October brings crisp mornings and rich fall colors to Paris. Trees blaze gold in the Tuileries and Luxembourg Gardens, and the city's cultural calendar heats up. Fewer crowds mean more room to linger in museums or snag terrace seating at a café. Arrive early for big-ticket sites like the Louvre to avoid midday lines, and dress in layers—sunshine and rain often trade places by the hour.
1. Book tickets early for Paris+ Art Basel and Disneyland Halloween weekends—they draw serious crowds.
2. Wear waterproof shoes—Paris’s cobblestones get slick fast after October rain.
3. Montmartre buses reroute during the wine festival (Oct 8–12); use Metro Line 12 to Lamarck–Caulaincourt instead.
4. Museum late nights: Orsay stays open till 9:45 pm on Thursdays, Pompidou on Fridays—great for avoiding tour groups.
5. DST ends on October 26—sunsets arrive ~5:45 pm after that.
6. Bring a compact umbrella; wind gusts break flimsy ones fast.
7. Walk the Seine at golden hour (5–6:30 pm mid-month) for unreal skyline photos without the summer crowds.
8. Avoid Eiffel Tower on Oct 25–26 afternoons—Art Basel crowds spill over from Champ de Mars.
9. Chocolate shops debut fall flavors this month—look for salted caramel, hazelnut praline, and spiced ganaches.
Yes—fewer tourists, colorful parks, and a packed cultural calendar make it a standout fall month.
Yes, a medium-weight coat or trench is ideal. Layer up for mornings and chilly evenings.
None officially, but events like Montmartre's festival and Halloween activities can cause crowds and closures.
Less than summer, especially mid-to-late October. Weekday afternoons are the quietest times.
Yes, but hours shorten slightly late-month. Book tickets in advance, especially during Art Basel week.
Onion soup, roasted chestnuts, mushroom dishes, and fig tarts are all in season.
Yes, especially weekends and around Halloween. Book timed entry tickets early.
Around 6:45 pm early month; by 5:45 pm after daylight savings ends on Oct 26.
Yes, all month. Choose late afternoon or evening for the best fall light.
Only if it includes zones 1–5, like the Navigo Découverte. Otherwise, buy a separate ticket for CDG or Orly.
This cheesy baked onion soup hits the spot on drizzly days. Caramelized onions, beef broth, croutons, and gooey Gruyère—served blistering hot.
Where to eat: Le Comptoir du Relais, 6th arrondissement
Find vendors on sidewalks and squares. These smoky, warming treats are perfect for fall walks—sold by the paper cone, cash only.
Where to eat: Rue Mouffetard or near Hôtel de Ville
Porcini, chanterelles, and girolles sautéed in butter with garlic and herbs—often served with veal or pasta. Peak season in October.
Where to eat: Chez L’Ami Jean, 7th arrondissement
Fresh fig tart with almond cream and flaky pastry—sweet, juicy, and very October. Often on daily menus at pâtisseries and cafés.
Where to eat: Boulangerie Utopie, 11th arrondissement
