Paris in October: 10 things to do when visiting for a few days
Paris takes on a different atmosphere in October. The days become cooler, the city’s gardens begin to turn golden, and museums, cafés and neighbourhoods offer plenty of ways to enjoy the capital, even when the weather is less predictable.
Visiting Paris for a few days? Here are 10 ways to make the most of your stay in October.
1. Explore Paris on foot
Autumn is a great time to discover Paris on foot. Temperatures are usually more comfortable than during the summer, making it easier to explore several neighbourhoods in one day.
From the banks of the Seine to Le Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prés and Montmartre, bring comfortable shoes and simply enjoy wandering through the streets of Paris.
2. Enjoy the autumn colours in Parisian gardens
October is a beautiful time to discover Paris’s gardens in a different light.
The Luxembourg Gardens, Tuileries Garden, Palais-Royal, Jardin des Plantes and Parc des Buttes-Chaumont are all worth exploring. Take your time, sit down for a few minutes and enjoy the quieter atmosphere of the season.
3. Explore the city by bike
Paris is also a great city to discover by bike in autumn.
Whether you want to cycle along the Seine, cross several neighbourhoods or simply get to your next destination, cycling allows you to see more of the city in less time.
Our tip: check the weather before setting off and bring a light or waterproof jacket. And if it starts raining, a break at a Parisian café is always a good idea.
4. Visit an exhibition
October is an exciting month for art and culture lovers. Paris’s major museums offer a wide range of temporary exhibitions alongside their permanent collections.
Before your trip, check the programmes of the museums you would like to visit and book your tickets in advance whenever possible.
5. Discover a neighbourhood you don’t know
Paris is much more than its most famous landmarks.
Use your stay as an opportunity to explore a neighbourhood simply by walking around. Covered passages, independent shops, bookshops, markets, cafés and restaurants can reveal a very different side of the city.
6. Take a break in a Parisian café
As temperatures start to drop, October is the perfect time to slow down and enjoy a café.
A café crème, hot chocolate or pastry, combined with a few minutes of watching Parisian life go by — sometimes, that’s all you need to enjoy the city.
7. Discover Paris’s covered passages
Covered passages are a great option for an autumn day, especially when the weather is unpredictable.
Galerie Vivienne, Passage des Panoramas and Passage du Grand-Cerf are just a few places where you can discover a more discreet side of Paris while staying sheltered between visits.
8. Experience Paris after sunset
In October, the sun sets earlier. Why not use it as an opportunity to discover another side of Paris?
Take an evening walk through the illuminated streets, enjoy dinner in a lively neighbourhood, visit an evening exhibition or simply walk along the Seine.
A regular day in Paris can easily turn into a memorable evening.
9. Take time to enjoy good food
No trip to Paris would be complete without discovering a few good places to eat.
A bakery in the morning, lunch at a traditional bistro, a pastry in the afternoon or dinner at a neighbourhood restaurant — rather than only looking for the most famous addresses, explore the places close to your apartment.
That is often where the best surprises can be found.
10. Leave some time unplanned
Our final tip may be the simplest: don’t plan every minute of your stay.
Leave a few hours to wander without a precise itinerary, walk into a shop, discover a new street, stop for coffee or return to a place you particularly enjoyed.
Paris is also best discovered when you are not trying to see everything.
Your October stay in Paris
A few days are enough to discover Paris, but good planning can make your stay even more enjoyable.
At B’Your Home, we offer carefully selected apartments designed to make you feel at home in Paris, whether you are travelling for leisure, with family or for business.
All that’s left to do is choose your neighbourhood and enjoy Paris.