What to do in Paris in November
What to do in Paris in November
November starts the shoulder season, and I think it is an excellent time of year to visit, especially if you have flexible schedules. I have been to Paris during a few Novembers and had great trips. The city is quieter due to fewer tourists making shorter lines for the popular Paris attractions such as the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. If you arrive late in November, you will see the beginning of the Christmas decorations and holiday markets. This post will give you some great ideas on the best things to do in Paris in November and hopefully encourage you to book a trip to Paris.
Paris Weather in November
October weather can be beautiful, with sunshine and warmer temperatures toward the end of the month, but expect it to turn in early November. The average daytime temperatures are in the 50s, and in the evening it could get down to the 40s.
What to Pack for Paris in November
You can see what to pack for Paris in November here, including all the trends spotted this fall.
You will want to pack a hat, gloves, and scarf for wandering around the city. A warmer wool coat is strongly recommended instead of just a trench coat. Pack an umbrella in your bag. Your hotel or apartment rental should have umbrellas, but they may not be small compact ones; expect a larger umbrella. You can see this full post on what to pack for Paris in the autumn.
French Holidays in November
There are a few public holidays in the month of November. All Saints Day is on November 1st. Depending on how it falls in the calendar, along with school breaks, there could be a lot of French kids and families out and about. While some shops, museums, and restaurants might be closed, you will still find places open. On November 11th, you will also find businesses and shops closed for Armistice Day, a national holiday.
Check in advance for museum opening times and plan your day accordingly. You might find it easiest to keep this as an easy travel day and check out the parks or explore a different neighborhood. I love the 9th arrondissement these days (you can see my guide here), and there is so much to see between the 9th and Montmartre.
The third Thursday of November is Beaujolais Nouveau. You will see signs around Paris for this celebration. Pop into a wine bar or café and participate. The wine is made of the Gamay grape and is produced quickly after harvest, usually 6-8 weeks. It is a more fruity and light wine that should be served cold. It won’t be the best wine you have tasted, but it is a great time to try it with other locals if you are in France during this time. This is the official kick-off to the festive season.
Paris Gardens to Visit in November
Luxembourg Gardens is located on the Left Bank of Paris. You will find the same green chairs around the city in different Parisian parks. Grab a baguette sandwich from a local boulangerie, or grab something from Bread and Roses, La Parisienne Madame, or The Smiths Bakery. Set up a little picnic in the park. There are tons of kid-friendly areas in the park here as well.
Tuileries Garden is just in front of The Louvre Museum and is popular with tourists and locals. I love grabbing a coffee at Café Kitsuné just across the way. You can easily take the metro here and exit right in front of the gardens.
Parc Monceau is located in the 8th arrondissement and is more of a destination location and not in the heart of postcard Paris. It is worth a visit and one of my personal favorites. The gold gates will let you know you have arrived. Soak up the Parisians, and people watch in this magical park. Try the boulangerie Boulangerie Léonie close by on Rue de Levi a fun food street.
Right Bank Paris Parks to Visit in November
Palais Royal in November
Palais Royal is located tucked away behind the Louvre. It was a bit off the radar for many until recent years with Emily and Paris and Instagram, it has gained popularity. Palais Royal is a personal favorite of mine and where I got engaged. The columns in black and white are what has put it on the map. Keep walking further for the garden. The trees are bare right in November, but if you come back in the spring or summer, they will be filled and groomed. Roses and dahlias fill the inside gardens for pops of color, and magnolia trees bloom in the spring.
Paris Attractions to See in November
Everyone always puts the Eiffel Tower at the top of their list. I love seeing it from the top of the Arc de Triomphe, which also has great views of the city.
The Grande Roue de Paris, the large Ferris wheel in the Tuileries, goes up in late October. My husband and I did this on our latest trip to Paris. It was so much fun and done on a whim. We didn’t wait too long and had a beautiful birdseye view of Paris.
Palace of Versailles is worth a day trip. I wouldn’t try to squeeze it in for half a day. November is a perfect time to visit because the crowds will be lighter. Keep in mind the first half of the month, there are holidays, and kids will be out of school, and a weekday may be just as busy as a weekend. I went to Versailles in November and was lucky to have a foggy and rainy day that allowed me to have almost all of the palace to myself.
The grounds are extensive, and I would recommend biking or having some sort of transport around. I did a bike tour in Versailles last year and had the best time. The town of Versailles is adorable, and there is a market where you can grab cheese, wine, and a boulangerie for baguettes. If the weather is decent, you can have a picnic on the palace grounds.
The Salon du Chocolat, which is held from October 28 to November 1, features over 500 chocolate producers and pastry chefs. It is located at Porte de Versailles and is accessible via the metro.
Christmas at Disneyland Paris starts in November. If you have kids, this may be something that you could add to your trip. I haven’t been to Disneyland Paris to speak to any of the details.
The Paris Pass, which you can order in advance, allows you to skip the line at the Paris museums and major monuments.
Christmas in Paris Begins in November
Paris Christmas decorations begin in November, and if you are visiting, keep an eye out for the transformation. Department stores like Galeries Lafayette and Bon Marché will be festive this time of year.
