The Ultimate Guide To Paris In Autumn

The Ultimate Guide To Paris In Autumn, Near The Champs-Élysées And 8th Arrondissement

Gorgeous gardens, vibrant colours, fewer crowds, lower prices, fabulous events, more attractions that are open, and, of course, chocolate are a few reasons why you’ll love autumn in Paris. Find out what you need to know to plan your trip to the City of Lights, such as local traditions, typical weather, and more, with our ultimate guide to Paris around Le Claridge in autumn. Discover:

• Things to do in autumn
• Outdoor activities to do in autumn
• Indoor things to do around Le Claridge
• Nightlife around Le Claridge in autumn
• What to pack for autumn in Paris
• What you can’t do in autumn around Le Claridge
• Where to stay around Le Claridge

Things to Do In Autumn

There are all sorts of interesting and exciting things to do in autumn in Paris. Whether you want art, culture, entertainment, or famous attractions, there’s plenty to keep you busy in Paris in October and November. Our top picks include:

Nuit Blanche - 1 October: See the city in a new way with installations, exhibitions, concerts, performances, trails, staged scene sets and creations that explore all facets of contemporary art throughout the night. Public transport stays open all night for this special annual event.

Fête des Vendanges - Every October: The Montmartre Grape Harvest Festival sees Montmartre come to life with concerts, street entertainment, tastings of artisanal and regional products, a dance, walks, visits, and exhibitions. More than 40 bars and restaurants in the 18^th arrondissement participate.

Paris Fashion Week – End of September / Early October: Be astounded by the latest designer fashions at Paris Fashion Week.

Foire d'Automne - 21-30 October: Choose from a plethora of events on the themes of innovation, travel, beauty, cooking and housing, and enjoy interactive workshops.

Salon du Chocolat – End of October: Chocolatiers, patissiers, confectioners, and cacao producers from around the world present an eclectic mix of events and activities. Unsurprisingly, this is one of the most popular events in Paris in October every year.

Paris Photo - 10-13 November: Immerse yourself in incredible photography and all things photographic at the annual Paris Photo fair.

Paris Autumn Festival - Until 31 December: Celebrate the arts with dance shows, music concerts and film screenings, but also theatre and visual art exhibitions at venues around the city.

Outdoor Activities to Do In Autumn

Autumn in Paris is a pleasant time of year. Enjoyable to cool temperatures mean you can enjoy various outdoor activities without getting too hot and bothered (did we mention fewer crowds?). Check out these great ideas:

 Go hiking near Paris: There are a few fantastic hiking trails near the city, and all of them are easily accessible with public transport. Check out the hikes from Le Perray-en-Yvelines to Gazeran, Bois-Le-Roi to Fontainebleau via the forest, Nemours to Souppes-sur-Loing via Les Rochers Verts, and Pocancy to Auvers-St-Georges.

Cycle along the Seine: Hire a bicycle and go cycling along the Seine. Pedal Parc Rives de Seine is a particularly good spot for this, as it offers stunning views of the river and the city.

20k Paris Race - 9 October: The city’s key running event is a treat, whether you participate or spectate. The 20km race begins at Pont d'Iena and then heads towards the Bois de Boulogne before reaching the finish line at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.

Rolex Paris Masters - 29 October – 6 November: If you’re a tennis fan, you won’t want to miss the last ATP Masters 1000 event of the season. See some of the world’s top players in action at the Accor Arena.

Watch football matches: The Parc des Princes stadium, the home ground of football club Paris Saint Germain (PSG) will host several matches that fans of the beautiful game will enjoy.

Indoor Things To Do Near The Champs-Élysées

If the weather isn’t ideal for outdoor activities, there are plenty of things you can do indoors around Le Claridge in Paris in October and November. A few of our favourites include:

Visit the city’s top museums: The smaller crowds of autumn make visiting Paris’ top museums a pleasure. Among them are the Louvre, the Musée du Quai Branly, the Musée D'Orsay, the gorgeous Musée de la Vie romantique, and the Centre Pompidou, which hosts an exhibition of important contemporary French painter Gérard Garouste until 2 January.

Take in a show at a theatre: There’s a fine selection of plays, musicals, and other performances to enjoy in Paris in autumn. Check out Julie Collas’s British stand-up performance Oh my God, she’s Parisian! at Théâtre Bo Saint-Martin, Olivier Giraud’s one-man show How to become a Parisien in one hour, at the Théâtre des Nouveautés, the Lion King at Théâtre Mogador, and Akram Khan’s re-telling of the ballet Giselle at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées..

