Audrey Hepburn said it best: Paris is always a good idea! And yes, that includes visiting the City of Lights in October. We went to Paris in October on our babymoon and found it to be a perfect time to visit!
However, we definitely had quite a few questions before booking our flights to Paris… and now I hope to answer those questions in case you have them too!
So let’s get to it! Here’s what you can expect when visiting Paris in October.
Is October a good time to go to Paris?
Yes, October is a great time to visit Paris! You’ll be greeted by cool temperatures, fall colors, and smaller crowds.
We visited from October 10th to 16th and had incredible weather (surprisingly no rain!) and even got glimpses of pretty fall colors.
The weather isn’t as hot as in the summertime, but it can still be quite pleasant and sunny (although it can also be rainy and cloudy). However, there are so many things to do in Paris that it doesn’t really matter if you have some bad weather while you’re here.
Why, you ask?
Well, if you visit Paris for a multi-day trip in October, you’re likely to experience average temperatures and nice weather along with some grey, rainy days. But if your itinerary is flexible, you can enjoy al fresco Paris when the weather is nice and save any indoor attractions for when you get bad weather days. You’d be unlucky not to get a glimpse of sunshine during your whole vacation!
Another benefit to visiting Paris in October is that, outside of the school holidays, you’ll probably find fewer crowds than in the peak summer season. In my opinion, crowded Paris is not quite as fun, particularly since the great places you’ll be going to are most likely already swarmed with other visitors!
So if you want to avoid people while still having the potential for nice weather, visiting in October is the best solution for you!
What is Paris like in October?
Paris in October is a mixed bag. Generally, the temperatures are dropping, so don’t expect to be able to sit in front of the Eiffel Tower and have a Parisian picnic.
However, you might have pleasant weather for strolling around the city or sitting at a sidewalk café.
On the other hand, there is a chance that it could rain for a chunk of your stay – it really depends on the year! However, most October vacations do at least have some sun!
As a general trend, you will typically find better weather earlier in the month, though this can vary year by year.
Is Paris crowded in October?
Compared to the summer months and even September or early autumn, Paris can be very quiet at this time of year. This is mainly because schools are still in session, the temperature is cooler, and the weather is less reliable. However, there are so many things to do in Paris in the rain, and the city is beautiful no matter the temperature!
Plus, you might be lucky and get some nice weather days in October too – allowing you to explore the City of Love sans intense crowds! That is what we experienced during our visit and it was perfect!
Bear in mind that the schools have their All Saints’ break (Vacances de la Toussaint) vacation from around the 20th of October until the end of the month. This time of year is also school vacation in Britain, and because Paris and London are so well connected on the Eurostar (it only takes a couple of hours!), Paris is often full of British tourists.
This means that Paris may be a lot busier during this part of October; it’s best to visit during the earlier part of the month if you want to avoid bigger crowds.
What should I wear in Paris in October?
For Paris in October, pack lots of layers – you never really know what the weather will do, after all!
- The top thing that we recommend is a waterproof jacket or an umbrella. You don’t want to be caught out in the rain!
- It’s also a good idea to bring long-sleeved shirts, a warm jacket, or even a scarf, in case the weather turns while you’re there. This could be a duffle-style jacket. You probably won’t need a super thick winter coat, but keep an eye on the weather forecast before your trip in case you’ll need it.
- Pack a few sweaters, some lightweight and some heavier. If you aren’t sure what the weather will do one day, you could always carry an extra lightweight one with you.
- A few pairs of pants or jeans – depending on how long your trip is – will be beneficial.
- Paris is quite a glamorous city, so you might also want some dressy clothes, particularly if you’re planning on eating at fancier restaurants or going out for drinks in the evening! Check out this post for some tips on how to stay warm but still look cute when it’s cold out!
What is the weather like in Paris in October?
What temperature is Paris in October?
