It’s the start of the school year and the arrival of autumn; everyone comes back from their vacation, but not in your case! Wondering if coming to Paris in September or October is a good idea? There is no better time to discover the capital without having to face the heat of the summer that would be over.
1) The weather
The weather is pleasant and mild, with a temperature between 11°C and 21°C (51,8°F to 69,8°F). In general, it is perfect to walk around the streets of Paris without feeling too hot and still enjoy its terraces under the sun – especially the first part of September. However, for your comfort, bring a small scarf and some sweaters, because even if the weather is still nice enough, summer is over!
In October the amount of sunshine is favorable with a minimum temperature of about 12°C (53,6°F), so don’t forget your little jacket ! You can also enjoy a little more of Paris Plages at the beginning of September.
2) The European Heritage Days
This is one of the most important events in Europe, which gives you the opportunity to visit museums, exhibitions and monuments, most of which are free! Many places that are not usually open to the public usually open their doors in these few days. You will be able to discover more about the richness of France’s heritage during the European Heritage Days.
Usually in September, don’t miss this opportunity to visit new places such as the Town Hall, the Historical Library of the City of Paris, the Arab World Institute, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Louvre Museum, the Élysée Palace and so much more!
3) Paris’ Fashion week
For fashion enthusiasts, this is the best time to visit Paris. Fashion week brings together artists from all over the world around the same subject: fashion.
This is the must-attend event in September to have the chance to perhaps see the greatest designers showcase their new collections with women’s ready-to-wear fashion shows over a whole week.
4) The end of vacation
And yes, most Parisians are back from their holidays, so it’s a good time to find a free bench in a park, but also to visit museums and stroll through the atypical little streets of Paris with all the small shops that have opened again after the holidays.
5) The season of art is back!
The contemporary art week takes place at the end of October each year during the Parisian fair, mainly at the Grand Palais but also throughout Paris.
At the beginning of October, there is the Nuit Blanche event, during which artists set up exhibitions, installations, concerts and all kinds of artistic creations promoting contemporary art. This Nuit Blanche, as its name suggests, takes place on a single night, giving the opportunity to observe Paris under the light of the moon with new landscapes created for the occasion.
6) Techno Parade
This event, which takes place on the second Saturday of September, lasts a whole afternoon and takes place in the streets of Paris. Every year the route taken by the parade changes, so if you have already participated, you can be sure that the following year will be different! Many parade floats will be present to animate and spread electronic entertainment for a couple of hours through the city.
The Techno Parade (website in French) brings together several hundred thousand participants and each time includes an ever-growing audience.
7) Paris’ gardens
Autumn is coming, and so you must take advantage of the last remaining opportunities to see our gardens with its leaves and flowers before everything falls and disappears to make way for winter. This is the best time to see the leaves of trees of all colors and discover the 40 green spaces open to the public at this time of year.
You will find free entertainment everywhere to raise awareness about ecology, as well as concerts and games.
Parks such as Monceau Park, Georges Brassens Park and Bercy Park are spacious parks that we enjoy visiting during this period.
8) Festivals and events happening
First, at the end of October the Comic Con Paris arrives at the Grande Halle de la Villette. For fans of pop culture this is the event not to be missed! Conferences, animations and dedications will be organized with awards ceremonies, not to mention the large number of Cosplays that will blow your mind!
For the gamers, you also have the Paris Games week (PGW) during the same period, which is located at Porte de Versailles. The ticket office usually opens in May so the prices will be available from that time on. During the PGW you will have the opportunity to discover new games, see cosplay animations, visit an art gallery, participate in tournaments and even meet schools specializing in the world of gaming!
However, if you are more of a chocolate fan, then you can go to the Salon du Chocolat which takes place at the Parc des Expositions. It begins in the last days of October and ends in November. It is an opportunity to taste chocolate, and to see shows such as chocolate dress fashion shows or demonstrations, conferences, and recipes performed live, etc.
9) Halloween
Are you in Paris during the Halloween period? Don’t miss the opportunity to spend a fun (or scary) moment in one of Paris’ haunted places! Many evenings and activities are organized in different places: at Disneyland, Parc Astérix, Parc Zoologique de Paris, Manoir de Paris and Musée Grévin. And yes, there’s plenty to be scared of in Paris if you’re looking for a little thrill for Halloween.
At the Manoir de Paris, an interactive journey is set up with about 35 actors whose mission is to make you tremble and shiver!
In the Disneyland parks you will be able to immerse yourself in the Halloween spirit thanks to the animations and scenery installed in all the parks, and with ambient music specially broadcasted for the occasion! Meetings with the evil Disney characters are also possible and you can also see shows on this theme!
At the Paris Zoological Park you can also participate in some activities and visit this park to discover strange and uncommon things, pumpkins lit here and there – and a special evening is organized on October 31st. The bravest people who dare to dress up will be rewarded with a discount on entrance tickets to the Park.
I aim to share my tips and recommendations for the beautiful country of France. My goal is to help you plan your next adventure, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. From finding the best hotels and restaurants, to discovering unique activities and sights, I’ve got you covered!
