Gray skies and glistening streets give Paris a literary edge in November. It’s the calm before the December bustle, perfect for art lovers, flâneurs, and café lingerers. Major exhibits debut, Beaujolais wine flows, and by late month, Christmas markets start glowing. Bring layers—and your appetite for quiet magic.
Paris in November 2025 at a glance
🌦️ Weather
Average 11 °C / 52 °F highs; drizzle common, occasional wind.
☀️ Daylight
9.2 hours; sunset by 5 pm.
🎉 Key events
Armistice Day (Nov 11), Paris Photo, Beaujolais Nouveau Day.
👥 Crowds
Low to moderate; best for museum-goers and indoor culture buffs.
🧳 What to pack
Wool coat, scarf, umbrella, waterproof shoes.
🍴 Seasonal treats
Onion soup, truffle dishes, Beaujolais wine.
Top things to do in Paris in November
Tour the Louvre without elbowing crowds
When: All month
Tags: Tour, Cultural experience
November’s chill keeps crowds away, making this a prime time to enjoy the Louvre’s treasures in relative calm. Go midweek, early or after 4 pm for best flow. Book a timed ticket to skip the brief queue.
Recommended experiences:
Louvre Museum Timed Access Tickets with Optional Audioguide
Celebrate the annual release of Beaujolais Nouveau with glasses at Parisian wine bars like Le Baron Rouge. Expect music, charcuterie, and clinking glasses. Go early—bottles can sell out.
Catch modern photography at Paris Photo
When: Mid-November
Tags: Festival, Cultural experience
Paris Photo at the Grand Palais Éphémère spotlights cutting-edge works from global photographers. Book ahead for weekend entries; weekday afternoons are quieter.
Cruise the Seine at twilight
When: Evenings in November
Tags: Tour, Outdoors
Board a heated boat for a cozy glide past illuminated bridges and monuments. Many cruises serve dinner or champagne. Dress warmly and sit near windows for photo ops.
Recommended experiences:
1-Hour Paris Illuminated Evening Sightseeing Cruise
Seine River 1-Hour Sightseeing Cruise from the Eiffel Tower
By the last week of November, markets open at Tuileries and Hôtel de Ville. Expect mulled wine, gifts, ice rinks, and early festive lights.
Warm up with French onion soup
When: All month
Tags: Culinary, Cultural experience
November is prime soup weather. Try gratinéed onion soup topped with cheese and crusty bread at classic bistros like Au Pied de Cochon near Les Halles.
Explore Montmartre without the crowds
When: Weekdays in November
Tags: Explorer, Outdoors
Wander the cobbled lanes of Montmartre when it's nearly tourist-free. Visit Sacré-Cœur, then linger in Place du Tertre with a hot chocolate from a local café.
Recommended experiences:
Montmartre Little Train Tour with optional Cruise
Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur Basilica Guided Tour with optional Dôme Access
Macabre and mesmerizing A quiet month makes for a spookier visit. Book a timed ticket, bring a warm layer, and descend into miles of underground ossuaries.
Sweeten up gray days Hands-on classes teach you to whip up macarons or croissants with local chefs. Most schools offer English sessions in warm kitchens.
What to expect: This major fair for contemporary and historical photography draws global galleries and collectors. Weekends get busy; try weekdays for less foot traffic.
What to expect: France marks the WWI ceasefire with wreaths, military music, and moments of silence. Expect street closures mid-morning; best viewed from sidewalks.
Beaujolais Nouveau Day
Dates: 20 Nov 2025
Event type: Food & wine celebration
Location: Citywide wine bars
What to expect: The third Thursday of November brings fresh Beaujolais wines and festive tasting events. Arrive early to snag a glass at busy spots like Le Baron Rouge.
What to expect: Food stalls, gift huts, a skating rink, and rides fill the garden as Paris eases into holiday mode. Arrive early evening for full lights.
Highlights for different traveller types
Culture vultures
Explore exhibitions at Paris Photo and Musée d’Orsay without peak-season crowds.
Dive into Paris's layered history at the Catacombs .
Attend a classical concert in a church for atmosphere and acoustics.
Solo wanderers
Wander Montmartre's quieter corners, browse vintage bookstores in the 6th, or take a foggy stroll through Buttes-Chaumont.
A wine bar solo night out is perfectly Parisian.
Foodies
Enjoy seasonal bistro menus with onion soup, duck confit, and truffles.
Join a pastry-making class.
Beaujolais Nouveau night is a November rite of passage.
Your perfect 3-day Paris in November itinerary
Breakfast: Fresh croissants and coffee at Du Pain et des Idées.
Morning: Explore the Louvre with timed entry; focus on one wing.
Midday: Cross the Seine and warm up at Shakespeare & Company bookstore.
Lunch: Cozy up at Le Petit Châtelet with a view of Notre-Dame .
Afternoon: Tour Sainte-Chapelle’s stained glass, then stroll to the Latin Quarter.
Evening: Twilight dinner cruise on the Seine—book ahead for heated seats.
Breakfast: Brioche and espresso at Hardware Société, near Sacré-Cœur.
Morning: Roam Montmartre’s lanes; visit artists at Place du Tertre.
Midday: Browse Rue des Martyrs for gourmet shops.
Lunch: Onion soup and wine at Bouillon Pigalle.
Afternoon: Visit LE BAL gallery or take a pastry class nearby.
Evening: Wine bar hopping for Beaujolais Nouveau (mid-month).
Breakfast: Pastries at Blé Sucré near Promenade Plantée.
Morning: Walk the elevated Promenade for fall foliage.
Midday: Visit Paris Photo at Grand Palais Éphémère.
Lunch: Market bites at Marché des Enfants Rouges in the Marais.
Afternoon: Foggy park views at Buttes-Chaumont.
Evening: Concert at Saint-Eustache or Sainte-Trinité.
Best day trips from Paris in November
Fontainebleau
🚆 Travel time: ~40 min by train from Gare de Lyon
Its elegant château offers fewer crowds and cozy palace rooms. Trees still hold late fall color. Book skip-the-line entry and wear boots—the grounds may be muddy.
Champagne tastings and cathedral visits are perfect in cooler weather. Warm up in candlelit cellars; reserve tours at top houses like Pommery.
Provins
🚆 Travel time: ~90 min by train from Gare de l’Est
This medieval town has misty charm and preserved ramparts. November is quiet, so shops close early—plan for a day walk and lunch, then return before dusk.