Enjoy live music: Head to one of the city’s best venues for live music and enjoy performances by local musos. A few venues to consider include the Bastille district’s Le Pop In, historic Parisian jazz club Le Duc Des Lombards, and Caveau de la Huchette near the Notre Dame cathedral.

Head to the markets: Paris wouldn’t be Paris without its beloved markets. Shop for souvenirs and more (or simply browse to your heart’s content) at Marché des Enfants Rouges, Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen, Marché Couvert Beauvau at the Marché d’Aligre, and the Marché Couvert des Ternes.

Go shopping: The City of Lights is synonymous with shopping, so why not check out some of Paris’ best shopping streets and areas? Among them are the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Rue Saint-Honoré, Rue de Rivoli into Le Marais, Boulevard Haussmann, and the Canal Saint-Martin.

Nightlife Around Le Claridge in Autumn

A vibrant nightlife is part and parcel of life in Paris. While there are fewer open-air events in Paris in October and November compared to summer, you can still find a few if you’re prepared to brave the chill and the possibility of rain. That said, most people enjoy the time-honoured favourites of wining and dining, theatrical and musical performances, and cruises on the Seine.

There’s little to no difference in the closing hours of restaurants, bars, and clubs. As a general rule, most Parisians dine between 8.30pm and 10.30pm, so restaurants stay open late as a matter of course. Although there are fewer tourists than there are in summer, it’s a good idea to make reservations at restaurants, as dining out is incredibly popular among locals, whatever the season.

The best districts for Parisian nightlife include Oberkampf, Bastille, Ménilmontant and Gambetta, Place Vendome/Rue du Faubourg St-Honoré, Le Marais, Belleville, Montmartre and Pigalle, Grands Boulevards and Sentier, St-Germain-des-Prés, and of course the Avenue des Champs-Élysées. Looking for great restaurants near Le Claridge and the Avenue des Champs-Élysées? Check out:

Beefbar Paris: A steakhouse taken to the next level.

Publicis Drugstore: The menu curated by chef Eric Frechon includes traditional French cooking and modern finger food.

Papi Henri: This brother-and-sister owned establishment boasts daily menus offering modern, casual, homemade food – a favourite with locals.

What to Pack For Autumn In Paris

 While a few days early in autumn in Paris (September) still have a summery feel about them with warm temperatures and clear skies, the temperature drops steadily and cloudy, wet days become a feature of the season. Paris in October sees average minimum temperatures of 8°C / 46°F and average maximums of 15°C / 59°F. November’s average minimum temperatures are 6.0°C/42.8°F, and the average maximum temperatures are 11.3°C/52.34°F.

Not sure what to pack for your trip to the City of Lights? If you’re travelling in October, we recommend long-sleeve t-shirts and shirts, jeans, more formal clothes if you want to go to dinner or the theatre, a wool sweater, a warm jacket for evenings and cold days, a waterproof jacket or raincoat, good quality closed walking shoes or ankle boots, and a sturdy umbrella. If you’re travelling in November, make sure you bring long-sleeve t-shirts and shirts, more formalwear if you plan on going to dinner or the theatre, scarves, gloves, a wool jersey, protective rain clothes such as a parka or raincoat, thick socks and closed walking shoes, and a sturdy umbrella (watch out for the wind).

What Can’t You Do In Autumn Around Le Claridge

The weather in Paris in autumn doesn’t lend itself to various activities that are a pleasure to do in late spring and summer. For example, enjoying a picnic in one of the city’s many parks, sipping on cocktails or good wine at a rooftop bar, or attending open-air events or parties isn’t really possible because of the cold, rain, and wind (which can be quite blustery at this time of year. That being said, if the sun is shining and the weather is mild, which it can be in autumn in Paris, a picnic or alfresco café experience are one of the best ways to experience the city. There's something about dining outdoors in the City of Light that feels magical, whether you're enjoying a simple baguette and cheese or a more elaborate spread.

Where to Stay Around Le Claridge

Located on the iconic avenue, Fraser Suites Le Claridge Champs-Élysées is the ideal hotel for a trip to Paris in autumn. Staying at our hotel in a lovingly conserved 1900 heritage building puts you in easy reach of many of the city’s most famous attractions, prestigious shopping, entertainment, and nightlife districts, fantastic public transport links, and much more.

We have 117 Gold-Standard serviced apartments, ranging from deluxe studios to exquisite duplex penthouses, to meet your accommodation needs. Enjoy amenities such as a flat-screen TV and fully equipped kitchenette, an on-site café, a fully equipped gym, a secluded patio, and an on-site laundrette. If you’re travelling for business, you can enjoy access to our 24-hour business centre and meeting/conference facilities.