The temperature can vary quite a bit in Paris in October since that’s when Paris is in its transition to fall. At the start of the month, the weather can be quite mild, still hanging onto the warmer temperatures of summer, whereas, by the end, the temperatures can drop down to the 40s or even 30s. Generally, temperatures range from 62°F to around 50°F, with daytime temperatures usually hovering around 55-60°F.
It’s a bit of a mixed bag regarding whether you’ll get much sunshine. As I mentioned earlier, we had sunny days for most of our trip when we visited in mid-October, which made for such a great trip!
If Europe has an Indian summer, you might be lucky with some gloriously sunny days, although there are usually plenty of cloudy or rainy days in October too.
Toward the end of the month, it usually gets quite cloudy, though you may still have brisk sunny days.
When is sunset in Paris in October?
You can expect the sun to set at around 6:59 pm. With sunrise occurring at around 8:08 am, there are around 10.8 hours of daylight in between dawn and dusk in Paris. Plenty of time to see the beauty of Paris around you!
Does it rain a lot in Paris in October?
In Paris, it can rain from 8-15 days during October. The city has an average rainfall of 25mm spread over 13 days, so make sure that you pack an umbrella just in case. Generally, Paris has quite light rain, though it can last all day. Sometimes it also has storms, with a heavy amount of rainfall and occasional thunder and lightning accompanying them, but these are more uncommon in October when compared to December.
The good news is, regardless of the weather, lots of Paris’s main attractions are indoors. Paris also offers endless things to do all year round, so don’t worry too much about the chances of rain getting in the way of your trip here.
What is there to do in Paris in October?
As I mentioned, the French capital is a popular destination all year round, with so many incredible attractions to enjoy! Here are just a few of the best things to do in Paris in October.
A walking tour of the city
SANDEMANs operates walking tours throughout most European capitals and other major cities. You can do their walking tour through the historic part of Paris, or even around Marais. Of course, you can also do a self-guided tour so that you can go at your own pace. Check out my one-week Paris itinerary so that you don’t miss out on all the highlights!
Visit the Louvre
The perfect rainy day activity! The Louvre is a world-famous art museum, home to the Mona Lisa. This museum will take most of the day to walk around, so we recommend visiting early in the morning. You can buy your tickets here!
You might also be interested in seeing Jardin Des Tuileries, or The Tuileries Gardens, while you’re at Louvre. It’s a gorgeous place for walking around and sightseeing!
There are lots of other museums to visit too, including the Musée de l’Orangerie, the Musée Marmottan, and the Musée Rodin. You might even be interested in buying a Paris Museum Pass that becomes your gateway to over 50 museums in Paris and around the Paris region! It’s the perfect way for you to see so many types of art in all its forms, like paintings, sculptures, temporary displays or one-off installations and more.
Visit the Versailles
Another popular place to visit in Paris, Versailles is just so grand and majestic that you can’t help but be in awe as you walk around. It even has an audioguide and a downloadable app to help you fully explore the estate, which may last you a full day!
Explore Montmartre
This neighborhood is actually my favorite place in all of Paris. Home to the Sacre-Coeur, this neighborhood is a quirky, arty area of Paris.
Due to it being a little way up a hill, it’s the perfect destination to watch the sunset. Make sure you head up here early for a good spot to take an incredible photo with the Eiffel Tower punctuating the skyline!
We love Montmartre so much that on our most recent visit to Paris, we stayed at a hotel (Maison Mère) that was within walking distance of Montmartre.
Go up the Eiffel Tower
Of course, no trip to Paris is complete without a climb up the Eiffel Tower (in fact, you can speed up to the top on a lift nowadays!). Although the view from other spots like the Sacre-Coeur or the Arc de Triomphe is arguably better (because they actually have the Eiffel Tower in them!), it’s an incredible experience to stand on top of the Eiffel Tower and see the city sprawl out beneath you.
Want the perfect Eiffel Tower view? Check out this post which has the 22 best spots to view and photograph the Iron Lady herself!
