in the South of France
The South of France is often considered a summer destination, but it’s equally a s beautiful in the fall. It will likely even still be nice enough, weather wise, for some beach days!
Nice is a popular destination, located about 5 hours and 45 minutes by train (direct) from Paris.
While you can’t go wrong with Nice, one of my favorite cities in the South of France is definitely Marseille. Marseille is about 3 hours by direct train from Paris and is the perfect city for a long weekend.
From Marseille, you can also easily reach the gorgeous town of Cassis. Both of these cities are absolutely beautiful in October.
If you’re considering a visit to Marseille, which I definitely think you should, be sure to check out my guides and itinerary!
Q&A: Visiting Paris in October
- Is October a good time to go to Paris?
- Yes! In my opinion, October (and late September) are the best times to visit Paris.
- What is the weather going to be like in Paris in October?
- Probably warm! Think 60s and 70s during the day and a little cooler at night. Be sure to pack lightweight layers.
- How rainy is Paris in October?
- There are often showers in Paris in October, but they don’t usually last all day. It’s a good idea to pack a travel sized umbrella just in case.
- What month is Paris most beautiful?
- October is an especially beautiful month in Paris if you enjoy fall foliage!
So there you have it, my top 10 tips for visiting Paris in October! I think the main takeaway from this post should be: definitely go! Paris is at its best in October and it’s without a doubt my favorite month in the city.
If you have any questions, or any tips or recommendations to add to this post, let me know in the comments.
Make sure to also follow us on Instagram for tons of mini-guides, travel reels and photo inspo: @twosistersabroad!
More Paris Guides
To keep planning your trip to the City of Love, check out my itinerary for a perfect day in Paris!
Visiting Paris a little later in the year? Read my top tips for visiting Paris in November!
Thank you so much for reading!
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♡Kate
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