On the Left Bank, Bon Marché kicks off its Christmas village theme in late October and runs through late November. The windows will debut in late November 2026.
Right Bank, Galeries Lafayette holiday begins on November 12 with “Au Coeur de Noel” at the heart of Christmas. The most exciting part, I think, is the rooftop rink, which runs from November 24th to January 3.
Paris Christmas Markets and Lights
Christmas markets begin in mid-November. These are my top picks to discover while in Paris in November.
Tuileries Market from November 14 to January 3rd. You can’t miss this celebration off of Rue de Rivoli.
Champs-Élysées Market November 22 to January 4th.
On the Left Bank, Notre Dame, November 26th to December 27th.
Where to See the Holiday Lights in November
Place Vendôme is a personal favorite of mine and an excellent spot to see the Christmas lights in Paris. The festivities start in late November and go through early January.
Avenue Montagne is a destination worth exploring if you are in the area. Lights begin in mid to late November.
Champs-Élysées kicks off its holiday lights from November 22 through January 4th.
Paris Rainy Day Activities in November
Expect rainy days during your trip to Paris. November weather is expected to be a bit rainy. While it can slow you down a bit and change the vibe of your trip, the city can be romantic and beautiful in the rain.
People watch at a café for the afternoon with a good book and a glass of wine. French culture allows you to hold a seat for as long as you like if you order a drink or food. The waiter won’t rush you off; you have time to soak up the scene and relax. You will most likely have to request the bill with “l’addition s’il vous plaît.”
Visit the Louvre museum for an afternoon to see the Mona Lisa and other famous works of art. To warm up, I recommend a stop at Angelina for a cup of hot chocolate. If you have little ones, this is a great activity to keep them busy if it is cold and rainy. There is a location on Rue de Rivoli across from The Louvre.
Expect a bit of a line depending on the time of day. The hot chocolate is thick and decadent. Don’t miss the whipped cream on top. If there is too long of a wait, pop into a neighboring café for chocolat chaud (hot chocolate).
What to Wear in Paris When It Rains: Fall Edition
Check out this post for more ideas on what to wear in Paris when it rains.
More Rainy Day Paris Activities
For more rainy-day Paris ideas, pop into Galeries Lafayette to escape a rainy day if you are over museums. Check to see if the rooftop is open. It is a great place to view the city and the Paris monuments. You can also shop Bon Marché if you are on the Left Bank, which is one of my favorite department stores. Their food market, called Le Grande Epicerie de Paris, is something you have to see. Kids might also like browsing here, and you can pick up some food souvenirs for home. The prices are slightly higher than your usual grocery store, so be warned of sticker shock. It is worth exploring. Bonus: you can get butter vacuum sealed here for your trip home.
Take a food tour with La Cuisine Paris and learn about the culture and French traditions. They will take you to some of the best places for baguettes, cheese, and charcuterie in the city and you will meet a few visitors in your group. If you are traveling solo, this is a great time to meet people. La Cuisine offers more than just food tours. You can also sign up for one of their cooking classes. I recently did their croissant class on a rainy day and had so much fun!
For more Paris tips, you can purchase The Paris Guide which is a downloadable PDF with over 80 pages on where to eat and drink, boutique hotels/apartments, and hidden gems to feel more like a local.
This post does include affiliate links that help contribute to my coffee and croissant research. Merci! Join the Substack community at The Paris Diaries to support the blog and meet other Francophiles in the EDP community.
Photos of me by Katie Donnelly and Rebecca Tyler
Bonjour, I’m Rebecca!
I’m a photographer, blogger, croissant-lover, and world traveler. I hope that Everyday Parisian inspires you by bringing a bit of France into your daily life and helps you plan the best trip to Paris with personalized recommendations for places to stay, explore, and eat.
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Hi I am coming to Paris for 3 nights on 25th November with my 18 year old daughter who hasnt been before and its been 30 since ive been! Any tips for where to eat and what to do other than the usual tourist spots? Thank you so much
We need to book a cooking class on November 22nd or November 21st. Also on either of those days a fashion show.
I will be traveling solo, Nov 16-24, any special tips?
I’m going to Paris the last week of November so I’m looking forward to hitting some of these spots. Thanks for the post!
Hi Ashley,
Your welcome! I hope you have the best trip. Keep me posted on how it goes.
Safe travels,
Rebecca
Great post! Been thinking of going. Toulouse Letrec and Degas exhibit I would Iike to see. Great information. Thanks.
Thank you so much, Kelly! Keep me posted if you end up going.
Yes!! to the Van Gogh exhibit! Breathtaking. Went two weeks ago. Highly, highly recommend. ♥️
I have heard great things. I really need to book tickets for November. Thank you!! xo
I stumbled on your blog by accident. I’m returning to Paris, in one week, after 15 years. This is a great blog for finding the latest on what’s happening now! Thank you!
Hi Karen,
I am so happy you found me! I hope you have the best trip to Paris. October is a great time to see Paris. Let me know if you need help with anything 🙂
xo
Rebecca