Visit Disneyland
Visiting Paris with little ones? How about including a visit to the happiest place on earth? In October, Disneyland is even more exciting, because they have special Halloween events on. You also will have fewer crowds than in peak season, which means less of a wait for rides! It’s a great time to visit!
Walk around the Champs Elysees and along the Seine
There are lots of lovely autumnal walks that you can do around Paris, especially along the world-famous Champs Elysees or along the River Seine.
Try French food and drink
One of the best reasons to visit Paris is, of course, to taste the food! Whether you’re enjoying French cheese, dining on fresh bread or croissants in the morning, or sipping on some local wine after dark, you’ll love dining and drinking in France’s capital. October is just about warm enough to enjoy al fresco dining on the city’s sidewalks, particularly if there are heaters.
Annual Festivals and Events in Paris in October
There are a few festivals and events that take place in Paris in October!
- Nuit Blanche translates to ‘white night’, this takes place at the start of October every year and is a festival dedicated to arts and culture. Museums are open late, public transportation runs all night long, and there are special nighttime events all over the city.
- The Grape Harvest Festival or F̻te des Vendanges de Montmartre is located in a vineyard in Montmartre and is a celebration of all things grape and wine! There are also lots of street entertainment options that allow tourists to just kick back and enjoy themselves Рor even dance!
- Jazz Sur Seine is another popular festival, with lots of music performances throughout its 15-day duration.
- Paris is also home to the Foire Internationale d’Art Contemporain (FIAC) or the International Contemporary Art Fair, which is a fantastic event that brings together all sorts of modern and contemporary art galleries at the Grand Palais Ephémère.
- Paris Fashion Week, where the hottest outfits in time for the following year’s Spring/Summer collection are shown to a lot of celebrities and the hottest “it” people.
- Salon Du Chocolat, which is the world’s biggest chocolate and cocoa trade show.
- For 2023, it’ll run from 28 October (Saturday) to 1 November (Wednesday).
- And of course, there’s Halloween! This isn’t super popular in France itself, but head to Disneyland Paris for lots of fun, kid-friendly celebrations, and a Halloween festival.
Are there fall colors in Paris in October?
Yes! One of the best things about visiting Paris in October is that you’ll have the chance to enjoy beautiful fall colors!
Paris (and all of northern France) is very seasonal, with leaves that beautifully change colors in October and November.
The leaves typically start changing in early to mid-October and reach their peak toward the end of the month. You’ll love walking beneath a golden canopy of leaves as you stroll around the City of Love – what could be more romantic?
We found the prettiest place to see fall colors was in Luxembourg Gardens (photographed above!).
If you’re planning a trip to Paris in October and want to explore more of the country, this next question is for you!
Is October a good month to visit France?
October is generally quite a good month to visit France. The weather is a little cooler than in the summer, but if you head to the southern regions – like the French Riviera – you may have temperatures in the 70s.
Skiing season hasn’t started in the mountainous regions, but equally, it’s out of peak season, so you should find fewer crowds and lower prices.
The only place where the weather can be quite gloomy is the northern region, particularly the Normandy and Brittany areas. Anywhere further south of Paris is generally quite warm! However, it’s a good idea to avoid the southern regions during All Saint’s Break, as French families flock to the warmer regions then.
In conclusion…
Paris truly is always a good idea! October means cool temperatures, the beginning of fall colors, and fewer crowds. It’s a perfect combination for visiting Paris!
If you have more questions about what Paris is like in October, drop them below! I’ll do my best to answer based on my personal experience (and some research if necessary!).
And for those planning a trip to Paris, here are some more articles you might enjoy:
- What to Wear in Paris When it’s Cold Out
- The Ultimate One-Week Paris Itinerary
- 72 Most Instagrammable Places in Paris
- Beginners Guide to Montmartre
Safe travels,
Jasmine
